USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records, 1687-1706 > Part 6
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Received of Mr. John Brown Constable of Wenham, eight pounds in full on warrant of twenty one pounds,
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
eleven shillings and 4 pence, signed by Mr. James Tay- lor, Treasurer.
For adm
A true entry of the Original Receipt, Attest Thomas Fisk, Clerk
Received of John Brown, Formerly Constable in the town of wenham, Sum of three pounds and fifteen shillings, for his part of the county rate, which was committed to him to collect by the selectmen of Wenham.
Ipswich, Augt. 6th 1702 pr, John Appleton, County treasurer.
A true entry of the original receipt, Attest Thomas Fisk, clerk
At a Town meeting Dec. 15th 1702.
Ensign Walter Fairfield chosen to serve on the grand jury at the next inferior court at Salem and Joseph Hacker to serve on the Jury of trials.
at a Legal town meeting Jan. 7th 1702-3
James Freind Chosen Moderator. In answer to the ques- tion whether the town will have the bell which Mr. Ger- rish have procured for the meeting house upon the terms of their payin thirty pounds, it was voted on the affirma- tive. Voted that there shall be a rate made for the rais- ing the above sum, directed to the constables to collect by the inside of February, next instant, taking the mines- ters rate for the rule
Voted that Ensign Fairfield, Lieut, Thomas Fisk, or En- sign John Porter are appointed a committe to sell our old bell, and to agree, with Zacheus Perkins for the sale of our commons on Huckleberry Island, and to fetch our new bell home, and se to the hanging of it.
At ammeeting of the selectmen Jan. 13th 1702-3
Then there was a tax upon the poles and estates in our town of thirty two pounds 12 shillings and 8 pence, which was drawn in two lists viz. to Constable John Batchelder a list committed to him of seventeen pounds and twelve shillings and then delivered to him with a warrant upon it to pay to the town treasurer, seventeen pounds and three shillings and 8 pence, the rest being five shillings was allowed him for collecting of it, and the other list of
-
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
15 : : 9: : 8 directed to Constable Zacheus Goldsmith, and ordered him by warrant to pay to the town treasurer 14 : : 16: : 7 the rest of said list it being 48: : 1 is allowed him for collecting of it, and then allowed to Constable John Batchelder 3 shillings and 4 pence for so much which he has paid to Samuel Kemball Sen. for town' ser- vices in running towns lines. ordered that the town treas- urer, pay to John Edwards three shillings for 6 pounds of hemp for a bell rope.
At a meeting of the Selectmen Jan. 17th 1702-3.
Ordered that the town Clerk draw a warrent to our Con- stable to warn a town meeting on the third day come sun- day next at eight o'clock in the forenoon at the meeting house to divide our common land or order it otherwise as may be best for the towns advantage.
At a meeting of the free holders in Our town Jan. 26th 1702-3, Thomas Fisk Senr Chosen Moderator -
Voted that whereas there was a common right granted to Thomas Patch June. the town declare that said right shall belong to the free holders where Stephen Patch now liveth, it being then Thomas Patch's. Granted to Tim- othy Patch and Theophilus Fisk to each of them a right of commonage. Voted that Samuel Kimball Samuel Fisk Senr. and Joseph Batchelder are Chosen to serve as jurors at the Superior court to be holden at Salem Nov. 19th 1703.
At a meeting of the selectmen 2nd March 1702-3.
Then settled accounts with Thomas Fisk Lieut. who was town treasurer in the year 1702, and he remains debtor to the town 3 bushells of meal which is in his hands.
March 2nd 1702 - Ensign Walter Fairfield sworn clerk of the markett. and sealer of weights and measures. John Gott Constable for the west end of the town, and John Perkins Treasurer. Benjamin Edwards Sealer of Leather. John Edwards Surveyor of highways, Ebenezar Batchelder and Samuel Kimball jun for fence viewers, Thomas Fisk and Samuel Fisk Senr. Tithing men. Joshua Wallis Sworn March 4th 1702-3 - -
At a legal town meeting of the free holders and com- moners Feb. 11 1702-3 Deacon William Fisk chosen Mod-
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
erator. Sargent Thomas Patch chosen Representative to attend the next General Court.
