USA > New Hampshire > Strafford County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 131
USA > New Hampshire > Rockingham County > History of Rockingham and Strafford counties, New Hampshire : with biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 131
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The year 1752 was one of trouble. There was con- tention in their annual meeting, one party seceded and held another meeting, and two boards of officers were elected. The proceedings of each meeting were declared illegal by the Legislature. A new meet- ing was ordered, the vanquished became the victors, and so ended the dual government of the town.
This year Windham was dismembered, and about one-third of its territory was annexed to Salem.
536
HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
"Windham was so much weakened by this dismem- berment that it conld no longer support its pastor, Rev. William Johnston, who was dismissed.
The Last French and Indian War .- The treaty of peace signed between England and France October, 1748, was of short duration.
In 1754 hostilities commenced anew. It was the conflict of differing civilizations, and did not cease till French-Catholic supremacy was overthrown in Can- ada, that province conquered and placed under the domination of the British government. As an inte- gral part of the British empire this town was called ·upon for sacrifice, to contribute her share for the pros- ecution of the war, so her sons left the delights of the home and fireside for the sufferings of the march, the duties and privations of the camp, and the perils of the battle-field. Among her soldiers were Samuel Thompson, William Thompson, Hugh Dunlap, Dan- iel Clyde, and many others too numerous to mention here.
In August, 1757, the French and Indians captured Fort William Henry on the north shore of Lake George, in New York, and three thousand troops sur- rendered, when an infamous massacre of prisoners took place. In a New Hampshire regiment of two hundred men, eighty were killed. Windham soldiers were there. Among them was Thomas Dunlap, who was pursued by a savage, who caught him by his queue, and was on the point of braining him with his tomahawk, when Dunlap sprang away, tearing out a large part of the hair from his head, escaped, reached the fort, and was protected by the French.
Some fifty-five different men from this, or the same men at different times, served in the course of the "seven years' war." This was a heavy burden on the young settlement, and we can look back with pride upon this military page of our local history, which shines so brightly with self-sacrifice, heroism, and patriotism. The conflict drew to a close, and Great Britain was victorious. The struggle between the two rival powers of Europe for supremacy in America had ceased, and great was the rejoicing of the English colonists.
The world advances, is educated, and brought to a higher plane through conflict, suffering, sacrifice, and blood. This conflict had aroused the martial spirit of our people, developed their manhood, strengthened their determination and resolution, and fitted them for the greater conflict, the grander struggle of the Revolution, which was so rapidly approaching.
1770, Windham helps colonize Belfast, Me.
In 1770, a year or two previous, and for several years succeeding, citizens of Windham settled in Belfast. Among the actual settlers were John David- son, Deacon John Tufts, and, later, Lieut. James and John Gilman, sons of Col. James Gilman. Owners and proprietors were Alexander Stuart, Robert Mc- Ilvaine. At a later date John Cochran, Joseph Ladd, and A. W. Park became residents.
The crisis was now on them! The waves of that long contest; the French and Indian war, had hardly lulled themselves to rest before the ominous mutter- ings of another tempest were distinctly heard. The breezes of the Atlantic brought to American ears the approaching danger. This war was to prove the mettle of our people, to show the stern grit of our citizens.
Our men were soldiers by their mode of life in the new settlement. They had seen great exposure in the previous wars. They weighed the issues of the coming contest in the intellectual balances of their minds, and were prepared to meet the danger which their conclusion involved. They knew their strength, and were not afraid to use it. They were true in peace and quiet, they were steady and true in the tempest and storm.
A company of minute-men was formed, and when the swift courier brought the news of the Lexington alarm, Capt. Joseph Clyde left his field hurriedly, ral- lied his company, and was gone. The good house- wives cooked provisions, loaded them upon the backs of horses, and sent them after the soldiers.
The following men enlisted immediately after the Lexington alarm, April 23, 1775: James Caldwell, Samuel Caldwell, John Caldwell, Nathaniel Burrows.
May 25, 1775, Lieut. John Dinsmoor was sent a delegate to the County Congress.
Committee of Safety, 1775, were George Davidson, Peter Merrill, Robert Hemphill, Samuel Morison, Joseph Smith, Jolın Dinsmoor, James Gilman, Nehe- miah Hadley, and William Campbell.
