Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 60

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568


USA > Connecticut > New London County > Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families > Part 60


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es Cleveland in the survey of Ohio, and ddaughter of Moses Warren, who was a company in the Third Regiment, Con- ate Militia, in 1777. On Oct. 17, 1831, he second) Maria Warren (sister of his first they resided at East Lyme. The children marriage were : Moses W., born June 20, er A., April 20, 1817; William H. H., 1819; John J., June 22, 1822; Sarah D., 806; Hetta Eliza, March 4, 1808; Mary 24, 1809 ; Hannah, Nov. 20, 1811 ; Nancy, [813; and Lois, Aug. 24, 1820. To the on came Sarah E., born Nov. 4, 1835. marriage was to Betsey S. Beckwith.


John Jay Comstock was born June 22, 1822, at East Lyme, and was married Nov. 30, 1843, to Eme- line Moore. Three children were born to them, namely : Emeline Louise, of Bridgeport, married Moses Warren Mainwaring, and they have one daughter, Betsey W .; John Jay ; and Betsey Moore, of Bridgeport, who is the widow of Walter Scott, and has one son, John Henry. Mr. Comstock at- tended school in East Lyme and later learned the mason's trade at New London. He also engaged in farming, and at one time spent four years on Fish- ers Island, returning then to East Lyme. After the death of his father, he bought a portion of the old home farm, where he lived a few years, later buying a farm on the Niantic Road, where he made his home until the time of his death, Oct. 22, 1902-a period of forty years or more. He held a number of official positions, was postmaster at Flanders, as- sessor, once registrar of voters, treasurer of the Ancient Second Society, and of the Lyme School Fund, and was agent for forty years for the Walter A. Wood Company. In 1884 he was a member of the State Legislature, was first selectman of the town, and was the first president of the East Lyme Historical Society. In religious faith and conduct, he was a Baptist, and he was honored in East Lyme in the naming of Comstock Hall. He was one of the leading citizens of East Lyme, and his death, even at a good old age, meant a great loss to the com- munity.


John J. Comstock, Jr., of Comstock Lodge, East Lyme, was born July 12, 1849, in New London, Conn. On June 23, 1880, he married Mary Ellen Stanton, daughter of Daniel and Ellen (Comstock) Stanton, a descendant of Thomas Stanton. One daughter, Grace Stanton, was born to this marriage, Aug. 27, 1882.


Mr. Comstock spent his early school days in East Lyme and the greater part of his life has been lived on the paternal acres, this fine old place being known throughout the country as Comstock Lodge. While he has always engaged in farming, he has had other interests, most efficiently filling the offices of assessor and town selectman and taking a great interest in the East Lyme Historical Society. He is treasurer of the Stone Church Burying Ground As- sociation (inc.), which now has a fund of $1, 100. For several years he has been Deacon of the Niantic Baptist Church.


STANTON. One of the notable old families of New England is that of Stanton. Thomas Stan- ton, of Stonington, embarked at London, England, Jan. 2, 1635, in the merchantman "Bonaventura." He was first located in Virginia, but later removed to Boston, and in 1637 we find him settled at Hart- ford, Conn., where he married Ann, daughter of Dr. Thomas and Dorothy Lord, of that city.


In 1650 Thomas Stanton established a traveling house in Stonington, Conn., on the Pawcatuck


17


to tl sess: men was and polit ligio Chu


258


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


river, but his family remained a few years in Lon- don. Finally they also located permanently in Ston- ington on the Pawcatuck river. His death occurred Dec. 2, 1676, and that of his widow in 1688.


Samuel Stanton, son of Thomas, was born in 1657 at Stonington. On June 16, 1680, he married Borodell Denison, daughter of Capt. George Deni- son, and she died June 1I, 1702, in Stonington.


Daniel Stanton, son of Samuel, was born Nov. 4, 1685, in Stonington. In 1712 he married Mary Cheseboro, who died Sept. 4, 1783, and he died Jan. 31, 1769.


Amariah Stanton, son of Daniel, was born Jan. 19, 1724, in Stonington, Conn. On Dec. 17, 1750, he married Delight Champlin, and died Jan. II, 1754.


