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…………









Feb. 6, 1890 Olive Benjamin Bacon-1864 to Family


Roseland, La

Feb. 6, 1890

Dear Mama and All,

We had a postal from Robert Tuesday - one from Frank today and a letter from Winfred.  We were so glad to hear from you again and how you were all getting along with la grippe.  I’m sorry you needed to have it at all but hope in due time you will fully recover from it.  It must be very hard for mama as she is so seldom ill, for mama mine you know one thing, people who get up too soon after having the grippe always have a relapse.   Now remember and stay in bed till the doctor says you may get up or until you feel well & strong -  then don’t go right at work – but be very careful & take everything easy, for if you do not you may have to stay in bed all winter - so tis best to be prudent to begin with.  Winfred, you see that she does not get up in less than two weeks from the time she was taken with it first.  Wait on her, read & talk & tell all the funny things you can think of to make her forget she is in bed.  I’m so glad, Winfred, that you still keep well & hope you will but take good care of yourself and do not take cold or you might be sick too and that would make it very bad all round.  It was a good idea to get Frank Wolford to help you as it was too much for you to do alone.  Hope Minnie will not take it as she is so little and then what would the others do without their good nurse.  Glad Frank has it no harder – he can help Minnie so much in the house then.  Wish we might be spirited there to help you all at this time.  We were all thankful that Mattie, Robbie & baby recovered and seem to be getting along so well.  Take care & not be too venturesome until you have all fully recovered.  We are all anxious about you -  are in our minds constantly.  No one that we know has had it yet in Roseland.  We hope to escape it. 

At last our barrels of millet are here and we have just opened them and have all been eating raisons.  Wesie sits by the table munching them now and father has just quit.  I am chewing away on them as fast as I know how.  My but they are good. 

I got the picture, mama, and it is as natural as ever (you know it never was a very good one).  Have it standing on the piano now.  Wish I had original here instead of the picture (I don’t mean standing on the piano).  Would give you the easiest chair in the house.  What a jolly big time we would have.  Papa keeps so well.  Once in a while he has a little bad turn but every time it comes from eating too heartily.  You ought to see such an appetite as he has.  He won’t own up to it but he is always ready for his meals & enjoys them even if we do not have lots of pies, cakes & delicate dishes.  We have to watch him all the time and particularly when we have beans twice on Sunday.  I have to set the dish away so he can’t get them the second time.  We have lots of fun about it.  He tells us we don’t want him to be sick so we tell him when he has eaten enough.  Since then he has been better. 

We have attended service two or three at night & nearly every Sunday here.  The __ __ minister from Amile is just splendid & everybody likes him.   Howard has had a class a few Sundays & I had a class of lively little folks a week last Sunday.  We enjoy the S. S. very much but they are using a new kind of lesson paper of David Cooks so do not have same kind of lesson as you all do.  We have prayer meetings every Thursday night & tonight Howard leads it – subject: “Righteousness”.  We do not attend anything else in the colony but what I have mentioned as most everything is in connection with a dance & we have neither money nor time to waste on such foolishness. 

It is thundering and is trying to rain.  We need rain very much.  The boys have been at home today setting out live oaks, banana trees, and holly.  After dinner sowed their cucumber seeds.  William Collins (Mrs. Payson’s adopted son) came with the team yesterday & helped sow radish, potatoes, & c.   Howard went to Amile to attend to business of Uncle Sam’s and I went with him to Mrs. Payson as was not very well.  Got our phaeton shafts home the same time & will soon drive Lady again.  That itch the horses have all been having is making Lady poor. 

It was Wesie’s birthday yesterday so I bought her a lovely bouquet of flowers from Mrs. Payson’s – wish you could see them.  How I wish you could all come down on the excursion.  They expect a big crowd here & will give them a reception.   What do you think of our letter in the Farm Field & Stockman? Father would not let me rest till I had it off so if you see any imperfections please overlook.  Of course, it is father’s letter.   

Wesie, the others will write soon.  All send lots of love & wishes for your speedy recovery.  Also many thanks for all that came in the barrels.  Wish we were able to send for butter. 

Lovingly,

Olive

Let us hear often if only a word or two.  Hope you won’t have to miss those examinations, Winfred, but if you do that is not the worst thing which could happen.



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