June 17, 1775, the battle of Bunker Hill was fought, the cannonading being distinctly heard in Windham. Her sons mingled in the deadly fray, and some had sealed their devotion to American liberty by their death. Tradition says five were slain, but the name of only John Collins has come down to us. John Simpson lost a part of his hand, and received a pen- sion.
These men were in the Continental service July 8, 1775: William Duty, Charles Amiss, Mark Duty, Alexander Brown, John Jameson, Abram Planet, Jacob Nordy, Moses Morys, Jonathan Thompson, John Kinkead, William Mellvain.
The legislation of the town was patriotic. It was always in favor of the patriots. Their quotas of men and money were usually promptly furnished. When a few citizens wished to be excused from the soldier rates, the town always voted not to excuse them.
The following persons signed the Association Test, which was virtually a declaration of independence :
SIGNERS IN WINDIIAM.
Hugh Graham, Jr.
William Gregg.
Willm Gregg, Jr.
David Gregg, Jr.
Alex: McCoy.
Thomas Gregg.
John Campbell.
James Campbell.
Henry Campbell. Arthur Darrah.
Robert Park. Alexr Gregg.
David Gregg.
William Dinsmoor.
557
WINDILAM.
John Cochran, Jr. Alex Simpson. John Morrison. Adam Templeton. Nath1 Campbell. Allen Hupkins. Thus. Wilson. . Dov' Melivaine. George Davidson. James Bolton.
William Dickey. Andrew Park. Alexr Puik.
Willm Thom. Timo, Ladd. Timothy Ladd, Jr. Eliphalet Ladıl.
Andrew Armor. Robert Spear. Alex Richey.
Jubo Anderson.
David Davidson. Nehemiah Hadley. Alex Wilson.
Hugh Brown.
James Caldwell.
David Currier. David Armstrong.
John Armstrong. Saml. Wilson.
Ebenezer Hall.
Julın Kyel. Ilugh ('lyd. John Wilson.
Simon Williams.
l'eter Merrill.
Peter Merrill, Jr.
James Wilson.
AlexT Richey. Hugh Graham. Julin McCoy.
Isaac Cochran. Thomas Jameson. David Hopkins. Robert Smitha. Jeffery Donongh.
James Davidson. Sanıl. Campbel.
Willm Shed.
Henry Campbell.
James G.Imore.
Nath1 Hemphill.
Rob' Hemphill.
James Jameson. George Wilson.
Gain Armor.
Moses Duty.
John Morrow.
James Dinsmoor.
John Miller,
STATE OF NEW HAMPSHIRE, WINDHAM, Ang. the 26111, 1776.
To the Honorable Committee of Sufty of this State the foregoing Re- quest hath been Punctually observed Notwithstanding, Lent Abram Reid, Matthew Reid, Amos Merrill, hath Refused or Neglected to sign the foregoing Declaration.
ALEX'R WILSON SAM'L MONISON NEHEMIAH HADLEY )
- Selectmen.
During the whole war our men shared in the joys of the army's triumphs, or in the sadness of its de- feats. Fourteen men, at least, from Windham were in the battle of Bennington, as follows: in Stark's brigade, Col. Mons Nichol's regiment, Capt. Daniel Runnell's (or Reynolds') company, who enlisted July 20, 1777, were John Campbell, Samuel Campbell, John Stuart, John Hughes. (These are incorrectly credited to Londonderry in Parker's history of that town.)
In Capt. Jesse Wilson's company, same regiment, were Ensign David Gregg (afterwards lieutenant), Samuel Morison, sergeant (grandfather of the writer), Ephraim Kyle, corporal, Alexander Morrow, David Campbell, John Kinkead, John Jameson, Jesse Da- vidson, James Wilson, Thomas Karr, William Bolton.
Casualties .- David Gregg had his thumb shot off. Samuel Morison suffered severely from sunstroke. James Wilson was taken prisoner by a British soldier, and he in turn took his captor captive. John Kin- kead was killed. His sad fate and other incidents of the battle have been put in verse by the " Rustic Bard,"
Robert Dinsmoor. When our soldiers returned from the battle they were welcomed by the citizens, and the " Rustic Bard" had a poem written to commemo- rate the event. The muse's voice has long been silent, and patriotic verse no longer emanates from his pen. The soldiers go no more forth to battle, nor are they troubled by war's alarms. But soldiers and poet sleep their last sleep, and gently the sods cover them.
