USA > Maine > Cumberland County > History of Cumberland Co., Maine > Part 99
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May 4, 1861, the Free-Will Baptist Provisional Church was organized by Rev. James Buzzel, who had been a reg- ularly ordained minister of the Free-Will Baptist Church. Clark Cannel was chosen clerk. Rev. Thomas Strout sue- ceeded to the pastorate in 1869, when George Maybery was chosen clerk, and Melvin Shaw deacon. Meetings are
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.
held in a school-house, the old church having been torn down in 1875. Present membership, 28.
The Free-Will Baptist Church at Steep Falls was organ- ized Feb. 21, 1847, by Rev. Andrew Hobson. Among the first members were Irva Norton, Peter Graffam and wife, Peltiab Hobson, Statera Hobson, and Lyman Fisher, who was chosen clerk. Their building was erected in 1851, and dedicated by Rev. Mr. Peck, of Portland, JJuly 31st of that year. Pastors: Andrew Hobson, L. Parker, 1859-71; E. C. Cook, 1872-74; A. G. Hill, 1874-76; Peltiab Hobson, present pastor. Present membership, 104. of whom 28 are non-residents. Officers : Israel Small, Deacon and Clerk ; John Rand. Deacon; S. HI Cousins, Treasurer; Is- rael Small, Robert Ridlon, Evans Harmon, Committee.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHL.
The first Methodist class was Formed under the preaching of Revs. Alfred Metcalf and Daniel Berry in 1802. Early meetings were held in Capt. Jonathan Moore's house, the rooiu-partitions being removed for that purpose. Thomas Shaw, Jonathan Moore, Ann Warren, and George Thomas, who was class-leader until 1821, were among the first mem- bers. Revs. Ebenezer Blake, Philip Ayer, and Joel Wick preceded Joseph Dennet, who came in 1816, and was fol- lowed by James Jaynes. Rev. Mr. Aimes, who died in Gorham, John Paine, Jonathan Whiting, Philip and John S. Ayer, Melville B. Cox, and John Shaw also preached on this circuit. Rev. Mr. Shaw died in Gorham while a young man. Through the exertions of Rev. Green G. Moore a church was erected in 1826 at York's Corner. Revs. Nathaniel Morris, Samuel Jewett, Philip Munger, 1832; M. Wright, 1834 ; James Harrington, Daniel Crock- ett, David Copeland were pastors to 1838; Nathaniel Pride succeeded in 1839; John IFatch, 1840 ; Isaae Lord, 1841 ; Orlando 11. Jasper, 1842; George S. Davis, George D. Strout, 1843; O. 11. Jasper, 1845; Edward A. Stuff- man, 1848; Luther B. Knight, 1856; Benjamin Free- man, 1858; John E Baxter, 1860; S. V. Gerry, 1862; Nathan Andrews, 1863; H. Il. Martin, 1864 ; William C. Stevens, 1867; Ezra Sanborn, 1869; Alva Cook, 1871; Benjamin F. Pease, 1874; W. S. Melntire, 1877; W. F. Berry, 1878: George lloyt, 1879. Present trustees : Charles F. Brown, A. Boulton, David L. Warren, A1. Usher. Recording steward and class-leader, Aaron S. Nason. Membership, 82.
A church was organized at Standish Corner in 1849; Jonathan Moore, Joseph Moody, Freeman Paine, John and Daniel Rich, and others, to the number of 29, joining in application for a charter. A building was created by Jonathan Moore, Joseph Moody, Freeman Paine, and Leon- ard Chase, trustees, and dedicated by Rev. Joseph Jenie, presiding elder, Dee. 4, 1849. The pastors have been John C. Perry, 1849; Daniel Waterhouse, N. D. Centre, C. C. Mason, Alpha Turner, S. S. Ranks, J. Rice, Marcus Wright. Present steward, Freeman Paine. Trustees, Freeman Paine, William Dollif, Daniel B. Jackson. Mem- bership, 28.
