USA > Connecticut > Hartford County > East Granby > Records of the Congregational Church in Turkey Hills, now the town of East Granby, Connecticut, 1776-1858 > Part 6
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Joel Clark
Voted to adjourn this meeting until Monday next at 4 Oclock P. M.
[12]] May 27th 1816. Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
Meeting holden by adjournment at the Meeting houfe the Con- mittee reported an answer from the Rev. Eber L. Clark in the affirmative.
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Voted that the same Committee be directed to make arrange- ment with Mr Clark and carry into effect the Settlement of Said Mr Clark. Also to represent the Church to the Council. Meet- ing adjourned two weeks from this day at 6 Oclock P. M.
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
June 3rd 1816
At a Church Meeting holden by adjournment at the Meeting House. Meeting opened by the Clerk
The Committee appointed to converse with Sister Deborah Thrall Reported that they have endeavoured to converse with her but found her unwilling to hear them and She exprefsed a willing- nefs to be turned out of the Church. Meeting adjourned until the third Monday in August next at 5 Oclock P. M.
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk
June 10th 1816.
Church Meeting holden by adjournment at the Meeting House. Meeting Opened by the Moderator.
Voted to disolve this Meeting.
Test Joel Clark Church Clerk 1
[*] For Church Covenant, and articles of difcipline, and other matters of Record the Reader is refered as follows.
I Confefsion of Faith, 8th Page
2 Church Covenant and articles of the Constitution, 104-5 Page
3 Church Transactions, 106 Page
4 Births, 35 Page
5 Deaths, 79 Page
6 Baptisms, 54 Page
7 Propouned for Communion, 34 Page
8 Propounded for being taken under the Wach of the Chur 2.4 Page
9 Admifsion into full Communion, 86
IO Admifsions into Church, 67
II Attendance on the Lords Supper, 84
12 Commendations & Recommendations to & from Churches
102
Baptisms from 76 to 85 Children I34 Adults 5
From 85 to 1816 Ch 197
Ad 12
348
Mar by B. 78
Deaths fr 76 to 1809
2II
Births from 1776 to 1785, one hundred and seventy one
1 The entries on pages 122-124 are omitted as they appear on early pages of the next following book of records.
[I]
A
Record of the Church in Turkey Hills from the Installation of the Rev. Eber L. Clark July 3d. 1816.
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[2] Rev. Eber L, Clark Installed 3ª July 1816
Rev. Eber L Clark dismissed 5th July 1820 by his own request
Rev. Stephen Crosby was installed Nov. 22, 1826
Rev. Stephen Crosby was dismissed January 31, 1832.
Rev. Daniel Heminway was installed July 3rd 1832
Rev. Daniel Heminway was dismissed June 14, 1842
Rev. Jonas Bowen Clark was ordained Nov. 2, 1842
Rev. Jonas Bowen Clark was dismissed July 8, & to take effect Aug. 1, 1845
[3]
Contents.
Confession of faitlı & Covenant
Page 5. 193
Church votes & transactions
II. 127
Deaths 267
Baptisms
115
Admissions by profession
197
Admissions by letter
247
Excommunications
28I
Recommendations 287
Confessions
307
Names of Church members
319
Marriages 343
[5]
A Confession of faith.
I. You believe that there is but one God subsisting in three persons, the Father, the Son the Holy Ghost, in whom are all possible perfections.
2. You believe that God made & upholds all things by his power, & is the supreme Governor of all worlds.
3. You believe the holy Scriptures are the word of God, & are a perfect rule of faith and manners.
4. You believe that God made man upright, and originally instamped upon him his image of knowledge, of [6] righteous- ness & of holiness.
5. You believe that by reason of the sin and fall of the first man, Adam, he plunged himself & all his prosterity into a state of sin & misery.
6. You believe that it pleased God from eternity to choose some of fallen men to everlasting life through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, and so in the fullness of time sent forth his only begotten Son made of a woman, made under the law to redeem them who are under the curse of the law.
[7] 7. You believe that Jesus Christ is the only Savior of man, neither is there salvation in any other, nor any other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.