The success at Bennington was the harbinger of a brighter day. The auspicious morning was at hand when England would be compelled to accord justice to America. The gallant sons of the old Granite State now rallied to join the northern army as men flock to a feast. The British commander was effectu- ally " bottled up," and on the 17th of October, 1777, Burgoyne surrendered to Gen. Gates. Windham men helped to swell the ranks of the patriot army, and participated in those battles, and shared in the glories of the victory. Among them, who enlisted Septem . ber 29th and discharged October 28th, were Col. Isaac Cochran, Sergt. James Davidson, Sergt. Eliph- alet Ladd, Robert Dinsmoor ("Rustic Bard"), Fifer William McCoy, John Campbell, Alexander Gregg, John Cochran, John Armor, Alexander Simpson, John Dinsmoor, Daniel Mellvaine, John Williams (Corp. Daniel Mellvaine was incorrectly credited to Lon- donderry in Parker's history of that town). In Capt. Joseph Finley's company at Saratoga, which marched from Londonderry, enlisted Oct. 1, discharged Nov. 4, 1777, were Adam Dunlap, John McCoy, David Quentin, and William McKeen. These four Wind- ham soldiers are incorrectly credited to Londonderry in Parker's history of that town.
So the record might be swelled with the names of our soldiers, their valor, and the war legislation of the town, but lack of space forbids. These will all be found in the " History of Windham," devoted to such full details ; suffice to say that the record of the sokliers was valiant, the legislation of the town ener- getic, prompt, and patriotic, the enthusiasmn and self- sacrifice of the people under all the privations the war imposed was worthy of all honor.
Members of Constitutional Conventions and Representatives, 1775 to 1882 .- At the commence- ment of the Revolution, when royal authority was op- posed, a convention was called in Exeter in 1774, and most towns in the State were represented. The sec- ond convention met in May, 1775, to consult on State affairs ; the third convention December 21, and pro- ceeded to form a temporary State government. June 2, 1775, John Dinsmoor was sent as delegate. June 22, James Bolton was sent. In October and Decem- ber he was re-elected; also in 1776-77. Since that date they have been as follows:
Lieut. John Dinsmoor, 1778. Jamie's Bolton, 1779-81.
Three conventions of 1782, Deacon Sammel Morison (2d), James Dolton (3d), Deacon John Dins- moor.
Deacon Gain Armor, 1783. James Bolton, 1784-86. Col. James Gilmore, 1787-88. James Bolton, 1789. Voted not to send, 1790. James Bolton, 1791.
Joseph Cloyd. Joli Dinsmoor. John Dinsmoor. John Simson. William Simson. Sam' MeAdams.
Isaac Thom. Benj. Thom. Robert Mcilvaine. John Cloyd. Alexdr Park.
Joseph Smith. James Richey. Alex' Morrow. Jolin Cochran. James Cochran. Robert Dinsmoor. William Rowell. Willm Jameson.
Thomas McCoy.
558
HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
September convention, James Da- | Sammel W. Simpson, 1840. vidson.
Voted not to send, 1792. James Bolton, 1793. Col. James Gilmore, 1794. Samnel Armor, 1796-98. John Dinsmoor, 1799.
Jeremiah Morrison, 1841. Theodore Dinsmoor, 1842-43.
John Hills, 1844-45.
Isnac McGaw, 1846-47.
Theodore Dinsmore, 1848.
Jonathan Parker, 1849-50.
1800, no record.
John Hills, 1851.
Samuel Armor, 1801-2.
Jeremiah Morrison, 1852.
John Dinsmoor, 1803.
Samuel W. Simpson, 185.3.
Sammel Armor, 1804.
Theodore Dinsmoor, 1834.
Jolin Dinsmoor, 1805.
Robert B. Jackson, 1855-56. Samuel W. Simpson, 1837.
John Campbell, 1806. Samuel Armor, 1807-11. John Campbell, 1812.
No choice, 1858-59.
Samuel Armor, 1813.