THE STANDISH ACADEMY
was incorporated by act of Legislature, in 1848, with Rev. Ichabod Nichols, Rufus P. Cutler, JJohn T. G. Nichols,
Andrew Hobson, Jonathan Moore, Wm. II. Lowell, Edwin J. Gerry, Geo. Il. Nichols, Green Cram, Gardner Dennett, Theodore M. Bradbury, Thomas Cram, Joshna Payne, Jr., James W. Emery, trustees. Rev. Ichabod Nichols was made President ; William H. Lowell, Vice-President ; T. M. Bradbury, Secretary ; and Gardner Dennett, Treasurer. The upper floor of the First Parish church was filled by them, and occupied as academy rooms. In August, 1819, the Legislature of Maine conveyed to the trustees one-half township of land; their committee effected a sale to Wm. T. Chadbourne, for $4350.
The principals have been Thomas Talbott, 1848-49 ; Richard Gardner, Lincoln F. Emerson, 1851; George Sennot, 1852; D. L. Lane, 1853; Lucien Hunt, 1853 -54; Ileury Dunlap, 1856. The academy declined for want of sufficient patronage. The last meeting of the di rectors was held July 14, 1857.
ASSOCIATIONS.
There is a lodge of F. A. M., Standish Centre.
Lodges of' I. O. of G. T .: Sebago Lake, No. 96; Steep Falls, No. 77; Bonny Eagle, No. 21. Patrons of Husbandry, Standish, No. 122.
Cornet Band, Steep Falls, established 1879, Andrew F. Sanborn, leader.
Merchants: Theodore Mussey, Robert Rowe, Standishi Corner, 1803; Benj. Chadbourne, Joseph Webster, Old Landing, 1825; Wm. Foss, Wm. Wingate, Steep Falls, 1826; Cousins & Banks, Wingate & Hobson, Tobias Lord, Jr., Steep Falls, 1878; Naney W. Trafton, ladies' goods, W. Paine, postmaster, 1878; J. S. Webster, Lemuel Rich & Son, Sebago Lake, 1878; J. P. Warren, Bonny Eagle, 1878.
Manufacturers : Archambeau & Decormier, grist-quill, established 1874 ; G. M. & S. C. Rich, lumber and stones ; J. (". Dyer, staves; F. A. Radou, F. Harmon, W. S. Hanscom, carriages ; Waterhouse & Plummer, boots and shoes ; Irvin & E. T. Libby, smiths ; W. H. Bacon & Co., clothing, Sebago Lake; Wingate & Hobson, clothing; Tobias Lord, box-lumber, plaster, and grist-mill ; Coolbroth & Tucker, grist- and stave-mill ; W. D. & Leroy S. Mayo, coopers; C. N. Shaw, smith, Steep Falls; Isaac D. Sawyer, established 1877 ; Evans & Libby, clothing; D. B. Jack- son, marble; Bryant Paine, D. U. Paine, A. Rand, N. Rand, coopers; S. Higgins, Freeman Paine, smiths.
SCHOOLS AND ACADEMIES.
The first school was organized in the western district previous to 1787, in which year a proposition was pre- sented for building a school-house. The next year, £60 were voted to build a school house. The first school com- mittee were Bryan Martin, Peter Moulton, Joseph Case, and William Cummings. Mrs. Cummings taught school in her house in 1793, giving the children their lessons while working at her loomu. In 1821 the town was regu- larly organized into 10 school districts, and in 1836 in- creased to 15. The town now comprises 13 school dis- tricts. Whole number of school children, 607. For the year ending March, 1879, moneys raised by the town were 82100, of which $50 is assigned to Fry's Island, au island
Photo. by Lamson, Portland.
4
WILLIAM HI. DRESSER, eldest son of Joseph and Olive (Dennett) Dresser, was born in Hollis, York Co., Me., Jan. 1, 1832. His father was a native of Buxton, and died abont 1837. His mother was a daughter of the late JJohn Dennett, of Hollis, one of the early settlers of that town, a farmer and tanner by occupation, a prominent citizen of the town and county, and who, for twenty years in sue- cession, was a representative in the Legislature of Massachusetts prior to Maine becoming an inde- pendent State.
