John Benjamin was born in England in 1823. In 1849, at the age of 26, he immigrated to America with the goal of seeking opportunities in the new world and improving the life of his family. During his immigration and eventual settlement in Hutchinson, Minnesota, John saved many personal letters that were written by and to him. These letters, the subject of this web site, bring to life his immigration and the life of others during this courageous adventure. The most recent letters posted on this sight are on this front page. To see all the earlier letters, keep pressing the “Older Posts” button on the bottom of this page. The earliest letter recorded here is June 20, 1849. The letters…………









August 22, 1871 Asa Hutchinson to John Benjamin-1823

Yarmouth
August 22, 1871
Dr. J. Benjamin
Dear Sir,
Your favor of 10th inst was duly received at Nantucket by my family and brought it to me at this place.  Fred & I have been detained a few days in Lynn shingling and repairing our cottages there.  Now the Case is here still and holding me ___.  I want to raise more funds for our church if possible to complete it before we turn Christmas.  We want to give concerts enough of our own to pay for our expenses so far. 
Now Brother Benjamin I have just written to Mr. Case desiring of him to remain at the farm till 1st of November, if possible, or as long as he can stand.  I wish you should take the first opportunity to go and see him and persuade him to remain, but if he will not, I wish you would just step in and manage the entire premises by you & your wife taking the rooms that he has vacated, or let your oldest son & daughter go over & take charge, or get the best man you can that will be honest & faithful and of course rush along the thrashing, plowing, corn harrowing, etc. and I will return at the earliest possible.  Can’t __ __ with our boxes and business east and reimburse yon for all your cost & trouble. 
Now Doctor, you are my right hand man that I rely in our town and if you fail me I shall hurry home never to leave again or come and sell all out and close up my temporal matters there so as not to be annoyed when I am away.   Have you collected the notes I ___ in your favor from Dawson’s Bank?   Please bring order out of my confusion that may arise in securing the grain.  Put two or three teams plowing and have the doing properly attended.  Take a general supervision of the entire premises that nothing goes to waste.   I shall be ready to sell anything I have then if I cannot pay expenses by running the farm after the cutting I have already made in ___.   Sell the oxen at the first good offer.  Let Kate ___ for some young cattle and have the pigs butchered early after fattening & hold for what they will bring saving the best stock for breeders.
I know, Dr., that you have your own cares & business because you are faithful in little.   I believe you will be faithful in much and I have the faith that you will truly represent me & more too, and that I only wish to know that you will assure responsiblity till I come and trust that you will be fully recompensed for the __ on our arrival. 
Please write me fully & particularly on receipt of this 2 state what changes you have initiated and how the prospects brighten.  What will be the acreage crop on our farm and such suggestions as you choose to make.  We want to raise something for our church before we set our faces west, but if you cannot get along without me for two months, say so, and I must leave all my cares & concerns and come home & stay till something permanent is accomplished. 
Regards to all of your family, and believe me,
Truly yours,
Asa B. Hutchinson
Please address us to the care of Dr. J. H. Sherman, Lynn, Mass.
Please pay faithful Frank for two months services out of funds gathered in from note or sale of cattle.  Yours, ABH

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