Samuel Campbell, 1860=G1. Isaac Emerson, 1662-64. William C. Harris, 1865.
John Campbell, 1814-18. Samuel Armor, 1819-20.
George W. Weston, 186G.
Jolin Nesmith, 1821.
Leven Thinyer, 1867. Roi Hills, 1868-70.
Jonathan Parker, 1822-24.
Albert A. Morrison, 1871-72.
Jeremiah Morrison, 1825-26. Samuel Anderson, 1827-28.
William D. Cochran, 1873-75.
Isaac MeGaw, 1829-34.
Joseph P. Crowell, 1876.
Alexander Park, 1835.
Abel Dow, 1877.
Isaac MeGaw, 1836.
llorace Anderson, 187S.
Voted nol to send, 1837.
Abel Dow, 1878-80.
Alexander Gordon, 1838.
llurace Anderson, 1880-82.
Isaac MeGaw, 1839.
Delegate to the Constitutional Convention, 1850, Jeremiah Morrison. Member of Constitutional Convention, 1876, Horace Berry.
War History from 1812-15, and during the Great Rebellion .- When the war of the Revolution was over the best of feeling did not exist between Eng- land and her late colonies. In 1795 war between the nations was averted by an unpopular treaty. There was an itching on the part of the government and a portion of the people to reduce the arrogance of Great Britain, who was mistress of the seas. War at length broke out. It was extremely unpopular in Windham, and denounced in unmeasured terms as a wieked, causeless war, and a useless sacrifice of blood and treasure. It is said that only four men in the town voted in favor of the war, and the conditions of the treaty of peace between the nations justified the views of our people. Though bitterly opposed to the war, the following persons were enlisted or drafted for the service, the most, if not all, being stationed at Portsmouth : Benjamin Blanchard, William Balch, Robert P. Dinsmoor, Samuel Dinsmoor, Thomas Ne- smith, Samuel Davidson, Richard Dow, David Camp- bell, Alexander Gordon, John B. Hilands, Moses Sar- gent, Phillip K. Wilds, Rufus Patterson, Stephen E. Blaisdell, Samuel Rowell, Amos Dow, Thomas Moore, David Durrer, Phineas Danforth, James Simpson, Samuel Marshall, Aaron Senter, Solomon Corliss, John Webster, William Simpson, John Nesmith (served in a Massachusetts regiment), Woodbridge Cottle. When the treaty of peace was signed, Dec. 24, 1814, and ratified by the President, Feb. 17, 1815, there was great rejoicing by all parties. The news of peace was brought from Harbor Hill, Mass., to Wind- ham by Samuel Armor, Esq., who rode up to the houses of people shouting, " Peace, peace, peace !" and with- only a word of explanation he reined his horse into the highway and was gone to carry joy to other households.
So far as this town is concerned, peace reigned for many years. The war with Mexico did not affect us, and not a soldier is known to have gone from the town. But a storm was brewing which would shake - to their centre the foundations of our national gov- ernment. The slaveholders' rebellion was at hand, and the hour would call for sacrifice on the part of our people. Sumter was attacked April 19, 1861. The North sprang to arms. The following list is very nearly correct of the men furnished by the town :
Three months' men, five. Walter Burnham, Asa Bean,1 Seth N. Huntley,1 William Wyman, Moses Wyman,1 James G. Batchelder, Jesse Crowell, Theo- dore Clark, Joseph R. Everett,1 Albion K. Goodwin,1 Horatio Gleason, John Calvin Hill, Samuel Haseltine, John G. Johnson,' Lemuel Marden, Moses Myrick, Louis MeConnihe, Lewis Ripley,1 James G. Stone, Caleb G. Wiley,1 Moses Wyman.
William Anderson, John G. Bradford, Asa Bean, George W. Colburn, Henry W. Chellis, Horace W. HIunt, Seth N. Huntley, John W. Hall, David B. Fessenden, Micajah B. Kimball, William N. MeCon- nihe, Reuben A. Phillips, James S. Stephens.
