USA > Maine > Lincoln County > Waldoboro > History of the town of Waldoboro, Maine > Part 12
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DR. THEOBALD.
Dr. Ernest Frederick Philip Theobald was at Doernigheim, near Frankfort-on-the-Main, in Germany, Dec. 2, 1750. He graduated from the University of Gottingen in 1772. He studied medicine and also fitted himself for the ministry. Having an acquaintance with Baron Reidesel, he obtained a commission as chaplain in the Hessian Division of Burgoyne's army which surrendered to the Americans at Saratoga, Oct. 17, 1777. A portion of these prisoners, including Dr. Theo- bald, were marched to Boston and paroled. He appears to have been in Dresden in 1778. If so he must have come to Waldoboro later as tradition makes his stay here about three years. He was married to Sally Rittal at Pownalboro, (now Dresden) Feb. 22, 1781, by Jonathan Bowman, Esq. He may have been here between these dates. He died in Dresden in 1809, leaving several sons and daughters.1
WATERMAN THOMAS.
It seems strange that a man of so much promi- nence should be so little known. He came from Mansfield, Mass., and was engaged in trade. When the town was incorporated he was chosen the first moderator, and in 1799, when the Custom House was established, he was appointed Col-
I. Charles E. Allen, Esq.
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lector of Customs. He was a nephew of Major General John Thomas, who died at Chamblee, Canada, June 2, 1776. Waterman Thomas was a man of great popularity, doing an extensive business. By virtue of authority conferred upon him by the act of incorporation of the town of Thomaston, he issued the warrant, to Mason Wheaton, warning all inhabitants and freeholders to assemble and choose all necessary town officers. From this act the town is said to take its name. He built a fine house near Thomas's Hill which was burned about forty-five years ago. In later years his fortune departed and he became a de- faulter.
DR. BENJAMIN BROWN.
Benjamin Brown, M. D., was born in Swan- sea, Mass., Sept. 23, 1756. He was a descendant of Chad Brown and Roger Williams. In 1778 he was surgeon on board the frigate Boston, com- manded by Capt. Samuel Tucker, under orders to convey Hon. John Adams as envoy to France. He probably served with Tucker also on the sloop of war Thorn. Dec. 21, 1780, he was married to Susannah Wells. Dr. Brown oscilated between Bremen, Waldoboro and Providence, and finally located in Waldoboro between 1800 and 1802.
Dr. Brown was a physician and surgeon of the old school and he continued in practice in Waldo- boro till his death which occurred Sept. 17, 1831.
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Roads were not so numerous in those days and he traveled on horseback, carrying his medicine in saddle bags. That he enjoyed the confidence of the people was shown by his election to the Legis- lature and Representative to Congress serving from Dec. 4th, 1815 to March 3d, 1817. He was at one time largely interested in shipping, but lost his property through capture by the French and thereafter had to depend upon his profession for his support.
After the completion of his term as President, Hon. John Adams came to Waldoboro and was hospitably entertained by Dr. Brown.
HENRY FREDERICK HELMERSHAUSEN.
Henry Frederick Helmershausen was born at Wallichen, an estate near Weimar, in the Grand-duchy of Saxe-Weimar, March 27, 1851. He had two sons. The eldest, Henry Frederick Helmershausen, born Sept. 3, 1784, married Lydia McLintook in Waldoboro, July 22, 1817, died Aug. 24, 1865.
Henry Frederick Helmershausen, Senior, served in the war of the Revolution from March II, 1778, to March 1I, 1781, in Col. Elisha Sheldon's 2nd Continental Light Dragoons. He was commissioned as Forage Master Oct. 3, 1780, and placed in charge of a brigade of teams loaded with stores for the continental army Aug. 22, 1781. He came to Waldoboro in 1802. Being
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about to visit his old home in Germany he re- ceived the following document from the Waldo- boro selectmen :
Waldoboro, May 7, 1805.
