USA > Michigan > Clinton County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 66
USA > Michigan > Shiawassee County > History of Shiawassee and Clinton counties, Michigan > Part 66
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William Sawyer came with his father from the shores of England in 1851, and removed to Oakland County. William having, meanwhile, earned sufficient means, purchased, in 1853, forty acres of land upon section 2, in the township of Rush, upon which the family removed. As he was but seventeen years of age, the father was made custodian of the property. After a residence of sixteen years upon the original purchase Mr. Sawyer removed to section 36, where he has three hundred and fifty acres, of which two hundred are improved.
He found his land on section 2 uneleared, and at once set about the erection of a habitation. While engaged at this work he eamped in the wilderness a portion of the time, and labored the whole of one night to construct a roof for the eabin, which had been built some time and was greatly dilapidated. William Sawyer, Sr., remained upon the original purchase until his death.
The venerable Richard Freeman, for many years a resi- dent of New Haven, and one of its foremost pioneers, became a settler in Rush in 1854, having purchased ninety- eight acres on section 25, which he improved and re- mained upon for many years. Ile still survives, and may with propriety be considered a resident of both New IJa- ven and Rush, as his time is equally divided between his children, with whom he ever finds a cordial welcome. Patrick Rourke and William Noonan cach located upon eighty acres on section 26. This land was in its original condition of forest and brush on their arrival, but has been hy their industry transformed into luxuriant grain-fields. They have creeted for themselves comfortable houses upon these farms, in which they now reside.
Curtis Devoe, a former resident of New York State, was among the pioneers of 1854, and located upon eighty acres on section 12 which he found unimproved on his arrival, and no roads to make the land accessible from adja- eent points. Ile. at onee erected a log building and began the process of clearing. Upon this land he remained until his death in 1877, when his son Theodore became possessor, and now occupies the farm together with the log house already built.
George Sawyer came with his father and brother William in 1853, and succeeded to the original home on seetion 2, which he purchased of the latter in 1871 and upon which he now resides.
276
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
Samuel Shuster was a former resident of Ohio, and in 1854 became a settler in Rush, having secured one hundred and sixty acres on section 15. He found the land unim- proved, and was able on his arrival to do but little towards clearing, his time having been entirely occupied in labor for his support. While building he found a welcome to the home of Josiah Isham, who theu had a farm of eighty acres on section 23 and later returned to Ohio. Mr. Shuster afterwards increased the dimensions of his farm to two hundred and forty acres, upon which he is erecting a substantial residence.
Samuel Ayres, who lived upon one hundred and sixty aeres on section 21, was also from Ohio, and a near neighbor of Mr. Shuster, as was William Hughes, who purchased eighty-eight acres north of his land on section 10. At this date there was but one school building erected in the township, located on section 25, very limited educational advantages having been enjoyed by the youth of Rush at an early day.
Benjamin Washburn removed from Ingham County to this township in 185-1, and located upon eighty acres on section 12. Curtis Devoe, who came the same year, pur- chased a farm near him, and the two pioneers materially assisted cach other in the early labors of the settler. Mr. Washburn and his family remained one night with Robert Irland, and the following day Mr. Devoe with his team brought their household goods to his own home, where they remained until a house was built. Mr. Washburn was advanced in years and made little progress. He remained upon the farm until his death in 1869, after which Joseph Iloffinan became the owner. One son, Charles C. Wash- burn, now resides upon forty acres on section 1.
G. Whitfield Drown became a settler soon afterwards upon section 36, where he cleared a farm, and subsequently sold to John R. Bush, who remained for several years and disposed of the property in 1860 to G. W. Essig, the present occupant. The land is well improved, and em- braces one hundred and seventeen acres.
Among others who became residents of Rush between the years 1850 aud 1855 are William Berger, who located upon one hundred and twenty acres on section 27; D. S. Center, who purchased seventy-one acres on section 36, and an additional one hundred and twenty on section 22; l'atrick and Michael Carmody, each having farms on section 27 ; Solomon Horn, who owned eighty acres on section 26; John Russell, residing upon sixty acres on section 8; William F. Stearns, who became a settler on section 24; Daniel Whitman, who cleared a farm of eighty acres ou section 5; William Scott, whose pioneer experiences in the township began on section 30, where he had one hundred and forty acres; Audrew Simons, on section 25; and Samuel Wood, on section 7. These settlers all performed much of the early labor incident to clearing the wilderness of Rush, and are equally deserving of credit.