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8. You believe that repentance, faith, love & new obediance are the only conditions of eternal salvation stated in the gospel.
9. You believe that there are certain special ordinances insti- tutted by Christ, which are baptism and the Lord's supper, that are in a religious manner to be observed by his followers.
IO. You believe that the Lord's supper is an holly ordinance instituted by Christ, wherein by giving and [8] receiving Bread and Wine according to Christ's appointment his death is showed forth of which this is to be a standing memorial to the end of the world
II. And finally you believe that God has appointed a day in which he will judge the world by Jesus Chirst, and that in that day they who have done good shall be absolved and acquited and made perfectly blessed in the full enjoyment of God forever, But they who have done evil and died in their impenitency, shall be turned down to a burning hell, & lodged there forever.
[9]
A Covenant
You do now in the presence of God and before angels and men who are witnesses of this transaction solemnly avouch the Lord Jehovah God the Father Son and Holy Ghost to be your God. You do also take the holy Scriptures to be the only rule of your faith & practice (and togather with yourself give up your off- spring to God avouching the Lord to be your God & the God of your seed). You acknowledge your sinfulness by nature & by practice, and that all your hopes of pardon & salvation are [10] built only on the righteousness and satisfaction of Christ, whom you now take to be your Savior, your Prophet Priest and King, solemnly promising through the help of divine grace to live in all respects according to the rules and precepts of the gospel, that you will carefully attend on all the ordinances of it, and that you will submit yourself to the discipline and government of Christ in his Church.
Church Votes and transactions.
1816 July 3 The Rev. Eber L. Clark was installed as Pastor over the Church and Society in Turkey Hills, with the understand- ing that he should preach one half the time as Chaplain at New- gate prison.
The gentlemen of the clergy who assisted in the Installation
Reverend Nathan Perkins D. D. West Hartford.
Rev. Samuel Shepard Lenox (Mass.)
Rev. Henry A. Rowland Windsor.
Rev. Thomas Robbins East Windsor.
Rev. Shubael Bartlett East Windsor.
Rev. Francis L. Robbins Enfield.
Rev. Ebenezer Gay Suffield.
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Rev. Joseph Mix West Suffield.
Rev. Isaac Porter Granby.
Rev. Allen M Lean Simsbury.
[12] August 21st At a meeting of the Church holden by ad- journment.
Voted, That Sister Deborah Thrall be cited to appear before the Church and answer to the charges which have been brought against her.
Voted, That no person be admitted to occasional communion with this Church longer than one year without becoming a mem- ber in full communion, either by Letter or otherwise.
The meeting was then adjourned to August thirtieth.
[13] Aug. 30th The Church met according to adjournment.
Sister Deborah Thrall did not appear according to the citation sent her by vote of the Church at the last meeting, the matter was therefore defered for further consideration.
Voted, at this meeting that Dr. Silas Meacham at his own re- quest be dismissed from this Church & recommended to the Church in Benson, Vermont.
Voted also, that this Church adopt and proceed according to the following Rule. That they will admit professing christians of other Denominations to occasional communion for the time limited by a preceding vote [14] provided they cordially believe what are commonly called the Doctrines of grace. Such as total depravity, regeneration by special grace, Justification by faith in Christ, the saints perseverence, particular election &c &c &c1
Meeting was then adjourned to Nov. I.
Nov. Ist Met according to adjourninent.
Voted, That they would labor no farther with Sister Deboralı Thrall, as they have no hope of ever reclaiming her.
Voted also unaminously after prayer and much deliberation that she be excommunicated from the communion & fellowship of this Church.
[15] Meeting then dissolved.
1817 Feb. 28th At a meeting of the Church duly warned.
Voted that they will at some future meeting of the Church choose a Standing Committee to aid the Pastor in the affairs of discipline.
Voted also, that they will renew the covenant.
1 For the benefit of any reader who may be uncertain as to these doctrines of grace, the following definitions are given:
Total depravity-The total unfitness of man for the moral purposes of his being until born again by the influence of the Spirit of God.
