USA > Massachusetts > Essex County > Wenham > Wenham town records 1730-1775 > Part 7
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88
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Voted to chue the Town Treasurer & the Remaining officers by handy vots as usuall in our Town.
John Killum Chosen Constable for the East or neck part of our Town & sworn Samuel Tarbox jur Chosen Con- stable for the weste parte of our Town and sworn - Josiah White & Josiah Fairfeld Each are Chosen Thyth- ingmen. & sd white sworn ye same Day Caleb Coye for ye east Richard Kimball for the midle part : and James Kimball for the west part of our Town Each are Chosen Survayors of high Ways in our Town and Each are Sworne Excepte Caleb Coy : on the the Day of there being chosen -
Ebenezer Waldron En8 Benjamin Kimball and Jacob Fiske Each are chosen fence vewers and Each are Sworn the same Day they ware chosen
David Batcheller Chosen Sealer of waits and mesurers & sworn
Jonathan Kimball jur is Chosen Sealer of Leather &
sworn
John Moulton Churchill knowlton and Elijah Fairfield are Chosen hogreafs and are Sworne the same Day they ware put in office -
Zaccheus Gouldsmith and James Freind are Chosen feaild Drivers - - and are Sworn the same Day of the above Dated Town Meeting - --
Att a Meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham March : 9: 1746/7 Caleb Coy and - - Josiah Fairfeald Each of them appered and ware Both Sworn to there Several offices as above Recorded -
Att a Meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham : March the : 9 : Day : 1746/7. Then agreed with Samuel Tarbox to be our Town Saxston to Due all the - Buisness for our Town that belongeth to sd post: and the Town is to give him for his Service : one pound two Shillings & six pence : and he is to have the privelidg to Dige graves for our Town the year Encewing as accation may be : always provided he Dont Demand above Two Shillings and Six pence for all above Twelve years of age : and
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
but one shilling & six pence for all under Twelve years of age - - - -
At a Meeting of the Select-men of Wenham March ye: 9 : Day 1746/7 : then agreed with Samuel Tarbox to beow Town pound keeper for the year Encewing he is to have Lawfoull fees for his service -
March : 16th : 1746: at a Meeting of the Select men : then agreed with John Jones that he Shall Live in the Towns hous tell the first Day of nexte March Comming the aboved sd Jons is to inprove the accre of Land Be- longing to sd hous and he agreeth to pay to the Town for Rent one pound : & to Depart out of sd house the first Day of March nexte March wich will be in the year 1747. sd Jons agred to Leave the hous & fence in as good Re- pair as it is at present.
his John X Jons mark
May : 15 1747: A Town Meeting Lawfully assembled to Chuse a Representive to to Represent our Town att a Grate and Genrael Court or Assembly appointed to Be Convened held and and kept for his Majesties service. at the Court hous in Boston upon Wednesday the Twen- tieth Seventh Day of May Corant - and other Busnes as By warrant - The Town Being mett. proceded to vote five or six times But no : ma"ware Leaguely Chosen : then the Selectmen Adjourned the Town meeting from the 15 Day of May to Wednesday the Twentieth Day of this Instant may: and then mett. on sd adjornment. m" Jonathan Porter Choson Representative to Represent our Town at the genraeil Court the Incewing year : m" John Kimbell Chosen moderator for the Remaining Buis- ness of the present meeting. Voted yt the Swine shall goo at Large this. year : well yoaked and Ringed.