William Il. received his education in the common school and Standish Academy. For ten years he was a teacher during winter terms, working on the farm in summers. In 1867 he opened a general store in Standish, having become a resident of that town when only two years of age by the removal of his parents, who settled there from Hollis in 1834. He continued his mercantile business for three years. In 1870 he was appointed deputy sheriff, which office he held until 1876, when he was elected on
the Republican ticket sheriff of Cumberland County, and by re-election, in the fall of 1878, is now serving his second term.
In early manhood Mr. Dresser began to take an interest in local politics and a general interest in the affairs of town and eounty, and as a citizen of Standish represented his town in various official places of trust. For three years he was a member of the school board; was collector and treasurer of the town, and for three years selectman, assessor, and over- seer of the poor. The other children of his father's family are Daniel R. and Angeline, wife of James W. Brown, principal of the State Reform School, Minnesota.
He married, April 27, 1861, Cassendana, youngest daughter in a family of ten children of Wear and Merey (Sanborn) Cram, of Standish. Her grand- father, Daniel Cram, was one of the early settlers of the town. Mrs. Dresser was born February, 1830. Their children are Walter H., Alvin (., Mand G., and Mabel.
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TOWN OF STANDISH.
in Sebago Lake, containing 1000 acres, and occupied by one family. The balance is divided among the various districts. There are good wood school-houses in each dis- trict, except that in No. 4, at Sebago Lake, which is of briek.
LAWYERS.
Simon Greenleaf, late Professor of Law in Harvard Uni- versity, and author of "Greenleaf on Evidence," 1833; Randolph S. Codman, William Boyd, Nathan Appleton, Daniel C. Pool, Henry Lowell, Fitz-Henry Mussey. Present -Horatio J. Swasey, who commenced practice at Standish Corner, in 1833.
PHYSICIANS.
Dr. Isaac Snow Tompson, Dr. Ebenezer Howe, who died in 1841, Dr. Phineas Ingalls, Dr. Toles, Dr. Whitney, Dr. William Westcott. Present-Dr. William Cobb, from 1864, Dr. A. V. Thompson, 1874 to 1879.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
TOBIAS LORD,
son of Tobias and Susan (Deering) Lord, natives of Ken- nebunk, York Co., was born in Hollis, York Co., Dec. 30, 1803. IIis early life was spent on the farm and in assist- ing his father in lumbering. The remainder of his life, after reaching his majority, has been spent in farming, lum- bering, and as a merchant.
He married Adeline, daughter of Joseph Hobson, of | Buxton, Me. Of this union were born five children, four of whom are living, viz., John, Jeremiah, Abbie, wife of Dr. William S. Cobb, of Standish, Tobias, Jr. Politically he was originally a Democrat, but became a Republican upon the formation of that party. He was a representa- tive from Buxton in the State Legislature of 1836. In the spring of 1836 he removed from Buxton to Standish, and has been a representative since he resided in Cumber- land County, and has also held the local offices of assessor and selectmen.
TOBIAS LORD, JR.,
youngest son of Tobias Lord, was born in the town of Standish, Cumberland Co., Me., Dec. 2, 1846. His pa- rents removed from Buxton some forty years ago, and set- tled at Steep Falls, where his father has been largely engaged in the lumber business, and during his residence there he has been instrumental in building up the village. Tobias Lord, Jr., received a good common-school and aca- demical education, and at the age of sixteen was appointed clerk in the Provost-Marshal General's Bureau, Washing- ton, D. C. After one year he resigned and became a clerk for his father. In 1875 he succeeded his father in the general store, and has since carried on a successful business at Steep Falls, Standish. Mr. Lord is an inter- ested, active, and influential member of the Republican party, and represented the district of Standish and Bald- win in the Legislature of 1879 and 1880. lle has been a member of the Masonic fraternity since he reached his majority, passing through the York and Ancient and Ac- 48
cepted Scottish bodies to the thirty-second degree, and has been installed Chancellor Commander of the first lodge
Photo, by Lamson.
of Knights of Pythias instituted in Standish. He is a man of great perseverance, of strict integrity in all his busi- ness relations, and performs his official duties-with zeal and fidelity.
