USA > Connecticut > Middlesex County > Durham > History of Durham, Connecticut, from the first grant of land in 1662 to 1866 > Part 8
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" He was a good minister. He loved his work, and when want of strength obliged him to suspend it, he experienced a sore trial. He studied to adapt himself to his people. He was beloved as a pastor; the mourner valued him, and loved him for his kind- ness, faithfulness and consolation. He sought the spiritual in- terests of his people, and was deeply grieved, when he saw obsta- cles interposed in the way of his object."-From a notice in the New Haven Record.
As already stated, Mr. Gleason was united in marriage with Cynthia Vandervort. Their children were-1. William Henry, a lawyer in Sag Harbor ; 2. Gabriel Havens ; 3. Maria Waring ; 4. Henry Vandervort, deceased.
After Mr. Gleason's separation from his people and before the resumption of his labors, the Church and Society, September, 1828, gave a call to the Rev. Arthur Grainger, which he declined.
On the 19th of October, 1839, a call was voted to Rev. Will- iam C. Fowler, which he declined.
On the 21st of March, 1840, a call was voted to James McDon- ald, to settle in the ministry, which he declined.
Rev. CHARLES LEWIS MILLS was graduated in Yale College, 1835, was installed April 28th, 1841, was dismissed in Septem-
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ber, 1845. He was the last pastor settled over the church before its division.
The following have been Clerks of the Ecclesiastical Society. SIMEON PARSONS, WORTHINGTON G. CHAUNCEY, ALFRED CAMP, JOHN WHITE, JOSEPH CHEDSEY, ALFRED CAMP again, SAMUEL NEWTON, ELISHA NEWTON, WOLCOTT P. STONE.
SINCE THE DIVISION OF THE SOCIETY.
Rev. JAMES BRADFORD CLEVELAND was graduated at Yale College in 1847, was installed pastor June 8th, 1852, was dis- missed by vote of the church Sept. 10th, 1853.
Rev. ABRAHAM CHITTENDEN BALDWIN was installed Oct. 18th, 1857, dismissed April, 1861. .
The following have supplied the pulpit for a longer or a shorter period : Rev. MERRILL RICHARDSON ; Rev. L. H. PEASE; the Rev. BENJAMIN PAGE at two periods ; Rev. WILLIAM C. Fow- LER ; the Rev. Mr. CROSMAN; Rev. Professor Foss; the Rev. Mr. LOOMIS. The Clerks of the Society since the separation have been WILLIAM A. PARMELEE, ISRAEL C. NEWTON.
SOUTH CHURCH.
Rev. JAMES R. MERSHON was ordained pastor April 27th, 1848; was dismissed April, 1849.
Rev. ROBERT G. WILLIAMS was ordained pastor Oct. 11th, 1852; was dismissed April 20th, 1853.
Rev. IREM SMITH was ordained pastor August, 1858; was dismissed January 2d, 1861.
The following have supplied the pulpit for a longer or shorter term. Rev. L. H. PEASE; Rev. E. E. HILL; Rev. Mr. HOOKER ; Rev. WILLIAM C. FOWLER; Rev. Mr. DUTTON; Rev. E. BAILEY SMITH. Rev. I. W. SESSIONS has been employed as stated preacher.
The Clerks of the Ecclesiastical Society have been W. P. STONE, DAVID C. CAMP, E. B. MEIGS.
THE FOLLOWING HAVE BEEN DEACONS.
WILLIAM SEWARD was born at Guilford, March 25, 1688. He was the son of John Seward, who was born Feb. 14, 1653-4, and
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grandson of Lieut. William Seward, who was born in Bristol, Eng- land, 1627. He was an inhabitant of Durham until about 1730, when he removed to Guilford, where he was Deacon, and after- wards to Killingworth, where he died, May 31, 1764. His wife was Damaris Punderson, daughter of John Punderson, Jun., of New Haven. Their children were-1. William, born July 27, 1712; 2. David; 3. Damaris ; 4. Mary.
