USA > Connecticut > Fairfield County > Norwalk > The ancient historical records of Norwalk, Connecticut; with a plan of the ancient settlement, and of the town in 1847 > Part 11
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At a meeting of ye Prime ancient Society of ye Town of Norwalk, convened May 7, 1729, * * Made choice of Mr. James Brown and Thos. Fitch, Esq., to appear in behalf of the society at the General Court, to be held at Hartford this present month ; there to an- swer a Petition exhibited to sd court against the town of Norwalk, by the Revd. Mr. Stephen Buckingham.
The society impowers Mr. James Brown (that if he finds ye abovenamed Mr. Fitch engaged on ye petition- er's side), to employ or improve (if he see it needful) an
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NORWALK.
[1729.
attorney at Hartford to aid and assist him in ye premi- ses.
Rev. Mr. Caner of the Church of England .*
Dec. 22d, 1729. The society, by major vote, deter- mines that a receipt from under the hand of ye Revd. Mr. Caner, brought by any of ye church of England in this society (so declaring themselves, and attending as ye law* in that case mentions) for so much paid him as
At a General assembly held in Hartford, May, 1127, it was enacted * * That, "If it so happen that there be a society of the Church of England, where there is a person in orders according to the Canons of the Church of England settled, and abiding among them, and performing divine service, so near to any person that hath declared himself of the Church of England, that he can con- veniently, and doth attend the public worship there; then the col- lector, having first indifferently levied the tax as aforesaid, shall deliver the taxes collected of such persons declaring themselves, and attending as aforesaid, unto the minister of the Church of England living near unto such persons; which minister shall have full power to receive and recover the same, in order to his support in the place assigned to him."
(The same Act gave power to any society of the Church of Eng- land to levy on themselves greater taxes at their own discretion, for the support of their minister.)
" And the Parishioners of the Church of England, attending as aforesaid, are hereby excused from paying any taxes for the build- ing meeting houses for the present established churches of this Go- vernment."
The General Assembly held at Hartford, May 8, 1727, enacted, " That where there are such dissenters as are commonly called Quakers, whodo attend the worship of God in such way as is al- lowed by said act [in the 7th of Queen Anne, A. D. 1708], within this colony, or are so situated that they may and do attend the ser- vice out of the limits of this government, in any such meeting aforesaid; and shall produce a certificate from such a society, of their having joined themselves to them : and that they do belong unto their society ; that he or they shall be excused from contributing to
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1746.]
he or they are assest by this society, in the minister's rate of said society ; which receipt or receipts, so deli- vered to ye collector of the minister's rate, shall be a suf- ficient discharge to ye said collector, as if gathered by said collector and paid the said Mr. Caner, and thereby obtained his receipt for the same.
Meeting with the Professors of the Church of England .*
At a meeting of ye Prime Society in Norwalk with the Professors of the Church of England inhabitants of said society, legally warned, and being convened at ye cold school house in said society, Feb. 2d, 1746-7 * * * Grant a rate of one penny the pound on all polls and ratable estate of all the inhabitants within ye limits of said so- ciety, towards completing ye town house ; said house to be improved for SCHOOL SOCIETY'S MEETINGS of ye inha- bitants in said society, as pr grant of ye town at their last annual meeting.
the support of the established ministry, and from contributing or paying any tax levied for the building any meeting house or houses, in the society where they dwell."
The General Assembly held at New Haven, Oct. 9, 1729, also granted, " That for the future, the same privilege and exemption from the charges aforesaid as was granted by this assembly in May last unto the people called Quakers, is hereby allowed unto them [the people called Baptists], under the like regulations ; any law, usage, or custom to the contrary notwithstanding.
" At this time," says Prof. Kingsley, p. 95, " there were in Con- necticut, but two or three congregations of Episcopalians, and two of Baptists, all of which were small; and no congregation of Quakers."
* The schools were managed by the Prime Ancient Society ; their votes concerning districts, school houses, &c., at their annual meetings being put on record from time to time. 8
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NORWALK.
[1755.