:٠١٦٦٧
COL. LEMUEL RICH (30),
son of Israel and Rhoda (Smith) Rich, was born in the town of Standish, Aug. 25, 1804. Ilis father was born
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.
in Gorham in 1776, and his ancestors were from England, settled in Truro, Mass., from which place the family re- moved to Cumberland County.
Col. Rich received his education in the common school and in Gorham Academy. His carly life was spent in agricultural pursuits, teaching school, and in the cooper business. In 1831 he began selling general merchandise in the town of Standish, and in the same year, December 2d, he married Esther, daughter of James Bangs, of Gor- ham. They have an adopted son, John II., who is a men- ber of the firm of L. Rich & Son, of Standish. Politically, he was originally a Democrat, but became a member of the Republican party during President Pierce's administration. Ile was a representative in the State Legislature in 1840 and 1841 ; county commissioner in 1842, '44, '45, and '46; and has held the office of justice of the peace since 1831, -- a period of nearly one-half a century.
IIe is a member of the Baptist Church of Standish. He joined the State militia in 1823, was commissioned lieuten- ant in 1826, and resigned with the rauk of colonel. Ilis wife died March, 1874.
WILLIAM RICH,
son of Col. Lemuel and Betsey (Smith ) Rich, was born in the town of Standish, Oct. 15, 1809. His education was received in the common school and at Parsonsfield Academy. Ilis life has been spent on the farm and in the manufacture of lumber. Hle married, Oct. 19, 1837, Hannah, daughter of Joshua Emery, of Gorham. She was born in that town, May 16, 1816. Of this union were born six chil- dren,-Lyman II., born July 19, 1839, and died Dec. 13, 1857 ; Samuel C., born Sept. 12, 1841, and resides with his father ; W. E. Channing, born April 10, 1843, princi- pal of Lameree Grammar School at South Boston ; Cyrus Il., born March 18, 1845, resides in Lowell ; Eugene, born April 10, 1847 ; Emery, born Nov. 7, 1850. The mother of these children died Nov. 17, 1850.
Mr. Rich married, June 26, 1853, Lucy, daughter of Daniel Freeman, of Standish. She was born Dec. 8, 1821. Of this union was born one daughter,-Hannah E., born July 25, 1857. Ile is a respectable farmer, and has held the office of selectman in his town. He is a member of the church, and a promoter of kindred interests.
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WESTBROOK AND DEERING.
BOUNDARIES AND PHYSICAL FEATURES.
THE towns of Westbrook and Deering, formerly West- brook, are bounded by Falmouth on the north, Casco Bay on the east, Portland, Cape Elizabeth, and part of Scar- borough on the south, aud Gorham and Windham on the west. The principal streams in the towns are the Presump- scot, which enters Westbrook from Gorham, running nearly southeast to the falls at Saccarappa, where it makes a bend to the eastward and northward, and forming the dividing line between Westbrook and Deering, flows in a northeasterly course into the town of Falmouth, whence by an easterly course it empties into Casco Bay ; the Stroudwater, which crosses the southern part of the towns, flowing southeast- ward into Fore River, which it enters at Stroudwater vil- lage, the old landing-place for vessels at tide-water; and Fore River, which takes its rise in Deering, and flows south iuto Portland Harbor. Duck Pond Creek, flowing from the north, enters the Presumpscot River in Westbrook.
The surface of these towns is flat or rolling, aud in some places moderately hilly. Along the coast it is agreeably diversified, presenting many points of beautiful scenery, in which the cultivated landscape and bright waters of the bay mingle in the view. Northward of Portland or Back Cove sandy plains prevail to a considerable extent. This scetion of Deering, being traversed by railroads and horse- cars, forms a suburban adjunct to the city of Portland, and is adorned by many country-seats and villas. The
horse-cars run every half-hour during the day to Wood- ford's and Morrill's Corners, Evergreen Cemetery, and Westbrook Seminary, in Deering.
FIRST PARISH OF WESTBROOK.
Westbrook, with Falmouth, Cape Elizabeth, Portland, and Deering, was originally included in the settlement begun in 1632, known first as Casco, and after the submission to Massachusetts, in 1658, as Falmouth. That part known as the town of Westbrook (including Deering) was set off and incorporated in 1814. Previous to this it had a long history as part of the general territory, and then as a parish in Falmouth, organized for a purpose which lies close to the root of New England society, the support of publie wor- ship and the institutions of religion. When we go back in the history of a New England town we draw to a focus around the old meeting-house.
