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…………

Sept. 9, 1872 Edwin Benjamin-1833 to John Benjamin-1823

Chicago
Sept. 9, 1872
Dear John,
I expected to have been out to see you before this but things have taken a change and I will not be able to come.  I am about selling out my business and have got to make some other arrangements to go in some other business soon and of course that is going to take up my time, and so I thought that this morning I would drop you a line to let you know what I was about to do. 
We are going back to our own home next month.  Since the great fire I have rented it to a friend of ours.  I could have sold it for $4,000 but I made up my mind to keep it and go and live in it, and so between selling out my business and having a very sick child this fall and moving to our place I will not be able to come and see you.  I have but a short time to write to you but I will write to you again next Sunday.
Charlotte[1] and her folks are all well and she had another boy last Tuesday and is doing well.  I haven’t had time to go and see her but I saw Humphrey Saturday night in the cars down in town and that is the first I heard of it. 
I told Richard to write to you two weeks ago. I don’t know whether he did or not.  Louisa’s[2] son is here with them and I had working for me until about three weeks ago when I got him a place to run a small engine and is doing well and is a very good boy.
I think the next you will hear from me will be in a machine shop.   I am thinking of buying an interest in one. The parties has been trying to get me with them for three years now.  I suppose you are aware that I have been very successful in this time of business here and have got a great reputation and my patent matcher and cillinder [sic] cutter heads are a great success for all plaining machines. 
I have got to go this afternoon to see about getting a new buggy.  I sold the one I had to my brother in law and so I have been without for the last six or seven months and I shall have to ride ___ if I go back to our place. 
You can address your letter to the care of L. B. Walker & Co. , 65 & 67 South Camel Street, Chicago, Ill.
You will hear from me again soon.
 
From your truly,
Edwin
[1] John & Edwin’s sister.
[2] John & Edwin’s sister.

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