Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2, Part 30

Author: J.H. Beers & Co
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1172


USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > Commemorative biographical record of Hartford County, Connecticut : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, and of many of the early settled families, Pt 2 > Part 30


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(VIII) Philo Andrews, the subject proper of this biography, was born May 29, 1831, on Stanley street, New Britain, and was educated chiefly in the academy and private schools of that town. His mother was a successful teacher, and devoted much attention to the education of her sons, in whose abili- ties she took natural and justifiable pride. At the age of sixteen he went to Hartford to take a position as clerk in the dry-goods store of Wellis & Kellogg, with whom he remained until their failure, a year later. After clerking a short time in another store in Hartford he found employment in the lock de .. partment of Russell & Erwin's factory at New Brit- ain, and when Augustus & Gad Stanley established their rule factory (on the site of P. & F. Corbin's present shop) he entered their employ. As time passed he took a contract for the company, in part- nership with Elford B. Eddy, and after twenty years in the factory, at the death of his brother, he retired in 1872 with a fair competence, his property including a farm adjacent to the city, which is now- being encroached upon by the rapid development of the place, and has risen greatly in value of late years. In early years Mr. Andrews was a Demo- crat, but since 1872 he has voted the Republican ticket at every National election. He has never been particularly active in politics, but has at times beent requested to take office, but refused. However, he has been a member of the Sewer committee, and has; served one term as assessor and two years ( 1896-97) as alderman from the Second ward, acting as a member of the committee on Streets. For fortv- seven years he has been a member of Trinity Meth- odist Episcopal Church at New Britain, in which he has held various offices, and is now trustee. For fourteen years he was superintendent of the Sunday- school.


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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


On Nov. 8, 1853, Mr. Andrews married Miss Mary L. Butler, who was born April 21, 1832, daughter of Martin Butler, a well-known resident of West Hartford. Their only daughter, Ella Maria, born Sept. 23, 1854, married Edward W. Thomp- son, formerly of Broadalbin, N. Y., and now a druggist at New Britain. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson have two sons: Frederick K., born June 8, 1876, who married Miss Anna L. Emmons, of New Brit- tain; and Harold E., born April 1, 1881, now a student in the high school.


MOSES LOOMIS (deceased), son of Jonathan and Hannah ( Barber) Loomis, was born August 13, 1805, on the farm now owned and occupied by his daughter, Mrs. Louisa Hubbard, and always re- sided there, the present brick residence having been built by him in 1838. He was a hard worker, having been trained to habits of industry from boyhood, and he not only carried on farming successfully, but was engaged in the manufacture of brick. He was over six feet in height, and well-built, with a large frame, and even after his retirement from business at the age of seventy-two, he continued his accus- tomed activities to some extent. Honesty and in- tegrity were leading traits in his character, and he was a loyal and patriotic citizen, and a helpful worker in the Congregational Church at Windsor, contributing liberally and serving as a member of the Ecclesiastical Society. He placed a high esti- mate on education, and was an earnest advocate for better schools in his town. In politics he was first a Whig, later a Republican, but he never sought office, and beyond voting regularly did not take an active share in party work.


He died Oct. 24, 1888, leaving a good estate, but his descendants can find in the inheritance of his honored memory a better source of satisfaction, and though of an humble, retiring disposition he left a lasting influence for god behind. Born at an age before modern inven- tions were thought of, and hardships were the com- mon lot in life, he was from the beginning a hero. and as he advanced in years strove to do his part toward building up a country and the improvement of his own town that would in after years be a blessing and happiness to others.


On May 3, 1834, Mr. Loomis married Miss Nancy C. Loomis, daughter of Asher Loomis and Rocinda (Cook), of Windsted. She was a gentle lovable lady. She died Sept. 23, 1886, and the re- mains of both repose in the cemetery at Windsor. They had two children: Jane, born Sept. 24, 1838, died Oct. 29, 1857; and Louisa (widow of F. B. Hubbard), born April 27, 1845.


