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…………









June 13, 1875 Elizabeth Benjamin-1830 to John Benjamin-1823

Hutchinson
June 13, 1875
My Dear John,
Bobby received a letter from you last night.  They have not been able to get a load for any of the stores since you’ve been gone.   Will try to get a load when they come to meet you.  Hoping that Edwin has arrived for you must be awful lonesome if he has not come.  I hope you manage to buy a shirt bosom and cuffs to put on Sunday for that one must be terribly dirty by this time. 
I went to grange yesterday.  The attendance was quite good but no Master or Secretary.  Something must be done or the thing will go down and another Master and Secretary must be appointed.  They are having splendid meetings at other lodges and why can’t we if there was more interest taken.  Will you try to see the grange store in Minneapolis?  There is one kept by I.T. or L.B. Wache, a general apartment store.  See how they will sell.  Bring samples so that our lodge will see.
I took tea at Chesley’s.  He seemed quite pleased to think you had got a store for them.  He had been cultivating his farm.  Mrs. Chesley looked nicely.
The children have just come home from meeting and Sunday school.  Olive went down with me yesterday to practice at Mrs. Lewis’s on a piece they are going to sing at the Praise Meeting tonight.  It has rained hard this morning and looks some like rain this afternoon. 
I have my __ filled.  Have filled it in ten days with splendid butter.  They are paying 20 cents here got I asked yesterday.  Winifred is out of shoes.  I can’t help him on his feet.  Could you get a hair cheaper there or not, shall send his measure.  The boys have got quite a piece of the pasture fence up.  Plumb is going to bother.  She jumps out of the fence to and out of the pasture to ___ calf she has taken up with. 
Oh! does it look so lonesome here without you.  It makes me blue today and I have a terrible headache.  I can scarcely sit up.  Bennie was on the breaking yesterday.  He said it, the wheat, was beautiful and thick, so Bobby has gone to see if today nothing has bothered there.
Shall give my love to Edwin, hoping you are all both well.
I remain your affectionate wife.
Elizabeth B.

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