History of the town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine, from its settlement June 10, 1780, Part 19

Author: Stinchfield, John Clark, 1843-
Publication date: 1901
Publisher: [Lewiston, Me., Press of Lewiston journal]
Number of Pages: 544


USA > Maine > Androscoggin County > Leeds > History of the town of Leeds, Androscoggin County, Maine, from its settlement June 10, 1780 > Part 19


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In politics, he is a member of the Republican party.


To the homestead of his father and grandfather on which he lives, he has added other land, enabling him to keep a large dairy ; making those famous Additon Cheese for which the family has so long been noted.


For several generations, the Additons have been successful tillers of the soil and good representatives of New England's intelligent farmers.


Feb. 9, 1886, Mr. Additon married Mary A., a daughter of Charles L. and Hannah (Maxwell) Thomas, of Greene. They have issue Louise M., Marion L., Orland H. and Vina A.


E. E. ADDITON.


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HISTORY OF LEEDS


HOWARD FAMILY.


The name Howard first appeared in Leeds in the year of its incorporation, 1801. It was personified by Capt. Seth Howard" a lineal descendant of John Howard, who came from England in boyhood, lived in the family of Plymouth Colony's military man Capt. Miles Standish, and in 1651, became one of the proprietors and original settlers of West Bridgewater, Mass. Under the tuition of Capt. Standish, his military education and native ability carried him to the front as the first officer in the new plantation. He received the oath of fidelity in 1657. He married Martha, a daughter of Thomas Hayward. They had issue John, James, Jonathan2, Elizabeth, Sarah, Pelatiah and Ephraim. His third child, Jonathan2, who became a major ; married Sarah Dean, and to them were born, Jonathan, in 1692; Joshua, in 1696; Susanna, in 1698; Ebenezer, in 1700; Seth3, in 1702; Abigail, in 1704; Sarah, in 1707; Henry, in 1710 and Kezia, in 1712.


Seth3 married Mary, a daughter of Thomas Ames, in 1735. They had issue Mary, in 1738; Jesse+, in 1740; Susanna, in 1742; Betty, in 1749, and Ebenezer, in 1752.


Capt. Jesse4 married Melatiah, a daughter of Samuel Dunbar, in 1761. Their children were Seth5, b. in 1762; Perez, 1765; Calvin, 1768; Barnabas, 1770; Jesse, 1776 and Lloyd, 1778.


Capt. Seth Howard was born in Bridgewater, Mass., Nov. 21, 1762. Desire, a daughter of Jonathan Bailey, was born Jan. 23, 1762. Capt. Seth Howard5 and Desire Bailey were married Nov. 21, 1782. The fruits of this marriage, born in West Bridgewater, were Stillman6, May 20, 1785; Everett, Nov. 22, 1787 ; Ward, Dec. 18, 1789; Seth, Aug. 9, 1792; Roland Bailey, July 29, 1795 ; Aurelia, June 28, 1797 and Lucretia Feb. 2, 1800. Subsequent to their removal to Leeds, District of Maine, in ISOI, the list was increased by the birth of Valentine Rathburn, April II, 1803, and Benjamin Franklin, June 4, 1806.


He was a man of executive ability and discharged the duties of presiding officer of the many assemblies to which he was chosen with a degree of dignity becoming one in that capacity. In 1806, he represented his district at the General Court, in Bos- ton. When his family came to Leeds in 1801, his eldest son, Stillman, a lad of sixteen, drove the pair of horses attached to the carriage that bore seven members of the family to their new home where A. J. Foss now resides; while the other member, Roland Bailey, then a little fellow of six summers, rode on the back of another horse much of the distance.


