USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > History of Essex County, Massachusetts : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men, Vol. II > Part 45
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Many of the first settlers were weavers, and in con- nection with the fulling-mill, the production of cloth was long a profitable industry.
As early as 1680 ship-building was carried on at the warehouse landing by the Stewarts, who continued in this trade until they sold to Edward Saunders, about 1710. Saunders and his descendants continued the business for more than a century. About 1813 Capt. Nathaniel Perley built a vessel of ninety tons measurement, on Rowley common, one mile and a half from the river. This ship was named "Country's Wonder," and was drawn to the river in one day, by more than one hundred yoke of oxen. At the head of the warehouse road the teamsters stopped for lunch aud Capt. Perley emptied a barrel of old Jamaica rum into the Saunders well that all might drink.
Deacon Thomas Mighill had a malt-kiln as early as 1645.
Tanneries were established here within a few years after the settlement. In 1800 there were nine tanners in town, and in 1839 about six hundred cords of bark were brought by ship.
Since the railroad passed through the town (1840) a gradual change has been going on in the farming inter- ests-few oxen are now kept; less land under culti- vation ; less proportional profit in old style farming ; less farmers.
The manufacture of boots and shoes was begun here by Abraham Jewett about 1703. He continued in the business to the time of his death, 2d of November, 1722. Among his old papers is this memoranda :
" The two sides of leather which I had of Capt. Oagood, Salem, Decem : 31: 1717: I waid Janu : 6 : and they waid but 17 pd and half, one 7 pd : one 10 på and I left 01 -- 11 -- 00 in money for them : they came to 1 -- 6-3: there is due me from Capt. Osgood 0-7-9."
This business so begun was continued by various persons to the present century, and to Moses Dole, who, with his son, Lewis II. Dole, continued it to our day.
To-day F. W. Henderson & Co. are by far the larg- est manufacturers. Wm. C. Foster, John F. Todd and D. N. Prime & Sons are also engaged in the business. The total value of the yearly product of these four manufacturers is about $200,000.
1149
ROWLEY.
Within a few years the manufacture of heels and rands has been largely carried on here. So far as the total disbursements for local labor is concerned this exceeds any industry in town. F. L. Burke has the most employees. The total value of his average yearly product is about $100,000. Milton Ellsworth and S. A. Boynton are also engaged largely in this business.
The manufacture of inner-souls is carried on by Bernard Damon.
Henry P. Boynton, John Boynton, Timothy W. Emerson, George Kimball, D. N. Prime & Sons, and Jeremiah M. Todd have general stores. Albert E. Bailey has a well filled drng-store. George E. Daniels bas built up a good business in the manufacture of common-sense wagons and farmers' carts.
THE GLEN MILLS .- The grist-mill erected by Thomas Nelson and the fulling-mill erected by John Pearson became the sole property of John Pearson, Jr., and continued in the Pearson family until pur- chased by Samuel Dummer, father of the present owner, Nathaniel N. Dummer, in 1820. Mr. Dum- mer, Sr., introduced the carding of rolls to supply the county demand, also the manufacture of snuff. Since 1856 the milling of grain exclusively has been car- ried on by N. N. Dummer, and the mills now include not only the machinery and fixtures of all first-class establishments of this kind, but many original and important processes not elsewhere adopted.
The mills are now driven by three turbine wheels and a sixty horse-power engine. They have elevator capacity for fourteen thousand bushels of grain, be- side storage-room for manufactured products. These products include almost everything produced from cereals for table nse.
TOWN RECORDS AND TOWN CLERKS .- The town records of Rowley are very full and complete. Not a leaf is missing from the books containing the entries of births, marriages and deaths. All the births, intentions of marriage, marriages and deaths, from 1639 to 1844, have been lately copied, indexed and bound in two volumes.
The record of the doings of the town is contained in eight volumes.
The clerks have been as follows :
John Miller. 1639-40
Fraucis Parrat. 1641-55
John Trumble .. .1656 ; Fifth Month, 1657, died in office
Thomas Leaver. 1657-82
Joseph Boynton. 1683-86
Samuel Platts,
1687-89
Robert Greenongli
1690-93
Thomas Nelson. 11694-96
Joseph Boynton
1697-1700
Samuel Platts 1701-18
Thomas Lambert. 1719-54
Humphrey Hobson 1755 ; Angust, 1773, died in office
Thomas Mighill
.August, 1773-99
Joshua Jewett. 1800-21
Thomae Gage ..
