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…………









April 1, 1875 Richard Garner-1838 to Elizabeth Benjamin-1830


91 Islington, Liverpool

April 1, 1875

My dear sister,

I have heard from Joseph.  He tells me he has written to you & enclosed my note.  I have got your address from him.  I hope you will feel all right by this & your sadness past.  I was sorry, dear sister, that you should write in that strain.  Trust in Him that is able to wipe all tears away.   I am sure you ought to be happy with your kind good husband for your stay.  He must have supported you in many trials and was his manly form that met you on the shores of the far west and made you his wife and gave you a home.  I know, for I remember well the home you left was not a long one for you or I, but Joseph was kind at all times.   I do not say anything against him for he has been very good to me, but my home was gone after you left.   Also, dear sister, you have your family about you, fine sons and loving daughters & you ought to be proud of them & I think you are, nay I am sure, for you say your  eldest son has brown curly hair like his uncle Joseph.  Many years have passed since you saw brother’s hair.  He was brown & curly once but is now quite white & looks like the fine old English gentleman.  But to be candid with you, I know from your letter that you have been neglected.  Brother has not kept up a correspondence with you & cousin Dawson has done the same, that makes you sad.  I do not want at it you so far away & they may never see you again.  But you keep up; do not let your English heart fail you.  Remember the omnipotent Father will never forsake you if you only trust in Him, he will sustain in all trouble. 

You are sad today.  I cannot forget it is the land of your adoption, but by far a better country than this at present.   Here it is a fight to live honestly.  The best rogue gets on & has all his own way.  You are in a strange land I know, but do not think or sigh about it for it is better than being here.  You state that a Mr. Gleave and Mary Lloyd (that was) write to you, I suppose from Flint.  I have not been there or at Bagillt for years.   I have only seen cousin Dawson once or twice since you left.  Old Flint & all round is quite a wilderness.  You would not like to live there now.  You could not grow the flowers you were so fond of and I see from your letter you love still.  It would grieve you to see the old place now.  I pass in the train & see all this.  I only see that little barber selling papers at the station.  I think we used to call him Charley.  I never see anyone else that I know or other face that I can remember.  If you or Mr. B know of any old friends that want looking up, please inform me before I come away. 

I suppose you are farming in Minnesota.  I see that Hutchinson is southwest of L. Superior and west of the Mississippi.  The locality must be good for growing any kind of grain.  I am sure there is room for us.  I do not care what kind of employment I get or what kind of store I keep nor am I afraid of hard work.  My children are very healthy, also my wife.  I have left my situation and am getting all ready to come out to you, so please send me all information without delay.

Hoping we shall soon see you all, with kind love to my nephews, nieces , Mr. B and same from Mrs. G and children, and also your dear self.  I am, dear sister, your affectionate brother,
Richard  

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