The first ancestor of the late Moses Loomis, of whom any record has been preserved, was (I) Joseph Loomis, a native of England, who came to Windsor in 1668. (II) Deacon John Loomis, the next in the line of descent, was born in England, in 1622. (III) Sergt. Daniel Loomis, son of Deacon John, was born June 16, 1657. (IV ) Isaac Loomis, born Aug. 23, 1694, married Hannah Eggleston.


(V) Joseph Loomis, son of Isaac, was born Aug. 29, 1725, and was married Jan. 23, 1752, to Keziah Loomis, by whom he had a son Jonathan.


(VI) Jonathan Loomis was born March 25, 1757, and served as a soldier in the Revolutionary arıny. In 1801 he married Hannah Barber, and he died in 1814, leaving three sons: Moses, the subject proper of this memoir; Timothy ( Nov. 17, 1808- July 23, 1829) ; and Jonathan Jr., (Aug. 6, 1811- Nov. - , 1874), who was one of the tallest men in this section in his day. The family was left in some- what limited circumstances, and the mother spun . and wove in order to keep her children together, her old spinning-wheel being now a prized relic in the house of Mrs. Louisa L. Hubbard. Mrs. Jonathan Loomis was a daughter of Moses Barber, one of the leading pioneers of Windsor, in whose house was hield one of the first three schools ever opened in the town. He was a soldier in the French and Indian war, and his powderhorn, bearing the date of 1758, is now in Mrs. Hubbard's possession. Moses Barber was a direct descendant of Thomas Barber, one of the first settlers of Windsor, and a volunteer in the early Indian wars under Capt. Mason.


Louisa Loomis, the only surviving child of the . late Moses Loomis, was born in the town of Wind- sor, Hartford county. After completing the course of study offered in the Stony Hill school she at- tended Windsor Academy for a time, and then lived at home until her marriage to Franklin B. Hubbard, She and her husband began housekeeping in Bloom- field, but in 1869 they removed to Hartford, and after his death she returned to the old Loomis homestead, where she has since resided. She is a member of the various auxiliary societies con- nected with the Congregational Church at Wind- sor, and is vice-regent of the Abigail Wolcott Ells- worth branch of the Society of Daughters of the American Revolution.


FRANKLIN B. HUBBARD was born Oct. 31, 1841, in the town of Bloomfield, this county, son of Trum- bull and Rhoda ( Barber ) Hubbard. He was a de- scendant of George Hubbard, who was born in Eng- land in 1601, a descendant of the Vikings, and died March 18, 1684, in Middletown, Conn. His name first appears as a settler of Hartford in 1639. He married Elizabeth Walls, and they had seven chil- dren. Dosethius Hubbard, of the fifth generation in descent from George, was born Nov. 8, 1762, and died Dec. 24, 1831. He married Tamar Hitchi- cock, daughter of Dr. Hitchcock, of Bloomfield, and they became the parents of nine children, of whom Trumbull, born April 7, 1806, died April 3, 1886. On Nov. 23. 1836, he married Rhoda Bar- ber, who was descended, on her mother's side, from Sir Francis Drake, and, on her father's side, of Thomas Barber, one of the first settlers of the town.


F. B. Hubbard was reared a farmer boy, and fol- lowed agricultural pursuits more or less throughout his entire life. For a number of years he was also interested in brick making at Hartford, where he died Feb. 26, 1887, his remains being interred at


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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Bloomfield. Politically he was a Republican, and while he was never an aspirant for official honors, he fulfilled every duty of citizenship, winning the esteem of all classes in the community. His deatlı cut short a most promising career, which was not the less useful because of his unassuming disposition. On March 22, 1865, he married Miss Louisa Loomis, and three children blessed the union: (1) Anna L. Hubbard, who was educated in the Hartford gram- mar and high schools, and is an estimable lady ; she married Burton S. Loomis, of Windsor, and has two children, Grace H. and Theodore R. (2) Alvin L. and (3) Rosa A. (twins) were born May 26, 1885, and are living with their widowed mother.


DEACON JEDEDIAH DEMING died at his home in Newington June 26, 1899, after a life of industry, and rich in those rare possessions which only a high character can give. For many years he labored with all the strength of a great nature, and all the earnestness of a true heart, for the bet- tering of the world about him, and when he was called to the rest and reward of the higher world his best monument was found in the love and re- spect of the community in which he had lived so many years.