Carl Albert, Joseph G. Ayers, James Baker, James Brown, C. II. Bachelder, George W. Durant, Severe L. Duplissis, Albert Fletcher, Charles E. Hanscom, George A. Jackson, Joseph F. Mugot, Elixis Mar- cotte, Truworthy Norris, Ephraim Plimpton, Went- worth S. Cowan, Thomas Crook, Patrick Hannan, Bernard MeCam, Oliver Burns, James Murphy, Russell W. Powell, Jasques Dreux, James Brown, Charles Cole, Frederick Otis, James C. Crowell, Charles Fegan, George W. Carr, Whiting R. Riehard- son, Gilman Jaquitt, James Jones (colored), Harry Hancock. Seven citizens were drafted and sent sub- stitutes. Eleven citizens voluntarily sent substitutes to the war.
So closes the war history of the town.
CHAPTER LXXXIV.
WINDHAM .- ( Continued.) ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, ETC.
THE Scotch settlers of Windham were of a stern and rugged type, and clung to the tenets of the Pres- byterian Church with an obstinacy hard to surpass. Nor is this surprising when we consider the circum- stances of their lives and stock to which they be- longed. They were the descendants of the Cove- nanters. Their fathers had resisted the onslaughts of the Roman Catholic and the English Established Church. They hated Popery, and had but little more regard for the English Church. They had struggled on through the troubled years, bearing aloft the en-
1 Re-enlisted.
559
WINDHAM.
sign of their faith,-to them the only true faith,-and their banner the only true standard of the cross.
The story of the past was familiar to our first set- tlers. It was engraved upon " the red-leaved tablets" of their hearts, and that they should cling with great tenacity to the faith and form of worship of their fathers is not surprising.
The religious side of their characters was strongly developed. They were the followers of John Knox, and exhibited much of the stern, honest, plain, un- compromising spirit of that reformer.
This town has been decidedly orthodox from the beginning. Many families attended meeting at what is now East Derry. After attending to their morn- ing duties the whole family, even women and chil- dren, would walk eight or nine miles to meeting, listen to two long sermons, and then return to their homes, not reaching them till after dark. So they prized the sanctuary, and appreciated and loved dearly the faith in which they trusted. The first religious meetings were holden in barns during the warm season for eleven years, when, in 1753, the first meeting-house was built on the high ground southeast of Cobbett's Pond. Following the custom of the dear old father- land, the burying-ground stood beside the kirk. The dead rested near the living, worshiped where in sum- mer days, through the opened windows which let in the sunshine and the breath of flowers, the words from the lips of the living preacher might be borne by the breezes and quietly wave the grass which grew and the flowers which bloomed on the mounds above the peaceful sleepers. This spot is now known as the cemetery on the hill, a lovely place, sacred to the as- sociations of the past, sacred, too, to the tender mem- ories of the present as well.
Rev. William Johnston received a call, July 12, 1742, to settle here, but was not installed till 1747. His salary was two hundred pounds and the use of the parsonage, besides three hundred pounds as a set- tlement. Ile ordained as ruling elders Nathaniel Hemphill, Samuel Kinkead, and John Kyle. By the dismemberment of Windham, in 1752, whereby about one-fourth of our territory with its people were an- nexed to Salem, the society was so weakened that it could not support the minister, and he was dismissed in July, 1752, having been with this people at least ten years. He was a highly-educated man, having been graduated at the University of Edinburgh, Scot- land, after a seven years' course. He was of Scotch descent, was born in 1710 in Mullowmale Co., Tyrone, Ireland, and was the son of William and Elizabeth (Hoey) Johnston. Came to America previous to 1736; was then pastor of the Presbyterian Church at Worcester, Mass. After leaving town he preached at Corry's Brook, now Duanesburgh, Washington Co., N. Y. He afterwards purchased five hundred acres of land at Sidney Plains, N. Y., where his descend- ants live, and died at Florida, Montgomery Co., N. Y., May 10, 1782. He married while in Windham a sis-
ter of the wife of Rev. William Davidson, of London- derry, Anna, daughter of Dr. John and Anna (Witter) Cummings. Her father was a surgeon in the British navy, and died on the coast of Africa.
Rev. John Kinkead was installed October, 1760, with a salary of £1300, old tenor, or about 8216, six pounds making one dollar. The following elders were ordained by him: John Armstrong, Samuel Campbell, David Gregg, Lieut. Samuel Morison, Robert Hopkins, John Tuffts. The ministrations of Mr. Kinkead were not satisfactory, nor his deport- ment such as to win the love and respect of his people, and he was dismissed in April, 1765.