Voted that the bead & beading that Aaron Jones used which Belonged to the Town is given to his Son John Jones - and the apparrel ye above sd Jones Lefte - The Town voted that the Selectmen should Destribut
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
them a mong the pore in our Town as they see fitt May : 20: 1747 : Mr Jonathan Portor made offer of the money to the Town which he Received of the Province for his service as he Represented our Town at the grate and genraiol Court at Boston in the year : 1745. which money - it Being 21f-168-0 he Delivered to m' Samuel Gott one of the Selectmen (the Town Treasurer being ab- sent at that time. ) for the use of the Town to be disposed of by the major part of sd Town as they see meet. Sum time after sd portor had delivered the above sd money he replied to the Town he had ben as good as his promas to the Town : yett sd portor said that he had made a hard Bargain for him selfe . sd . if the Town see fitt they might Present him again with sum part of it as a present
But the moderator Replied that it was not mentioned in the warrent . & not proper to act on it at that time
So the mater was suspended tell ye next Town meeting-
A Town Meeting of the freeholders and other Inhabi- tants of our Town. Lawfully assembled To Raise money for the Defraing our Town Debts and Ingagments also see to whare the Town will build a new meeting Hous or Repaire the old meeting hous: and to see what the Town will give m' warren our minestor this present year more then his Stated Sallery - as by Warrant - Deacon Jonathan Kimball Chosen Moderator for the bus- ness of the present meeting . Voted to Chuse : 7 : men for a Committee to have a Conferance with mr warren Con- cerning the fall of money Relating to his Sallery . which Committee are to make Report to the Town on said adjurnment of this present Town meeting . the persons committee Chosen by the vots of ye Town for the above sd service Committee are as foloweth. Capt Thomas Tar- box Capt John Dodge John Kimball Benjamin Edwards Edmond Kimball Josiah White & Ebenezer warren - then the moderator by the Consent of the Town adjurned the Town meeting from the 10th of this Instant Septem- ber: to ye 17 of the same month and then to mett at: 2. of the Clock afternoon for to finish the busness of sd meeting
Sep: 17: 1747. and then Mett - the Vots as foloth -
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Voted to add to m' John Warrens Sallery this present : Year. 170* : pounds old tenor. voted to Raise 400 pounds. old tenor to Defray our Town Debts & ingagments this present year.
Wen™ Voted to Build a Meeting Hous for Divine Wor- shep .-
Novem™ 5th 1747 A Town Meeting of ye freeholders and other Inhabitants of our Town Lawfully Assembled. To Chuse a Committee to manage the before preposed affair of building a meeting hous Having there instructtions from the Town. & to proceed so long in sd affair as the Town Shall see meet : also for the Town to Detarmon the bigness of sd hous and whare to seet sd hous. The Votes as followeth
m" John Gott moderator Chosen Voted to proseed in there choice of a Committee by handy vots -
Voted to have nine men in sd Committee - whos names are as foloweth -
M' John Gott: Lef William Dodge but sd Dodge Refused to serve John Kimball. Benjamin Edwards. Josiah Her- rick. Ebenezer Waldron. Nathaniel Bragg. Edmond Kim- ball & Caleb Coys Each being Chosen by Town Votes.
The Town Voted to Build sd hous : 55 foot in Long & 42 foot in breadth & 24 foot Studd. & gave the Committee Instructions to be lucking abt for Timber & to make report to ye Town ye nexte meeting. Also ye Town Voted to Seat sd meeting hous whare the old meeting hous now Standeth
November 27 1747 At a Town meeting lawfully assembled to procead if the Town see good in the petickelors in the warrant here Exprest. - Namely : to Receive the Report of the Towns Committee Chosen to manage the affairs of building sd meeting hous - also to see whare the Town would build the nexte Summer - also to see what In- structions the Town would give the Committee to pro- cead in building sd hous. - & what money the Town would raise in order for building sd hous. - & to see whather ye Town would bye bords Clabord & Shingels
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
with the Towns money that is in mr Samuel Gotts hands - as by warrant -
The Town proceded & Chose mr John Gott for a mod- rator of the above Dated meeting. and Receved the Re- port of the Towns Committee - which is as foloweth - that they had been Lucking about & see a prospect of giting the frame in our Town or near our Town - but as for the petickelers above named ware Tried for: by votes but there wors not any Vote for aney of the petick- eller on the affarmitive. -
January : 13: 1747 A Town Meeting: of the Freeholdrs and other Inhabitants of our Town Lawfully Assembled to prceed in the affair of building a meeting hous. .