1822-37
1 The list of clerks prior to 1694 is given as correctly as the records will permit, but is believed to he incomplete.
Oliver Blackinton
1838-41
Nathaniel Mighill 1842; Angust, 1845, died in office
Daniel N. Prime. .August, 1845-46
John l'roctor. 1847-48
Thomas E. Payson .1849-52
Jobn S. Prime. 1853-82
Albert E. Bailey 1883-85
Benjamım P. Mighill
1886
POST-OFFICE DEPARTMENT, OFFICE OF THE FIRST ASSISTANT POSTMASTER-GENERAL.
Washington, D. O, July 31, 1886.
Sit :- Complying with your request of May 28, 1886, 1 transmit here- with the history of the post-offices of Rowley and Byfield, Essex County, Massachusetts. Very respectfully,
A. E. STEVENSON,
First Assistant Postmaster-General.
GEORGE G. BLODGETTE, EsQ., Rowley, Mass.
POST-OFFICE AT ROWLEY, ESSEX COUNTY, MASS.
Postmaster. Date of Appointment.
James Smith.
December 14, 1806
Edward Smith March 16, 1825
Frederick Lambert
November 11, 1829
Benjamin H. Smithı, March 17, 1835
Oliver Blackinton. August 23, 1847
Richard Herbert November 17, 1851
Joseph Johneou.
December 21, 1853
Oliver Blackinton.
March 28, 1874
Ezekiel Bailey
. May 12, 1854
Thomas B. Cressey
April 18, 1861
J. S. Todd
April 19, 1869
Frank E. Jackson
April 13, 1881
Albert E. Balley
January 27, 1886
BYFIELD.
Benjamin Coleman. January 11, 1826
Samuel W. Stickney
April 11, 1827
Benjamin Coleman
May 26, 1828
Martin Root.
April 1, 1847
Heury Durant ..
.. May 3, 1851
George C. Lincoln.
September 23, 1852
Paul Titcomb June 23, 1×53
Samuel S. Moody
... July 5, 1854
Benjamin Pearsou, .March 1, 1862
Harriet L. Moody
March 30, 1868
Justin O. Rogers.
October 17, 1×73
From Rowley, as originally incorporated, has been set off' Bradford (then including Groveland) in 1675, Boxford in 1685 and Georgetown in 1838, while the Bradstreet, Hammond and Harris farms were annexed from Ipswich in 1784. For many years the popula- tion has been about twelve hundred.
AGGREGATE OF POLLS, PROPERTY, TAXES, ETC., MAY IST, 1886.
Number of polls for taxation
360
Tax on each
82 00
Total value of personal property. 87,441 00
Total value real estate. 466,782 00
Total valnation 554,223 00
lucrease in valuation
8,789 00
Total tax assessed for 1886,
7,359 33
Rate per thousand
12 00
Nnumber of tax-payers.
602
Number of persons paying only poll tax.
114
Number of persone paying tax on property
488
Number of horses
298
Number of cows. 394
Number of sheep,
27
Nnumber of other neat cattle,
115
Number of ewine 90
Number of dwelling-honses 279
Number of acres of land for taxation. 10,310
The following is a list of all persons qualified to
1150
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
vole in the town of Rowley, November 2, 1886, as certified by Milton Ellsworth, Francis D. Henderson, George F. Kimball and Benjamin P. Mighill, registrars.
A la ., Edwin Il
Deveaport, Byron S.
Jaques, Edwin L.
Plumnuer, James T. Poure, George F. Potter, Amos B. Potter, Benjamin 8. Potter, Edward H. Prescott, George. Prescott, George K. Prime, Daniel B.
Sanaders, David.
Sanaders, John P.
Searle, Elijah P.
Searle, Samuel. Sbeeban, John. Smith, David E
Smith, Edward C.
Smith, Jacob J.
Tudd, Frederick.
Adama, Warren H
Dodge, Ignatius S.
Jewett, Herbert.
Prime, George B.
Prime, John S. Smith, Woodbury.
Prime, Samuel S.
Prime, Thomas.