Amariah Stanton (2), son of Amariah, was born July 14, 1751, at Stonington. He married, Oct. 13, 1774, Dorothy Whipple, and died in 1784.


Daniel Stanton, son of Amariah (2), was born Feb. 26, 1784, at Stonington. He was a farmer and tradesman and a well known citizen. In politics he was a Democrat. In religious views he was a Baptist. On Nov. 3, 1811, he married Keturah Gal- lup, who was born Feb. 22, 1790, and died Feb. I, 1843. His death occurred Nov. 1, 1862, at Norwich, Connecticut.


Daniel Washington Stanton, son of Daniel, was born April 24, 1813, at Voluntown, Conn. He at- tended the schools at Plainfield, Conn., and subse- quently spent ten years as an educator, teaching at Montville, Conn. He was a public-spirited man, interested in all the live questions of the day, and active in politics, as a Republican, for the general good, although he uniformly declined every office either in party or in church. He was prominent in the Baptist Church. On Nov. 13, 1843, at Water- ford, Conn., he married Ellen Douglas Comstock, daughter of Jonathan Comstock, son of Capt. Peter Comstock, born Feb. 19, 1816. Jonathan Comstock (born June 8, 1781, died June 4, 1868) married, March 3, 1805, Nancy Turner (born Sept. 11, 1788, died March 26, 1865). He was engaged in the manufacture of linseed and cotton seed oil at the head of the Niantic river. Daniel W. Stanton suc- ceeded Mr. Comstock in this business, and added to it the manufacture of paints. His death was caused by an accident Sept. 7, 1871, he being thrown from a carriage at Waterford. His children were as fol- lows: (I) Henry Daniel, born Feb. 17, 1846, is a shoe merchant in New London, Conn., married Jen- nie E. Harris, and has two daughters, Ida Louise and Anita Pauline ; (2) Mary Ellen, born June 9, 1850, married John J. Comstock, of East Lyme ; (3) Julia Emeline, born July 22, 1856, resides with Mr. and Mrs. Comstock at East Lyme.


Henry Daniel Stanton, son of Daniel W., was born Feb. 17, 1846, in Waterford, where he at- tended the district schools and later graduated from the Bartlett high school in the class of 1864. He then engaged for eighteen months in clerking for


Leander Lewis and M. N. Comstock in M Lon- don. In 1865 he entered into partnership v


John H. Frink, under the firm name of Frink & Fanton, an association which lasted three years. In the spring of 1869, Mr. Stanton bought Mr. F it's in- terest in the business, and continued un 1882, at No. 3 Bank street. In the latter year huntered the New London postoffice under Wilan H. Tubbs, where he continued for two years f1 nine months. In 1885 Mr. Stanton again entad the shoe business in the employ of F. W. Crafall, at the same time forming the present partnoip of Stanton & Cook, which has continued the siness at No. 166 State street. Mr. Stanton haupt ac- cepted either town or city office, although e fiently qualified for responsible position. For past thirty years he has been an active member (the K. of P., Uniform Rank, and also belongs the O. U. A. M. of New London.


On Dec. 14, 1869, Mr. Stanton was harried to Jennie E. Harris, daughter of Albert R farris, of New London, and two daughters have bhi born to this marriage, Ida Louise and Anita Parte, the latter of whom is the wife of Dr. James W. bbins, of Morrisville, Vt., and the mother of a son, fanton, who was born June 16, 1903.


Mr. Stanton is one of the leading meters of the First Baptist Church of New London, which he is a deacon, and for ten years was the , nday- school superintendent. He is a man whoenjoys universal esteem and is reckoned with the r fesent- ative citizens of New London.


FREDERIC DENISON, the head of fie old mercantile house of I. W. Denison & Co., an one of the prominent business men of Stonington, ; born April 15, 1856, and comes of one of the d and honorable families of New England.


The name of Denison can be trace to its origin in England, but its founder in New gland appears to have been (I) William Deniso, born, according to Denison Genealogy in gland, about 1586, son of John and Agnes Denis [. On Nov. 7, 1603, he married Margaret fandler Monck, at Stratford, England, and cam to the Colonies in 1631.


