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 19, 1885 John Benjamin-1823 to Tribe of Benjamin

Hutchinson
June 18, 1985
Dear Ma & all the tribe of Benjamin,
Your letter came to hand last night.  We were very glad to hear of your safe arrival at the North Pole & that you found all the old & young Esgwumps all in the full enjoyment of good health.  I hope this may find you all well & enjoying yourselves.
I have not been very well for the two or three days but am better today.  My eyes have been very sore but are much better now.
I shall send you some papers herein.  You will see the account of the burning of the flouring mill last Sunday night during a very heavy thunderstorm which lasted for over two hours.    The children had not more than got into the house from church when the storm commenced.  Ludwig, Franz & Mimi Ritter were caught near the old Junes house on their return from the camp meeting.  They drove into our yard & had to stay all night not deeming it safe go home after the storm cleared a little.  I have not learnt of any further damage done in this vicinity with the exception of the burning of the mill.   The streets are all streams.
Our windmill is shipped from Minneapolis & will be here now soon.
John will be here in one or two weeks, a letter from him last night.  Mr. Coffin is expected here on Monday next from Minneapolis.  The children insist on my going to Moorhead next week.  They will not listen to the word and Mr. & Mrs. Higgins, Mr. & Mrs. Ritter are going & several others, Mr. Reed too.   He says only you must go.  He is going to wish if it were possible for you to go with me.  The train leaving St. Paul on Tuesday morning 7-15.   I shall send you the Enterprise where you will learn all about it.   I sent for the tickets for Higgins & Ritter. 
I was glad to hear that the horses went so nicely with you & that you got there without much rain.   It has rained here considerable since you left & today is very threatening & hot.
Robbie is going to S.S. convention this evening if it don’t rain.  Maggie has not been to school this week, fixing up her clothes.  Tell little Lizzie that Grandpa is coming next time.  The tribe of Benjamin at present is very much reduced & pretty well scattered over the face of the earth.  I shall expect to see some fragments of the tribe return the last of next week for this tribe was not created to be divided and torn asunder.
The last day of school today & the children are enjoying the big circus at Glencoe.  Next week they all want to go.  We shipped two cases (or 1 ½ cases) of butter last Wednesday.  ___ done well, I mean Louise & myself, of course, you will say sis.   I finished one churning this A. M. & Louise is calling for me to come & do the other as she has taken the butter out of the churn.
I have now finished my second churning.  It has been a little for the last hour.  It looks now again like fine weather.  Tell William & Frank not to take all the fish out of the lake for Arthur & Winifred.   Say that they want some when they come there. 
I suppose that you have been to Alexandria by this.   How do you like the looks of the country?  How is Mr. & Mrs. Frost, Mr. & Mrs. Blackwell?  Give my kind regards to them all.  Can the little girls play upon the ___ yet or not?   Tell that I shall expect them to be good players by the time I visit them by & by.
I word to you, Olive, privately.  I tell you what it is, I don’t like to occupy the editorial chair in your absence.  You must hurry up & come home and attend to this part of the business or I shall be obliged to suspend you & look out for anew editor in chief, and don’t you forget it. 
You will have to excuse Louise from writing this time for she is very busy getting herself & all the others ready for the convention.   Robbie is writing his speech upstairs & has taken my ink bottle, hence I am obliged to use this pale stuff. 
Your most affectionate,
Father
We shall expect a letter a day.



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