Spiller, Thomas.
Todd, Lewis C.
Spiller, William H. H. Todd, Moses.
Richards, John M.
Richardson, Edward.
Richardson, Edward H. Stockbridge, A. J.
Ricker, Robert D.
Riley, William J.
Bugers, Charles W. Tayfor, Nathaniel C.
Rugers, Harry B.
Tenney, Francis.
Walker, Charles H. Walton, Augustus L.
Rundlett, Jamea P.
Teaney, Johu [I.
Warthley, Alfred G.
Bla kInton, Jacob P
Blas kinten, IRiver A
Dunn, Patrick.
Kent, Jacob.
Keyes, Eben S.
Keyes, llenry E.
Kimball, Charles. Kimball, Edward A.
Kimball, George.
Kimball, George F.
Kimball, William.
Kneeland, Iliram.
Lambert, George N. Lambert, John. Lee, William. Littlefield, George D. Littlefield, Muses F. Lunt, Charles A.
Lunt, Georgo A.
tatu bell, Augustine. tarja uter, Almon E.
Gilday, John.
Gilday, Patrick.
arter, J hu Q 4
Goodwin, George }'.
tely Henry 4.
(, Frank 3I.
Chadt urte, Lewis G.
· hap lin, Alfredl.
Into, Charles.
Thepls, Charles
Hale, Charles W.
Chap -au, Benjamin D. Hale, Paniel II. linlo, Everett B. Halo, Ezm.
( bapuan, John Chill, T mas F I bar bill, Wolls E · lark . J hn F ( lila , Charles.
Hate, Jatues O).
Hale, Joshua. Hale, Thaddeus.
Millett, Edward A. Millott, Genrge W. Millett, John P. Millett, Joshua R.
Morrill, Edward W., Jr.
ok Ja . 1[
Halo, William M. Hardy, Gorham H. Hardy, Gorham R. Hazen, Jobb G. Hozan, Nathan T. Hen kron, Dantel S 11. nderm n, Francis D 11. bert, Charles.
Nelson, David O.
-
1
-
=
-
=
l'erley, Ciarles H
-
4
15
A
Jakmm, Daniel K
1.
Ja kam, Frank 1 ..
Perley, David E Porley, James M Priley, William. l'irkuri, Charles A. Pickard, Justah T. l'i kard, Moves. J'ik«, Daniel P l'iko, Jubn.
Thompson, Charles S. Tilson, Jonathan. Titcomb, Andrew. Titcoml, Calvin R. Titcomb, Calvin R., Jr. Todd, Charles 11. Todd, Frank P.
Ada 4, Frank H.
Davenport, Jaha 1 ..
Jaques, Harry A.
A latas, le wia 4
Dilloa, Edward.
Jellison, Natban H.
Jewett, Edward W.
Armitage, Stej hou
Dudge, Joseph D.
Dodge, Paul A.
Dodge, Phineas.
Bailey, Albert F.
Dudge, Phineas A.
Bally, F.Jward.
Dole, Charles.
Bailey, Fre leri.k
Bailey, Givergo Gi.
Dole, t'harles L.
Johnson, George J.
Johnsua, Joseph.
Bailey, W Hand L.
Ihdr Enoch I.
Dole, Frederick S.
Johnson, Josepb (21). Juhnson, Nebemiab.
Bartlett, Morrill (".
Dule, Juha l'.
Ilrester, Charles P.
Jobueon, Samuel P.
Hran, Juntah W
Dresser, Daniel W.
Johnson, Walter N.
IL loo, Appleton G.
Dresser, George 11.
Dresser, John M.
Johnson, William G.
Bist 1. Arthur
Els kint ", Alfre I K.
Dresser, Samuel P. Dummer, Juseph N. Kelley, Bartlett. Dummer, Nathaniel N. Kelley, William W.
Hoy , Frank A IL ynton, Henry
Boynton, Henry l'. Boyutou, Juliu.
Byuten, J hn E. Bradstreet, Alfred K. Hra-detreet, Charles W Bradstreet, Daniel W Brwletre-t. Frank W Bradstreet, George 11 Hr vlstreet, Manns
Brulstreet, Momen It
Fuss, Benjamin W. Fies, Joshuu.
Itradlatroet, Th anas.