(II) Capt. George Denison, son of Will /1, was born Dec. 10, 1620. He married (first) ridget Thompson, and (second) Ann Borodell. ; chil- dren were: John B., Ann, Borodell, Geor; Will- iam, Margaret and Mercy.


(III) John B. Denison, son of Capt. nison born July 14, 1646, served in the early Ind' wars. He married, Nov. 26, 1667, Phebe, daughter [ Rob- ert Lay, of Saybrook ; she died in 1699, andje diel in 1698. His children were: Phebe, John. eorge, Robert, William, Daniel, Samuel, Ann, Sich and Phebe.


(IV) Daniel Denison, son of John Mary


born March 28, 1680, married (first) Jan. 1, 170 Stanton, daughter of Robert Stanton; she d Sept.


259


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


724. On Oct. 27, 1726, he married (second) Co well, and on Nov. 17, 1737, he married rd) 747 rs. Abigail Fish Eldredge, who died Oct. the children born of the first marriage were ollo : Mary, Daniel, Beebe, Rachel, Esther, , Prudence, Daniel, Phebe and Sarah.


y, Jc (V) ch aniel Denison (2), son of Daniel, born 1721, married, May 27, 1742, Esther eler| orn Feb. 15, 1722. She died March 31, 1, an lren he passed away May 9, 1776. They had Esther, Daniel, Phebe, Robert, Isaac, ry, Jinnah, Mary, Hannah (2), Beebe, Fred- ‹, Et ce and Ann B.


(VI) 175I 1 Au eeler Feb


aac Denison, son of Daniel (2), born Dec. married, Nov. 10, 1773, Eunice Williams, 3, 1755, daughter of Elisha and Esther


illiams. He died Feb. 14, 1817, and she 3, 1842. They had children as follows : nezer born July 10, 1774, died Dec. 20, 1856; er, bei April 26, 1776, married (first) Charles rell, a1 (second) Isaac Miner, and died Oct. 15, 2; Sah, born April 9, 1778, married Elam and died Oct. 13, 1835; Thankful, born 80, married Amos Clift, and died Jan.


rows, / 20, 1861; unice, born May 20, 1782, married Na-


iel C: , and died Oct. 16, 1832; Ann B., born . 22, 784, married John D. Gallup, and died 8, 18| ; Mercy, born Feb. 9,1787, married Zeb- h Gat, and died Sept. 25, 1860; Isaac, born I, 17], died Aug. 28, 1855 ; Daniel, born April 791, 4 d Feb. 2, 1800 ; Frederick, born Dec. 27, diec Nov. I, 1814; Elisha W., born April 3, diec Oct. 7, 1849; and Hezekiah, born July


803, ed Jan. 30, 1804.


ere w. something of a romance connected with harria was a


of Isaac Denison and Eunice Williams. oung lady who had a strong will and her an mind, as will be seen by the follow- necdo, if it may be so termed. Her father, a W ams, was ambitious to have her mar- .o a in of his choice, as has been the case fathe, before and since, but the excellent se- 1 of : prudent father did not meet with the proval. The cause was, most likely,


hter's he ha previously met Isaac Denison, who had igaged her affections as to make any ently mariage distasteful to her. Upon a certain


le fa :r was so determined that the rebellious uld be at home to the suitor of his e locked her in her apartments on the


ter s thai floo f the dwelling, leaving with the convic- at hey ould know just where to find her when oer ( ne. This father, like a number of oth- d forotten that "love laughs at lock-smiths," 1en . Williams sought his daughter in order


sent r to his desired son-in-law, he found


e. S : had escaped by the window, and fled h the roods to the home of her uncle, Rich- heele where she remained until her father's was


in v


oppeased. Finally Mr. Denison suc- ning Mr. Williams' consent, and the


faithful sweetheart became his blushing bride in 1773, at the age of eighteen years.