This may certify to whom it concerns, that Henry Frederick Helmershausen has been an inhabitant of this town for three years past, and he has always maintained the charac- ter of a good citizen, and as such we take this method of rec- ommending him.
JACOB LUDWIG Selectmen of
GEORGE DEMUTH
THOMAS MCGUYER Waldoborough.
He left Boston in the ship Adams, May 31, 1805, and returned from Hamburg, April 30, 1806. His wife Anna died in Waldoboro, July 2, 1831. Both his sons served in the war of 1812. One of his most noted grandsons was Rev. Edwin Adams Helmershausen, born in 1842, died in 1873; in the ministry of the M. E. Church eleven years ; Presiding Elder. One of his granddaughters is Adella Helmershausen, the poetess, residing in Chicago. He was buried in the Robinson bury- ing ground, Jefferson. JOSHUA HEAD.
Joshua Head was born in Boston, July 18, 1767, and died in Warren, Aug. 3, 1841. He married a sister of the wife of Governor King. He came to Waldoboro previous to 1795 and went into trade with his brother John, who was postmaster of Waldoboro twenty-six years. He had another brother in Warren and one in Bos-
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ton, all merchants. Joshua Head erected the mansion at Kaler's Corner, now owned by G. W. Clouse. The farm connected consisted of 125 acres. He was a candidate for Congress.
CHARLES MILLER.
Son of Frank and Anna Miller, was born in Waldoboro, November 5, 1772; died there No- vember 26, 1846; married first, Elizabeth Kinsell, born in Waldoboro, 1766, died there February 18, 1817; married second, Fanny Boyd of Wiscasset, intentions of marriage filed March 12, 1819. She was born July 28, 1780; died Waldoboro, October 23, 1846.
Charles Miller was for many years one of the leading business men in his community, and was prominent and influential in public affairs. He devoted himself almost exclusively to his business interests, in the affairs of his native town and state, and in a quiet way rendered effective service to the party with which he was politically indenti- fied. In 1816, Mr. Miller represented Waldoboro in the General Court of Massachusetts, and was a member of the lower branch of the Maine legis- lature in 1826, 1827, 1828, 1829, 1830, 1833 and 1834, a legislative career exceeded by few, and marked by good judgment and honorable service.
Mr. Miller passed his early life on the home farm in Waldoboro, and his education was that which he was able to obtain by attendance during
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the winter months at the district school. His deficiencies in early education were neutralized by a shrewd observation, and a careful and continued reading of general and secular literature, aided by a natural aptitude for acquiring information.
After he moved to the village he engaged in trade dealing in a line of goods which embraced nearly every article required for family and gen- eral use. At first his business ventures were conducted on a small scale, but as they continued to increase he entered upon a notable career of ship building which covered many years of active and intelligent service. During his fifty years of business life, he built in his shipyard on the Me- domak river a fleet of 25 vessels, the lumber for which was procured from the neighboring forests. He retained the sole ownership of nearly every vessel he constructed. With his vessel holdings and other forms of property, he left at his death a considerable fortune.
FREDERICK CASTNER.
Frederick Castner, who died in Waldoboro, Sept. 26, 1876, at the age of 98 years, 9 months, was born in Waldoboro and had always been a resident of the village. He successfully followed the business of merchant and shipbuilder, and for several years served the town as selectman, though all the time his own political party was in the minority, He was a member of Colonel Reed's
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battalion when it went to the defense of Camden in 1814. His property was destroyed by fire three times within seven years.
COL. ISAAC G. REED.
Col. Isaac Gardner Reed was born in Little- ton, Mass., Nov. 16, 1783. His father, Isaac Reed, was a graduate of Harvard College. His mother, Mary Gardner, was a daughter of Isaac Gardner, who was slain at Lexington. He gradu- ated from Harvard College, class of 1803. He read law with Hon. John Locke of Bellerica, and, having been admitted to the bar, he came to Jef- son in 1807. March 2, 1808, he removed to Wal- doboro, where he entered upon the practice of his profession with untiring energy and gratifying success. He married the widow of George D. Smouse. He was a member of the convention which framed the constitution of Maine and de- signed and prepared the seal of the State. He took great interest in military matters and rose to the rank of colonel of the militia. His figure on horseback always attracted attention. He died in Waldoboro, April 26, 1847.