THOMAS LYMAN, son of Richard Lyman, who was the son of Richard, the emigrant from England, was born in Windsor and removed with his Father to Northampton. With his children, Thomas, Mindwell, Ebenezer, Elizabeth, Noah and Enoch, he came to Durham before 1715, and died July 15, 1725, aged 75 years.
HENRY CRANE, son of Capt. Henry Crane, first of Guilford and afterwards of Killingworth, was born October 25, 1677, set- tled in that part of Durham which had been granted to Killing- worth, on the place now occupied by Henry E. Nettleton, and was the progenitor of a large number of descendants, all of whom left Durham, some of them to reside in Oneida County, New York. He was a leading man in civil as well as in religious af- fairs. He died April, 1741, according to the grave stone, aged 64 years. His wife was Abigail Flood, daughter of Robert Flood.
ISRAEL BURRIT, from Stratford, was the son of Stephen, who was the son of William. He was born 1687. He died 1750 in his 63d year. He left three sons, Israel, Charles and William. His second wife was Sarah Chauneey, daughter of Rev. Nathan- iel Chauncey. His children by his second wife were-1. Israel ; 2. Charles ; 3. William.
JOHN CAMP, from Milford, died 1754, in his 54th year. He may have been the son of Samuel Camp.
JOSEPH TIBBALS from Milford, died October 14, 1774, in his 88th year.
EZRA BALDWIN from Milford, died March 4, 1783, in his 76th year.
JAMES CURTIS from Stratford, elected Dec. 25, 1766, died 1790 in his 80th year.
DANIEL HALL of Guilford, born Feb. 16, 1718, was the son of William Hall, of Guilford, who was born Jan. 15, 1683, who was the son of Samuel, born 1650, who was the son of William, em-
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igrant from England to Guilford. He was elected Deacon, May 2, 1782. The children of Daniel Hall were-1. Daniel ; 2. Martha ; 3. Elizabeth. He died 1790, aged 72.
JOHN JOHNSON died Nov. 18, 1819, aged 78. One of his daughters married Deacon John Tibbals, another Charles Rob- inson, and another Dr. Fitch.
DAN PARMELEE, who was the son of Hezekiah Parmelee, who was the son of Joel Parmalee from Guilford, married Abigail Norton Jan. 11, 1776. Died Dec. 11, 1825, aged 78. His chil- dren were-1. Hannah; 2. Betsey; 3. Dan; 4. Mahetabel ; 5. Abigail.
ABNER NEWTON, born Dec. 27, 1764; elected Sept. 1803, and died Sept. 9, 1852. He was the son of Burwell Newton, who was the son of Abner, who came from Milford. His children were-1. Elisha ; 2. Abner; 3. Horace; 4. Gaylord; 5. R. Wat- son ; Content; Parnell.
OZIAS NORTON was the son of Stephen Norton, who was born in Durham, Jan. 7, 1724, and died Oct. 8, 1808, aged 84. The latter was the son of John Norton, who was born Oct. 3, 1686, who was the son of Thomas Norton, who was born in England about 1624, and came with his father Thomas in 1639, to Guil- ford, and removed to Saybrook, and died in Durham after 1712. His father Thomas and his wife Grace came from England 1639, and settled in Guilford. He was born about 1603 and died May, 1648. Deacon Ozias Norton was born Dec. 31, 1759, married Hannah Parmelee, March, 1790. Elected Deacon 1803, removed to Charleston, Portage County, Ohio, June, 1812, and died Jan. 25, 1842, aged 82. His wife died Sept. 12, 1841, aged 80. His children-1. Leveret, born Nov. 28, 1791; 2. Clarissa; 3. Al- fred ; 4. Ozias. The Nortons lived in the northwest part of the town.
JOSIAH JEWETT, elected Sept. 3, 1812, removed.
JOHN TIBBALS, son of Ebenezer Tibbals, grandson of Deacon Joseph Tibbals, elected Nov. 6, 1805, died March 9, aged 45 years. He married Concurrence Johnson, daughter of Deacon John Johnson. Their children were-1. Angus ; 2. John.