Voted that there be six men appointed with full power to look after encraochments and to lay out to every man an acre of swamp land to whom it of right belongeth, who hath not already had it. And Insign Walter Fairfield, Lieut. Thomas Fisk and Ensign Porter to lay out said acres Eastwardly from the country road, to those who live on that end of the town and look after encroachments. And Deacon Nathan Fisk, Deacon Freind, Thomas Fisk Senr. of the west end of the town to lay out said acres there, to whomsoever ought to have an acre. which com- mitte so appointed are not only appointed to lay out said acres and look after encroachments, but to examine every mans claim who joins upon the Common, and settle their bounds,. but if they find any encroachments and cannot regulate their bound then to make report to the next town meeting.
On the above said time of meeting the Selectmen appointed a general town meeting on the first tuesday of March 'next, ensueing, at eight of the clock in the forenoon at the meeting house, and one of the constables then in the open meeting gave notice of it.
At a general town meeting, march 2nd 1702-3
Deacon Fisk Chosen Moderator.
Deacon Fisk Lieut Thomas Fisk, Ensign Porter, James Freind, Thomas Fisk Sen. Chosen for selectmen for the year ensueing. Thomas Fisk Senr. Chosen Town Clerk and then sworn.
John Gott Chosen Constable for the west end of the town, and Joshua Wallis Chosen Constable for the East end of the town. Ensign Fairfield chosen commission for assessments. John Perkins Chosen for town treasurer. Ensign Fairfield chosen Clerk of the Market and sealer of weights and measures. Benjamin Edwards chosen for sealer of leather. Lieut. Thomas Fisk, Samuel Kimball Senr. and Josiah Dodge chosen for tithing men for the year ensueing. John Edwards for surveyors of highways for the town Eastwardly of the Straits, and Benjamin Fisk for the rest of the town. Ebenexar Batchelder and
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Samuel Kimball Jun for fence viewers. The question being put whether all those who are now free holders, shall have an acre of swamp land according to an order Oct 29 1692, it was Voted that all those who are now free holders who have had an acre shall have an acre laid out to them.
Voted - that Zacheus Perkins Shall have all the town common which layeth by Huckle berry Island upon con- dition that he do pay to the treasurer, three pounds money so it is left the committee already appointed to issue the matter.
Granted to Rice Knowlton, an acre of land upon the west side of his field upon the acpt. of his acre of swamp and to pay to the town treasurer fifteen shillings money, said acre to be laid out by the committe appointed to lay out the swamp acres.
Wenham Feb 12th 1702-3 We whose names are here un- der written being a committee appointed by the town to look after encroachments on the common and to lay out to those who had ought to have an acre of common and to lay it out to them on the east side of the Country Road, we begean at the Ipswich line at a maple Stump, being the eighth bound of Thomas Patch lot formerly laid out from thence running southward forty poles to a hemlock on the upland mark which was allso a bounds of the lots formally laid out from thence running easterly twenty poles to a little hemlock marked on four sides being a corner bound. from thence turning northerly forty poles to a pine tree marked on four sides in the Ipswich line, being twenty poles to the bound first mentioned. Which parcel of land was divided into five lots of eight poles wide and twenty poles long setting stakes between every two lots at each end on the first lot in said division to bounds twenty poles on Ipswich Line and the other four lots successively
And the second division we laid out, beginning at the aforesaid pine tree on the Ipswich line marked on four sides on the easterly corner of the first division, we run twenty poles Easterly on Ipswich line, to a Stump Called Dodges Stump, which Stump we made the easterly bounds
To Mr. Knowl- ton the 1st lot in the 1st Division -
To Mr. Hull the 2nd lot in the 1st Division -
To David Maxey the 3rd lot in the 1st Division
John Edwards the 4th lot in the first Divi- sion
John Coy the 5th lot in the first division -
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
of said division, from thence turning southerly as the divisional line between Manchester and our town runneth thirty and two poles to a stake at the upland and from thence turning Southerly twenty poles along by the up- land to a maple marked being the westerly corner bounds of said division, from thence turning northerly thirty and two poles to the pine tree first mentioned, in said divi- sion, which parcel of land we did divide into four lots an acre in each lot by setting a stake, between each two lots at each end, which four lots are each of them eight poles wide and twenty poles long. The first lot in this division is that which lays next the Ipswich line, and the other three successively.