"The authority pew.
Dec. 14, 1747. Voted, that Saml. Fitch, Esq., shall sit in ye pew next ye pulpit stairs, with the rest of ye authority.
Meeting House Windows.
Dec. 17, 1750. Determine to glaze the meeting house with sash glass 7 & 9 inches - A commit- tee appointed to perform the same ; and are impowered to sell and dispose of ye glass and lead belonging to ye windows, in order to purchase glass and other materials for ye same.
His Honor, the Governor.
At a meeting of the Prime Ancient Society in Nor- walk, assembled Dec. 25, 1754, * * The society by vote manifest their willingness that his Honor the Governor should choose any place in ye meeting house to erect a pew for himself and family. Ye society send 3 men to treat with his Honor in the affair.
At the same meeting, ye said society grants the head of two fore seats in the meeting house, on ye women's side, to erect a pew for his Honor the GOVERNOR to sit in ; which is left to the discretion of David Benedict, Doct. Uriah Rogers, and Mr. Joseph Platt, a commit- tee appointed to build said pew at ye society's charge.
Seating the Justices:
Dec. 10, 1755. The society by vote desire the Jus- tices to remove and sit in the pew with their wives.
Adorning the Governor's Pew.
At the same meeting, the society desire the committee appointed to erect the Governor's pew to do what thev
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1765.]
shall think proper, to adorn the pew where the Go- vernor now sits, in lieu of building a pew.
A colleague for Mr. Dickinson.
[In Feb. 1764, the society, with the concurrence of Mr. Dickinson, voted to take measures to procure a col- league ; provided that means for the support of such col- league could be furnished by subscription, without lay- ing any burden upon the society as such. In March report was made to the society that such subscrip- tions were furnished.]
Rev. William Tennent.
[Mr. Tennent having preached some Sabbaths on pro- bation, the society by vote, unanimously invited him to settle as colleague with Mr. Dickinson, Nov. 13, 1764.]
Mr. Leaming's Rate.
Dec. 17, 1764. Thomas Hanford appointed to col- lect Mr. Leaming's rate.
The Presbytery of New Brunswick.
[Mr. Tennent wished to retain his connection with the Presbytery ; which the society, by mutual under- standing, allowed, provided Mr. Tennent should "unite with us and with the Association in the Ecclesiastical constitution of the colony." The Presbytery, however, understood it otherwise, and appointed a time, and a committee of their own, for the installation. Where- upon, June 12, 1765, after a suitable preamble, the society voted thus] :- " This society, by a copy from the minutes of the Presbytery, are informed, that Mr. Tennent declared his acceptance of the call of the society, upon condition that he shall still continue a member
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[1765.
of the synod of New York and Philadelphia, and of New Brunswick Presbytery ; * * * but at the same time professed his desire and intention to hold communion, and be in connection, with the Revd. association afore- said, as far as is consistent with his continuing in his relation to said synod: and that thereupon the said Presbytery had presumed that this church and society complied with the condition annexed by Mr. Tennent, to his acceptance of their call (which was made on very different terms) ; and accordingly have assumed to them- selves a right to appoint and did appoint the time of instal- ment, and a committee of their own to officiate therein. On consideration of all which, this society is of opinion, that the annexing the condition aforesaid to the acceptance of the call aforesaid, is a proposal subversive of the foun- dation on which the agreement and proceeding of the society were predicated ; and the proceedings of the Presbytery in consequence thereof is an attempt to draw the church and society off from the constitution in which they are united, and to lead them to renounce the rela- tions they stand in, and esteem too sacred to be violat- ed ; and do also view such appointment of the time and persons for installment, as an imposition on the society ; and therefore is to be treated with neglect. Therefore, the society do declare, that they cannot comply with the abovesaid conditions and appointment ; but are obliged to look on Mr. Tennent's annexing such embarrassment to his acceptance, tantamount to a denial of the invita- tion made him, &c., &c. [In consequence of this, the society appointed a committee to rent the House and land which they had purchased as a parsonage for the Colleague pastor. An explanation followed: Mr. Ten- nent declared that he never expected or intended that
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1770.]
the society should be under the power of the Presbytery ; and signified his readiness to accept the call, if this explanation should prove satisfactory. Whereupon the society voted their approval and desired his settlement, adding, in their vote, June 19, 1765, that " Neverthe- less, it is expected, that before his installment, a certi- ficate be produced from the Revd. Presbytery aforesaid, of Mr. Tennent's being released from them, agreeably to the tenor of the above proposals, in order to make way for a regular settlement here, and a full union with the association here, on the constitution of this colony.]