the Town when assembled are to pars such Vots as they shall think proper. at sd Town Meeting to build sd hous as by warrant the vote as foloweth.mr John Kimball chosend Moderator.sum said the warrant not proper to proceed in said buisness of sd warrant - but the Town there upon Voted that the warrant was proper to proceed & acte on - Voted that the Town will proceed in build- ing said hous as sone as they can Convenantly prepare for it. this present year if it may Be with Convenancey - Voted to Raise £250 pounds of the last Emition to wards the Defraying the charges of building: sd hous to buye meterals for the same to pay one halfe in March nexte & ye other part in May folowing -
Voted that the Towns Committee first chosen to manage the affaire of building said meeting hous : should Continue in sd buisness : Exceping that one of them which Refused Leftt William Dodge by name: the Town Voted that his Son Richard Dodge should sarve a Committee man in his Rome - for ye buisness afore sd. Voted to that the Com- mittee should Studd & planck sd hous as they should thinke beste for the benefits of our Town - Voted that the Towns Committee proceed in giting timber for build- ing sd hous as sone as may bee - & al other nesseary metearals that they Shall Think nedfoull for building said hous
May : 16 1748. A Town meeting Lawfully assembled to
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Chuse a Representive to Represent our Town at a Grate and Generael Court or assembly appointed to be Convened Held keept for his Majesties Service at the Court hous in Boston upon Wednesday ye Twenty first may Corant - & to Receive the Report of the meeting hous Committee. that the Town may know what preparation they are in to proseed in building a meeting hous - also to see whare the Town will Vote to take Down the old meeting hous in order to Erect and Seat up a nue hous. also to give the meeting hous Committee such instructions to proceed in bulding the proposed meeting hous as ye Town thinketh proper. & for the Town to pars such votes as they shall Think proper towards building sd meeting hous : sum other Buisness as by Warrant. after Several Vots had Ben tryed to geet a Representive but non was Chosen ye meeting was adurned to Wednesday next at 8 of ye Clock after mr John Kimball who wors Chosen Mod- ratoar for the Town buisness that time who had Caled for Dives Votes - which are as foloth - Voted to take Down the old meeting Hous. on Wednesdy ye 18 of this Instant May : in order to frame & seat up the nue hous as sone as Convenantly they can in the same place - voted to make the nue hous but 52 foot Long & but 40: foot wide - Voted to Leve the over Site of Tacking Down the old meeting hous to the meeting hous Commit- tee - Voted yt the meeting hous Committee should tack Care that the meeting hous be framed & that they tack Care that Stones are gott for to Under pin sd hous and provid on ye Towns cost work man for the same as there may be accetion as sone as may be in order to Raise the same: vote if m" Jonathan porter Should Draw all the money he put into m' Sam" Gott hands for the Town : have given it back to him again.
Voted that Swine should go at Larg being yocked & ringed. according to Law
May 18 1748: ye Town meeting is adurned from 8 Clock in the morning to 6 six a clock after noon the same Day & then met : then the modrator A Jurned to Thurs- day ye 2 Day of June 1748 to two of the clock after noon in sd Day to met at ye school hous and then mett -
94
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
May : 16 1748 A Town meeting Lawfully Convened to chuse a Representive & other Town busness more Espe- chaly a bout Bulding a meeting houe : mr John Kimball was Chosen modrator for said town meeting: having had several adjurments being mett on the second Day of June 1-1748