SAMUEL C. CAMP, son of Col. Samuel Camp, and a descend- ant of Samuel Camp of Milford, was elected Deacon July, 1819; lived in Hartford, Middletown, and afterwards in his native place,
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Durham, and built the house now owned by William Canfield; died Sept. 24, 1823, aged 62 years.
SETH SEWARD, elected Jan. 22, 1824. Died January 3, 1846, aged 79 years and 9 months. He was descended from John Se- ward, one of the original proprietors of Durham. His children were -- 1. Orpha; 2. Maria; 3. Eliza; 4. Naney ; 5. Rev. Dwight, D. D.
TIMOTHY STONE, born in Guilford, May 2, 1773. He was the son of Nathaniel Stone, born Dec. 10, 1731, who was the son of Timothy Stone, born March 16, 1696; who was the son cf Na- thaniel Stone, born Sept. 15, 1648; who was the son of John Stone, who was the fifth son of Rev. Samuel Stone of Hertford, England, and brother of Rev. Samuel Stone of the first church of Hartford. Timothy Stone of Durham married Eunice Par- melee, daughter of Levi Parmelee. Elected Nov. 6, 1815, died January 14, 1826. Their children are-1. Maria ; 2. Eunice; 3. Phebe; 4. Wolcott Parmelee; 5. Collins; 6. Lavinia; 7. Ade- line; and 8. Sherman Timothy.
HETH CAMP, son of Heth Camp, elected Feb. 5, 1842, married Phebe Bates, daughter of Daniel Bates ; removed to Pennsylva- nia ; deceased.
ELAH CAMP, son of Nathan O. Camp, elected January, 1842, removed to Meriden; father of David N.'Camp, A. M., Principal of the Normal School at New Britain.
JOEL PARMELEE son of Joel Parmelec, who was the son of Joel Parmelee, who was the son of Joel Parmelee, who was the son of John Parmelee of Guilford, who was the son of John the em- igrant from England, elected January, 1842 ; died Nov. 2, 1842, aged 37.
SAMUEL NEWTON son of Burwell Newton, elected January 4, 1827, died April 24, 1864, aged sixty-seven years. He married Betsey Parmelee, daughter of Joel Parmelee. He left two ehil- dren-1. John; 2. Elizabeth.
WOLCOTT P. STONE, elected 1844.
GAYLORD NEWTON, elected 1846.
NATHAN PARSONS, elected June 11, 1864.
JULIUS S. AUGER, elected June 11, 1864.
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SOUTH CHURCH.
WOLCOTT P. STONE, elected May 27, 1847, removed to New Haven.
ISAAC PARMELEE, elected May 22, 1847.
WILLIAM HART, elected Nov. 26, 1853.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
The METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH in Durham was organ- ized about the year 1815. Rev. Messrs. Barnes, Bussie, Knight, Lorenzo Dow, Ebenezer Washburn, and Elijah Hibbard, were among the first preachers of that denomination that visited and preached in this town. The first Class or Society was formed about this time and connected with Middletown Circuit, and supplied with occasional preaching by preachers that traveled that Circuit. Abraham Scranton, Capt. Eliphaz Nettleton, Tim- othy Elliott, John Swathel, and Timothy Coe, were among the first that identified themselves with this Society. For several years they occupied the South District School House, for a place of worship, and were embraced in Middletown Circuit, and af- terwards with Black Rock Circuit, and supplied with preaching half a day or at 5 o'clock P. M. on the Sabbath. The Society at one time, numbered about thirty. These early Methodists did not long enjoy prosperity. A difficulty occurred in the little Church, the result of which was their almost entire destruction. Some were expelled, others withdrew; and from a Society of about thirty they were reduced to ten or twelve; so that in 1828 the Methodists were but a name, and only had preaching at 5 o'clock P. M. on Sunday, and that but once in two weeks. Rev. Henry Hatfield traveled the Circuit at that time. In 1829, Rev. Alden Cooper occasionally met the appointment and with youth- · ful zeal preached the word of life, and a few united with the so- ciety. Prayer meetings were held in the school house in the ab- sence of the minister. In 1830, Dr. Chauncey Andrews being in the practice of medicine in the town, secured a place for holding Methodist meetings, and at his own expense fitted up a room in the Academy on the Green and hired a Local Preacher from Mid- dletown by the name of Isham, to preach six Sabbaths, incurring the responsibility of paying him without any orders from the So-