Stillman6, who, in 1814, was Captain of a military company, married Lydia, a daughter of Daniel Lothrop, an officer of Revolu- tionary fame, Sept. 27, 1807. She was born May 5, 1789. He was a man of ability which was well appreciated, not only by his


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fellow-townsmen, who elected him repeatedly to the offices within their gift, while the people of Kennebec County called him to the office of commissioner, and subsequently to a position on the Governor's Council. He represented his district when Maine became a State. For a long term of years he held commissions by the Governors, of Justice of the Peace and Quorum. After his marriage, he settled on the place now occupied by John F. Jennings, where he continued his residence until March, 1834, when he purchased the Captain Dwinal place, at Leeds Center, to which he removed his family. During the time there, he held the office of postmaster two years. He subsequently removed to the western part of the town, to the place now occupied by Mr. House, where he died in 1861. He was buried in the cemetery at Leeds Center. His widow died April 6, 1872. To him and his wife had been born Stillman L.7, March 3, 1810; Rozilia A., Jan. 30, 1812; Mary L., May 14, 1816; Lydia A., March 25, 1818; Lucretia P., Sept. 19, 1820; and Seth, June 6, 1828.


Everett, the second child of Capt. Seth, died in Georgia.


Ward, the next in the list, settled in New York. Four years he was collector of customs in that city. He was also State Marshal. He died in Omaha, Neb., in 1855.


Seth, the fourth son of Capt. Seth, died in Mississippi in 1847.


Valentine R., another son, was a physician, and died in Ala- bama in 1828.


Roland B., fifth in the order, after living several years in New York, returned to Leeds and died on the old homestead April 30, 1840. Receives further mention with his sons, Gen. O. O., Rev. R. B. and Gen. C. H. Howard.


Benjamin Franklin, the youngest son, married Philena Gould, by whom he had two sons and two daughters, viz. : Theresa, b. -; Marcellus, b. -; Coridon,


h. ; and Cordelia, b. The only remain- ing member of the family is Coridon, who resides in Bridge- water, Mass.


Benjamin F., died Dec. 30, 1882, on the old Capt. Seth How- ard farm, then the home of his daughter, Mrs. A. J. Foss, who has since died.


Aurelia, the eldest daughter of Capt. Seth, married Thomas W. Bridgham, M.D., the second physician who was located in Leeds. After his decease, she married Samuel Leadbetter, a son of Increase, an early settler. After the decease of Mr. Leadbet- ter, she made her home with a son, Thomas W. Bridgham, whose residence was in China, Me., where she died. Her remains were brought to Leeds and buried beside those of her first husband.


Lucretia, the second and last daughter, married Jabez Lead- better and settled in Wayne village, on the place now owned by


STILLMAN L. HOWARD, ESQ.


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HISTORY OF LEEDS


Mr. A. S. Wright. They had issue four sons and five daughters, of whom further mention will be made in an article devoted to the family of Mr. Leadbetter. The death of Lucretia occurred at the home of her son, Rodelphus, in the town of Winthrop, Dec. 28, 1884. Of the family of Hon. Stillman Howard, eldest son of Capt. Seth, whose names and births already have been given, first occurs that of Stillman Lothrop Howard7. April 14, 1833, he married Julia Ann, a daughter of Joseph Turner, of Leeds. She was born Oct. 13, 1809. They settled in West Leeds on the farm now owned by his brother Seth, where he erected a fine set of buildings, the same burned by lightning Aug. II, 1891. They had issue Ward Benton, b. Jan. 8, 1834; How- land, b. Aug. 3, 1837; Daniel H., b. Jan. 19, 1840; Lucius, b. March 9, 1842; Julia, b. Dec. 14, 1849 and Henrietta, b. Dec. 7, 1853. His eldest child, Ward B., was educated in the schools of Leeds, in which town, in early life, he engaged in farming. From the effects of an injury received when a boy, he was never strong, yet seldom sick. Like several of his ancestors he was fond of a good horse and enjoyed using them. Jan. 5, 1862, he married Hannah L., a daughter of Warren Howard, of whom mention will be made in this work. For several years Ward B. was collector of taxes in Leeds. His cordial greeting and genial, though decided manner of business well fitted him for that work. He accompanied his parents to Wayne in 1875, where he was engaged in the hotel and livery business. He has one daughter, Lizzie, b. Dec. 10, 1874.