then ye Modrator adjurned said Town meeting to the ninth Day of June Corrant. but before the Town Meet- ing was adjurned to to the before menchened ninth Day of June 1748 the folowing votes pased on the affirmitive namly: Voted to chuse a Committee for to take care to provide the peticklors Here after named. and to bring them to the School hous at furdestt by the morning of the Raising Day for the Comfortable soport of such as Should Labour in Raising said meeting hous the men Chosen for a Committee for the above sd busness : are Lef William Dodge Deacon Jonathan Kimball mr Jonathan Porter Each chosen by vots of ye Town wich Committee are to provide one ye Town Charge: six gallons of Rum & Eight pounds of Shugor - Tow Barrils of Sidor and two Bar- rels of Bear and one hundred waight of Bread and one hundred waight of Leags of pork: and forty pound of Chease to be taken care of by sd Committee on Raising Day in ye prudantes way they can for the end afore said : which Drink and provision mentoned ordered to be pro- vided : ware by town vote on ye above sd : 2 Day of June 1748 : also m" Jonathan porter was chosen by a Vote of ye Town on ye above sd 2 Day of June to tack care & provid Rops to Rige the Ginn on ye Raising Day - then as is above hinted the Town meeting was adurned By the modrator to ye 9 Day of June Corrant to meet at sd School hous. but sd meeting Dropt it being fast Day -
June: 13 1748 A Town Lawfully assembled and Con- vened to Chuse a Committee to A Juste the accounts with the meeting hous Committee - also to see what further Instructions the Town Will give the meeting hous Com- mittee to wards - - finishing sd meeting hous :- and to Chuse sum meet persons to sell the Rigon prepared for
95
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
the Ginn. & the old stuf glase & the Remainder of ye Chipes -
Deacon Jonathan Kimball was Chosen Moderator for this meeting the Vots as foloeth - Voted to Chuse a Com- mittee to a Just the accounts with ye meeting hous. Com- mittee. Voted to have three men in sd Committee - whos names are - viz - - m" Jonathan porter Ens Samuel Gott and Benjamin fairfield - Each chosen by Town vots
for ye afore sd Buisness which men are also Impowered by a Town Vote to sell the Rigen prepared for the ginn & chips & blocks & old Stuf that is not needed for the new hous. Voted that m" John Gott Richard Dodge & Nathaniel Bragg be a Committee to bord the meeting hous and Lay the Lower floor as sone as may be Calling in sutable helpe for the Same. as there may be occation -
June : 27 1748. A Town meeting Lawfully assembled and Convened to Chuse a Committee to proceed in the further finishing of the meeting hous who are to have their In- structions from the Town from time to time & to con- tinue in the buisness so long as the Town Shall see good - and sum other Town buisness - as by warrant - - mr Nathaniel Brown Chosen Modrator for the buisness of the present meeting ye vote a foloweth Voted to Chuse a Committee to Proceed in the finishing the meeting Hous. - Voted to have three men in sd Committee. - mr John Gott Nathaniel Brag and Ens Samuel Gott Each ware chosen by Town Votes - but they all three Refused to sarve as Committee men at that time - then the Mod- erator adjrned the Town meeting from ye 27 Day of June to fryday next at 4 of the clock after Noon - it being ye furst Day of July 1748 and then nett.on adurnment on the first Day of July 1748. the Town proceeded as folow- eth - Voted that m" John Gott Caleb Coye & Josiah Herrick be a Committee to prosceed in finishing the meet- ing hous. as they have - or Shall here after have In- structions from the Town & to continue a Committee as Long as the Town shall see good : the Town having by a Vote given the a bove named Committee Instructions to
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
proceed : namly. to go on and Shingle the meeting hous : and Clabord it & gitt up the window frams and also to proceed in finishing the Steeple as Sone as may Be - Voted that the Doars of the meeting hous shall be in the plases that the Corpinders have Lefte a vaciency for them already as By a Town vote - -
August 29-1748. A Town meeting Lawfully assembled & Convened to Raise money to Defray the Town Debts & in gagments the Encewing year & to see what the Town will give mr Warren more than his stated Sallery this present year & to see what the town will Doo further in finishing the Meeting Hous as by Warrant m" John Gott Chosen modrator for the present meeting. the Vots as foloweth : Voted to lay the Seacond or Lower floor. & gal-
By ye finishing Committee
lery floors & make A the Stayers that Lead up in to the galereys & seat up the pillers under the galerys & prepare and hag the meeting hous bell as soon as may be: Voted to give mr John Warren more then his stated Sallory this presen year 220£ pounds old tenor. Voted to Raise 400£ pounds old tenor in al this present year to Defray ye Town Deabts & Ingagments - this peragraff shoald have ben ented first.