Mr. Deming was born March 15, 1820, in a house a little below his last residence, but upon the same farm. IIis father, Jedediah Deming, Sr., born in 1790, was a farmer by occupation, took an active part in church work, and supported the Whig party, but never took much interest in political af- fairs. He died in 1867. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Mary Lusk, was a daughter of Maj .- Gen. Lusk. She was born in 1790 and died in 1827. The Deacon's grandfather, Elias Dem- ing, was also born on the old homestead, and was a direct descendant of John Deming, who came to this country from England and located in Wethers- field about 1716.


Deacon Deming received a liberal education, and at an early age became thoroughly familiar with every department of farm work. He always re- mained upon the old homestead, comprising 125 acres of valuable land, and successfully engaged in agricultural pursuits until fifty years of age, when he laid aside business cares. In November, 1846, he married Miss Nancy Angeline Whaples, a lady beloved by all, and noted for her kindness and benevolence to the poor. She was a member of, and active worker in, the Newington Congre- gational Church, where until her death, in 1877, her sweet voice was prominent in the choir. By that union there were two children : (1) Ellen Amanda, born in 1852, was married to Frank H. Corbin, and had three children, of whom Jedediah Deming, born June 18, 1878, is the only survivor ; he is now a successful farmer upon the Deming homestead, where he and his mother reside. Walter F., born July 8, 1880, died in June, 1882. The other child died in infancy unnamed. (2) Alice Cornelia, born in 1856, married Daniel J. Clark, pastor of


the Congregational Church of East Haven, and has one son, Harold Deming, born Oct. 13, 1884. Dea- con Deming was again married, in 1881, his second union being with Mrs. Augusta E. Griswold Mor- ris, of Washington, D. C., widow of John Morris, a Yale graduate, who took a very active part in po- litical affairs, was executive clerk in the United States Senate, and editor of a Charleston (S. C.) newspaper.


Deacon Deming cast his first Presidential vote for William Henry Harrison and took great interest in that campaign. He joined the Republican party on its organization and cast his last ballot for Will- iam Mckinley. In 1855 he was elected to the State Legislature from Wethersfield, which then included Newington, and during that term the bill was passed prohibiting the continuance of the coun- ty court, for which he worked untiringly. In 1881 he was again elected to that body, and he also served as selectman in Newington at various times. He succeeded his father as deacon in the Congregational Church, and was ever one of its most influential members. At his funeral Rev. Herbert Macy re- ferred to the existence of the Newington Congre- gational chapel as having been doubtful if Deacon Deming had not risen in his seat, after the needs of the church in this direction had been presented from the pulpit, and volunteered his help by nam- ing his subscription toward the cause, and he urged others to do the same. He was a very kind-hearted man, charitable, benevolent, honorable and trust- worthy, and was looked up to by all.


CHAUNCEY D. HOLCOMB, one of the pro- gressive and successful farmers of West Simsbury, was born at Barndoor Hills, Granby, March II, 1830. The Holcomb family are descendants of one of the first settlers of Simsbury, and many of its representatives have held positions of honor and trust, both in Colonial days and under the present government. Many also took an active and import- ant part in the great struggle for freedom.


Thomas Holcomb, the founder of the family in America, came from England, it is supposed, on the ship "Mary and John." He settled in Dorches- ter, Mass., and in 1634 was there made a freeman. Thence he removed to the town of Windsor, and settled at Poquonock, where he engaged in farm- ing, and where he died Sept. 7, 1657. He repre- sented Windsor and Hartford at the framing of the constitution of the Colony of Connecticut in 1639. He married Elizabeth, who later, in 1658, married James Eno, becoming his second wife. The chil- dren born to Thomas and Elizabeth Holcomb were as follows: Elizabeth, who married in 1654 Josias Ellsworth, of Windsor; Mary, who married Oct. 3, 1655, George Griswold, of Windsor; Abigail, bap . tized Jan. 6, 1638, who married June II, 1658, Samuel Bissell, of Windsor; Joshua, baptized Sept. 27, 1640; Sarah, baptized Aug. 4, 1642; Benajah, born June 23, 1644; Deborah, born Oct. 15, 1646, who died in 1649; Nathaniel, born Nov. 4, 1648;


Fedechah Deming


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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Deborah (2), born Feb. 15, 1650, who married March 5, 1668, Daniel Birge, of Windsor; Jona- than, born March 23, 1652.