Howland went to Lebanon, Ky., when a young man ; mar- ried there Miss Lizzie Kirtz, Oct. 17, 1861. To them were born Katie Julia, in 1862, and Minnie Stillman, in 1864. He was taken prisoner by Morgan's army in one of its raids through that country, but was soon parolled. Unfortunately for him, his busi- ness, that of shoe merchant, was one that suffered the ravages first of the Confederate, and later, the Union soldiers without money or price. In poor health he started on a visit to Maine, but died in Albany, N. Y., May 11, 1864. His remains were carried back to Kentucky for burial, where his widow and daughters now reside.


Daniel H.8, third child of Stillman L., settled in Lebanon, Ky., where he married Miss Emma Maxwell, Oct. 23, 1866. He is a man who commands the respect and confidence of the people with whom he is associated. His life has been largely devoted to public service, and not without adventure. While holding the office of Internal Revenue Collector for twenty consecutive years, in a section of the State where moonshiners are engaged in the manufacture of whiskey, on which they try to avoid the government tax, he was a target for their posted guards. Horses were shot under him, yet he never turned back without accom- 12


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plishing his purpose. In the settlement of estates his services are extensively employed. Fire has been an effective element in depriving him of property, yet he has never faltered by the way- side, nor neglected the education and development of his children in business pursuits. He has three sons and two daughters, viz .: Howland Maxwell, born in 1867; Lucius Stillman, in 1871; Ward Ray, in 1872; Emma Dunton, in 1875, and Julia Etta in 1877. Howland Maxwell married, Feb. 19, 1895, Miss Lillian daughter of H. H. Hoffman, of Cincinnati, Ohio. They have two children. The remaining children of Daniel H.8 are single.


Luciuss, the fourth child of Stillman L., married Miss Melinda L. Brooks, of Auburn, Me., Sept. 7, 1864; in which city he settled, and engaged in the furniture business in Lewiston. He subsequently moved to Portland, and later, to West Med- ford, Mass., and for years engaged in the carpet business in Bos- ton. Poor health caused him to retire from active life and he now resides in that city. He has one son, Barker Brooks9, born in Auburn, April 21, 1867, who is the eldest male of the Howard family in the ninth generation. Fresh from school where he was liberally educated, he entered the employ of the Boston Tow- Boat Co. He is a young man of good executive ability, promi- nent in the various societies with which he is connected, and although not of the party faith which prevails in his city, he has been in the city government much of the time since its institution. He commands the esteem and respect of the people within the circle of his acquaintance. He is a dutiful son of respected parents, both of whom have long been in poor health.


Julia, the eldest daughter of Stillman L., was educated and fitted for the life of a teacher. From the schools of her native town, she was a student in Monmouth Academy, Edward Little Institute, and later, in the State Normal School, in Farmington. At the close of a successful series of terms taught in Leeds, she was called to the house of sickness of her brother, Lucius, where her care has since been constantly required.


Henriettas, the youngest of the family, was graduated from the State Normal School, at Farmington. She taught in the schools in Leeds, and subsequently was a teacher in the city of Lewiston, where, for several years, her time was devoted to that work. June 13. 1886, she married J. C. Stinchfield and became a companion in his home in Wayne village. March 20, 1890, at the earnest solicitation of her parents, coupled with a child's duty, she and her husband abandoned their home, and assumed their care. May 8, 1888, a son was born, Allen Howard Stinch- field.


After the death of Stillman Lothrop Howard, Esq., which occurred Nov. 9. 1800, the following appeared in the "Lewiston Evening Journal" of Nov. 17: "Stillman Lothrop Howard, Esq ..


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whose death occurred at his home in Wayne village on Sunday, the ninth inst., from the effects of an injury caused by the kick of a horse on the previous Wednesday, was born in Leeds, March 3, 1810. He was the eldest son of Hon. Stillman Howard and Lydia Lothrop, whose birthplace was Bridgewater, Mass. He received an academic education at Monmouth and Kent's Hill. For several years a portion of his time was devoted to the assist- ance of his father in his extensive business, and the remainder to teaching in Maine and Massachusetts, in which his efficiency earned for him a wide reputation. He specially prepared him- self in navigation with a view of instructing the sea-going youth on our coast. April 14, 1833, he married Julia Ann, a daughter of Joseph Turner and Deborah Gilbert, of Leeds. With the