The following lists show the names of the resident tax- payers in the township of Rush in the years 1850 and 1855 :
1850.
Acres. 40
Robert Irland, section 24 ..
Jaeoh Rush, section 25 33
Henry Rush, sections 24, 25. 220
Jane Goss, seetion 25
5
Jonas Robbins, sections 26, 36. 151
William B. Hurd, section 26. 80
Avery Thomas, section 36 103
1855.
Samuel Ayres, section 21. 160
William Berger, section 27 120
D. S. Center, sections 36. 22. 191 Patrick Carmody, section 27.
60
Michael Carmody, section 27
80
Silas Clark, section 5.
41
Curtis Devoe, section 12
SO
Richard Freeman, section 25.
Jane loss, section 25 100
Walter Graham, section 5
80
William Hughes, section 10. 80
Josiah Isham, sections 23, 24 86.80
56,40
Robert Irland, section 24.
John McClure, section 35
10
William Noonan, scetion 26
80
Jacob Rush, section 25. 201
Patrick Rourke, section 26. 80
Jonas Robbins, section 26
80
Michael Rourke, section 26
160
John Russel, section 8
60
John Robinson, section 2
40
R. A. Sutliff, section 8
60
William Sawyer, seetion 2
92.19
Anson Simons, section 25.
. William Stearns, sections 24, 25. 93.12
160
William Scott, section 30
141
Avery Thomas, section 36 102
Benjamin Washburn, section 12. SO
Sau.uel Wood, section 7
40
Daniel Whitman, section 5
80
EARLY HIGHWAYS.
Roads were early opened by the first settlers iu the town- ship to afford them means of egress from their lands, but no official record of highways in the township of Rush ap- pears earlier than 1845, when Nelson Ferry, on the 23d and 24th of January of that year, surveyed the following road : "Commencing on the south west corner of section nine- teen, township eight north, of range three east, and following a northerly course to the quarter post on the line of section one in township eight north, of range two east ; thence north thirty-four minutes, east thirty-nine chains and ninety-two links, to the northwest corner of the township of New Haven."
This road was not officially recorded until Nov. 7, 1850.
A road was surveyed in April, 1850, by Ezra Mason, " beginning at the southeast corner of section twenty-six in township eight north, of range two east ; thence running 'west eighty-eight degrees, east, on section line, sixteen chains and ninety-two links; thence west fifty-two degrees, east three chains and twenty-eight links; thence west seventy-four and a half degrees, east two chains and seventy-seven links; thence south nine and a quarter degrees, east two chains and sixty-three and a half links; thence west eighty-nine and a quarter degrees, east six chains aud forty-five links ; thence south fifty-seven and three-quarter degrees, east three chains and sixty-eight links ; thenee south eighty-six and a half degrees, east four chains and nineteen links to a stake in the centre of the highway."
Jobs for the chopping, causewaying, and ditching of the above road were let by the commissioners of highways, May 15, 1850, on the ground described. The successful bidders were Francis R. Pease, Robert Irland, Richard Freeman, Avery Thomas, Thomas Irland, and C. S. Kim- berly. Other roads followed as necessity demanded thew.
92.54
Samuel Shuster, section 15.
98
Solomon Ilorn, section 26.
Cyrus Isham, section 23
Acres.
277
RUSH TOWNSIIIP.
ORGANIZATION AND CIVIL LIST.
The exterior lines of the township of Rush were sur- veyed by Joseph Wampler, though no official record of the date of survey appears. The subdivision lines were run by William Brookfield in 1823. The township was erected by aet of Legislature, approved March 28, 1850, which de- clared " That township eight north, of range two east, in the county of Shiawassee, be and the same is hereby set off from township seven north, of range two east, in said county, and organized into a separate township by the name of Rush, and the first township-meeting therein shall be held at the house now occupied by Henry Rush, in said township."