Nathaniel Holcomb, son of Thomas, was born in Windsor Nov. 4, 1648. He removed to Massa- coe, now Simsbury, where he engaged in farming through life. He represented the town of Sims- bury in the General Assembly for the years 1703, 1704, 1705, 1706, 1720 and 1722. On Feb. 27, 1670, he married Mary Bliss, who was born in Springfield, Mass., and their children were: Nathaniel, born June 11, 1673; Mary, born May 17, 1675; Jonathan, born in 1678; John, born in 1680, married March 19, 1706, Anna, daughter of John Pathline; Esther, born in 1682, married Feb. 17, 1708, Brewster Hig- ley ; Catharine, born in 1689, married Jan. 22, 1707, Joseph Messenger; Sarah, born in 1691, married Dec. 17, 1722, Samuel Barbone; Benjamin, born Feb. 15, 1697, married Oct. 12, 1727, Hannah Case.


Nathaniel Holcomb, son. of Nathaniel, and grandson of Thomas, was born in the town of Sims- bury, now Granby, where he grew to manhood and was engaged in farming all his life, and was a large land owner and a stock and grain grower. He


married Nov. 1, 1695, Martha Buell, of Simsbury, who bore him children as follows: Nathaniel, born Oct. 25, 1696, married Oct. 9, 1717, Thankful Hayes, of Simsbury; Elizabeth, born March 13, 1699-1700, died April 13, 1700; Martha, born March 15, 1701, died Jan. 29, 1725 (she married Feb. 21, 1723, Jonathan Buttolph) ; Jonathan was born Nov. 25, 1702 ; Elizabeth, born Jan. 14, 1704, married Jo- seph Wilcox Feb. 28, 1725 ; Judah died at the age of ninety-eight years; David; Mary; Benjamin; Sa- rah ; and Peter was born in 1715. Nathaniel, father of these children, married for his second wife, Jan. 17, 1723, Sarah Owen, widow of Joseph Owen, of Windsor. He was a deacon of the church, and was a member of the General Assembly in 1748 and 1749. In business he was successful, and in char- acter above reproach.


Peter Holcomb, son of Nathaniel, was born in 1715, in that part of Simsbury which now com- prises the town of Granby. There he grew to man- hood, and engaged in farming all his life. He was a lieutenant in the State militia, and gave sev- eral sons to the cause of the Revolution; one son died in the French and Indian wars. He married first, Oct. 15, 1740, Margaret Case, widow of Jacob Holcomb, who died July 27, 1737. The children born to Peter and Margaret Holcomb were: (1) Martin, born July 27, 1741, married Deiva Spen- cer. (2) Jacob, born April 1, 1743, died in the French and Indian war. (3) Nodialı, born Sept. 5, 1744, died Feb. 22, 1745. (4) Margaret, born Feb. 18, 1746, married Col. Pettibone, of Norfolk, Conn. (5) Rushmore, born Nov. 30, 1747, died young. (6) Nodiah (2), born Oct. 4, 1749, married Aphia Butler, of Granby. Margaret, first wife of Peter Holcomb, died Oct. 14, 1750, and for his second wife he married, Dec. 10, 1751, Tryphenia Goss, who bore him children as follows : (7) Ashel,


born Oct. 15, 1752, married Abigail Hoskins, of Simsbury; (8) Theodocia, born May 16, 1754, died Nov. 25, 1775; (9) Keziah, born Nov. 23, 1755, married Elijah Spencer, of Suffield; (10) Tryphe- nia, born Dec. 10, 1757, died Nov. 12, 1775; (II) Peter, born July 24, 1759, married Zillah Hoskins, of Simsbury ; (12) Ebenezer, born May 14, 1761, married Chloe Bacon; (13) Cyrus, born Dec. 14, 1762, married Anna Cadey, of Hartland ; ( 14) Ja- cob was born Oct. 27, 1764; (15) Abel, born Nov. 2, 1766, married Roxey Higly, of Simsbury ; ( 16) Beulah, born Sept. 8, 1768, died young; (17) Naomi, born May 12, 1771, married Taylor Higly, of Simsbury ; (18) Deborah, born July 15, 1774, never married, and lived to be over seventy-five.


