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 7, 1890 John Benjamin-1823 to Robert Gleave Benjamin-1854

Roseland, La
April 7, 1890
Dear Robbie,
Your letter, also one from Ma and one from Winfred too came to hand yesterday.   I was sorry to hear that Mattie & Ma too were not very well when you wrote but I hope all are well ere this and that peace reigns now at Fairy Glen.   I am in hopes to dispose of the place before long now that things are commencing to boom at H. as Ma says.   
I am sorry to hear that Frank is so ___.   I think that he had better go a little slow in some respects.  Perhaps it is nice for him that I am not there just now.  At the same time I wish him no harm but all prosperity in his new home.  At the same time I can’t help thinking that he is making a grand mistake in going to Nebraska as there are very many Nebraskaites coming to La., more specifically to Roseland.   As long as he & Minnie too could not behave themselves it is just as well for them to try and shift for themselves.  At any rate I hope that you and Mattie & Winfred too will do all you possibly can to keep Ma cheered up now so many are absent.   And I would say right here that there is no certainty as to the time when I shall come home, in as much I wish to be there before long.   I hope that ere this reaches you that Frank will have gone without any further trouble.  As Winfred expressed it, there will be since, good tempers, and sleep too after they have gone, all of which I hope will be realized.
In regard to the crops or seeding or planting I will leave it entirely to you as to what to advise the boys in this respect as I don’t think now it will be possible for me to be there in time to give any council whatever before seeding time commences this spring.  Have the boys put all the millet seed that is not wanted into some of the stores for sale.   Am sorry that Frank was so greedy in taking all the seed corn as he could get corn enough in Neb.  and much larger corn than ours too for they raise large corn there, if what the people who come here bring is a true sample of it.   
Tell Winfred to make out a list of articles that Frank took that did not belong to him as he will perhaps have to pay for them sometime.   I hope that he did not take any wheat or oats as all will be wanted there.  Perhaps all of our stock can be kept home the next season now so many horses and sheep have gone.
I could not go to church last Sunday as I did not feel very well, but I am myself again now and expect to go to Amite City this afternoon on some business.  Am glad to hear that Mr. & Mrs. Burtch come to see you all at times.  Give my kindest regards to them and to all the friends at H. and vicinity.   You are to have Tom Wakefield for a neighbor now as you know.   Well, I hope he will be all right. 
Our love to all, from,
Father

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