The original town of Falmouth was one parish up to 1733, when the territory of Cape Elizabeth was formed into the Second Parish, called Purpooduck till the incorporation of the district of Cape Elizabeth, in 1765. The First Parish was that which now has its meeting-house on Congress Street, Portland, and dates from 1727. In 1753 that por- tion of Falmouth called New Casco, now Falmouth Cor- ner, was set off into the Third Parish, on account of the distance from the Neck, and the difficulties of attending re- ligious services there, the people having to cross from
MRS. CHARLES ROBERTS.
CHARLES ROBERTS.
( PHOTOS BY LAMSON ]
RESIDENCE OF CHARLES ROBERTS , WESTBROOK, ME.
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TOWNS OF WESTBROOK AND DEERING.
Martin's Point to the point where the Marine Ilospital now stands or boat over to what is now East Deering .*
On the 28th of March, 1764, the inhabitants residing in what are now Westbrook and Deering obtained the consent of the First Parish for a separate organization, and were accordingly set off as the Fourth Parish in Falmouth. This designation they bore till the incorporation of Cape Elizabeth, the year following, when, the society in that town having taken the name of the First Parish of Cape Elizabeth, the parish in Westbrook became the Third Parish of Falmouth. When Westbrook was incorporated it beeame the First Parish of Westbrook, and so when Deering was set off it became the First Parish of Deering, besides being known by sueh familiar names as " Parson Browne's," " Parson Bradley's," and " Old South."
The authority to organize the new parish was granted by the General Court ; the old parish held a meeting at which there appears to have been two chairmen, William Slemons and Peter Noyes; Stephen Longfellow was clerk, and Jo- seph Noyes, surveyor, to lay out the new parish, which was done in due time. The parish immediately took active measures for their religious edification. A meeting was ealled at the house of Mr. Joseph Riggs, Sept. 10, 1764, to "agree to settell the Gospell" among them. John Johnsou was moderator, and James Bailey clerk .; Mr. Riggs was instrueted "to go and get a good minister to preach the Gospel to them as soon as he could conveniently allow."
" Mr. Riggs was evidently a prompt man in those days when telegraph poles were wanting and mails went only slowly over the king's highway to Boston and beyond; for on the 3d of October we find that the Rev. Thomas Browne had come all the way from Marshfield, Mass., and after resting a day or two, and calling upon a few of the seat- tered parishioners, Parson Browne preached on the 7th of October, which was Sunday, and on Monday, the next day, the people met at . Mr. Jeremiah Riggs', and after adding two to the committee to make it more imposing, they were 'empowered to make a contraet with the said Rev. Thomas Browne for him to preach three or five months, and also to agree with the minister for his boarding.' Hlav- ing now a parish and a preacher, a meeting-house was next in order. The same working committee was ordered 'to gitt a frame 40 foot long and 35 feett wide, one story high, to be sitt near where the meeting-house is to be built, near
* Willis records the fact that " in 1751 a monthly meeting was estah- lished for the Quakers residing in Falmouth and larpswell." The male members were James Winslow, James Goddard, and Benjamin Winslow, of Falmouth. It is supposed that these people met at a private house. Mr. James Winslow some years before had a grant of land on Back Cove, near Fall Brook, near the place now owned by Mr. John Warren. The grant was made to bim in 1729 for a priv- ilege to erect a corn-mill. lle afterwards moved with his effects to a place near the Maine Central Railroad crossing of the Presumpseot River. It would appear that the Friends had the first organiza- tion for religious worship in the country northward of Portland, and that the parish at Falmouth Corner was the next. The earliest mentioned meeting-house of the Friends was built near where the old Gray road crosses the Presumpscot River, in Falmouth. The building was used in 1815, and how much Inter we are not informed.