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ciety or Class. From that time forward Methodist meetings were held regularly on the Sabbath, and the students and Professors from the Wesleyan University at Middletown, supplied the pul- pit. Rev. D. D. Whedon and Joseph Holdich, D. D., of the Professors, Rev. David Patton, then a student, now at the head of the Concord Biblical Institute, and Rev. Osman C. Baker, now one of the Bishops, with many other young men, whose names now stand high on the records of the M. E. Church, ministered to the little flock that worshipped in that " Upper Room." The Society and congregation gradually increased until the place be- came too strait for those desiring to worship with the Methodists ; and as several families had removed from North Madison, who were formerly members of the Methodist Church at Black Rock, transferring their membership to this Society, the subject of erect- ing a church building was agitated. Several men of wealth and prominence in the town, among whom was Worthington G. Chaun- cey and his brother William, Henry Lyman, Wedworth Wads- worth, Samuel Parsons, and others giving their influence and as- sistance, the result of which was, the building of the present re- spectable edifice now occupied by the Society.
Rev. Moses L. Scudder, then a student in the Wesleyan Uni- versity was preacher in charge, during the building of the church, in the year 1836. In the Autumn of 1837 the Presiding Elder of the District sent the Rev. Walter W. Brewer to take charge of the Society, and on the 1st of January, 1838, he commenced a protracted meeting assisted by the Rev. J. S. Arnold, then a student in the Wesleyan University, which was indeed a pro- tracted meeting, continuing day and evening for nearly three months. So great was the religious interest created by these meetings, that the whole community, young and old, flocked to the Church, and were alike convicted by the Spirit and led to embrace the religion of Christ. The fruits of that great revival were alike beneficial to all the churches in the town, many of whom are now worthy members of the Congregational Churches. The larger portion however united with the Methodists, and con- stitute much of the strength of the Church at the present time. The first regular Conference appointment of a minister to this Church was made in the Spring of 1838, at which time the Rev. Harvey Husted was appointed, who remained preacher in charge
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two years. Since which time annual appointments have been made in the following order : In 1840, the Rev. Salmon C. Per- ry. In 1841, Rev. Orrin Howard, who remaining but a few months, the Rev. Luke Hitchcock supplied for the year. In 1842, Rev. McKendree Bangs. In 1843 and 4, Rev. William C. Hoyt. During his pastorate the Congregational Church was burned, de- stroying the bell attached to it. Through the personal efforts of Mr. Hoyt, the M. E. Church was provided with the bell now in use. In 1845, Rev. Nathaniel Kellogg. In 1846 and 7, Rev. Aaron Hill. In 1848 and 9, Rev. John E. Searles. In 1850 and 1, Rev. William Lawrence. In 1852 and 3, Rev. George S. Hare. In 1854, Rev. George A. Hubbell. In 1855 and 6, Rev. George Stillman. In 1857 and 8, Rev. R. H. Loomis. During his min- istration the Church in common with most of the churches of the jand shared in a gracious outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In 1859 and 60, Rev. J. W. Leek. In 1861 and 2, Rev. Levi P. Perry. In 1863, Rev. Horatio N. Weed. In 1864, Rev. Edwin Warriner. In 1865, Rev. Isaac Sanford. Thus from a feeble beginning with a membership of less than fifteen, and extending through a period of only fifty years, the Church has increased to its present number, of over two hundred, unencumbered by debt and contributing to the various religious and benevolent objects at home and abroad, an annual amount of not less than nine hundred and fifty dollars.
In numbers, character, and wealth, it occupies at the present time an honorable position in the community, her members shar- ing equally with her sister churches in the business and offices of the town. Her success under the Divine Guidance has been the result of an ardent attachment to the peculiar doctrines and discipline of the Church, and the zealous and united labors of her members in the great work of evangelizing the world.