WILLIAM J. FARLEY.
William Jewett Farley was fitted for college at Lincoln and Hebron academies and graduated from Bowdoin College in the class of 1820. He read law with Col. Isaac G. Reed and was admitted to the bar of Lincoln County after the
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usual period of study. He located first in Cam- den in 1825. From Camden he moved the next year to Thomaston. He was a candidate for Congress twice but was defeated. He died in Thomaston, July 16, 1839, in the thirty-sixth year of his age.
WILLIAM SPROUL.
William Sproul was born in Bristol. He was a son of James Sproul, who came from the north of Ireland to Bristol about 1740. William married Jane Johnson of Bristol, and removed to Waldo- boro in the spring of 1797, purchasing the farm and mills of John Ulmer, which extended west- ward from the river and included much of the present business part of the village. He built a house which was moved off when the Sproul block was built. He was engaged in shipbuilding in Bristol and continued to some extent in Wal- doboro. He died in Waldoboro, April 18, 1840. His son George was born here April 23, 1800. HENRY KENNEDY.
Dea. Henry Kennedy was born in the north western part of Waldoboro, Sept. 23, 1797, and and died at his home in Waldoboro village, Oct. 13, 1875, at the age of 76 years. His boyhood was spent upon the farm. In 1824 he came to Waldoboro village and commenced business as a trader in partnership with Joseph Clark. Dis- solving his connection with Mr. Clark, he entered
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upon the business of shipbuilding which he fol- lowed till his death. He filled several positions as a town officer and represented Lincoln county in the Maine Senate. In 1837 he united with the Baptist church and in 1844 was chosen Deacon. He was devoted to the church and was its most able supporter during his life. His benevolence was broad; he was a friend of the sick and the poor and always ready to contribute to objects of charity. He was connected with the militia and at the time of the Aroostook war held the rank of Brigadier General.
SAMUEL W. JACKSON.
Mr. Jackson was born in Jefferson, Nov. 30, 1812. Died in Waldoboro, May 25, 1896. He came to Waldoboro, Oct. 1, 1853, to assume the duties of Deputy Collector of Customs. He served eight years in the Custom House, after which he remained in Waldoboro. In 1863 he was elected a director of the Medomak Bank, and Oct. 24, 1864, was chosen President. He was representative from Waldoboro to the legislature in 1864 and 1865. For many years he was town clerk and he frequently served as selectman and assessor. In town affairs he was considered authority, and he was always interested in the town.
JOHN BULFINCH.
John Bulfinch was born in Boston, Sept. 29,
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1791, and died at his home in Waldoboro, Nov. 23, 1884, at the age of ninety-three years. He was the son of Jeremiah Bulfinch. In 1812 he graduated from Harvard University. He paid a portion of his college expenses by writing legal and official documents. He was the last survivor of his class. After graduation he sold the proper- ty in Malden, which he had inherited from his grandfather, John Bulfinch of Boston, and removed to Belfast, Me., where he became a a teacher in the Belfast academy. He read law in the office of B. P. Field, Esq. of Belfast, and also with Hon. Samuel Thatcher of Warren, who was the attorney of General Knox. He was ad- mitted to the bar at the Supreme Judicial Court at Wiscasset, in May, 1819.
He opened an office in Union where he re- mained seven years. He became interested in education and was four times elected a member of the school committee. On one occasion he incur- red great personal danger by rescuing a young lad from drowning, for which act he was presented with a gold medal by the Massachusetts Humane Society. He was a man of small stature.
In November, 1823, Mr. Bulfinch removed to Waldoboro, where he continued to practice law. June 28, 1825, he married Sophrona Pike of Cam- den, who died Dec. 27, 1859.