exception of a few months in Auburn, he resided in Leeds sixty- five consecutive years. His integrity and fidelity, with a good degree of business capacity carried him to the front in the respect and esteem of his townsmen and a wide circle of acquaintances. More than forty years was he continually active in public life, having filled for a series of years the offices of school committee, selectman, treasurer, etc. Forty-two years he held a commis- sion as Justice of the Peace; being the first justice appointed and commissioned in Androscoggin County. Thirty years he was a member of the board of trustees of Monmouth Academy. The history of Leeds was written by him for the Atlas of Androscog- gin County. Not unlike his long line of military ancestry, he held a Captain's commission in the State militia. In May, 1875, he purchased the hotel at Wayne village at which place he has since resided. In this town, as in Leeds, although advanced in years, he held the office of selectman and treasurer. His exten- sive public business in legal affairs, and especially in the courts of probate, enabled him to be a valuable and wise counsellor and instructor. To his efforts and influence may be ascribed many public changes and improvements. His was a busy, profitable and pleasant life. The many deeds of charity and kindness, the assistance he rendered the poor and needy bespeak his worth. To the faults of others he was charitable, and slow to censure. As a husband and father, he was always cheerful, pleasant, kind, and indulgent. With feelings of pride, respect and love will they cherish his memory while they deeply mourn his loss. He was buried from the house on Thursday, at which place a large con- course of relatives and friends performed the last sad rites. He was interred in the cemetery at West Leeds, near his former home." His widow survived him, and at the advanced age of 92 died March 7, 1901.


Rozilia Augusta7, the eldest daughter of Hon. Stillman, mar- ried Oscar D. Turner, Jan. 1, 1832. To them were born two daughters, Lucia and Florence. Lucia, married Oliver Gilbert :


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settled in Leeds and had two children. Florence, married Albert Additon, of Greene; moved to New Hampshire; had four chil- dren, and since the death of her husband, has made her home there with them.


Mary Louisa7, married Phillips Turner, and settled in Leeds. To them were born Herbert, who died in childhood, and Victoria Helen8, who married the late, respected citizen, Steven R. Deane. Phillips Turner died about 1842, and his widow, Mary L., Aug. 17, 1856. In the biography of the Deane family, further mention will be made of Victory.


Lydia Arvilla7, married Lloyd Gould, Nov. 13, 1839. To them was born a daughter, Columbia Arvilla, May 12, 1843. She was a maiden lady and died in Lewiston, April 5, 1876. Lydia A., her mother, died Nov. 9, 1848; Mr. Gould died in 1880.


Lucretia Phillips7, married Peter Lane, Feb. 16, 1840; had no issue and died in Brighton, Me., Dec. 23, 1844.


Hon. Seth7, the youngest child of Hon. Stillman Howard6 and Lydia Lothrop, received a liberal academic education in a col- lege preparatory course of three years at Monmouth. On account of failing health he was obliged to sacrifice the fruits of his ambi- tion, although he has added the study and practical education of a life-time, a feature of no less value. Freed from confinement, returned to open air and farm exercise, his health, the most essential feature in life, was restored and has been retained by the same remedy.


During the farm vacations, in winter, his love for the school- room caused him to engage in teaching, in which capacity several seasons were spent with a good degree of success. His ability has been recognized by his townsmen who have frequently called him to services on the Boards of Selectmen, Superintending School Committee and the office of treasurer. The district com- posed of East Livermore, Greene and Leeds was represented by him in the State Legislature. He is a Deacon of the Baptist Church in Leeds, a position he has held for more than twenty years. "He is one of the best types of the intelligent and well read farmers of Maine, liberal of his time and means in religious and educational causes." Oct. 31, 1849, he married Amanda, a daughter of Thomas Additon, Jr. and his wife, Anna Beals. They had issue Elsie Amanda8, b. May 17, 1851 ; Fletcher and Florilla (twins), b. Oct .5, 1853 ; Lydia Ann., b. June 18, 1857; Seth Adelbert, b. June 6, 1859; Dora Lovisa, July 29, 1863, and Lucretia Lane, b. Aug. 22, 1866.