Jacob Holcomb, son of Peter, was the grand- father of our subject. He was born Oct. 27, 1764, and was not yet in his 'teens when the Revolutionary war began, but he took the part of a soldier in that great struggle. He located on the homestead at Barndoor Hills, now Granby, and there spent his life, being a land owner, and engaged extensively in farming. He was active in public matters, and when the town of Granby was taken from Sims- bury he was a strong supporter of the change. He lived to the ripe old age of ninety-two years, and was buried in Granby. In politics he was an Old-line Democrat. He married, Feb. 22, 1791, Theodosia Beacon, born in 1766, who bore him children as fol- lows: (I) Chester, born Dec. 17, 1791; (2) Ora- tor, born April 25, 1794; (3) Theodosia, born Feb. 5, 1796, married Nelson Reed; (4) Chauncey, born Aug. 12, 1798: (5) Pliney, born April 15, 1803, died young. Theodosia, wife of Jacob Holcomb, died Aug. 6, 1804, and for his second wife he mar- ried, Jan. 22, 1805, Susan Roe, born in 1775. She bore him several children. (6) Pliney, born March 28, 1806; (7) Sylvester, born March 27. 1809; (8) Charles R., born Jan. 6, 1812, died in 1897. Susan, the second wife, died Oct. 17, 1834, and for his third wife Jacob Holcomb married, Nov. 9, 1836, Hannah Holcomb, widow of his brother Ashel. Jacob Holcomb died Oct. 15, 1856.


Orator Holcomb, father of our subject, was born April 25, 1794, on the old homestead in Granby : attended the public schools of the district, and as- sisted in the work of the farm. When a young man he, with little help from his parents, bought a farm near the old homestead, and there spent his life, en- gaged principally in general farming, dairying and stock raising. He lived to the age of eighty-three years, and died on his farm in 1877. In politics he was a Democrat. He was noted for his honesty and upright character, and was deeply attached to his home and family. In his religious views lie was liberal, and always lived up to the Golden Rule. He married, in Granby, Cyrena Reed, who was born in West Granby, a daughter of David Reed, a well-to- do farmer of West Granby. To this union nine chil- dren were born: Covil, deceased; Harriet, who married James Ebby, of Enfield ; Luna, who mar- ried Horace Griffin ; Munson, now living in Granby ;


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COMMEMORATIVE BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


Osborn, of Aurora, Kane Co., Ill. ; Chauncey D., our subject; Ann, who died young; Electa, who mar- ried Wadsworth Pond, of Boston, Mass., and Burt, who died in 1899 at Westfield, Mass. The mother of our subject died on the farm in 1870 aged seventy years, and was buried in Granby cemetery. She was a member of the Granby Methodist Episcopal Church, a good Christian woman, and a devoted mother and wife.


