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…………









May 23, 1890 John Benjamin-1823 to Family

Roseland, La
May 23, 1890
Dear Ma & All,
Your letter and Winfred’s came to hand last night .  We were all very glad to hear that you were well and that the work was progressing on the farm.   I have no doubt that you worried on account of Arthur not coming home in time last night.   I hope that this will not occur again to cause you any trouble.  I am sorry that Erham or whoever’s fault it is does not make you ___ for the hay.
I think that you are doing well in the way of butter making, but the price is very low at the present time.   I am sorry to hear of so much cold weather up there.   I hope that the crops are not  injured __ in any way.  The weather here is very fine; warm days and cool nights.  Very comfortable to sleep.   I wish if it were possible for you to enjoy the layering of the strawberries along with us here. 
We had, or the Ladies Aid did have, a sociable one night last week  where strawberries and ice cream was served at 10 cents a dish.  It was very good I assure you & she took in about $38.00.  Very good for this young settlement, don’t you think so?
Better sow millet where the clover is ___ and there is no clover seed, as this will make good hay.  I would not advise to go into partnership with anyone as yet in a hay press as we have no sheds or any suitable place to store the hay after pressing.   I hope that Graham will not disappoint you about the money.  What did you do about Howard’s colt?  Did you try to trade him to Graham for the machine or note, as Howard wishes you to do this with someone and he and I can fix it up between us all right.  Try to do this with someone if you can’t do it with Graham.   Let Robbie trade him off if he can for something you want.   You will want a mowing machine for one thing.  If you can’t trade with Graham, perhaps you can do so with some of the machine men.   Take the difference in Henry’s binding twine, anything that you can make use of. 
Am glad you have a good boy to take the place of those that left .  Never mind, Winfred, you will be recompensed when I come home as I have quite a nice present for you which I think you will appreciate as I think that you will, as you & Arthur too have been so kind and attentive to Ma now she is alone.   I feel you have done this under some disadvantage while you were so short of help to assist you with the chores and other work. 
In regard to my coming home on the Excursion in June,  I will endeavor to come on or before that time if possible.   I expect General Howard or Mr. Wilson to be here on the Excursion yesterday so that we could make some arrangements to come home at once, but neither of them came, but a letter stating this reason for their failure to come.  Am really sorry for this as Ma has really more than she  can do or ought to do, whereas I could help her to a certain extent with the milk and butter. 
I think Mr. Tripp’s office is on the corner of 4th St. and Jackson St.  I would address Mr. Tripp’s agent, Milwaukee Mutual Life Insurance Co, corner Jackson  and 4th St. , St. Paul, Minn., which I think would find him.   Ma, you will find $5.00 enclosed in this to help along as this is all the money I have, at the same time owing the girls some for board too, and obliged to get something to wear since coming here, more than I brought with me.   The boys, and the girls too, say that they are going to write long letters soon to you all. 
My love to Robbie & Mattie, Arthur & Winfred, and all enquiring friends . 
Affectionately yours,
Father
PS – I got a letter from Uncle Edwin over a week ago. He expected to be in Minn. in a few days when he wrote, when he expected to come to H. and spend the Sunday with you,  I hope that he has been there ere this.  He was going to the People’s Const. so he told me.   He had been very sick before he wrote but getting better then. 
F.


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