He had an extensive practice in the courts of
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Lincoln county and was considered a sound lawyer and careful adviser. As the early allotments of land were often poorly defined, boundry lines were frequently contested, and on many occasions it was necessary for him to unite the labors of sur- veyor to those of the lawyer.
The people of Waldoboro were very generally engaged in shipbuilding and commerce, with which interests Mr. Bulfinch soon became asso- ciated. With his son-in-law, Capt. H. H. Lovell, he purchased the ship "Jenny Lind," which after two voyages to Europe, was sold in New York. The ship "Wings of the Morning" was then built in Waldoboro, and dispatched under command of Capt. Lovell to San Francisco by way of Cape Horn.
At Waldoboro Mr. Bulfinch continued active in all that related to the schools and for a number of years he aided in maintaining a private academy. He possessed a fine literary taste and culture and amid all the cares of a busy life he retained a practical knowledge of the classical languages. In his old age he might frequently be seen reading the Greek testiment or the Latin Commentaries of Cæsar.
GEORGE D. SMOUSE.
George Demuth Smouse was born in Waldo- boro, Feb. 5, 1799, and died in Waldoboro, May 17, 1880, aged 81 years, 3 months. He was old-
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est son of Capt. George D. Smouse, a name now extinct in Waldoboro. His sister Bertha married Dr. John G. Brown. When the Medomak Bank was organized in 1836, Mr. Smouse was chosen President and he was a director of the bank forty- four years. He was an active member of the German Protestant Society. He was in the ship- building business with his half-brother, Isaac Reed, and Augustus Welt, under the name of Reed, Welt & Co. which continued till his death. His knowledge of the early history of Waldoboro was very accurate and full, his honesty was pro- verbial, his word as good as his bond. NATHANIEL GROTON.
Hon. Nathaniel Groton was born in Waldo- boro and graduated from Bowdoin College in 1814. He commenced the study of law in the office Col. Isaac G. Reed and finished it with Hon. Benjamin Ames of Bath. After his admission to the bar he opened an office in Bath. In 1832 and 1834 he was elected senator from Lincoln County and in the latter year was appointed Judge of Probate, a position he held by successive ex- ecutive appointment till near the time of his death which occurred at Bath, Oct. 25, 1858. DR. JOHN G. BROWN.
Dr. John G. Brown, son of Dr. Benjamin Brown, was born in Providence, R. I., in 1797. He received an academical course at Lincoln
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Academy and studied medicine with his father and was graduated from Bowdoin Medicial College in 1826. He practiced his profession several years in Waldoboro, and married Miss Bertha Smouse. He built the house on the corner of Main and Church streets, now owned by Capt. John B. Stahl, which he sold to the late James Hovey. He removed to the city of Bangor, then to Rox- bury, Mass. From Roxbury he removed to Reading where he died in 1866.
DR. JOHN MANNING.
Dr. John Manning was born in Gloucester, Mass., Oct. 12, 1789. He graduated from Har- vard College in 1810 and became a physician. The same year his father fitted him out with a horse, saddle, saddle bags filled with medicine, and told him to "shift for himself." He started for Waldoboro with a letter of introduction to Payn Elwell, a former resident of Gloucester, and was some ten days on the journey, every day of which it rained. His success in obtaining patients in competition with Dr. Brown was not flattering the first three or four years, and he obtained ap- pointment on board the Privateer "Monmouth" sailing from Portland, but he made only one voyage and returned to Waldoboro, where he gradually secured standing and the good will of the older physicians, not only here but in sur- rounding towns, and was frequently called in con-
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sultation. He continued in practice and mean- time acted as town clerk. In 1834 he was chosen senator for Lincoln county. In 1842, he removed his family to Rockport, Mass., where he practiced till his death which occurred Feb. 7, 1852. He lived in Waldoboro in the house now owned by Miss Elizabeth Genthner.
HON. ISAAC REED.