Regeneration by special grace-Being born again, in a spiritual sense, through the cove- nant of baptism and thus receiving grace even though not sanctified to the will of God.
Justification by faith in Christ-Being accounted righteous in the sight of God through faith in the merit of Jesus Church, not through personal meritorions works.
The saints perseverence-The doctrine which teaches that persons who have once re- ceived the Holy spirit cannot finally fall from grace.
Particular election-The singling out or election of certain individuals to eternal life, by the direct will of God.
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Horace Phelps appeared before the Church, and made his con- fession having joined a party of pleasure, & conducted unchris- tian like.
[16] The meeting was then dissolved.
March 12th. At a meeting of the Church duly warned, Voted that the following persons, Viz: Eliza Robbins, Cynthia Thrall, Mehitabel Bassett and the wife of Charles Buck, be desired to make some acknowledgement to the Church for the fault in which they have been overtaken in dancing, and that Isaac Owen and Roswell Skinner be a Committee to communicate to said per- sons the doings of the Church &c.
[17] Adjourned till wednesday the 19th. instant.
Met according to adjournment and without accomplishing the object of the meeting, adjourned again to Saturday 22d. instant.
Met according to adjournment. The Committee chosen to con- verse with the offending sisters, presented to the Church their confession, which here follows, & which was accepted by sª Ch.
"To the Presbyterian Church in Turkey Hills-
" We whose names are here annexed, have in the presence of "God, angels and men, avouched the Lord Jehovah, God the "Father, Son, [18] and Holy Ghost to be our God and Guide "and Protector, and the holy Scriptures to be the rule of our "faith & practice.
" We have and do still do continue to acknowledge the depravity " of our hearts, and sensibly lament that by reason of our corrupt "inclinations, our practice is unholy-with humble sincerity we "acknowledge this-and in the presence of God who searcheth " and knoweth the heart, and before angels and men we confess "our numerous faults, our sins public, private and particular, and " as we hope to be forgiven of our heavenly Father, we hope that "kindness and true charity will reign predominant in the hearts " of our dear brethren and [19] sisters and enable them to treat the "younger sisters with all purity, and grant them that real for- "giveness for every transgression, as they hope to be forgiven of " God .*
Sarah W. Buck Cynthia Thrall Mehitabel Basset Eliza Robbins.
" T. Hills March 22d, 1817.
The meeting was then dissolved.
* Said offending Sisters chose not to mention in direct terms the sin for which they meant to make confession. Yet they freely acknowledged that meant to include it their sins public, private and particular.
[20] May 4th. The Ch. in Turkey Hills renewed their Cov- enant it being Lord's and communion day.
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Oct. 31 At a meeting of the Church duly warned Deacon Phineas Stevens brought forward a request that he be excused from discharging the office of Deacon in the Church at least occa- sionally which request was granted, and the meeting dissolved.
1818 May Ist at a meeting of the Church in Turkey Hills duly warned, the subject of choosing a standing Committee in the Ch according to a former vote, was taken up and considered, and Voted that the matter be postponed to some future meeting.
Oct. 30th At a meeting of the Church in Turkey Hills duly warned, Deacon Phineas Stevens, Deacon Harvey [21] Skinner, and Capt. Joel Clark are chosen a Committee to stand one year, whose duty shall be to aid the Pastor in the affairs of discipline.
1819 Oct. roth. At a meeting of the Church of Christ in Tur- key Hills duly warned, Voted that Deacon Harvey Skinner their delegate to the North Consociation of Hartford County to be con- vened at West Hartford the 12th. Instant, lay before that Body a memorial respecting the peculiar situation of said Church, on account of the Revd Eber L. Clark their Pastor being no longer Chaplain of New Gate Prison, and of course having no longer any support from the State.
[22] 1820 May 5th. At a meeting of the Church duly warned Capt. Joel Clark, Deacon Harvey Skinner and Isaac Owen Esq" were chosen as a Committee of the Church to stand for one year.
At the same meeting Mary B. Landers made a confession for lascivious conduct.