Rev. Simon Williams was ordained in December, 1766, with a salary of about $233.33, with a settlement of $200 and the use of the parsonage. IJe was pastor here for twenty-seven years, dying Nov. 10, 1793. He did a noble work, and his influence lives after him. He established a private academy, which was an im- portant tributary of Dartmouth College. As a scholar he was eminent, and was much beloved by the people. He married Maria Floyd, who died July 28, 1805. They were born Feb. 19, 1729, the same hour, in Trim, County of Meatlı, Ireland, and they are buried in the cemetery on the hill, and his grave is directly beneath where the pulpit stood in the old church. He ordained as elders John Dinsmoor, Robert Park, John Anderson, William Gregg, Samuel Morrison, Robert Dinsmoor (" Rustic Bard"), Alexander Mc- Coy.
A new church was at the centre of the town in 1798. Rev. Samuel Norris was ordained over the church Oct. 9, 1805, and continued as pastor till he was dis- missed on account of failing health, in 1826. He con- tinued to reside here till his death, Sept. 6, 1848, in the seventy-fourth year of his age. Ile married, April 17, 1798, Ruth Pratt, born Aug. 29, 1779, died March 22, 1869. Their son, William C. Harris, is a resident of Windham. His ministry was a successful one. David Gregg, James Davidson, William David- son, John Davidson, Jesse Anderson, Samuel David- son, J. P. Johnson, Eleaser Barrett, James W. Per- kins, Jacob E. Evans, and David McCleary were ordained elders.
Rev. Calvin Cutter was installed over the church in April, 1828, and died Feb. 19, 1844. Ile had pre- viously been settled in Lebanon, N. H., was gradu- ated at Dartmouth College in 1819, at Andover Theo- logical Seminary, 1823. During his ministry the present church was built (1834), and the old house is now the town-house. The latter has at different times been occupied for preaching some three months a year by the Methodists and Unitarians.
The eldership was increased by these additions : In 1833, Samuel Anderson, Jacob Harris, Silas Moore, David Campbell, Jonathan Cochran. In 1843, Theo- dore Dinsmoor, Joseph Park, Benjamin Blanchard, David A. Davidson, and R. Hills. One hundred and fifty-eight persons united with the church be-
560
HISTORY OF ROCKINGHAM COUNTY, NEW HAMPSHIRE.
tween 1830 and 1844. Mr. Cutter possessed a great deal of intellectual strength and vigor. Ile married, June 3, 1824, Rhoda Little, of Boscawen, N. 11., who died Aug. 15, 1852. Their sons, Rev. Charles Cutter, is settled in Burton, Ohio; Rev. Carroll Cutter, D.D., is the efficient and able president of Western Reserve College, Hudson, Ohio.
In 1845, November 5th, Lorin Thayer was ordained over the church, with a salary of five hundred dollars. Like the most of his predecessors, he continued with his people till death. For over twenty years he con- tinued their pastor, and the disease which terminated in his death, Sept. 19, 1869, was the cause of the dis- solution of his pastoral relation with his people, April 25, 1866.
He died at the age of fifty-four years, and he is buried among us, as are three of his predecessors. He was thrice married, his last wife being Elizabeth C. Farley, who became closely identified with the so- ciety and interest of the people. She survived her husband till March 4, 1878. His ministry was an eminently successful one, and the memory of him and his wife are tenderly cherished by many. Samuel Campbell became an eller during his pastoral charge. Jan. 20, 1868, Joseph Lauman received a call to settle, and he was installed June 2, 1868. A parsonage was built in 1868 at an expense of over three thousand dollars. Mr. Lauman's pastorate continued till his resignation. He was dismissed Feb. 6, 1872. He now resides at Taylor's Falls, Minn.
Rev. Charles Packard was installed April 29, 1873, at a Salary of eight hundred dollars and the use of the parsonage. The church was thoroughly remod- eled in 1874, and rededicated Dec. 29, 1874. The outlay was two thousand six hundred dollars.
William C. Harris, Horace Anderson, and William D. Cochran became elders in the church Dec. 26, 1878.
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