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 11, 1888 John Benjamin-1823 to Family

Amite City, LA
June 11, 1888
Dear Family,
I don’t think that I shall be able to leave here until next week.  Shall write you again, however, before I leave for home.  Shall stay at Chicago on my way.
We are all having a good time here, although the weather is rather warm, but not more so than with you; 87 the highest so far.  I have to stay longer than I expected on account of making the title perfect to all the colony lands.  Mr. Corbin continues to do some very crooked work in selling land to Iowa residents.   Am afraid that the gentleman will get into a very bad row of stresses by & by.  My matter and also Arthur’s is all right as I have examined all the records here.
Some of our company have left for home, some have gone to Florida, some to SW LA, some have returned from there and like this place much better than they did there.   They have some of the finest potatoes here that I ever saw.   The strawberries and the blackberries are very plenty as yet we have strawberries on the table every meal. 
I did not feel very well this morning but am all right again this afternoon.  This ailment was brought on by too much fruit.  I wish Olive was here to enjoy this baking climate.  We attended a festival last night for the benefit of the Episcopal Church.  It was attended by about 500 people and 114 dollars was realized and the company was first class in every respect.   
I feel quite at home and only wish that the price of my property there was in my pocket or available so that I could use it here right now.   Hope that Frank has attended to matters left with him to see to.   Tell Robbie & Mattie that what I write is for them or for one as much as another, so they will excuse me from writing to them directly.
My love to all.  There some indications of rain which is needed for it rather dry here just now.  Here comes an invitation to go for a ride to see the country.
From Father

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