Collectors of Mr. Leaming's Rate.
Dec. 16, 1765. Nathan Burwell, Jr. to collect Mr. Leaming's rate.
Dec. 1766. Ebenezer Church to collect Mr. Leam- ing's rate.
Dec. 14, 1767. Goold Hoyt chosen collector of Mr. Leaming's last year's rate, likewise for the present year's rate.
Dec. 20, 1768. Asa Hoyt chosen collector of ye Church of England professors.
Dec. 11, 1769. Garner Olmsted to collect of the Church of England professors.
Dec. 10, 1770. John Saunders to collect Mr. Leam- ing's rate.
Dec. 15, 1771. Matthew Reed, collector of Mr. Leaming's rate.
Dec. 21, 1772. Micajah Nash chosen to collect Mr. Leaming's rate (afterwards excused and Isaac Camp chosen in his room).
Dec. 13, 1773. Garner Olmsted chosen collector of tax on ye professors of ye Church of England.
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[1772.
Dec. 14, 1774. Garner Olmsted collector of ye pro- fessors of ye Church of England.
Dec. 11, 1775. Daniel Church collector of ye pro- fessors of ye Church of England.
Dec. 9, 1776. Saml. White chosen collector of ye Church of England Professors.
Dec. 8, 1777. Barnabas Merwine Collec. of ye Church of England professors.
Dec. 14, 1778. John Saunders collector of Mr. Leaming's rate.
[Before the next annual meeting, the town was burnt by the British ; and Rev. Mr. Leaming retired with the invaders to their fleet.].
Repairing the Meeting House.
Dec. 11, 1769. Put to vote, whether the society will repair the meeting house according to the report of those persons desired to view the same ; that is to say, to put on a new roof, and new side the house, and to make new window frames, so far as should be necessary. Passed in the affirmative.
Dec. 15, 1771. The committee heretofore appointed to repair the meeting house, are requested to do the same in the month of May next, &c., * and then to colour ye sd house.
Mr. Tennent called to Charleston, S. C.
Jan. 8, 1772. Whereas the Rev. Mr. Treat of New York, applied to the committee of this society, desiring them to call the society together, that he might inform them that a call is presented to the Rev. Mr. Tennent in Charles Town in South Carolina, and to acquaint the society with the reasons for the application made to Mr. Tennent, and also to know whether the society will
163
SOCIETY RECORDS.
1772.]
concur with Mr. Tennent in calling a council to de- liberate upon the affairs of the call; and also further signified that it was the earnest desire of the Revd. Mr. Tennent that the society should be convened for the purpose aforesaid ; and whereas the society being now convened in consequence of sd requests ; and the Revd Mr. Treat having informed this meeting of the call from sd church in Charles Town, &c.
The question was put whether this society will concur with the Revd. Mr. Tennent in calling a council for the purpose aforesd. The society having taken these mat- ters into consideration, and seriously deliberated upon them, are of opinion, that as there doth not appear any cause arising in the society, or any matter subsisting between Mr. Tennent and the society that makes it ne- cessary or expedient for the society to desire a council, Therefore the society Resolve the above question in the negative.
The Consociation.
Jan. 14, 1772. Whereas the Consociation of the Western District of Fairfield County, now met in this society to consider and determine a case of no less impor- tance than the expediency of the Rev. Mr. Tennent's dismission from the pastoral relation to this church and society, in consequence of a call, &c.,
* have notified this society of sd meeting, so that they may have an opportunity to be heard if they have any thing to offer in the case.