Elsie A.8, married Herbert W. Lincoln, April 11, 1869. They reside in West Leeds. To them were born two daughters and a son, viz. : Annie E.º, b. July 21, 1870; Howard Elliot, b. Dec. 16, 1877, and Mabel Dora, b. Nov. 12, 1879. Annie E. married Alton L. Thomas, May 10, 1890; has a son, Fletcher A.1º, born


HON. SETH HOWARD.


MRS. SETH HOWARD.


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HISTORY OF LEEDS


April 17, 1896, who is the first great-grandchild of Hon. Seth Howard ?. Howard E.º married Gertrude E. Howie, Dec. I, 1896.


Fletcher& was a graduate of Bates College in the Class of 1879. In 1880, he went to Onawa, Iowa, where he studied medicine with Doctor Allen and with whom he was several years associated in the drug business. July 21, 1883, he mar- ried Nancy P., a daughter of Hon. Peleg F. Pike, of Wayne Me. He is a man of character and ability. He has held the position of chairman of the state committee of the political party of which he is a member. He is Commissioner of Pharmacy, to which office, in terms of three years each, he has received his third appointment. Not actively engaged in agriculture, he owns and has operated an extensive wheat ranch. His residence is Des Moines, Iowa. They have no issue.


Florillas, married James C. Pike, a brother of Mrs. Fletcher Howard, Nov. 18, 1877. He is extensively engaged in farm and stock business, in Onawa, Iowa. They have three children, viz. : Frank Howard9 Pike, b. Jan. 4, 1879 ; Cora May, b. Oct. 15, 1881, and Edna Amanda, b. Dec. 19, 1883.


Lydia Ann8, married Charles S. Pike, a brother of James C., Sept. 13, 1882. They have no children. Their- residence is in Onawa.


Seth Adelbert8 went to Onawa, Iowa, in 1879 and engaged in the mercantile business, continuing therein since, with a good degree of success. Sept. 27, 1883, he married Stella Tyron, of Galesburg, Ill. They have two sons, George9, b. July 28, 1884; and Seth, b. Feb. 15, 1886. The name Seth has been one of prominence in the Howard family for more than two hundred years.


Dora Lovisas was graduated from the Normal School in Framingham, Mass. She was an efficient and successful teacher in the schools of her native State and also in Iowa. Nov. 24, 1891, she married Junius C. Wing and made her home in the town which gave her birth. She is the mother of three children, viz. : Beulah A.9, b. March 4, 1893; Arland J., b. March 3, 1897, and Stella A., b. Aug. 21, 1900.


Lucretia L.8 is a maiden lady, who, much of the time since her mother's death, which occurred Jan. 20, 1892, has been the efficient housekeeper in her father's home.


On the evening of Aug. 11, 1891, the large and commodious farm buildings of Mr. Howard, in West Leeds, the same built by his brother Stillman were burned by lightning, together with much of their contents, comprising a larger part of the house furnishings, all the contents of the stable and barns, forty tons of hay, farming tools, carriages, two horses, cows, etc. Thus deprived of a home, he soon purchased the Rackley farm, oppo-


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site the residence of R. S. Loring, M.D., near the center of the town, where he now resides. The house in which he lives was built in the year 1804, by James Lane, who, three years later, set the giant elm now more than four feet in diameter in the front yard, where it stands a living, growing memorial of the planter. Among the relics of his esteemed ancestors, Mr. Howard has his grandfather's brass clock, made by Frederic Wingate, of Hallowell, in 1806; which is well preserved and continues to enumerate the passing time with accuracy. He also has a mirror and arm-chair brought from Bridgewater by Capt. Seth How- ards when he moved his family to Leeds.


MILITARY CAREER OF O. O. HOWARD, MAJOR-GENERAL, U. S. ARMY, RETIRED.