For, Jishun N.
lir wn, Georgo 1 Brown, Judah W
Fuster, Harland C.
Burbank, Jumph II
Foster, Walter C.
Burka, Solomon F L-
Fuster, William C.
Hurke, Tom Winthrop, Foster, William S
Maguire, Edward. Mahony, Edward L. Mahony, John. Marshall, Charles E. Marshall, John. Marshall, Jobn A. Merrill, Byron J. Merrill, Daniel. Merrill, Frank. Migbill, Benjamin P. Mighill, Charles P. Mallett, Austin L. Milleft, Edward.
When summer has clothed in green the good old town, her sons return to view again the home of their ancestors or of their youth ; they bring their little ones to roam in field and wood and mossy glens; they tell again the story of some old rock or rugged oak, and at even-tide listen to the resounding sea, until the curtew warns them of closing day.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
REV. JOHN PIKE, D.D.
The character of a man depends much on his an- cestors, and to sketch one's life, in such a manner as to have an appreciative knowledge of it, we must look back to the characteristics of his fathers. The Pikes, from the first settlement of the town of Newbury to which they came pioneers with Parker and his fol- lowers in 1635, have been noted for intelligence, lib- erality of opinions and independence of action. John and Robert were here in time to listen to Mr. Par-
natt, GObert Il
Hate, Thoninse
Hule, Thonins P.
O'Brien, Danlol.
Per'anly, Willand. l'orley, Allen.
Ih kst , Theamse W
Huillard, calvin Il : ilutan, Lewis.
Jewett, Herbert L.
Todd, John F.
Todd, Joseph S.
Spiller, Alvazo M.
Stockbridge, Seth,
Todd, William.
Travis, Thomas.
Swaney, William.
Vining, Frank M.
Hisbop, Sm m
Durgin. Samuel A.
Dwjanela, Joha E.
Edgerly, Charles R. EHsworth, Milton
Ellsworth, Simeon.
Elwell, William O. Emerson, Jubin W. Emerson, Leslie M.
Jobnsou, William.
Rogers, William H. Teuney, John.
Stewart, James C.
Todd, Nathan.
Bartlett, Benjamin W
Smith, James H.
Smith, Walter E
Todd, James N. Todd, Jeremiah M.
Jewett, Mark. Jewett, Moses ('. Jewett, Oscar .A.
l'ilsbury, Amos D.
Ruadiett, Oliver A. Tenney, Silas M.
In the beautiful valley Rogers selected, with Muzzy and Prospect Hills to the south, Bradford Street and Hunsley Hills to the west, and Ox Pasture Hill to the north, on the same house-lots the first settlers laid out, their houses embowered in trees, dwell the Row- ley men of to-day. For centuries from out this peaceful vale Rowley's sons have gone forth to mingle in the turmoil of the world; some in foreign lands, some in busy marts of trade, some to build new homes in far-off States, some to delve in mines, some to stand, as on Zion's Hill, pointing in the Master's name the way to lite eternal, some 'mid clash of arms and cannon's roar to breast the death-shots of their country's foe. Aged grandsires sitting by the open fire, snow bound, tell to willing cars the story of these wanderers, how they succeeded, suffered or suc- cumbed.
Fom, Wilharu A.
very truly your spastor. John like.
1151
ROWLEY.
ker's first sermon, delivered under the wide-spreading branches of a majestic oak, on the north side of the river, now called Parker, near where the bridge stands. They were men of education, and at once had influence in civil and religious atfairs. They were the partisans of Winthrop for Governor as against Vane, and one of them went on foot to Canı- bridge, forty miles, to take the oath of a freeman and qualify to vote. They were men of ability and sterling virtues, ready to express and maintain their opinions with great power. Robert Pike, in Salis- bury, was one of the first men of Massachusetts at that day, and more than a century in advance of his times. He resisted the dogmatic authority of the clergy and suffered excommunication from the church ; he opposed the action of the General Court against the Quakers and was disfranchised; he condemned the witchcraft delusion with much efficiency ; and in all these issues finally triumphed. Still all the time he was a Puritan of the Puritans, unshaken in his faith.