(VII) Isaac Denison (2), son of Isaac, was born Feb. 1, 1790. On Feb. 18, 1817, he married Lavina Fish, who died July 22, 1890; he died Aug. 28, 1855. They had children as follows : Isaac W., born Nov. 20, 1817, married, May 10, 1843, Eunice E. Burrows, daughter of John and Roxanna ( Brown) Burrows, and (second) Julia M. Wilbur, July 15, 1862; Rev. Frederick, born Sept. 28, 1819, married, Jan. 12, 1848, Amy R. Manton, and died Aug. 16, 1901 ; Charles C., born Sept. 20, 1821, died in 1847; Bridget G., born March 13, 1824, married Cyrus W. Noyes ; John L., born Sept. 19, 1826, married ( first ) Mary E. Burrows, and (second) Frances M. Breed; Daniel W., born Sept. 5, 1828, married Eleanor C. Harris ; Emily F., born March 13, 1831, married George W. Noyes; Eliza F., born Aug. 12, 1833, married Dudley W. Stewart, who died July 4, 1886; and Frances L., born May 8, 1837, married Benja- min Burrows, Jr., who died Aug. 3, 1894.


(VIII) Isaac Wheeler Denison, eldest son of Isaac Denison (2), was born Nov. 20, 1817, and died Nov. 29, 1895. On May 10, 1843, he married Eunice E. Burrows, and they had children as follows: (1) Ann B., born Feb. 9, 1844, married John H. Crans- ton, Sept. 19, 1865, and had children as follows : Frances D., born June 7, 1866, married, June 2, 1903, Adrien Parsons; Herbert, born Dec. 20, 1868, died Aug. 4, 1869 ; infant daughter was born and died May 5, 1871; Frederick H., born Oct, 27, 1872, married, June 19, 1895, Grace A. Lester, daughter of Daniel Mason Lester, and is a teacher in the Norwich Free Academy ; and Mary, born Aug. 7, 1875, died Sept. 28, 1875. (2) Hannah B., born Aug. 19, 1845, at Mystic, Conn., married, July 27, 1869, Jefferson B. Meseroly, and they have chil- dren : Charles D., born Sept. 29, 1873; Edward B., born Dec. 2, 1876, died July 10, 1888; Louisa B., born Dec. 1, 1879, married, Oct. 30, 1900, Preston Gilbert Barker, and has a son, Edward Hobart, born Oct. 14, 1903. (3) Sarah A. was born at Mystic, Conn., Aug. 16, 1847. (4) Lavina F. was born Aug. 29, 1850, at Mystic. (5) Charles, born Sept. 18, 1852, died June 12, 1853. (6) Edward P., born May 19, 1854, married, in January, 1876, Ella Garfield, who died Feb. 28, 1898, and he died March II, 1894. (7) Frederic is mentioned below. (8) Emily F. and (9) Eliza F., twins, were born Jan. 3, 1859, the latter of whom died March 27, 1884, the former still being a resident of Mystic.


Isaac Wheeler Denison was educated in Mystic and learned the trade of carpenter, working at it in his native town, and at the navy yard at Pensacola, Fla. He also took some sea voyages with his uncles, Capt. William Clift and Capt. Nathan G. Fish. On his return to Mystic in 1848 he formed a co-partner- ship with the late Joseph Cottrell and George W. Ashby, in a mercantile business, under the name of I. W. Denison & Co. Later he was associated with his brother, Daniel Denison. The firm has been


260


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


continually in existence since, making Mr. Denison the oldest established merchant in Eastern Connecti- cut, at the time of his death. In 1876 Daniel Deni- son died, and soon after, Frederick Denison became his father's associate in business.


In 1842 Isaac Wheeler Denison united with the Union Baptist Church, and for many years was clerk of that body. In politics he was an ardent Whig, and in 1852 became as closely identified with the Republican party. He was a man of affairs, a leader in all public matters, and represented the town of Stonington in the Legislature in 1854. He was an outspoken champion of anti-slavery and temperance. Mr. Denison was also interested in his earlier life in military matters, was a member of the militia, and served as captain of the First Company of Light Infantry. For many years his name added strength to the directing board of the Mystic River National Bank, and he was also one of the incorporators of the Groton Savings Bank. Few successful and reputa- ble business enterprises of the place, for many years, were started or brought to success without his advice and interest.