Hon Isaac Reed was born in Waldoboro, Aug. 22, 1809, and was the oldest son of Col. Isaac G. Reed. He fitted for college at Bloom- field Academy, but, as he preferred mercantile life, he decided not to enter college. He was senior member of the well-known firm of Reed, Welt & Co., and was President of the Waldoboro State and National Bank during its entire exist- ence of thirty-two years. From 1843, for more than twenty-five years, he presided over the Wal- doboro town meetings. He was a member of the board of selectmen for many years; he represent- ed the town in the Maine legislature six times and was elected to the Maine senate five times, and he was a member of the State board of Agri- culture and a Trustee of the Maine Insane Hos- pital. In 1854 and 1855 he was the whig candi- date for governor and served as State Treasurer in 1856; he was a member of the thirty-second Congress, and it was through his influence that an appropriation was obtained to build the Wal-
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doboro Custom House and Post Office. He died in Waldoboro, Sept. 19, 1887.
REUBEN SEIDERS.
Reuben Seiders, son of Jacob Seiders, was born in Waldoboro, in 1809. He graduated from Bowdoin College in 1831, and from the Harvard Divinity School in Cambridge in 1836, becoming a Unitarian preacher. He was united in marriage with a Miss Austin, taking her name. The Aus- tin family possessed an ample fortune and Mr. Austin, as we may call him, preached only when it was convenient for him to do so. He died in Cambridge in 1847.
DR. WILLIAM LUDWIG.
William Ludwig studied medicine with Dr. Benjamin Brown and after two full courses of lec- tures he graduated from Bowdoin Medical College, class of 1825, and entered upon the practice of his profession in Waldoboro where he died in 1849.
DR. HIRAM BLISS.
Dr. Hiram Bliss was born in Vershire, Vt., May 18, 1805. He graduated at Dartmouth in 1825, and practiced his profession at Vershire and at Longmeadow, Mass. He came to Waldo- boro in 1833 and practiced medicine here till his death which occurred Jan. 26, 1874.
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JOHN H. KENNEDY.
John H. Kennedy was born in Jefferson where he received a common school education. He came to Waldoboro and read law with Col. Isaac G. Reed, whom Mr. Kennedy always referred to as "Colonel Reed."
Mr. Kennedy had a large law practice and was also interested in shipping. He was one of the leading lawyers of Lincoln County, and was County Attorney of that county when it included what is now Knox, Sagadahoc and Androscoggin. A leading lawyer of his day said of him: "Ken- nedy's plain, simple manner of addressing a jury, makes him a hard man to meet." He was noted for his honesty, generosity, genial disposition and the simplicity and carelessness of his dress. He was familiarly known and called "John H."
He died in Waldoboro, March 30, 1863, aged 45 years.
ALBION P. OAKES.
Albion P. Oakes was born in Sangerville, Maine, Aug. 14, 1826. He attended Foxcroft Academy and graduated from Waterville College, at eighteen. After graduation he studied law in Waterville and graduated from Balston Spar Law School. He first taught school in Waldoboro in 1847. Later he was a law partner of Hon. S. S. Marble. He married Miss Ella A. Clark, Oct. 17, 1853, and died in Waldoboro, June 21, 1859.
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CAPT. HERMAN KOPPERHOLDT.
Captain Kopperholdt was born in Aarhuus, North Denmark, June 22, 1814. Having finished his education, he went to sea as a cabin boy with his uncle. He sailed in various crafts till 1835, when he arrived in Charleston, S. C., where he shipped on the ship Majestic of Thomaston. In 1853 he took command of ship Ella A. Clark. In 1859, having sold the ship Ella A. Clark in Liverpool, he came here and was put in command of ship J. Webster Clark. In 1863, he took the new ship Edwin Clark, and when he left this ship he re- tired from the sea. He died in Waldoboro, Jan. 11, 1891.
CAPT. H. H. LOVELL.
