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…………









August 17, 1889 John Benjamin-1823 to Olive Benjamin Bacon-1864


Hutchinson, Minn.

August 17, 1889

Dear Howard & Olive,

No Sunday letter from you this week, how is this?  Ma thinks something must of happened  ___ or a letter ought to be here last Wednesday, but no letter came.   We shall look for a long letter next week.  I hope that the stove will reach you in due time without any delay. 

Ma and I were at Mr. Smith’s ___ last Tuesday.  I’ve had a nice time there & I made myself generally useful in threading needles for the ___; i.e. Mrs. Rollins, Mrs. Barber & they made a condition present that I should not get any dinner unless I threaded the needles for them, & you better believe I worked like a major for my supper, which I enjoyed hugely.   Mrs. Smith says she will have another big B for my special benefit if I only agree to go there to thread the needles for the ___.   What do you think I had better do, go or not?  Well, I will take for granted that you will say yes, so will go if I feel well enough to stand it, for it is so laboring you know to wait on so many ___ in one day, no rest. 

Ma & I took in the picnic yesterday & had a good time again there.   Went from there Mr. Abbots to tea & Mrs. Abbots put me to bed to rest before tea for a short time.  There is a daughter of theirs from Iowa on a visit at their house just now.  Should say that she is larger than Mr. Graham.  She & Mrs. Byrnes make a strong team.  I tell you, nothing small about either of them. 

Where Ma and myself will go next I know not, as the invitations come in thicker & faster than ever.  I think, however, we can stand it, the invitations I mean, if not all of the friends sumptuous entertainment of us .  I tell you,  you do not know really how people appreciate you until you are sick almost unto death as I have been.   I find now that I have more friends than ever. 

The boys are busy haying as yet.  We have a lot of very fine hay put up so far; very little rain to spoil any of it as yet.  Am working up the car business for George as fast as I can.   Think I can get it for less than $124 by & by, or before George gets ready to leave. 

My hip, knee & shoulder are not any better; am in pain all of the time more or less. Otherwise my general health is good.  Ma says that she is not going south.  She does not like to leave the boys alone.   But if I go, she must too as I am not able to dress or undress without her assistance.

Love to you both,

Father


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