(IX) In all essentials Frederic Denison worthily succeeds his father. The same uprightness and sterling qualities of mind and heart characterize him, and he is held equally in high esteem. He was edu- cated in the Mystic High School, following which he worked for four years as a machinist. In 1876 he became associated with his father in business, and since the death of the latter in 1895, has con- tinued to carry it on under the old name. He is an incorporator and a trustee of the Groton Savings Bank.


On March 8, 1882, Mr. Denison was married to Mary Brown, daughter of Elias Brown, and they have one daughter, Eliza Frances, born April 22, 1884.


WILLIAM LADD was one of the substantial and respected citizens of the town of Sprague, whose blameless life won for him the genuine esteem and affection of a very wide circle of acquaintances. Beginning life a poor boy, he climbed the ladder of success, unaided, having been truly self-made, and in a degree self-educated as well.


Mr. Ladd came of old and substantial Colonial stock, being a descendant of Daniel Ladd, who came to these shores in the "Mary and John" in 1633. He had a grant of land in Ipswich, Mass., in 1637, and a little later was one of the original settlers of Hav- erhill, Mass., where he was a selectman in 1668.


(II) Samuel Ladd, son of Daniel, was killed by the Indians Feb. 22, 1698.


(III) David Ladd, son of Samuel, was twice married, and (IV) Abner Ladd is said to have been the son of David by his second marriage.


(IV) Abner Ladd, the grandfather of the sub- ject of this biography, married Abigail Perkins, who bore him five sons : Jedediah, Abner, Jr., Erastus P., Festus and George Washington.


(V) Festus Ladd, father of William, w born on a farm adjoining the one where Willia spent his life, and was a farmer by occupation.


died in 1855, aged seventy-three years. His w


who was also his cousin, survived him twent ifters : Fears. old; They had a family of five sons and six da Asa S., who lived to be seventy-three ye Lura; Eliza, widow of Jerry Sims, now 1:ag on Bean Hill at the age of ninety-five years, mark- ably well preserved; Betsey, who marrie (Ladd Perkins, and died in Franklin, in Octobe (1902. aged ninety-one years ; William; Laura, w mar- Co., ried Orson Riley, and died in Kaneville, K Ill., aged eighty-two years; Rufus S., who fed in Canterbury in 1902, at the age of seventy-nii fears, one of the prominent citizens of that town, v fre he had held many offices of honor and trust ydia, now Mrs. Newton S. Waldo; and others wi died in infancy.


The late William Ladd was born Feb. 121816, on Portipaug Hill, and was reared to agr: [tural pursuits. He received a common school ed lition, and lived at home until he was fifteen, when Fired himself out as a farm laborer, doing a large frount of hard work for small wages, and his earnin went to help his parents until he reached his majo .. He worked nine years for one man, Edwin All who died in Mystic in 1895. Mr. Allen was an i: ntor, and made wooden type. Reposing every tru In the capable young fellow, Mr. Allen did everytng in his power to assist him in his upward cours One time William Ladd and his sister Eliza toc some of their hard-earned savings and, purchasing farm in Sprague, gave their mother a life-long lea of it.


In his prime Mr. Ladd conducted farmin upon a very extensive and profitable scale. He pullased land from time to time, and at the time of h leath was the largest landholder in the town, own . 800 acres. Never during all of his early strugg , 11or at any period, did he have a mortgage upon ny of his property. Mr. Ladd was a fine penman el re- tained his skill in that line as long as he liv. A man of the highest integrity, his word was : good as his bond. He possessed an even temperam , and perseverance was one of his prominent ch cter- istics. Mr. Ladd was very fond of child and they loved and honored him to an unusual gree. While he was very charitable, his good dee only came to light through those benefited, never tough him. In personal appearance Mr. Ladd is of medium height, well proportioned, and caple of sustaining great fatigue and performing : arge amount of work. In politics he was a De crat, and he held many of the town offices, in 18| rep- resenting the town of Sprague in the State legis- lature. For several years prior to his death he as in a decline, but enjoyed full possession of his enses to the last, dying Nov. 19, 1898, from a thir hock of paralysis. He was buried in the Portipat cem- etery.


The narrative of such a life should not e: with


William Ladd.