Pursuant to the requirement of the organizing aet, the first township-meeting was held at the place designated, on the 1st of April, 1850. At the meeting Henry Rush was chosen moderator, William Goss township clerk, and Robert Irland and William B. Ilurd inspectors of election. The officers elected for the year were : Supervisor, Avery Thomas; Township Clerk, William Goss ; Treasurer, Robert Irland ; Justices of the Peace, William Goss, Avery Thomas, Robert Irland ; Highway Commissioners, William B. Ilurd, Jonas Robbins, Robert Irland; Directors of the Poor, Ilenry Rush, Richard Freeman ; School Inspector, Avery Thomas; Constable, Jacob Rush.
The following list embraces the succession of township officers annually elected iu sueeeeding years to the present, viz. :
SUPERVISORS.
1851. William Goss. 1869-70. John Henderson.
1852-55. Avery Thomas.
1871. E. P. Bliss.
1856. William Goss.
1872. Peter Hendriek.
1857-58. James E. Crane.
1873. John llenderson.
1859-60. Thomas C. Crane. 1874. William II. Dean.
1861. G. W. Love.
1875. Charles Freeman.
1862. E. P. Bliss.
1876. Alfred Crane.
1863-66. George W. Love.
1877. Charles Freeman.
1867. R. F. Dutcher.
1878-80. A. B. Crane.
1868. G. W. Love.
TOWNSHIP CLERKS.
1851. Ebenezer Whaley.
1866. John King.
1852-53. William Goss.
1867-69. A. B. Allen.
1854-55. Jacob Rush. 1870. Charles O. Lapham.
1856-57. P. II. Doolittle.
1871. A. B. Crane.
1858-59. E. P. Bliss.
1872. A. B. Allen.
1860. Avery Thomas.
1873-75. John Skelton.
1861-63. James A. Ilayt.
1876-79. Thomas Corcoran.
1861. E. P. Bliss.
1880. Byron C. Pierce.
1865. John Henderson.
TREASURERS.
1851. Robert Irland. 1869-71. Charles Freeman.
1852. Richard Freeman.
1872-73. William II. Dean.
1853. Anson Simons.
1874. Edwin E. Bunting.
1854-56. Richard Freeman.
1875. A. B. Crane.
1862. R. S. Haines.
1876. Jobn Skelton.
1865. John Freeman.
1877-78. James A. Hayt.
1866-67. R. S. Haines.
1879-89. William II. Dean.
1868. John Henderson.
JUSTICES OF THE PEACE.
1851. Richard Freeman.
1857. James A. Hoyt.
1852. J. V. Shaft.
1853. William Goss.
1854. R. C. Sutliff.
1859. Robert F. Dutcher.
1860. James E. Crane.
Avery Thonins.
1861. James A. Hayt.
1862. A. B. Allen.
1857. Thomas C. Crane. Solomon Horn.
1863. E. P. Bliss. 1871. R. Freeman.
1864. Solomon Iloro.
1872. John Goodwin.
1865. John Henderson.
Myron Bignall.
John Stack.
1873. William Caldwell.
1866. George W. Love. A. B. Allen.
1874. M. W. Willoughby. John Goodwin.
William Cook.
1875. A. B. Allen.
1876. B. C. Pierce.
1868. J. A. Hayt. John Henderson. Myron Bignall.
1869. O. A. Pease. 1877. John HIendorson.
1870. William Caldwell. 1878. M. F. Goodhne.
William Cook.
1879. Myroo Bignall.
R. Freeman. 1880. A. L. Fowler.
SCHOOL INSPECTORS.
1851. Avery Thomas. 1865. George W. Love.
1852. Avery Thomas.
1866. John llenderson.
J. V. Shaft. G. W. Love.
1853. William Goss. 1867. James A. Hoyt.
1854. Benjamin Washburn.
1868. John Henderson.
J. V. Shaft.
1869. J. A. Hayt.
1855. Anson Simons.
1871. Charles Freeman. John Henderson.
1856. James E. Crane.
1857. T. C. Crane.
Charles Washburn.
1858. John W. Thorn.
1872. Lorenzo llayt.
.
1859. R. F. Dutcher. Myron Bignall.
T. C. Crane.
1873. Lorenzo Hlayt.
1860. T. C. Crane.
C. E. Bunting.
1861. E. P. Bliss.
1874. C. E. Bunting.
1862. William Cook.
A. B. Crane.
1863. E. P. Bliss.
1875-76. James A. Huyt.