September: 22 1748 At a Town meeting Leagelly Con- veaned to see how maney pews the Town will have on the Lower flower & State there haight from the flower & to put them to Sail in what manner the Town shall see Good - & to see whare the Town will Rais aney money at present by a Rate for the Defraing the chare of build- ing the Meeting Hous at present & to see whare the Town will proceed to plaster the sd Hous this fall & to see what further Instructions the Town will give the finishing Com- mittee to proseed this present meeting as By warrant - the Vots as foloweth - mr Jonathan Porter. Chosen Mod- erator - Voted to Have: 24: Pews By the wall of the meeting hous on the Looer flower. voted to sell sd pews. by whome the Town Shall Impower to Sell them - and
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
to them that Should Be the Highest Bidder : also Voted that they Should Be Sould to non but Such as are free- holders in this Town of Wenham
Voted to Chuse three men for to Stated out sd pews & put them to Sail in man"or as is above Said Voted that m" John Gott Cap John Dodge & Jonathan Porter Be a Committee to Seel the above proposed pews - Voted to have the pews al of one height from & Distance from the meeting hous wall: wall pews then voted to adjorned the meeting to 3 Day october next Encewing to mett at 3 of ye clock : after noon it bing monday and then mett & adjurned ye Town meeting to halfe a nower after fouer of the clock ye Same Day afer noon & mett & sold ym Voted to have a tear of pews with in the wall pews 12: of then. 6 : in ye frunt & 3: on Each End of the Bodey of Seats. to Be a boute 5 : foot in Debth : & to have an alley of 3 foot Between them & the wall pews: & to Be put to Sail in maner as ye former to ye highest Bidder -- & to Be Stated out & put to Sail By ye above sd gott Dodge & porter as by a Town Vote then the Town meeting was adurned from ye 3 Day of October to ye 16 Day of ye same month to meet at: 1: of the Clock after noon it Being tuesday & then mett on the above said adjurn- ment
here being not Rome for to Record the vots of the Town that ware voted on the above said audment I have En- tered the remaining vots on folo- or page : 105
Att a Meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham June. the first Day : 1747.
then agreed With mr Samuel Goodridge to keep School in our Town five months - from the Date above nexte Comming. and the above sd goodridge: is to have Reason- able Satisfaction of our Town for Teaching our Children & youth . to Read and wright as By Law we are Directed. Thos Tarbox Samuel Goodridge 1 Selectmen Lof Wenham.
John Kimball Sam" Gott Beniamin Edwards John Dodge
98
WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
at a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham november ye 23th : 1747.
then agreed with mr Samuel Goodridge to keep school in our Town five months beginning sd School the first Day of nexte Desember & to Continue sd School tell the Last Day of nexte Aprell Encewing the Date here of . sd School Ma"str is to teach our Children and youth to Read wright and Syfer and to have teen pounds old tenor p.r month for his Service.
Thos. Tarbox ) Select
Samuel Goodridge John Kimball [ men Beniamin Edwards fof Wenham
Sam" Gott J
Wenham. November ye 24: 1747. - To the Selectmen of the Town these are to give you: Notis that their is Two Stragling persons fallen in to my Hous on - Sater- day Night Last - Being the twenty first of this Instant thier names are - Elizzebeth and Nathan Rolings . Brought from Gloster by Nathaniell millit of that Town. Gentlemen - my Desias are that you Will Do with them forth with as the Law Derects in that Case -
Nathaniell Faierfield -
the above is a true Copey-as it was given me to Enter Attest David Batcheller Town Clerk
March . 1day .1747 At a Genrael Town meeting Leagley warned and Convend to Chus Town Officers for the year Encewing & sum other buisness as by warrant. ye vote as folloeth
Captt Jonathan Kimball Chosen Mode ratoar for the buis- nes of the present meeting. mr Samuel Portor Dea Jona- than Kimball Leftt Benjamin Herrick David Batcheller and phenas Dodge are Chosen Select men for ye year En- cewing & each have toak ye asserss oath.