Harvey Hinckley Lovell was born in Barn- stable, Mass., Nov. 30, 1817, and died in Waldo- boro, April 20, 1899. He went to sea at the age of fifteen years and at nineteen was an officer. A few years later he was master. He success- fully commanded two barks and several ships, among them the Jenny Lind, Wings of the Morn- ing and John Harvey. He came to Waldoboro in 1851 and retired from active business in 1873. He married a daughter of John Bulfinch, Esq. HON. SEBASTIAN S. MARBLE.
Mr. Marble was born in Dixfield, March I, 1817. He practiced law in Wilton and Dixfield and came to Waldoboro in 1851 and continued
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his law practice. He was Deputy Collector of Customs at Waldoboro from 1861 to 1863, and Collector from 1863 to 1866; was Register of Bankruptcy from 1867 to 1870, U. S. Marshal for Maine from 1870 to 1878. He was elected to the Maine Senate in 1882, 1884, and 1886, and as President of the Senate, became Governor on the death of Governor Bodwell.
JOSEPH CLARK.
Joseph Clark was born in Jefferson where he received such education as the common schools afforded. In his early years he taught school. In 1823 he came to Waldoboro and went into trade, taking as a partner the following year, Henry Kennedy. This partnership continued three years. A year or two after the dissolution, both Mr. Clark and Mr. Kennedy commenced shipbuilding the same season, Mr. Clark building a top-sail schooner at the cove just above the shoe factory. This property he afterwards sold to William Matthews. In 1835 he built the ship Sea Lion in Smouse's yard on the west side. He soon afterwards purchased the property near the bridge which he used as a ship yard till his death, launching large ships where nobody thought it could be done. During his long career as a ship- builder, he launched forty vessels of all dimensions and rigs. The first few years of Mr. Clark's resi- dence in Waldoboro, was a struggle for a start in
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life, but success seemed to attend his every under- taking, and he soon ranked as one of the wealthy men of this region. At the time of his death he was probably the richest man in Lincoln County. His death, which occurred July 19, 1875, was caused by neuralgia of the heart.
Mr. Clark furnished employment to a large number of mechanics. His course after the great fire of 1854, when he was urged to make some other town his abode, showed he had the welfare of Waldoboro at heart. When the project of building the Knox and Lincoln railroad was start- ed it met his favor. Upon the completion of the road he was made a Director, which position he held at the time of his death.
DR. DANIEL WILSON.
About 1850 there came from Newport, Me., one Daniel Wilson, a botanical doctor, who had a great run of business for several years. After living in Damariscotta, Warren and Rockland, his fame and practice gradually declined and he died a town charge in Waldoboro.
BELA B. HASKELL.
Mr. Haskell was born in Hardwich, Mass., Oct. 27, 1805. At the age of sixteen years, he was induced to come to Waldoboro by William Haskell, who was a partner of William Sproul. He walked to Boston and took a packet for Wal- doboro where he learned the trade of carding and
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cloth dressing. He went to Windsor and spent three years in a carding and cloth mill. Returning to Waldoboro he married Miss Elzira Sproul and went into trade with George Sproul. In 1837 he went into partnership with Isaac Reed, which partnership continued ten years. He was inter- ested in shipbuilding. He was Collector of Cus- toms under the administrations of Taylor and Fill- more. He was the first and only cashier of the Waldoboro Bank. He died in Godfrey, Ill., April 24, 1887, aged 82 years. ALDEN JACKSON.
Mr. Jackson was born in Jefferson where his boyhood was passed. His education and skill in penmanship early brought him to the notice of the public and after serving in many responsible positions he removed to Augusta. to become Deputy Secretary of State under Hon. John G. Sawyer, serving from 1850 to 1853. He was Secretary of State in 1854, 1855 and 1857. He was Secretary of the electoral college of Maine in 1856 and 1872. As a member of the Superin- tending Shool Committee and Board of Assessors of Waldoboro, as well as a business man and citi- zen, Mr. Jackson was always in advance. He married Caroline, oldest daughter of Joseph Clark. His death from Bright's Disease, occured in Wal- doboro, July 11, 1877, aged 67 years.
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