The third parcel, we bounded, was in the swamp easterly of Snake hill between the westerly end of the pond and Ipswich line, beginning next the pond, at a birch stump, being the southerly corner bounds, and from thence run- ning North westerly twenty poles to a maple Stump on the upland next to Snake hill. from thence running northerly thirty two poles to maple Stump with a stake in it, from thence turning towards the run twenty poles, to a pine tree marked on four sides being a corner bounds, from thence running Southerly thirty and two poles to the birch Stake first mentioned, which parcel we divided into four lots by setting a stake between each two lots at each end of them, being eight poles wide and twenty long. that next the pond being the first lot, the next successively. To william dodge an acre, which Witness Our Hands
was formerly laid out and not taken up, which layeth westerly from the first division abovesaid, between the Upland and the pond.
Walter Fairfield
Thomas Fisk Junr.
John Porter
At a Legal meeting June 18th 1703 Thomas Fisk Senr. Chosen Moderator.
Benjamin Fisk Chosen to serve on the jury of trials, at the next Instant Court to be holden at Salem.
in persuance of a notification from the selectmen of Wenham to perambulate May 13 1703, we have renewed the bounds, and perambulated the line according to the
The first-2nd and 3rd lots in 2nd division - Nathaniel L -? in right of Thomas Fiske
The 4th lot to J. Dodge in right of his farther
The first lot in 3 division to John Coy in right of C Goldsmith
The writing in the margin of the remainder of this page is gone - so im- possible to read
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
perambulation in 1691, persuent to settlement Nov. 6th 1680, provided only that if we of Beverly can enunce or make appear that Said settlement or perambulation being not according to agreement between the Town of Wenham and beverly, dated oct. 22 1680, then to be rectified ac- cording to said agreement as witness our hand, June 9 1703 the perambulation was made may 13th but was not confirmed till june 9 1703.
Thomas Fisk John Trask Selectmen of William Fisk Jacob Griggs
John Porter
Caleb Wallis Beverly
James Freind
Thomas Fisk jun selectmen of
Wenham.
Sept. 14th 1703 Delivered to Constable John Gott a list to collect for for the payment of a county tax of the sum of 34:12: 10 to pay the province treasurer 34: : 7 and there being five shillings and 10 pence remaining in the list, is allowed the constable for collecting the list be- ing dated Sept 14, 1703. Allso then delivered to Con- stable John Gott a list to collect dated Sept. 14 1703 amounting to eleven pounds six shillings and 8 pence to pay the county treasurer 2: 9: 4 to the town treasurer all money or equivalent to it by the last day of next De- cember.
Then delivered to Constable Joshua Wallis a list to col- lect dated Sept 14 1703 amounting to 31:4:6 to collect and pay to the province treasurer 29:13
according to said treasurer order and to pay the town treasurer 10s money, and to discount with robert symonds 3: 5: 6: of his rate and the remainder allowed him for collecting. Then allso delivered to Constable Wallis a list being for the paying of the county treasurer 2: 15:4 all money or equivalent to it, to collect and pay to the county treasurer by the last day of december next, and to pay the town treasurer by the twenty eth of October next and the remainder of the list 2: 8 is allowed to constable for collecting
Nov. 12th 1703 then delivered to Constable John Gott a list of assesment dated Oct. 25th 1703 of 34:17:00 to
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
pay the province Treasurer 32: 14 and to pay the town treasurer one pound fourteen shillings at or before the last day of may next ensueing and the over plus is allowed for collecting. Nov. 16 1703 then delivered to constable Joshua Wallis a list of thirty one pounds eleven Shillings and to pay the province treasurer 31: 6: according as he shall be ordered by said treasurer.
