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 18, 1881 Thomas Price to John Benjamin-1823

Quincy, Mass.
April 18, 1881
Dear John,
We were most happy to receive your kind letter, and especially were we pleased to receive your photograph.  It is a very good one indeed.  Although you have changed somewhat since we saw you last, you still look very much as you did formerly.   I should readily have known you had it been my good fortune to have met you anywhere.  We trust we shall soon have the pleasure of receiving the photographs of your dear wife and children for we wish very much to have them. 
I have been thinking very much of late of the time when you and I came to this country.   It will be 32 years the 22nd of this month.  How time flies!!  I don’t think that either you or I have any reason to regret that we came to America for it has proved a good thing both for ourselves and our children.  We have changed somewhat since that time for we were then strong active young men. 
We are very glad to learn that you have such bright intelligent girls – and boys too, for that matter.  They are a blessing to you and I doubt not you are justly proud of them.
As Olive wished you to ask me the prices of pianos, I send you a price list of Mr. Chickering’s instruments, which are undeniably the best.  The prices written in ink are the real ones from which a discount of 10% is made for cash. 
I wish to thank you kindly for the papers you have sent me.  I have taken much pleasure in reading them.   I am glad to hear of the remarkable growth of some of your western towns.  Minneapolis has done remarkably well.  Your property must appreciate in value considerably during the next decade.  I am sure you cannot do better than we wish you, for we wish you and yours every prosperity and success. 
I suppose you will soon be quite busy sowing.  I should think the farms in the west must look very fine during the growing season.
I am happy to say that I am gradually improving in health.  My wife and Willie are still quite well.  Willie has written this letter for me for I wished to answer your letter without much delay.  We trust you will soon have fully recovered from the effects or your late sickness.  We trust the rest of you are quite well. 
With our love to you all and hoping to hear from you again soon, I remain as ever,
Your sincere friend,
Thomas G. Price

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