Chauncey D. Holcomb, the subject of this sketch, attended the district schools of Granby, also the Granby Academy. He was reared on the farm, and remained with his parents until he was twenty-two years old, but during his youth he worked out among the farmers in Granby. At twenty-two he started in business for himself, peddling jewelry and silver- ware, traveling through the States of Massachu- setts, York State and Vermont, and continued in that business for six years. He then returned home, was married, and settled down to a farmer's life in West Simsbury, settling on the homestead of his father-in-law, where he has since been engaged in tobacco culture and dairying and general farm- ing. He has added largely to the original farm, and is now operating a tract of 250 acres, upon which he has made many improvements. Besides farming he has engaged in stock dealing, and for several years has handled carriages, wagons, etc., selling in the local markets. He is a man of good business judg- ment and ability, is a good judge of stock, and a successful farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Holcomb is one of Simsbury's most progressive citizens, is a stockholder and director of the Simsbury Creamery Company, and takes a deep interest in all enterprises that are beneficial to the town and people. He is honorable in his dealings, and noted for his honesty of purpose. In 1859 he married, in West Sims- bury, Hannah Buell, a native of that village, and daughter of Peter O. Buell. The marriage of our subject has been blessed with five children: Anna was educated in the district schools and the Con- necticut Literary Institute, Suffield, and is a school teacher ; Flora, who attended the Connecticut Lit- erary Institute, is the wife of Frank Alford, of West Simsbury, and has one son, Stuart A .; Irene also attended the Connecticut Literary Institute, and married Elbert Wilcox, of Granby, now a resident of Springfield, Mass., by whom she has two children, Helen J. and Howard H. ; Buell T., who studied at the Connecticut Literary Institute, is living at home ; Dexter is at home. Mr. Holcomb is a member of St. Mark's Lodge, F. & A. M., of Simsbury. In political faith he is a Democrat, but is not an active politician. The family are members of the Con- gregational Church. Mr. Holcomb has won, by his business successes, his public spirit, his integrity and loyalty, the general regard and respect of the com- munity in which he lives.


HOSEA DAYTON HUMPHREY traces his line of descent from Michael Humphrey, of England, who is believed to have come to America prior to


1648, although the precise date is uncertain. He married Priscilla, a daughter of Matthew Grant, of Windsor. His second son was Samuel H., a lieu- tenant in the Colonial militia, who was born at Windsor, Conn., May 15, 1659, and married (prob- ably at Windsor) Mary Mills. She was a daugh- ter of Simon and Mary ( Buel) Mills, and was born Dec. 8, 1662. He removed to Simsbury, about 1669, and became an influential citizen of the place.


The next in line of descent was Ensign Samuel Humphrey, who was born at Simsbury, May 17, 1686. He was a prosperous trader and man of prominence in the community. He was the father of Lieut. Samuel (2), also of Simsbury, who was born Oct. 15, 1710, and married Mary, a daughter of Joseph S. Wilcox and his wife, Abigail Thayer. She was born in 1719. Their son, Theophilus, was born, probably in 1744, at West Simsbury, now Canton. He was the first deacon of the First Con- gregational Church in that town, and filled the office many years. He was twice married, his hrst wife being Hepzibah Cornish, and his second, Diana Averill.


Following the genealogical record, the next in order is Hon. Loin Humphrey, the grandfather of the gentleman whose name appears at the head of this memoir. He was born Dec. 31, 1771, at West Simsbury; was an enterprising and successful farmer, and owned a large estate. He was a man of talent and influence; for twenty years or more a justice of the peace, and a member of the Legisla- ture in 1824 and 1829. He was first selectman for three or four years, and held other minor offices. He bore the title of captain. He died at Canton (formerly Simsbury) Nov. 16, 1854. He married Rhoda Case, whose parents, Hosea and Rhoda Case, were residents of the same town as himself.


Hosea Dayton Humphrey, the son of Loin Humphrey, and father of the present owner of the name, was born at Canton, Aug. 3, 1809. He was a lawyer by profession, and a man of high educa- tion. He graduated from Amherst College, and read law in the office of Henry Starr, Esq., of Cin- cinnati, Ohio. He traveled from Connecticut to Ohio on horseback, and finally located at Crawfords- ville, Ind., about the year 1832, where he engaged in practice. He entered into partnership with Ben- jamin T. Ristine, the firm name being Humphrey & Ristine. Mr. Humphrey was a strong Democrat and his partner an equally pronounced Whig, and during the Harrison campaign of 1840 they were active on opposite sides, the former opposing Mr. Harrison's candidacy, although he was his personal. friend. He was a man of intense individuality and strongly marked characteristics. Not long after the founding of Wabash College, which was estal- lished in 1834, he was offered, and accepted, the chair of mathematics in that institution. He died Sept. 20, 1845. On Sept. 23, 1835, at Warren, Conn., he married Caroline, a daughter of George and Lorain (Carter) Starr, who was born July 8, 18II. They were the parents of six children :




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