Nov 19th 1703- At a legal town meeting Nathl Waldron chosen to seve on the grand jury and n dodge on the jury of trials at the next court in Salem
Dec. 8th 1703 At town meeting James Freind and Richard Dodge to serve at the special term of the court at Salem 10th of this Instant month for the grand jury and Ensign Porter and Josiah Dodge to serve on the jury of trials
Dec. 28th 1703 Then directed a list to Constable John Gott to collect for Mr. Gerrish of 32: 12: 11 by warrant to close with the selectmen, at on or before the first of March next. And to Constable Joshua Wallis a list of twenty eight pounds 12s and 7d to collect and claim as assessed allowing 7 ? to Robert Symonds out of his own rate.
Oct 20th 1703 then ordered the town treasurer to pay to Mr. Thomas Patch Representative 6: 3: 4 May 6th 1703. and to Robert Symonds 3: 12, Oct 25 1703
Dec 10. 1702 - then received in full of Mr. John Batch- elder, Constable of Wenham 21:11:0 for the use of - James Taylor, province treasurer.
Received by me Jeremiah Allen.
Feb 3rd 1703 then laid out to Charles Gott Jun Eben- ezer Batchelder Samuel Kimball Jun. Mr. Fisk Jun 4 acres of swamp joining to Lieut Fisks swamp lying in a course within his upland, beginning at a little maple marked on four sides near the upland and from thence running Southwesterly 10 poles to a red Oak marked and so to run out by the edge of said Fiskes Upland, untill it meets with the bound line of the next division and the following the bounds of that division turning northeast- erly to the town line to a little maple marked on four sides and from thence turning northerly about 48 poles
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
to Thomas Fisks upland and from thence turning South- erly 33 poles to the little maple first mentioned.
Allso then laid out to Theophilus Rix, John Severert Jonathan Moulton and John Moulton, four acres of Swamp upon the town line on the west beginning at the small maple, marked on four sides aforsaid, and from thence running upon said line Southerly 40 poles and then turning easterly to a plump of birches marked and so on 37 1-2 poles, and from thence turning Northerly to lot of Thomas Fisk, his bounds, to a maple marked on four sided, and from thence turning westerly 34 poles to the little maple first mentioned. then allso laid out to Lieut. Thomas Fisk an acre of swamp be it more or less lying in an angle between his upland and the bound line of the lot of lot of swamp last mentioned.
At a town Meeting march 7th 1703.
Ensign Walter Fairfield Chosen Moderator. Deacon Wm Fisk, Deacon James Friend Walter Fairfield Lieut. Thomas Fisk, Sargent Samuel Kimball chosen for select- men. voted that the town meeting is adjourned to be kept at the tavern, by reason of the extremities of the weather. Thomas Edwards chosen Constable for the East part of the town, and Caleb Kimball Constable for the west end of the town.
Thomas Fisk Senr. chosen Town Clerk for the year en- sueing.
John Perkins Chosen for Town Treasurer. Thomas Fisk Senr. chosen Commission join with the selectmen to make the assessment. Ensign Walter Fairfield Chosen for Sealer of Weights and Measures. Joseph Fowler chosen surveyor of highways for the East end of the town and John Herrick for the West end. Nn. Fairfield Chosen Surveyor of fence for the year ensuing. N. Rogers and N Dodge allso. Theophilus Rix, Charles Gott and Thom- sas Patch Senr. Chosen for Tithing men for the year ensueing
Caleb Kimball Sworn to the office of constable. Joseph Fowler John Herrich M Fairfield N Rogers and N Dodge and Theophilus Rix sworn to their several offices. Rice Knowlton Sworn Constable for the year ensueing. - Thomas
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Edwards refusing to accept of the towns choice and to take the Constable oath the town thereupon chose Rice Knowlton constable for the year ensueing.