* Voted and agreed by this society, that the reasons offered for Mr. Tennent's dismission are altogether insufficient, &c., * * and that they are entirely against Mr. Ten- nent's being dismissed, and do not consent to the sd Mr. Tennent's dismission from us; and that a copy of
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NORWALK.
[1773.
this vote be presented to sd council specdily, to signify our minds in ye aforesaid case.
Mr. Tennent dismissed.
Jan. 22, 1772. [The society considering at length the. reasons offered by the Consociation ; and] "Having seriously weighed the several matters and proceedings" with " the effects and consequences which may probably follow a non compliance," " are of opinion that consi- dering the same, and the steps taken to effect it, has ren- dered Mr. Tennent's usefulness in this society much less than it otherwise might have been, if not altogether at an end, Therefore, in compliance with his earnest re- quest, and in deference to the opinion and advice of the venerable Council, &c. * * do signify that if he de- sires the council to be convened, or shall convene the same for their approbation thereof, or for his discharge from any other relation or connexions, this society has nothing to object.
Supplies for the Pulpit.
[In Oct. 1773, Mr. Cotton was employed to preach till the next annual meeting; and on Dec. 13, 1773, " The committee appointed to look out for another minister, to preach on probation, are desired to return the society's thanks to Mr. Cotton, for his good service here, and to pay him honorably for the same."]
[In Dec. 6, 1776, Mr. Kittletass was preaching here. In May 11, 1778, The society voted to invite Mr. Fenn to preach ; in Dec. 1778 to invite Mr. Robinson. April 1780, The committee were directed to hire Mr. Mour- dock ; Aug. 27, 1782, to invite Mr. Tullar ; Dec. 9, 1782, voted that Mr. Tullar shall be invited to settle here as a minister in this society ; but Dec. 26, 1782,
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SOCIETY RECORDS.
1785.]
this vote was reconsidered and made void, "by reason there were but few people at the former meeting."
Sept. 5, 1783, desired the committee to invite Mr. William Lockwood to preach in the society. June 17, 1784, Mr. Spalding had been employed, and was de- sired to preach two or three months longer. Dec. 13, 1784, The committee were directed to invite Mr. Sher- man to preach on probation.]
Dr. Burnet.
2d Tuesd. in Oct. 1785. The Society called Rev. Mr. Burnet to be their minister ; to be installed " on the second day of November next."
The present meeting-house.
The meeting-house now occupied by the First Con- gregational Society, was completed in the year 1790.
Ministers of the First Congregational Church.
* THOMAS HANFORD, began to preach in 1652; Or- dained in 1654 and died in 1693, after labor- ing in the ministry here 41 years.
I STEPHEN BUCKINGHAM, Ordained Nov. 17, 1697. Resigned Feb. 24, 1727, having labored in the ministry here about 30 years.
* Cotton Mather mentions Mr. Hanford in his list of New Eng- land ministers who came from England students in divinity, but who finished their education in the Colonies.
+ Stephen Buckingham is the first name on the Triennial cata- logue of Yale College. He graduated at Harvard College in 1693, and received his second degree at the first commencement of Yale.
He was a son of Rev. Thomas Buckingham, the fourth minister of Saybrook, Conn., and Esther Hosmer Buckingham, his wife. He was born Sept. 3, 1675.
Rev. Thos. Buckingham, the father of Stephen, was a son of Mr. Thos. Buckingham, of Milford, Ct., and was baptized Nov. 8,
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* MOSES DICKINSON, called from Maidenhead, N. Jer- sey, and installed in 1727. Died May 1, 1778, in
1646; ordained pastor of the Church in 1670; one of the founders of Yale College ; moderator of the Synod which formed the Say- brook Platform in 1708; died April 1, 1709, aged 63.
Mr. Thomas Buckingham, of Milford, father of Rev. Thomas; is noticed in New Haven Records in 1730 ; said to have come to N. England with Rev. Peter Prudden and others ; his name is on record with the first settlers of Milford, Nov. 28, 1638; was one of the "Seven Pillars" at the organization of the Church; died at Boston (whither he had gone on business,) in 1657.