We should expect to find the descendants of such men, what we have found them, energetic, not ap- palled at difficulties, determined for what was right in their minds, and brave in defense of their senti- ments. Such was Nicholas Pike, author of the first arithmetic published in America, the friend of George Washington, and the planter of the liberty tree in front of his residence in 1775, the branches of which arch State Street to this day. Such was Gen. Zebulon Montgomery Pike who explored the Rocky Mountains, gave name to Pike's Peak, and died in battle in the War of 1812-15. Such is the poet- soldier, Albert Pike, one of the heroes at Buena Vista of whom Gen. Taylor made honorable mention. The family has given us scholars, poets, clergymen, teachers, statesmen and jurists.
Of this family is Rev. John Pike, D.D., minister at Rowley for a whole generation ; a high-minded gen- tleman and a devout Puritan, who has honored his profession and performed its duties under disabilities that would have long since retired a weaker mind. He was born in Newburyport, July 3, 1815, and is consequently seventy-four years old. His father, Richard Pike, a well-known and honored citizen, possessed of those Christian virtues that adorn and endear the individual, resided in the house, after- wards occupied by Hon. Caleb Cushing, on one of the finest streets of New England. His mother was Mary, daughter of Jacob Boardman, tender, benevo- lent and pious, who after her husband's death, de- voted all her energies to secure for her son, a liberal education that should fit him for the highest useful- ness in any calling he might pursue. It was by her, in that singularly Puritan home, yielding instruction in the Bible, the catechism and other books which secure clear thinking and correct living, such as formed the eminent characters in the early days of New England, that the lad's mind was moulded.
Carefully she blended amusement and work, and he has borne the marks of gravity and mirthfulness, each in its own place, ever since. His school instruc- tion was largely committed to Alfred W. Pike, an ex- cellent classical scholar and a thorough teacher. By him he was fitted for college; and while under him the greater light of the Holy Spirit broke upon his mind, and led him to accept Jesus Christ as his Saviour. This was the pivotal point of his life.
He entered Bowdoin College in 1829, when Parker Cleaveland was at the height of his intellectual achievements and glory ; and when the youthful poet, Longfellow, was entering upon his career as professor of modern languages. In college he was diligent and brilliant, with a character mature above his years. He was graduated in 1833, and the next day, with six others of his class, elected a member of the Phi Beta Kappa Society, and was afterwards made president of his class. Bowdoin College has honored him as among her distinguished sons. From 1863 to 1887, when he resigned, he was a member of the board of overseers, and served on the committee that se- cured for the college two valuable presidents. He was also on the committee for the reception of Presi- (lent Grant, when he honored the college by his pres- ence at its commencement, and was himself honored by it, with one of its highest degrees. Dr. Pike has always kept up his interest in his alma mater which bestowed on him the title of D.D. in 1866. We may say the same of many other institutions of learning with which he has had connection. He has been a trustee of Dummer Academy since 1842, and for thirty-five years president of the board. He was also a trustee of the Theological Seminary at Hartford, Conn., for some years. To all endeavors to advance education from the primary school to the college he has lent a willing hand and an eloquent tongue.
Leaving college he soon commenced his theologi- cal studies, entering the Andover Seminary in 1834. Here a formidable obstacle was to be encountered. In his last year at Bowdoin his eyesight weakened, and that weakness had so increased that he was obliged to employ a young man to read to and write for him; nor was it ever fully restored, but finally ended in total blindness. So strongly, however, was he impressed that he must be about his Master's work, that he resolutely persevered, graduated with honor in 1837, and at once entered upon his calling.
His first engagement was, for a few weeks, at North Falmouth; but he was induced by the excellent families with which he became acquainted; the varied and abundant assistance in reading and writing given him; the remarkable healthfulness of the village ; the beauty of its scenery, its seashore and forests; and the zealous religious feeling that prevailed, to remain there three years. In 1840 he accepted the call of the Congregational Church at Rowley to become their pastor, and there has been his life-work, so beautiful in its results and so pleasant in all its relations. The
1152
HISTORY OF ESSEX COUNTY, MASSACHUSETTS.
