Shrewsbury Friday
September 14th 1866

My dear Mrs Gibbons
Your very kind note
would have been acknowledged
earlier only that I have been
travelling and consequently
found but rare opportunities
for correspondence -

I see that you have been
quite prepossessed by my
husband and that of course
gratifies me extremely, for
I am a very proud wife! -
Few women are so blessed

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Also, and will give something from [underlined] my [/underlined] little income

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when it is due
next December.
With kindest
love to your
daughters,
Believe me

Yours
most truly,
[underlined] Julia Billings [/underlined].

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as I have been in my marriage
and were it not that I have
frequent anxiety concerning my
husband’s health, I should
feel that there was scarcely a
cloud upon my horizon -
Frederick has been more or
less the victim of Panama
fever for years and so his
nervous system has been
sorely tried - but as he has been
improving the past six months I
trust he will ultimately be as
strong as he looks. -

My children have been well

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all summer - My boy who
is now three years and a half, is a
sturdy child and so bright and
lively that already he is excellent
company for me - The little
daughter is gentle & winning and
adds as much to our happiness
as her more spirited brother - I enclose
their pictures fancying you will like
to see how they look -

I have almost decided to pass
next winter in Vermont, partly
on their account & partly because
sometime after the 1st of January I shall
expect my next confinement.

We are at present visiting my

Sister Mary who has a very pleasant
place near our old homestead
Thither we shall go a fortnight
later to make my father & my brothers
family a visit.

After the middle of October
we shall spend some days in
New York & then I will try to see
you. - Meantime if $50.00
towards supporting the Home would be
acceptable your can have it any
day by sending to my husbands’
Office 15 Nassau St. where his
brother practices law, in the firm
of Morris & Billings - I shall be
happy to Subscribe to the movement
in behalf of Soldiers’ wives & children