+ Mr. Johnson lived at the place known as " Johnson's neighbor- hood ;" Mr. Bailey probably at " Bailey's Ilill."
the County road, above Mr. Anthony Brackett, Jr.'s house, to be for the meeting-house for the present.' This is the lot used for the present church edifice. No mention is made of any stoves, for they had none; nor were lights used excepting near the desk."
Parson Browue was an edneated man. He had been pre- viously settled at Marshfield, Mass. His preaching pleased the people so well that, in April, 1765, they eoneluded to settle him as a permanent minister. The contract was that he should receive £100 a year and £120 for a " settle- ment," as the term was, -probably a kind of bonus paid by the people, as ministers were scarce, and had to be moved at expense to themselves for long distances. This last amount of £120 was to be paid in installments of £40 a year.
"June 12, 1765, a committee was raised to hunt np entertainment for man and beast when the ministers and delegates should arrive to settle Parson Browne. A meet- ing of this kind was an imposing affair in those days. The clergy appeared in their gowns, and quite likely in wigs. The examination of the candidate was conducted at great length into all the hair-splitting shades of theology. At some time during the day (for a whole day was thus sacri- ficed) their attention was directed to the lighter matters of an installation dinner, which was generally served at the residenee of the best parishioner, and was apt to be pro- longed so as to eneroach upon more solemn duties. The prohibitory law was not then in foree, and the various kinds of rum, gin, and brandy, from the choice collections of the 'squires and sea-captains, were brought into full service to fortify the venerable preachers for their further duties. The records show that Mr. Joseph Riggs reported that he had spent nine pounds eight pence for the installing ser- viees, and the parish thought it a fair charge and voted to pay the bill."
" There is an amusing ineident that will bear recital in connection with Mr. Browne's leaving Marshfield. It seems that his ministry in that town came to an abrupt termination. The pulpit in those days was perched up high in the air; the preaeliers and the deacons wore wigs; the deacons sat in special seats provided for them directly under the pulpit and facing the people. Now, into the meeting- house at Marshfield one Sunday came a jolly old sailor, who did not know the laws of seating, and desiring to get as good a seat as he could, he strolled up to the deaeon's seat and placed himself between the venerable oeenpants. Pretty soon the sailor began to tire of the sermon, and fumbling round in his pocket he pulled out a rope-yarn, and in a waggish way tied the said yarn to the pig-tails of the wigs of the deacons. Then, as Parson Browne was ' long preaching,' the deacons followed the example of the young man in the Acts, and ' fell asleep.' And as they nodded and pitched forward their heads, our jolly sailor pulled on his rope yarn and pulled off their wigs. Parson Browne looked down and saw it all at a glance. lle laughed out- right : he could not help it, but his laugh cost him his pulpit in Marshfield.""}
Seven years ran along with no marked event, until 1772.
# Manuscript discourse of William E. Gould, Esq.
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HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, MAINE.
The records show that a dispute had arisen between this and the First Parish respecting sundry lines of division between them. Probably some wealthy people lived near the borders whose tax each parish desired to secure. At all events, Mr. William Slemons, who lived over beyond Stroudwater, on the Buxton road, was delegated to go to Boston to represent the interests of the Third Parish at the General Court ; but from some cause the affair took a dif- ferent turn, for in December, of the same year, the parish was called to decide if they would unite with the other party in leaving the matter to the arbitration of Dr. Edwin Russell aud John Lewis, of North Yarmouth, and Mr. William Hasty, of Scarborough, or other three good men.
In 1773, Joseph Riggs and William Slemons were chosen a committee to build a new meeting-house, upon the understanding that the old parishioners should have their rights in the new building. Although it does not appear upon the records, it is the current tradition that the house was erected in 1774. In consequence of the depreciation of the currency (Continental money) from 1776 to 1779, the parish voted to raise Mr. Browne's salary to £210. In the latter year the parish received a grant of 60 acres of land, and Capt. Pride, from Pride's Corner, Lieut. Wilson, from Frost's Woods, and Maj. James Johnson, from beyond the Stroudwater, were appointed a committee to find said land and to " pitch it," and then to " report as soon as may be." The year 1779 seems to have been a hard one in money matters, and Parson Browne preferred to try pro- duce for his salary that year. William Frost, parish clerk, enters the following contract upon the records :
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