[These particulars concerning the family of Mr. Buckingham, I have received from Mr. Nathaniel Goodwin, of Hartford.]
Inscription on the tomb-stone of Mr. Buckingham.
Here lyes buried the Body of the REVD. MR. STEPHEN BUCKINGHAM. Late Pastor of the First Church of Christ in Norwalk ; departed this life Feb. 3d, 1745-6 Ætatis 70. * Mr. Dickinson graduated at Yale in the year 1717. Inscription on Mr. Dickinson's monument.
Beneath this monumental stone lies interred the body of the REVD. MOSES DICKINSON, Late pastor of the First Church of Christ in Norwalk, . who departed this life May 1, 1778, in the 83d year of his age and 51st of his ministry in sd. church. A man of a good understanding, well informed by study, Chearful in temper, Prudent in conduct, he came to his grave in full age like as a shock of corn cometh in his season.
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SOCIETY RECORDS.
the 83d year of his age ; having been pastor of the 1st Church in Norwalk nearly 51 years.
WILLIAM TENNENT,* Installed Colleague Pastor with Mr. Dickinson in 1765. Dismissed in 1772, after a ministry of 7 years.
MATTHIAS BURNET, D.D.f . Installed Nov. 2, 1785. Died June 30, 1806, in the 21st year of his ministry in the 1st Chh. of Norwalk, and in the 58th year of his age.
ROSWELL R. SWAN,Į Ordained Jan. 14, 1807. Died March 22, 1819, in the 41st year of his age, and the 13th of his ministry.
SYLVESTER EATON,§ Ordained Oct. 4th, 1820. Dis- missed Feb. 29, 1827, in the 7th year of his ministry.
* Mr. Tennent was a son of the famous William Tennent, of New Jersey, who was restored to life after having been apparently dead several days; and after the people had once or twice assem- bled for his funeral.
t Inscription on the tomb-stone of Rev. Dr. Burnet. Beneath this stone rests the body of the REVD. MATTHIAS BURNET, D.D., Late minister of the word of God in the first Church of Christ in Norwalk, who was dismissed from this life's labors on the 30th day of June, A. D. 1806, in the 58 year of his pilgrimage, and the 21 of his ministry in said Church.
# Mr. Swan graduated at Yale in 1802. The following is the in- scription on his tomb-stone,
Here lies A faithful and successful Minister of Jesus, .
THE REV. ROSWELL R. SWAN, A. M.,
He was ordained a Minister of the Gospel and settled over the First Congregational Church and Society in Norwalk Jan14, 1807, and died March 22, 1819, in the 41st year of his age, and 13th of his ministry.
( Mr. Eaton graduated at Williams College in 1816.
.
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NORWALK.
HENRY BENEDICT, Installed, Aug. 13, 1828. Dis- missed 1832, in the 4th year of his min- istry.
EDWIN HALL, Installed June 14, 1832.
THE SECOND CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH was organ- ized Sabbath, Jan. 3, 1836, in the 1st Congregational Church. Sixty-five of the members of said church hav- ing previously received a letter of dismission from said church, came forward and gave their assent to their Confession of Faith, and entered into Covenant with each other. All this was done after mature and mutual consultation ; in entire harmony, and in accordance with the unanimous votes of the First Church.
REV. JAMES KNOX statedly supplied the pulpit from 1836 to April 1, 1839.
REV. JOHN B. SHAW was stated supply from 1839 to 1841.
REV. FRANCIS C. WOODWORTH was installed Pastor Feb. 9, 1842. Dismissed Feb. 6, 1844.
REV. Z. K. HAWLEY, stated supply from April, 1844, to the present time.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ST. PAUL'S PARISH, was incorporated in 1737, and a small building erected, which was afterwards converted into a parsonage, and a larger one, 55 by 42 feet, erected in 1743. In 1779 this was burnt, together with the town of Norwalk, by Gen. Tryon ; but, in 1780, when the people had been impoverished and scattered by this disaster, and the re- moval of their pastor, the Parish erected a temporary * Mr. Benedict is a native of Norwalk ; graduated at Yale in 1822.