At a legal Town meeting March 24 1703 - Deacon Fisk chosen moderator Voted that the town judge necessary to procure a house for Henry More and his wife to live in. voted that there shall be a house procured for Henry More and his wife for one year next, without the towns cost of building it. at a meeting of the committee for the laying out of land at the east end of the town March 12 1702-3 pursuant to a town vote March 2nd instant, then laid out to Rice Knowlton an acre of land, and it is bounded by the south westerly Corner of his field fence with his stone wall and by his fence towards the N East 22 poles to N Dodge Fence, being a corner from thence turning North Eastwardly as said Dodge fence Standeth 8 poles to a stake with stones about it being a corner bounds from thence running southwesterly twenty poles to a stake with stones at it, which is a corner bounds from thence running Southeasterly 8 poles to the corner of his field fence first mentioned
witness Walter Fairfield
March 15 1702-3 Rice Knowlton then paid to the town clerk for the town treasurer fifty shillings money in con- sideration of the above acre of land.
March 16th 1702 then John Perkins town treasurer ยท received the above fifty shillings as witness his hand
John Perkins town treasurer.
At a meeting of the selectmen April 12th 1703.
Then appointed and desiered John Leach John Gott Joseph Herrick and Benjamin Fisk or any three of them with full power to perambulate the bounds between Salem and Wenham and to meet with Salem gentlemen at John Gotts house on the 20th of april Instant at nine of the clock in the forenoon according to a notification from the Selectmen of Salem. Allso agreed that there shall be a town meeting on Monday the 26th of April instant at three of the clock in the afternoon at the meeting house to choose a commissioner as the law directs and to regu-
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
late the sheep pound and to do what may be thought neces- sary about our common land.
Chosen to perambulate the Wenham Line, Mr. Joseph Herrick Capt John Brown Mr. Benjamin Lynde and John Higginson or any two of them to meet at the house of Mr. John gott with the Wenham men tuesday april 20th 1703 at 9 of the clock in the forenoon. per Order of the Select- men
Salem april 6th 1703. Daniel Epps town clerk
a true coppy Thomas Fisk, town clerk
We whose names are under written being appointed by the selectmen of our towns of Salem and Wenham to per- ambulate on the line between said towns, we accordingly met at the house of John Gott the twentieth of this in- stant april, and we have agreed on and confirmed the sev- eral bounds agreed on and settled between the said towns on the twenty seventh of February 1681 by the persons then appointed by the towns for that end.
In witness thereof we have hereunto set our hands this 20th of April Anno Domini 1703
John Gott
Joseph Herrick
for Wenham John Brown for salem John Higginson
John Leech Joseph Herrick
a true copy as attested by Thomas Fisk, town Clerk
Joseph Fowler does hereby disclose that for and in con- sideration of a valuable Sum allready paid in hand by Thomas Edwards, the said Joseph Fowler have sold him an acre of swamp mentioned on the other side being the 3rd Lot in the last division to have and to hold to him the said Thomas Edwards and his heirs forever and in confirmation thereoff the above said Joseph Fowler hath hereunto set his hand June 14th 1703
Joseph Fowler as Attest Thomas Fisk town clerk.
at a legal town meeting April 26 1703 Thomas Fisk chosen moderator. Mr. Thomas Patch Senr. Chosen for representative for the General Court for the year ensue- ing. Deacon William Fisk Chosen Commissioner.
at a meeting of the selectmen Let. Samuel Kimball,
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Thomas Kimball, Josiah Dodge Benjamin Edwards and Rice Knowlton or any three of them are appointed to meet with such as Beverly Selectmen appoint to peram- bulate the bound line and renew the bounds between Wen- ham and Beverly Eastward from the great pond and to meet on may 13th Instant at 8 of the clock in the fore- noon at Mr. Luke Perkins house in Beverly.
