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 13, 1875 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Minneapolis, Minn
April 13, 1875
Dear John,
I just received your letter and would be please to come and see if you it was possible for me to do so.  I must say here that I am under a very heavy expense just now and my time is completely taken up in introducing my machinery.  And when you come to think over my not receiving any money from anyone since we paid you a visit last fall.  I do not care for the money, but the time is of greater importance to me right now than the money.  For, John, you can’t realize what I have been through this winter, the drawing for that large resawing machine I made at home nights this winter by lamp light.  The drawing never saw daylight, only when the pattern maker was making the patterns. My machine arrives here this morning.  I shall get it into a mill tomorrow.  I have been traveling in the mud about six inches deep ever since I came here.  I think that perhaps I shall do pretty well with the machine and I shall be please to let you know what mill men think of them here, for I know I have got the best machines in this line there is in the market.    There is quite a number here wants to get the sale of them but I am not prepared to make such an arrangement with them just yet for I shall leave that until I get back home.  What do you think of my circulars?  Don’t you think that they are good?   But you would be surprised to see them work . 
I was very sorry to learn  that Elizabeth had been sick, hoping that she may continue to improve is my sincere wish, and John, there would be nothing give me greater pleasure than to see you all and especially you to see me here and my machines working for I know that it would be a benefit to you as well a good deal of pleasure.
John, you will excuse me from writing any more just for I have got the headache but I think that tomorrow I will be all right.   I shall be putting up my machine and I shall be happy then.  I have not heard from home since I came here.  I begin to expect one soon now.  My folks felt awfully to have me come away but it gives me a great deal of pleasure to know that I have all of their prayers from the oldest to the youngest.
From yours affectionately,
Edwin
PS – Give my love to all.  I shall be here about ten days more.
Edwin

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