261


GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.


he ne mention of physical death. Men like Mr. ave an influence which survives them just as eate hues of a glowing sunset linger long


Ladd he r efter te sun has gone down. Faithful in every of life, the architect of his own career, he "elati eft a indsome competence and at the same time a ame isullied and a reputation without a blot. He vas f 1 of company, and his tastes no less than the labits of his life were thoroughly domestic. In 865 was united in marriage with Lucretia K. Wald of Scotland, Conn., a daughter of Zacheus und cretia (Ayer) Waldo. After her decease le maied, Oct. 26, 1885, her cousin, Mrs. Louise 3. Ja son, who was born near Hartford, Conn.,


vidow f John R. Jackson, of Hartford, and daugh-


er of v. Horatio (a Congregational minister) and Nancy Smith) Waldo, both of whom died in Port- ge, M Y. Mrs. Ladd, true to her early training, is cons ent member of the Congregational Church t Fra lin.


Nchildren were born to William Ladd, but the laugh of his second wife, Anna Jackson, was ondly nd dearly loved by him. She died at the arly a · of nineteen, a blossom of beauty already For a better land. She was not only the


ipened! ower the home, but in social life and religious rcles cupied a prominent place that no one else ould ff Her pastor, Mr. Gage, of Hartford, who as ablad at the time of her death, wrote to her other at she (Anna) was the most active and fluent young woman in Christian work in his rge c gregation ; that her loss would be deeply ourne by all with whom she was associated, as would miss her so much he could scarcely how the mother could live without her. not only strikingly handsome in face and


ev all nceiv he wa gure, was of a rare type of beauty, with soul- I eve thin t hat radiated grace upon all who came circle of her influence. She was gifted in isic a literature, but her Christian graces out-


one a other gifts. At the age of ten, when a le piar was presented her, she sat down upon the bol gr efully, and, playing her own accompani- nt, sa · in a most pleasing and effective manner ow tl Gates Came Ajar," "The Golden Stairs," 1 otho tim y wil


hymns. A musician who was present at tid: "If a child of that tender age could such spirit and pathos such pieces as se, sl well deserved a fine instrument." Mrs. ld sa that it has always seemed to her as if chil


ple, 1 he gr H othe


grandparents, who were most Christian let their mantle fall upon Anna, and as dfather's blessing had proven most effec- ras a man of letters, well versed in Greek languages. As he was dying, the baby ha wałbrought to him for his blessing ; he was terec ) at his request, and, taking the child in arms


host fervently asked the blessing of the ighty


pon her. She grew from day to day in stian oveliness of character, under her moth- watc


ul training. After Anna's death Mrs.


Ladd received a very affecting letter of condolence from a young Chinaman, who had been converted to the Christian religion under her daughter's influence in a Sabbath-school class taught by Anna for some time in New York City. The Chinese lad was thrown under her influence at a missionary meeting, and subsequently joined her Sabbath-school class, where he was always an attentive listener.


This world is His garden, Anna ; He but took thee from us here To blossom the brighter there.


LEWIS R. CHURCH, member of the firm of F. P. Church & Co., and one of the well known and popular citizens of Norwich, comes from one of the old families of Montville, of whom we have record as follows :


Richard Church came from England and was one of the first settlers of Duxbury, Mass. He was the father of the great warrior against the Indians, Benjamin Church.


Another son of Richard Church was Joseph Church, born in 1638, who died at Little Compton, R. I., March 21, 17II. He was the ancestor of a large number of those bearing the name in eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island.


Jonathan Church, supposed to be a grandson of Joseph Church, came from Colchester, Conn., to the North Parish of New London, now Montville, and soon after 1724 purchased a farm near Uncas- ville, at a place afterward called Pennytown. He was a man of note and respectability. On Feb. 24, 1724, he was married to Abigail, daughter of Sam- uel and Christian (Chapel) Fairbanks, and their children were: Jonathan (married Mary Angell) ; Fairbanks ; Joseph ; and Peleg.


Peleg Church, born about 1738, was a black- smith, and started a shop in Montville in 1764. Later he resided at the Fort Hill farm at Mohegan, where he made his home for thirty years, dying there in 1804. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah and Ann (Chapel) Congdon, and their children were: Elizabeth; Peleg; Sanford, who married Sarah Monroe; and John, who married Sarah Leach.




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