Entered West Point as cadet, 1850; graduated 1854, fourth in general standing; promoted 2nd lieutenant ordnance depart- ment ; stationed first at Watervliet arsenal, New York; in 1855, for about a year, in command of Kennebec Arsenal, Mainc. returning to Watervliet early in 1856; sent thence to Florida, reporting to General Harney for duty as his chief of ordnance in the field against the Seminole Indians ; in the fall of 1857 ordered to West Point, became instructor of cadets in mathematics ; remained there the four years preceding the War of Rebellion ; resigned in May, 1861, and took colonelcy by election of the 3d Maine Vols .; organized regiment and moved it immediately to Washington shortly after arrival directed by McDowell, com- manding in Virginia, to select three other regiments and take command of brigade thus formed ; he took the 4th and 5th Maine and 2nd Vermont besides his own; this brigade he commanded in the first battle of Bull Run; promoted to a brigadier-general of volunteers, September 3d, 1861; during winter of '61-2, had a new brigade, 8Ist Pennsylvania, 6Ist and 64th New York, 5th New Hampshire, 4th Rhode Island, and 45th New York, in camp on front line in Virginia ; latter two regiments soon detached, leaving first four. He commanded this brigade in all operations in the spring [1862] having his first independent expedition to Rappahannock under General Sumner, receiving much credit ; then with McClellan's army, back to Alexandria, and by water to Peninsula, in battles, Yorktown, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks with same brigade; at Fair Oaks was twice wounded in right arm and had two horses shot under him; for this, receiving medal of honor ; while on leave for couple of months, arm then recently amputated, he spent his time of convalescence in rais- ing volunteers, filling the quota of his state, Maine; returned to the field two months and twenty days after Fair Oaks: was assigned to 2d brigade, 2d division (Baker's brigade), some-


O


MAJOR-GENERAL OLIVER OTIS HOWARD, United States Army (Retired).


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times called California brigade; this he commanded in second battle of Bull Run, where he received credit for successfully com- manding the rear guard in the retreat ; same brigade in the battle of Antietam. At Antietam, Sedgwick, his division commander being wounded, he succeeded to command of the division, 2d division 2d corps; commanding same division in completion of this battle, and also in the battle of Fredericksburg, with other divisions charging Marye Heights ; continuing in command same division, sometimes temporarily in charge of the 2d corps, dur- ing that succeeding winter, 1862-3. Was promoted to Major- General of Volunteers, Nov. 29, 1862. In April, 1863, assigned by President to command of the IIth army corps ; had this corps. in the battle of Chancellorsville; where the corps met with a repulse from Stonewall Jackson's attack; also same corps at Gettysburg where he received marked credit, especially for his work the first day, from Gen. Meade and from Congress for selecting the famous field of battle, and holding it with his reserve troops, while keeping superior force in check all day from the time of Gen. Reynold's death till near night ; participat- ing also creditably in the remainder of the battle, till its triumph and close; after Gettysburg one division taken from him and sent to South Carolina ; the 11th corps, thus diminished, and the 12th corps, were detached and sent to the Army of the Cumber- land; with this corps Gen. Howard engaged in the battle of Wauhatchie, 28th October, receiving commendation in orders of his army commander, Gen. Thomas; engaged also in the battle of Missionary Ridge, 24th and 25th Dec., '63. Here his activity was so pronounced that Sherman asked to have his corps move with his own, the 15th, northward to the relief of Knoxville ; this work being successfully accomplished, the 11th corps went back into winter quarters in Lookout Valley. The next spring, April, 1864. Gen. Howard was assigned to the command of the fourth army corps, Army of the Cumberland, while his own IIth was consolidated with the 12th, forming the new 20th corps, under Gen. Hooker. Howard began the spring campaign in the bat- tle of Tunnel Hill, and participated satisfactorily to Sherman and Thomas, in all the operations of that campaign in the following battles : Dalton, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston and Cassville, New Hope Church, Pickett's Mills, Muddy Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp Ground, Peachtree Creek, Ezra Church, Jones- boro and Lovejoy Station. After the engagement of "the Battle of Atlanta," 22d July, in which Gen. McPherson was slain, Gen. Howard was assigned by the President to command the Army of the Tennessee. In the battle of Ezra Church, 28th July, he com- manded the field that day in which the 15th corps was the one mainly engaged, the 16th and 17th and the artillery supporting the 15th and furnishing re-enforcement ; for this action especially,




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