CHURCH OF THE EPIPHANY, DURHAM.
A parish, in communion with the Protestant Episcopal Church, appears to have been, organized in Durham as early as 1802. It was never, however, placed under the charge of a resident Rec- tor, and never seems to have reached any permanent existence.
It was represented by a lay-delegate in five Conventions of the
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Diocese of Connecticut, those namely, of 1804, 1805, 1806, 1809, and 1819. It is mentioned, in 1818, as forming with Middletown and Berlin one Cure, then vacant. In 1818, the Rev. D. Bur- haus, who is called " Rector of - Church, Durham," reports 35 families, 9 baptisms, and 2 funerals. And on two occasions afterwards, Missionaries of the Christian Knowledge Society re- port services at Durham, and collections for the Society.
In 1848, the Rev. Frederick Sill, who was ordained Deacon June 12th, 1849, began public services in Durham, according to the rites of the Protestant Episcopal Church. These services were continued for about a year. No parish was organized ; though Mr. Sill reports ten baptisms, and two funerals in 1850 and 1851.
In 1859, some of the students of the Berkeley Divinity School, at Middletown, began to officiate as Lay-Readers, in Durham, un- der the direction of Bishop Williams; and since that time servi- ces have been uninterruptedly continued. On the 28th of June, 1862, the Bishop laid the corner stone of a neat and commodi- ous church, which was consecrated by him, as the Church of the Epiphany, Jan. 29th, 1863. In Easter week following, the par- ish was organized, and received into union with the Diocese in the Convention which sat in June of that year.
CHAPTER VI.
MEETING HOUSES.
FIRST MEETING HOUSE .- "On the 17th of November, 1709, "The Town by voate did agree that ye place to build the Meeting-House upon should be upon the place commonly ac- counted for the Meeting-house Green, which green lyeth between Mr. Chauncey's home lot and Samuel Camp's home lot."
" At the same Town meeting the Town by voate did enact and agree that they would build a meeting house forty feet square, with a flat Ruff, and Turritt, and to be twenty feet between joynts."
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" At the same meeting the Town made choyse of WILLIAM SEWARD, SAMUEL PARSONS and JAMES WADSWORTH, to be their committee to take care of building of the sd Meeting- House, that is to say, the framing and covering of said House as cheap as may be for the Town's advantage.'
" At the same meeting the Town by voate made choyce of Serj. JOHN SUTLIFF to go to Guilford, Killingworth and else- where to gather what money ye Gentlemen that have farms within this Town will contribute towards the building of the Meeting-House."
" At a meeting Dec. 25, 1711, the Town by voate did enact and agree, that ye pulpit be built the next summer or sooner, if may be, the £5 given by Mr. Chauncey towards the building of the pulpit to be improved thereon, so far as it will go."
This meeting-house was located on the "Meeting-House Green," on the crown of the hill in what is now the grave yard, about where stand the monuments of Edward P. Camp and Samuel Parsons. The site was an admirable one, where the House would be a conspicuous object in the landscape, and where it would afford a distinct view of the eastern and the western hills. In 1723 it was ordered by the Town " that the pulpit should be new-built, and a comely canopy to cover it."
SEATING THE MEETING - HOUSE.
" At a Town meeting, Durham, Oct. 8, 1714, voated by the Town, that the meeting-house should be seated; and also the Town by voate made choyse of JAMES WADSWORTH, CALEB SEWARD, Jun., NATHANIEL SUTLIFF, WILLIAM SEWARD and HENRY CRANE to be a committee to seate sd house, and for in- structions to sd committee, the Town by voate ordered sd com- mittee to seate all the inhabitants of this Town that are free holders therein, and are in the general list of estates; and in their so doing that the sd committee should have respect to the age of persons, and to the whole charge in general that hath been laid out or expended upon the Meeting-House; and also to the places that any persons do sustain, both civil and military."