At a meeting of the Selectmen who where selectmen in 1702 being met with the commissioner to take an account of the estates both real and personal belonging to the in- habitants in our town with the poles and as the law directs were sworn.
at a meeting of the selectmen May 6 1703, the selectmen order the town treasurer to pay 34 shillings to Mr. Patch which is in his hands May 10 1703, at a meeting of the selectmen, Robert Symonds was appointed pound keeper Manchester April 17th 1702.
to the Selectmen of Wenham Greeting. this is to inform you, that we do appoint Tuesday the 28th of April In- stant to renew the bounds between our towns and yours and to meet together at the white Oak marked with W and M, near gardiners lot at 10 of the clock in the fore- noon on the day aforesaid if the weather be fair and if fowl then the next fair day at ten of the clock in the fore- noon, by order of the Selectmen, John Lee Town Clerk. At a meeting of the Selectmen of Manchester April 17th 1702.
it is agreed that Benjamin Allen and John Knowlton shall perambulate the line between Wenham and Manchester with such gentlemen of Wenham as shall be empowered to do the like, beginning at the white Oak, marked with W and M and so to the Stump called Dodges Stump.
We whose names are under written being appointed by the Selectmen of Manchester to meet with the gentlemen of Wenham on the 28th of april 1702 to perambulate the bounds between Wenham and Manchester, we met in or- der thereunto and by mutyual consent renewed the white Oak formerly marked W and M and so from thence Northerdly renewed the rest of the bounds between our towns to a stump with a stake in it and stones about it
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
which stands in Ipswich line which Stump is called by the name of Dodges Stump.
Benjamin Allen Thomas Edwards
John Knowlton Benjamin Edwards
a true coppy attest Thomas Fisk Town Clerk.
At a town meeting march 6th 1704 thomas fisk chosen Moderator
Deacon James Freind Lieut John Porter, Benjamin Ed- wards Samuel Kimball and Thomas Fisk Senr Chosen for selectmen for the year ensueing
Thomas Fisk Senr. chosen town clerk and the same day sworn. Thomas Fisk Jun Chosen commissioner
John Herrick Constable for the west side of the county road and N. N. Dodge for the east side of the country road but sworn Constable for the whole town, John Her- rick having hired him to Serve for him.
John Gott Chosen town treasurer, John Gott chosen Sur- veyor of highway for the west end of the town and Josiah dodge for the rest of the town, and John Gott the same day Sworn. N N Fairfield, Thomas Edwards and Nathl. Rogers Tithing men and sworn. Ebenezar Batchelder and Samuel Kimball Junr. Chosen Fence viewers (sworn) Josiah Dodge Sworn Sept. 26th 1705
The question being put whether the town would order the Selectmen to make a rate to satisfy for town highways it was voted in the negitive.
At a meeting of the commoners march 6th 1704-5
Voted by the commoners that Thomas Fisk Senr is ap- pointed moderator in our commoners meeting abovesaid. Voted that all the commoners in our town shall have an equal share for quantity and quality in whatever division they shall agree to make.
Samuel Kimball Senr. entered his desent.
voted that all convenient highways shall be provided for first, then that all our common land shall be divided ac- cording to the rule already agreed on.
voted that the commoners shall meet again at the meeting house tomorrow the 7th of March at 9 of the clock in the morning to prosecute the above said division of our com- mon land.
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
March 7th 1704-5. voted that all convenient ways shall be first provided for to accomodate every division and then that all our common lands shall be divided according to the rule allready agreed upon.
voted that all our commoners shall tie themselves together by eight common rights further and that the commoners together shall have power to choose one of themselves chosen by each division for making the abovesaid division and setting out to every company so agreeing, an equal part of every several piece and parcel of our common land that shall remain, when they have first set out and staked convenient highways for the use of our inhabitants, after it shall be divided, as allso to divide by drawing lots for which division or part shall belong to every eight shares of common rights, and allso that every eighth as above said shall satisfy the the person severally, by them chosen for their Labour. And in case any shall refuse to act, as above said in joining with others to prosecute the division the division abovesaid.
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