1821 At a warned Meeting of the Church January 3ª Deacon Phinehas Stevens Moderator for the present meeting Hervey Skin- ner chosen Standing Clerk Voted a Letter for the Rev. E. L. Clark Stating to the Church in Winchendou Mss the relation he bor to this Church while its Pastor
Voted a Letter of recommendation and dismissal for Mary Wife of Rev. E L Clark directed to the Church Winchendon Mass Voted to adjourn
Hervey Skinner Clerk
[23] Samuel Woodruff chosen Delegate to the North Conso- ciation Hartford County fall session 1821
July 5th 1822 At a Meeting of the Church holden at the Meet- ing-house Rev. Erastus Ripley Chosen Moderator
Voted that the Moderator Serve Horace Phelps with a Copy of a complaint brought before this meeting by Brother Joel Clark and that he cite him to appear before the next meeting
Voted to adjourn to Thursday 25 Inst. 3 O. Clock P. M.
Hervey Skinner Clerk
25th July Adjourned and also duly warned Meeting opened by prayer of the Moderator The Church then heard the complaint of Brother Joel Clark against Brother Horace Phelps which my
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be seen on File dated July 5th 1822 Mr Phelps has been duly serv'd with a Copy and cited to appear at this time by the Moderator
Ist Art. Charge. Proof by Brother James O. Pond That late on the evening of a day of May last on which I heard Mr Phelps washed Sheep he called at my house without making any particu- lar business and tarryed untill near midnight and from his [24] conversation gestures and the scent of his breath I judged he was intoxicated
By Rev. Mr. Ripley That on a day of May last I saw Mr Phelps when he appeared wild and the scent of his breath was like that of a person's who had drank ardent Spirit
2ª Art. Charge. Proof by Brothers Roswell Skinner and Apollos G. Hillyer That when we were at Mr Phelps's with Brother Clark agreeable to the second Step of the Gospel rule M' Phelps did acknowledge before us the transactions of this second charge as relates to the wheelbarrow
3ª Art. Charge. Proof by Brother Isaac Owen That in the summer of 1821 as I was passing the road and within ten or twelve rods of M' Phelps's I heard a noise of shrieking and crying out when I came before the house his wife came out and com- plained that her husband had just then been abusing her that I saw and put my fingers upon the bunches on her head which she said were occasioned by her husbands swinging her round the house so as to raise her from the floor by the hair M' Phelps then came out [25] I asked him what he abused his wife so for he said it was a lye a lye A few days after this I again ask'd M' Phelps what he abused his wife so for he said she had hid his bottle and that he would govern his own house
4th Art. Charge. Proof by Brothers Roswell Skinner and Apollos G. Hillyer That M' Phelps did acknowledge to us when he had his wild turns he drank too much and that drinking in- creased his wildness That at this time we considered him regular and that after having been advised by us to put the spirit and the key to it into the hand of some person or friend he rejected our advise and said he would not stop drinking
5th Art. Charge. Proof by Brother Isaac Owen That when I have seen his jug pass my house immediately his wild turns come on and that he says he preaches I have frequently heard his noise in the evening up as far as my house. By Brother Joel Clark. M' Phelps says he preaches
6th Art Charge. Proof by Brethren generally
Voted to adjourn four weeks this day 3. O. Clock P. M.