It would seem to us, in these times, that it would be a diffi- cult task for the committee to follow the instructions of the town in seating the House. They were enjoined to have respect
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to age, to the amount of the contributions furnished by the sev- eral tax payers; and to their official rank. But in those times, and indeed down to my own remembrance, clergymen and pri- vate Christians were accustomed to pray that all might perform their relative duties as " superiors, inferiors and equals," " to give honor when honor is due." It seemed reasonable to them that the aged, and those who were taxed largely in comparison with others, and those who had an official rank should have better seats than others. The doctrine of human equality had not made much progress.
The inhabitants continued to worship in this house twenty years, when they had increased so much in numbers that a new church became necessary.
THE SECOND MEETING HOUSE.
" At a Town meeting Dec. 31, 1734, the Town by a major vote did enact and agree that the new Meeting-House, agreed to be set up in this Town shall be sixtie-four feet in length, and forty-four in breadth, and twenty-five feet in height between joints." It was finished in 1737.
" Monday, May 10, 1736, the Town before, by agreement be- ing divided into two parts, the southern part of the town began to raise the Meeting-House ; on the next day the northern part of the Town went on with the raising; and on Wednesday the Town generally met, and completed the raising of said House- part of Monday it rained, and beat off the raisers, so that this said House was raised in less than three days."
" February 15, 1737-8, the above named Meeting-House being finished excepting the hanging of the windows, and some small trifles of trimming off the work, we had a lecture on sd day, there being a large concourse of people from the neighboring Towns, the House much crowded, and Mr. Chauncey preached from Haggai 2: 9th verse."
The first meeting-house was raised in April, 1710, and pulled down in the spring of the year 1738. What were the reasons for changing the location does not appear. The precise spot where the new house was placed was probably determined by the building committe, as in the case of the other house, whether wisely or not. The records show that the town was
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consulted about the location. It was erected on the north-east corner of the present green, in a range with the road running east. It was built in the common style of the times with nar- row windows, the posts and other timbers projecting from the walls. The pulpit had some decorations, besides its sounding board, and hour-glass which the speaker often turned when he commenced his sermon. The pulpit stairs were on the Sabbath decorated with boys who could not conveniently find seats with their parents, and who were too young to be sent up into the gallery. There was a Deacon's Seat under and in front of the pulpit, where, in my own recollection, sat Deacon Johnson and Deacon Parmelee, with their solemn and cheerful faces, gazed at by the whole congregation, inspiring awe and respect, especially in the young. There were the galleries on three sides of the house, in which sat the young people, and one or more tything men. On the West side were the Bass singers; on the South fronting the pulpit were the Tenor and Counter singers; on the East were Treble singers, often the flower of Durham. The pews were fitted up with small swing tables, for taking notes of the sermon, or supporting the elbows. The practice of taking notes had nearly disappeared before my remembrance. The pews were square; and consequently a portion of the audience sat with their backs to the preacher. Hence arose the practice of rising during the sermon on the part of some of the men, which at once enabled them to see the minister, and relieve themselves from drowsiness or from an uncomfortable posture. This they often did in their shirt sleeves. There they stood with eager'up- turned eyes gazing at the minister in his lofty pulpit, or at the singers as they made the house ring with their strong voices, and animated melody. The women in the pews, solaced them- selves, successively in the season, with caraway, dill and fennel, giving a sprig of it to a sleepy child, or hospitably offering a bunch of it to a stranger.
Dec. 2, 1721, "The Town by their voate ordered the Select men to have some suitable person to beate a drum upon the Town charge, upon the Sabbaths, and other public meetings."
THE THIRD MEETING HOUSE.
On the 17th of July, 1835, the corner stone of the third Meeting-house was laid, just a century after the building of the
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second House was commenced. The address on the occasion was delivered by Rev. David Smith, D. D. It was erected on the site where now stands the South Congregational Church. Its size was sixty feet by forty. This building was consumed by fire November 28, 1844.
The corner stone of the present M. E. Church was laid July 1st, 1836. The address was by Rev. Joseph Holdich, D. D. The dedication service was Jan. 7, 1837. The sermon was by the Rev. Wilbur Fisk, D. D., president of the Wesleyan Uni- versity. The original cost of the building was about $4000.
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