14
Lith of Jones & Newman, N.Y.
Brann from Nature by B C. Palmer,
S. W. VIEW FROM GRUMMAN'S HILL.
in Norwalk.
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EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
Church edifice ; and in 1785, rebuilt upon the former foundation. The building was consecrated by Bishop Seabury. In 1840 the Society unanimously resolved to build the edifice now erected, 77 by 55 feet ; tower projecting 9 feet ; vestry in the rear 9 feet ; height of the steeple 150 feet.
The following is a list of the Clergy who have offi- ciated in this Parish since its incorporation.
In 1737, REV. HENRY CANER,* a missionary of the So- ciety for the propagation of the Gospel in foreign parts.
In 1738, REV. RICHARD CANER. Ť
In 1749, REV. JOHN OGILVIE. Į
In 1751, REV. JOHN FOWLE.
In 1756, REV. DR. DIBBLE, of Stamford.
In 1758, REV. DR. JEREMIAH LEAMING,§ who was removed by Gen. Tryon in 1779.
In 1780, REV. DR. DIBBLE, of Stamford.
In 1784, REV. JOHN BOWDEN, D. D.
In 1789, REV. MR. FOOT.
In 1790, REV. GEORGE OGILVIE.
In 1797, REV. WM. SMITH, D. D.
In 1800, REV. HENRY WHITLOCK.
In 1811, REV. BETHEL JUDD.
In 1813, REV. MR. JOHNSON.
In 1814, REV. BETHEL JUDD.||
* Rev. Henry Caner graduated at Yale in the class of 1724, and received the degree of D.D. from Oxford.
t Rev. Richard Caner was a graduate of Yale, in the class of 1736.
# Rev. John Ogilvie graduated at Yale in 1748; received the de- gree of D.D. from Aberdeen and from the college at N. York.
( Rev. Jeremiah Leaming, D.D., graduated at Yale in 1745.
Il Rev. Bethel Judd graduated at Yale in 1797; received the de- gree of D. D., at Washington College, (now Trinity) Conn.
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NORWALK.
In 1816, REV. REUBEN SHERWOOD .*
In 1830, REV. MR. ATWATER.
In 1830, REV. JACKSON KEMPER, D. D.t
In 1835, REV. JAMES C. RICHMOND.
In 1836, the present Rector, REV. WM. COOPER MEAD, D. D.
[The above was furnished by a member of the Episcopal Church, and by him derived from the most authentic sources in possession of the Church. It will be seen that there is a slight inaccuracy in the date concerning Rev. Henry Caner. It is here supposed that he commenced his labors in 1737. The records of the 1st Congregational Society already given, show that Mr. Caner was here in 1729.
The record of the organization of the Prime Ancient Society, shows that sundry persons had withdrawn and organized them- selves into another denomination, i. e., as Professors of the Church of England prior to 1726.]
THE METHODIST CHURCH.
THE Rev. CORNELIUS COOK preached the first Metho- dist sermon in Norwalk, near the New Canaan parish line, in 1787; the Rev. Jesse Lee preached the next sermon, on the 17th of June, 1789, in the highway, near the centre of the town.
The first society or class was formed, probably, in 1790. The numbers, however, and precise date cannot be given, as the earliest records are lost.
The first church edifice was erected in 1816. This building was taken down in 1843, and the present neat and commodious one erected on its site.
From 1790 to 1834, Norwalk was an important ap- pointment on the Fairfield, Redding, and Stamford cir- cuits.
In 1834, the society, having greatly increased in num-
* Rev. Reuben Sherwood graduated at Yale in 1813.
t Now Bishop of Missouri.
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BAPTIST CHURCH.
bers and wealth, judged themselves able to support re- gular and constant preaching on the Sabbath. They were consequently crected into a station at the session of the N. Y. Annual Conference in May of that year, and a preacher was appointed to labor with them.
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