year following he married Deborah, only child of lon. Daniel Adams, of Newbury, a lady every way adapted to the work which was before her. Carefully educated, of line tastes and industrions habits, she continued the reading and writing for him; and thus was eyes and hands unto him. This pastor- ate at Rowley, we may not narrate in all its details; but this one fact he established, that the right man in the right place may continue his usefulness to old age or death. lle had examples near at hand to fol- low, as Rev. Mr. Braman's, at Georgetown, and Rev. Dr. Withington's, at Newbury ; but without such examples he was wedded to the Christian and Puritan idea, that when the minister accepts the pastorate, it 1- as much a life engagement as when he marries a wife. Thenecforth he belongs to the parish and the parish belongs to him ; he is to serve the people, and the people to make due and proper returns therefor. Ile is to baptize, receive into communion, to marry, to teach the children, to counsel and encourage the adults, bury the dead, and stand by and assist them to the portals of heaven, unless first called to enter himself. All of this he has done, and in the doing had continuous reward. He has won the respect of the town and the affections of the people, so that now when blindness is upon him the little boys and girls even delight to hear him and listen to his pleasant words. We know of no man who has a more abiding ¡Hace in the hearts of the community, or who has more formed the living generation by his labors among them and their parents. Widely known in the churches he has had many opportunities, in the almost half century of his busy life to go to more wealthy and fashionable parishes, but promptly he has returned answer : " It is not a thought to be en- tertained. Here are my people, faithful and true ; and I am their servant in the Lord. So I promised to be, and so I shall remain to the end." That end came to him in 1868, when blindness made it neces- sary to terminate a pastorate of twenty-eight years, ·luring which the church had a constant religious growth and many seasons of revival.
Since his resignation, not to be idle, or cease to act tor the good of others, he has preached every Sunday tor twelve years, at the house of correction in Ips- wich, nor have hus labors been in vain. Ilis blind- nes, shutting ont the light of the material sun seems have given greater internal and spiritual illumi- action, which has fitted him for this later field of osetilness among what are termed the criminal and
As a pulpit orator, Dr. Pike excelled. What he leul to do he endeavorel to do well. There was no Lack of careful propagation. The end to be reached was to leave #thon cht in the mind that might germin- . 2 and bear fruit, rather than a word in the ear that wool pyntekly away. He was always mupressive. "we hits ware, bis action suited to the words as Il Fordy were to the occasion that he left the in-
print of ability and full confidence in his sincerity and love for souls. His sermons were frequently of a very high order, combining the logie of the bar, the rhetoric of the school, and that pathos that so be- comes the pulpit. His election sermon before the legislature of 1857, and that delivered on the twenty- fifth anniversary of his settlement are good specimens of his work. He was frequently ealled on for ser- mons and addresses for special occasions.
We have called Dr. Pike a Puritan, a designation honorable and fitting. From the beginning he has been fully identified with the doctrines and eccle- siastical polity of the Congregational Churches of Massachusetts and the country. He has been longer connected with the Essex North Association than any other member, and with one exception is the oldest man in it; was a member of the National Council at Boston in 1865, and presided over the State Association of Ministers at Westfield. He has presided over many couneils and conferences, in which he has not failed to urge upon the churches the value of the faith of their fathers. Conservative by nature and tender in action, he has been highly useful in reconeiling churches and pastors, when at varianee, and restoring fellowship between different churches. He was one of the actors whose labors terminated the division of the Congregationalists of Massachusetts into two religious bodies and reuniting the Boston and American Tract Societies. His voice has always been for peace and harmony where they could be had without a sacrifice of principle : hence he was an admirable presiding officer and his services were invaluable on committees and at councils. He was a member of the famous Storrs-Buddington coun- vil at Brooklyn, N. Y. It was also upon his report, at the general Association of Churches, at Lowell, that the Board of Ministerial Aid, which was after- wards chartered by the Commonwealth, was formed, and on the executive committee he has been ever since.
'There is something very beautiful in the picture of such a life-the life of a village clergyman, whose praises are in all the churches, but whose home and heart are in his own parish; who can look around upon the fruits of his labors and be cheered in ripen- ed age by the voices of friends and comforters who welcomed him to their firesides as children would a father, feeling that they are purer and wiser for his words and acts. For twenty-eight years he stood with and for them ; and now when retired, afHicted, but not discouraged, blind, but cheerful, he has the respect, good wishes and love of all classes and all ages. As years gather the world narrows, and we think less of what is distant and more of home and immediate friends. May Dr. Pike be long spared to enjoy the ealm twilight of a well speut life.
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