David Batcheller is Chosen Town Clerk and is sworn. En& Benjamin Kimball is Chosen Town Treasurer and Sworn - Samuel Rogers is Chosen Constable for the
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Easterly side of ye Contrey Road in our Town. & hired in his Rom
Timothy patch A -jur Josiah Batcheller is Chosen Con- stable for the Westerly Side of ye contery road & sworn- Survayors of high ways: James frind is chosen survayer for the west part of our Town & sworn -
Samuel Porter is chosen Survayor of the highways in the middell part of the Town & sworn
David Dodge is chosen Survayor of the Highways of the
East part of our Town and sworn
Cap John Dodge is chosen surver of fences and Sworn Timothy patch jur is chosen Survayor of fences and sworn James Kimball is chosen Survayor of fences & sworn
En$ Benjmin Kimball and Richard Kimball Each are Chosen Tythingman and Sworn the same Day of Choice- Josiah ober. Ebenezer Waldren & Ebenezer porter Each are Chosen hogreaf & sworn
Samuel Batcheler & John Moulton jur are chosen feild Drivers and Sworn.
Nathaniel Kimball and Josiah White are Chose to Exe- cut the Law relating to the Killing of Does when for- biden by Law. & to prosicute the viloators there of. and each are Sworn
Whare as it was put in to the warrant of our anuel Town meeting to See what the Town would Due with the money that Topsfield Select men brought to our Selectmen it being a fine on them for there Dilinquen Schooling: the Town when asembled acceed to Consider of it next may Town meeting David Batcheller is chosen Sealer of waits & meachers & sworn
Jonathan Kimball jur is chosen Sealer of Leather & sworn. the officers a bove Chosen & Sworn: was March: 1:1747. the Day of Choce
March : 11 1747 At a Town meeting Leagley warned and Convened to chuse a agant to prosecute the case Betwen Wenham & glostor conserning a Idiot boy Coled Nathan Rolings brought from Gloster to our Town un Legaly : also for the Town to considear of mr Samuel Rogers his
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
Reques he being Chosen Constable on our annel Town meeting he Earnesly Desiors that the Town would Recon- sider that Vote & make choice of sum other man - if not to Exept of sum meet parson whom he shall hier to serve constable in his Rome
the Vots as foloweth - Captt Jonathan Kimball Chosen moderator for the present meeting.
no vote to chuse an agent but Voted to Leave the hole affair of prosecuting the Complaint against the Town of Gloshter Relating to an Idiot Boy - coled Nathan Rolens to the Selectmen of our Town to manage in the best way they can in proper prosses of Law - -
Whare as m' Samuel Rogers was chosen a Constable march ye first Day: 1747. the Town Did not see good to Dismiss him from sd post no other way then for him to hier a man to serve Constable in his Rome - which he purformed - by hiering Timothy patch jur to serve as Constable in his stead - who was Exepted by a magior vote of the Electors at that time - it being march yr 11th-1747- & said patch was sworn to the faithfull Dis- charge of sd post March ye 11th 1747 -
At a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham march ye 11th Day ann Dom. 1747- then agreed with Samuel Tarbox Sent to sarve our Town in the post of a Saxton for the Encewing year - to Due al the proper buisnes for the Town belonging to sd post.
also for sd tarbox to have £1-158-0 : for his service of the Town - also to have the privelidge to Dige graves for our Town provided: that he Dont Demand more then - two shillinge & six pence for al persons above Twelve years of age Excepting sum Extradny times as it may Be & but one Shilling & six pence for all persons bured un- der Twelve year of age: & said Sam" Tarbox hath agreed to be our Town pound keeper for ye year Encewing hav- ing the lawfull fees for his service - March : 11th : 1747
Att a meeting of the Selectmen of Wenham - March : .ye: 11tb : 1747.
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WENHAM TOWN RECORDS
The Selectmen then Being : namely : Deacon Jonathan Kimball - - Samuel Porter Phinas Dodge Leftt Ben- jamin Herrick and David Batcheller Each toak the As- sessors oath the Day above said.
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