Hervey Skinner Clerk
[26] 22ª August 1822 Adjourned Meeting opened by prayer of the Moderator. Again took up the complaint against Brother Phelps. Witnesses sworn
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Ist Witness Mr Appleton Robbins That for the last seven years Mr. Phelps has been irregular at times I believed spirit was an injury to him In the summer of 1821 I tried to hire Mr Phelps to refrain from the use of ardent spirits and cider but could not prevail with him to desist
2ª Witness Horace Clark Esq That in the harvest time of 1821 I saw Mr Phelps when he appeared intoxicated and at several other times That at a time past Mr Phelps requested the priv- ilege of preaching at my work-house on the plain calling it a church and said he wanted to dedicate it That one night he preached and pray'd all night at Kettle-brook and so loud as to start the bark from the trees [27] and that this day Mr Phelps told me he was going over to the Meeting-house to preach
3ª Witness Mr George Thrall That I saw Mr Phelps two or years past one sabbath at my Mother's when he appeared intoxi- cated
4th Witness Mr Hervey Holcomb That in the summer of 1821 Mr Phelps came to the shop at Mrs Lewis's where I was at work; spoke of preaching and began his tone but was silenced by Mrs Lewis Question did M' Phelps appear intoxicated? he appeared irregular
5th Witness Brother Joel Clark Mrs Phelps says in the pres- ence of her husband that at times she is afraid of her life That she is obliged to flee to the barn and other places to secret her- self Same testimony in substance by Brothers Roswell Skinner and Apollos G Hillyer
The Church then took into consideration the support of the charges by testimony separately
[28] Voted that each charge is proved to the satisfaction of the church except the specific parts of the third charge of the complaint
Voted that the Clerk notify Mr Phelps that the charges brought against him are proved to the satisfaction of the church also of the next adjournd meeting Voted to adjourn to friday next; lecture day immediately after the public exercises.
Hervey Skinner Clerk
30th August 1822 Adjournd Meeting opened by the Modera- tor
Voted to hold Mr Phelps in suspense four weeks
Voted to adjourn four weeks from this day 4. O. Clock P. M. Hervey Skinner Clerk
27th September Adjourned Meeting opened by prayer of the Moderator
Voted that Horace Phelps be and he is hereby excommunicated and cut off from the privileges and fellowship of this Church
Voted to adjourn
Hervey Skinner Clerk
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[29] Sept 14th 1823 Church made choice of Hervey Skinner for Moderator Appleton Robbins chosen Delegate to attend the Meet- ing of the North Consociation of Hartford County to be holden at East Windsor north Society on the last Tuesday of September 1823
Oct 16th 1823 Warned Church Meeting opened by prayer Brother Joel Clark chosen Standing Moderator for the Church Contribution taken up collected two Dollars fifty cents
Voted to adjourn 2 weeks this place 2 OClock P. M.
Oct 30 Adjournd Meeting opened by prayer Contribution taken up collected one Dollar seventyfive cents
Chose a Standing advisory Comtt for the church Viz Hervey Skinner Appleton Robbins Joel Clark Voted to dissolve
Hervey Skinner Clerk
[30] 1824 16th April At a Meeting of the church duly warnd holden at the Meeting house in Turkey-hills Voted to excuse Capt Clark from being Moderator
Voted that Revª Ebenezer Halping be Moderator Meeting opened by prayer The Church took up labor with Brother Micah Moore upon a complaint for disorderly walk brought against him by Hervey Skinner left on file The charges in substance ac- knowledged true by Mr Moore
Voted that Brother Moore be and he is hereby requested to make Gospel Confession
Voted to adjourn four weeks friday 14th may 4 OClock P. M. this place closed by prayer
Hervey Skinner Ch. Clerk
May 14 Adjournd Meeting opened by prayer and adjournd one week to this place
H Skinner Ch. Clerk
[31] May 21 Adjourn'd Meeting opened by prayer heard a Confession in form drawn for Brother Moore at his request
Voted that the form is satisfactory
Voted that Mr Moore is requested to make public confession Voted to dissolve H. Skinner Ch Clerk
1824 May 31 At a warned Church Meeting opened by prayer resumed labor with Micah Moore Chose a Comtt to confer with Brother Moore (as he was absent) and request of him the con- fession in form mentioned in the minutes of the last meeting for Sd Comtt James O Pond and Joel Clark
Comtt returnd with the form and informd the Church that the offending Brother refuses to subscribe and make the confession in form before the Church