1864. John Henderson.
1877-79. Byron C. Pierce.
James A. Hayt.
ISSO. F. C. Pieree.
11IGIIWAY COMMISSIONERS.
1851. Jonas Robbios.
1865. Samuel Sbnster.
1852. William Guss. 1866. Major Smith.
1853. William Burgess. 1867. James A. Hayt.
1854. Curtis Devoe. William Sawyer.
1855. Samuel Shuster.
1868. Peter Doolittle.
1856. William Burgess.
1869. Peter Hendrick.
1857. Richard Freeman.
Orlo A. Pease.
1858. William Burgess. 1871. Thomas Carmody.
1859. William W. Curtiss.
George Sawyer.
1860. Ilumphrey Seott.
1872. Perry Comstock.
1861. George W. Love.
1873. Thomas Carmody.
1862. John Shuster.
1874. George W. Webh.
William Cook.
1875-78. Thomas Carmody.
1863. William Burgess.
1879. Hiram Davis.
1864. William Cook.
1880. Myron Dignall.
DIRECTORS OF THE POOR.
1851. William Goss.
1855. Richard Freeman.
1852. William Goss. Solomon Horn.
Aden Jacobs.
1856. Stephen D. Crane.
1853. William Goss. Solomon Horn.
Avery Thomas. 1857-58. Richard Freeman.
1854. Robert Irland. Joseph W. Webbor.
Avery Thomas.
1859. Robert Irland.
Avery Thomas.
DRAIN COMMISSIONERS.
1872-71. Alex. M. Skelton. 1878. George Sawyer.
1875. George Sawyer. ISSO. Alex. M. Skelton.
1876. John Goodwin.
SUPERINTENDENTS OF SCHOOLS.
1876-77. M. W. Willoughby. 1878-80. William Caldwell.
G. D. Palmer.
George D. P'aliner.
1867. W. M. Case.
1858. Benjamin Washburn. Avery Thomas.
1855. Richard Freeman.
1856. R. S. Haines.
278
HISTORY OF SHIAWASSEE COUNTY, MICHIGAN.
CONSTABLES.
IS51. J. Robbins.
1868. Myron Washburn. C. Il. Allen.
E. Whaley.
1852. Theo. Robbins.
1869. Truman Bailey.
Lorenzo Hayt.
1853. William Burgess. Theo. Robbins.
John W. Hudson.
1854. Solomon Horn.
E. Pease.
John Robinson.
1870. C. O. Lapham.
1855. William A. Simons.
Truman Bailey.
1856. William A. Simons. D. S. Center.
John King.
1857. William A. Simons. John Russell.
1871. Truman Bailey.
1858. William A. Simons.
William Sawyer. Samuel Shuster. Jonathan Betts.
1859. William A. Simons.
1872. M. W. Drake.
Cyrel Drown.
Truman Bailey.
1860. Joseph W. Webber. William W. Curtis.
E. P. Bliss.
1861. James Carmody. George Irland.
1874. John Stack.
1862. Cyrel Drown.
Cyrus Isham.
Riley Punches.
C. O. Lapham.
llenry Shuster.
1875. C. C. Washburn.
1863. John Henderson.
C. Carmody.
R. Punches.
John Henderson.
J. Robbins.
1876. J. D. Reiff.
1864. John Henderson.
L. D. Hayt.
John Shuster.
D. Henderson.
William Cook.
Ilenry Robbins.
R. S. Ilaines.
1877. Truman Bailey.
1865. Charles Freeman.
II. W. Horn.
Patrick Carmody. James Carmody.
John Carmody.
Grove Pratt.
1878. D. S. Henderson.
1866. Charles II. Allen.
William Cady.
James Carmody.
T. Bailey.
Thomas Carmody.
P. Carmody.
Charles Washburn.
1879: J. D. Keiff.
1867. James Retan.
John Crane.
James Carmody.
A. Pollard.
Charles II. Allen.
A. G. Peck.
Martin Rourke.
1880. Charles Burgess.
ISGS. John Arnold.
Samuel Rubyon.
Truman Bailey.
J. D. Keiff.
HENDERSONVILLE.