Voted to designate a Comtt to wait on M' Moore and desire him to appear [32] before the Meeting if he has any request to make or any thing to offer to the Church for Sd Comtt chose Justus R Stevens and James O Pond
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Comtt returned and reported that Brother Moore had only to desire the Church to inform him whether the Church request him to make a public confession
Voted that the Church inform Mr Moore by Cointt viz James O Pond and Isaac Owen that he be reqired to make public con- fession
Voted to adjourn to friday 2 July 1824 immediately after lec- ture
H Skinner Ch Clerk
2ª July Adjournd Meeting
Voted that Micah Moore be and he is hereby excommunicated and cut off from the fellowship and communion of this Church [33] Meeting closed without date
Hervey Skinner Ch. Clerk
1824 July IIth At a Church Meeting duly call'd by the Mod- erator Voted to choose a Comtt of three persons whose duty it shall be to converse with delinquent disorderly and offending members of the Church for S' Comtt Chose Hervey Skinner Joel Clark Appleton Robbins
Voted to add Justus R Stevens to Sª Comtt
Closd by prayer
H Skinner Ch Clerk
1825 Sept IIth Hervey Skinner Chosen Delegate to attend a Meeting of the North Consociation to be holden at Enfield on the last Tuesday of Sept Instant
[34] August 28th 1826 At a Meeting of the Congregational Church in Turky Hills duly warnd and held at the Meeting House Hervey Skinner Moderator protem
Voted Unanimously that this Church do Call the Revd Steven Crosby to the Pastoral Charge of Christ's Church in this place
Voted that Walter Thrall Appleton Robbins Samuel Woodruff and Hervey Skinner be a Comtt to present the Call to the Revd Mr Crosby and report to the next Meeting Also to act in concert with the Societies special Comtt of arrangements
Voted to adjourn to the 28th Instant 5 O. Clock P. M.
Hervey Skinner Clerk
At a Church Meeting duly warned and opened by prayer Oct. 30th 1826
P. M.
Voted to adjourn to friday the 3ª day of Novr next 4. O. Clock Hervey Skinner Clerk
Nov 3ª Adjournd Meeting opened at the Meeting house and continued at the house of Appleton Robbins The Committee appointed to invite [35] the Revd Mr Crosby to the Pastoral Charge of this Church Report by Communication from him as follows
To the Congregational Church at Turkey-hills Granby.
Brethren. Your Call dated the 31st of August of the current year, has received, as I think it deserved, very serious considera- tion. It is not possible for me to describe the struggle of principle
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and feeling it has occasioned. I will only say it is not because I have felt no attachment to the people and no interest in their wel- fare that I have so long hesitated. The truth is my circumstances have been so peculiar that I have found it exceedingly difficult to learn what the great Head of the Church would have me to do; nor have I after all obtained that full satisfaction which I could desire. But as the Lord has put it into your hearts to seek the benefit of religious institutions and to make so generous sacrifices to support the Christian Ministry; as it is so desirable you should succeed in procuring a Minister [36] and at least possible you might fail to obtain any other person; I cannot find it in my heart to leave you. I do therefore accept your Call; and though I do it with cheerfulness it is with fear and trembling: And I beseech you, Brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake and for the love of the Spirit that ye strive together with me in your prayers to God for me that I may come unto you with joy by the will of God and with you be refreslied.
Now the God of peac be with you all.
Your willing Servant
Dated at Granby Nov 3ª 1826 A true Copy
In the Lord, Stephen Crosby
Voted to accept the Report and that the Clerk enter it on Record
Voted to adjourn to the 21st Instant 3. O. Clock P. M.
Hervey Skinner Clerk
[37] 1826 Nov. 22. According to previous arrangements Rev. Stephen Crosby was duly installed Pastor of this church. Rev. Mr. Kellogg of Farmington offerd the Introductory prayer; Rev. Mr. Phelps of Brookfield Mas. preached the sermon; Rev. Mr. McLean of Simsbury offerd the Installing prayer; Rev. Mr. Rowland of Windsor gave the Charge to the Pastor; Rev. Mr. Porter of Farmington presented the Right Hand of fellowship; Rev. Mr. Tenney of Weathersfield made the Address to the peo- ple; & Rev. Mr. Mix of Suffield offerd the Concluding prayer. [38] 1828 Jan. 20. Chh tarrid after divine service. At the request of Mrs. Sally Jarvis presented by Deac. H. Skinner, for a Letter of dismission from this chh. & of recommendation to the South Cong. chh in Hartford; voted to grant her a Letter dated at the time she left this place & removed to Hartford.
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