The ground upon which the village of Hendersonville is . located embraces the north part of the northeast fractional quarter of section 23, and was surveyed April 7 and 8, 1879, for A. Henderson, by Ezra Mason. The land was originally entered by Gideon Lee, of New York City, April 7, 1836. It was by him sold to Josiah Isham, from whom it was purchased by Andrew Henderson, who came from Ohio to this county in 1858 and removed to his pur- chase, upon which a log house had been previously built by Isham. Mr. Henderson began the improvement of this land, on which very little had been previously accomplished by the previous occupant, and soon after built near the bank of the river another and a more commodions dwelling. William Cook came soon after from Wayne Co., N. Y., and located on forty acres adjoining, on the same section. The first building in the hamlet was erected by John IIen- derson, son of the original purchaser of the plat, in 1868. In it he placed a stock of groceries and conducted the business for two weeks, when it was purchased by C. O. Lapham, formerly of Seneca Co, Ohio. I. Brierly after- wards built a blacksmith-shop and remained one year,
after which he removed to the western portion of the State. John Henderson erected another store, which he conducted for a brief period. John D. Palmer was an arrival of 1872. He constructed a steam saw-mill for Palmer, Det- wiler & Co., which was subsequently consumed by fire, when another mill was erected double the size of the first. A large building was at the same time devoted to the com - forts of the laborers employed in the mill. The store which Mr. Henderson had built was consumed by fire, but another speedily replaced it. William Detwiler arrived from Ohio in 1874, and commenced the grocery trade on an extensive scale, having now one of the most completely appointed stores in the county. In 1875, John Henderson erected a spacious hotel, and is now its landlord. Dr. J. S. Bare arrived the same year as the first resident physician of Hendersonville. Isaae Peck came soon after, and suc- ceeded to the mercantile enterprise of John Ilenderson. The business of the village now embraces two general stores, owned respectively by William Detwiler & Son and Isaac Peck (the latter of whom confines himself principally to groceries ) ; one wagon- and blacksmith-shop, owned by M. F. Goodhue ; a boot- and shoe-shop, kept by Charles Shaw ; and a hardware-store.
The first post-office was established in 1866, and Wil- liam Cook received the commission as postmaster, having the office at his residence. The present postmaster is George N. Detwiler, and the mail is dispensed from the store of Detwiler & Son. Thomas Corcoran has charge of the public school located at the village. The Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw division of the Michigan Central Railroad has a station at Hendersonville, with George N. Detwiler as station-agent,
The Flouring-Mills of Geo. D. Palmer were established by the proprietor in 1878, for the purpose of engaging in an exclusive custom trade. They have two run of stones, and are furnished with steam-power from an engine of forty- five horse-power. The mill is equipped with the modern improvements in machinery for manufacturing flour of a superior quality. The mills have a capacity of four hun- dred bushels per day, and enjoy a large patronage from residents of the surrounding country.
CHURCHES.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
Preaching was early held in the various school-houses of the township, and services were conducted first by Rev. John Gillam, and later by Rev. Mr. Kellerman and Rev. Mr. Crippen. It was not, however, until 1879 that an or- ganization was effected under Rev. W. II. Hicks. During the year a church edifice was begun, the ground upon which it stands being located on the Henderson plat. This building, which, when finished, will be complete in all its appointments, will cost, when ready for occupation, fifteen hundred dollars. The building committee were John Goodwin, H. W. Hicks, G. N. Detwiler. A Sabbath- school is connected with the church, in which the Society of the Disciples unite with the Methodist Episcopal Church. About fifty scholars are enrolled. M. P. Gardner is super- intendent.
E. Hendricks.
William Sawyer.
R. F. Dutcher.
1873. (No record).
John Stack.
Truman Bailey.
D. Henderson.
RESIDENCE OF JOHN WHALEY. SHIAWASSEE TP. SHIAWASSEE CO MICH.
279
SHIAWASSEE TOWNSHIP.
CHURCH OF THE DISCIPLES.
This society was organized in the year 1879, under the anspices of Elder Massey, the earliest meetings having been held in January, 1878, at the school-house in Henderson. A series of revival-meetings had previously been held, on which occasion twenty-one persons were baptized.
Elder Hurd was for several months the pastor of the so- ciety. Since his departure the church has been without regular ministrations, though services are occasionally held at the school-house. A pastor will doubtless soon be in- stalled in connection with the New Ilaven charge. The trustees are William Dean, Joseph Hoffman, Edward Bunt- ing, John Lytle. The church-roll embraces sixty members.
The Society of the United Brethren also have an organi- zation in the township.
SCHOOLS.
The information obtained regarding the earliest schools of the township is vague and incomplete. The first school- house in Rush was erected in the Goss neighborhood on section 25, in 1850, and known as the Goss school-honse. Miss Amanda Shepard was an carly teacher, but probably not the earliest. The second school-house was located on section 6, and known as the Washburn school-house, hav- ing been built some years later. The division of the town- ship into school territory embraces five whole and two frac- tional districts. The board of directors is composed of the following-named gentlemen : J. A. Mayerhoffer, C. W. Ilall, E. E. Banberry, A. L. Fowler; Humphrey Scott, William S. Lewis. The corps of teachers embraces seven males and six females. They have under their superin- tendevee three hundred and twenty-three children, of whom eleven are non-residents. One log and six frame school-houses have been erected for their use, a portion of which number are spacious and of modern architecture.
CHAPTER XL.
SHIAWASSEE TOWNSHIP .*
Location and Natural Features-Original Land-Entries-Settlements and Settlers-Township Organization and Civil List-Early High- ways-Shiawassee Exchange-Early Schools-Church History- Shiawasseetown-Newburg-Fremont-Village of Bancroft.
THE township of Shiawassee, in the priority of its settle- ment, takes precedence of all the other townships of the county. Its forests yielded to the enterprise of the pioneer nearly a score of years before some townships of the county of Shiawassee were affected by the presence of the settler, and much of the early business enterprise of this portion of the Territory was at one time concentrated within its limits. From the advent of the earliest pioneers within its boundaries in 1831, and the development of its resources which followed, until the present, its progress has been steady and rapid.
Geographically, it may be described as located southeast of the centre of the county, with its northwestern corner nearly
ยท By E. O. Wagner.
on the territorial centre. It is bounded by Caledonia on the north and Antrim on the south, while Vernon joins it on the east and the township of Bennington bounds its western line. Several small villages contribute to its business activity, chief among which is Bancroft, in the southeast, whose marvelous growth, resulting from the opening of the Chi- eago and Northeastern Railroad, has made the township one of the prominent centres of commercial activity. The Shia- wassce River, entering at section 25, on the eastern side, pursues a devious course to the northward, and curving again to the cast makes its exit at section 1. Looking- Glass River flows across the southwestern corner, and Maple River takes its rise in a marsh north of the centre of the township, and flows north and west, passing through section 6 into Bennington. The surface of the township is sufficiently rolling to relieve it from monotony and to render the scene picturesque and in many localities exceedingly beautiful. The soil may be described as a combination of clay, sand, and vegetable mould. The latter prevails in the timbered land along the northern boundary, while sand enters largely into the composition of the soil in the south. Gravel, though occasionally found, is not abundant. South of the centre still remain traces of marshy land, though much of it has been modified by draining. Wheat, corn, and oats are among the staple products, the average yield of the former being twenty bushels to the acre, while oats and corn produced a crop of fifty bushels to the acre.
The prevailing woods are beech, elm, maple, basswood, and black-walnut, though the latter is not abundant. Oak- openings are occasionally seen, and invariably accompanied by sandy soil. Pine prevails in certain localities, though not properly included with the prevailing timber of the township.
ORIGINAL LAND-ENTRIES.
The lands of Shiawassee township were entered from the United States government or purchased of the State by the following persons :
SECTION 1. Acres.
Augustus Riggs, 1831. 86.76
B. D. Worthing, 1831
77.86
William Black, 1832.
132.75
George Kittridge, 1836
205.28
Peck, Nimocks and Jlooker, 1836. 205.16
SECTION 2.
S. W. Denton, 1821. 3.27
S. T. Cooley, 1831 69.12
B. D. Worthing, 1831 79.12
Joseph Pitcairn, 1836.
Jerry Hillman, 1836 80
201.92
C. M. Van Doren, 1836. 201.52
L. B. Wizner, 1836.
SECTION 3.
11. 6. Walker, 1836. 123.81
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