USA > New York > Gazetteer of the State of New York: embracing a comprehensive view of the geography, geology, and general history of the State, and a complete history and description of every county, city, town, village, and locality, Part 1 > Part 63
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Names of Townships.
Date of l'atent.
Acres.
Patentees.
Bedlingtou,
May 24, 1770,
27,000 John Lake and asso- ciates.
Franklin,
Feb. 26, 1770,
30,000 Thomas Wharton aud lerse Meredith.
Goldsborongb,
June 15, 1770,
6,000. Edward Tudor, Ber- mard Ratzer, and Jobu Clark.
Strasburgh,
Dec. 4, 17TO,
37.000 John Butler and asso- ciates.
Whiteborouglı,
March 10, 1770, . 35,000 Henry White and as- Ruciates.
The qnitrents of these lands were fixed at 2 shillings sixpence per 100 acres. payable annually on the Feast of the Annuncia- tion of B. V. M. There was generally in the patent I mme to each 1000 acres of the grant, although the bona fide owners were usually few in onnibers.
8 A select committee of the Assembly. in 1846, reported the following tracts under lease in this co. : Kortright J'attend. 30.000 acres, mostly leased in fee, at sixpence sterling per acre. It was offered for sale at $2 per acre. Desbrosses Trad. (Harder- burgh Patent.) 60.000 acres. mostly leased in fee between 17. and 1807, at 1 shilling per acre after the first 7 years. 12en . from 100 to 200 acres. Morgan Lewis Faute. 201010 acres, ale! 15.000 under perpetual lease, at 20 bosb. of wheat per lon acres
S. Verplanck. 3 tracts. originally 50.000 acres, of which less than 30.000 were under Ware. R. R. Livingston met Mrs. Man- gomery: 20,000 acres. under perpetual least, on a rent of 20 bush. of wheat per 100 acres. Gen. Arasstrong. 5.000 arres. under lease for 3 lives, at 20 bush. of wheat per lon acces. Hunter's fee, with a rent of 12; to 15 or 15 cents per acre.
259
DELAWARE COUNTY.
appearing disguised and armed, under a penalty of imprisonment in the eo. jail for a term not ex- ceeding 6 months. Persons thus armed and disguised might be prosecuted under the fictitious names they assumed, if their real names could not be discovered ; and such persons assembling in publie houses or other places to the number of three or more might, upon conviction, be imprisoned 1 year in the co. jail. If convieted upon an indictment for a conspiracy or riot or other misdemeanor, in which offense they were armed with deadly weapons, they were further liable to a fine not ex- ceeding $250, with or without a year's imprisonment. To men inflamed by passion and intent upon the resistance to law in one forni, its violation in other points was a matter of slight account; and the statute against the wearing of disguise was openly disregarded in the sections where the anti- rent spirit prevailed. An arrest under the above act was made in Roxbury, in Feb., and " Big Thunder," (Daniel W. Squires,) the culprit, was lodged in jail. The excitement which this arrest occasioned was so intense that the sheriff deemed it prudent to place a strong guard over the jail ; and the decisiou with which the affair was conducted occasioned a temporary calm. On the 7th of Aug. 1845, Osman N. Steele, deputy sheriff, an active, fearless, and faithful officer, was shot in the town of Andes while in the performance of his duty, and died in a few hours.1 The Governor immediately issued a proclamation declaring the co. to be in a state of insurrection, and placing it under martial law. A battalion of 300 militia, one-half of whom were mounted, were called out and placed at the disposal of the local officers.2 They continued in service several months. The mounted men were actively employed the first 2 or 3 months in small detachments, aiding the civil authorities in making arrests, and in patrolling day and night such distriets as the exigency of the service required. The residue was employed in guarding the jail, and as foot patrols in the vicinity uf Delhi on the occasion. On two occasions detachments of troops attended the sheriff to State prison with prisoners.3
ANDES --- was formed from Middletown, April 13, 1819. It lies on the s. E. border of the co., E. of the center. Its surface is a broken and hilly upland, intersected by the deep, narrow ravines of the E. branch of the Delaware and its branches. The hills are high, rocky, and irregular, and are bordered by steep declivities.5 The Delaware flows s. w. through near the center of the town. Trempers Kil, Little Bush Kil, and Shaw Brook are the other principal streams. The valleys of these streams are all narrow and tortuous and are bordered by rocky hillsides. A considerable portion of the town is still covered with forests. The soil is a clayey and shaly loam underlaid by hardpan upon the hills, and a gravelly loain of good quality in the valleys. Andes, (p. v.,) en Trempers Kil, in the x. part of the town, contains an academy,6 3 churches, a flouring mill, and 2 tanneries. Pop. 350. Cabin Hill, (p. o.,) in the N. w., is a hamlet. Shavertown and Trempers Kil are p. offices. Permanent settlement commeneed in 1784. A few farins were taken up prior to the Revolution, but were abandoned. The w. part of the town began to be settled in 1794-96.7 During the anti-rent excitement this town was the scene of much violence, and Deputy Sheriff Steele was murdered here by a mob, Ang. 7, 1845. Rev. Mr. House, of Col- chester, held the first religious meetings, in 1797.8
BOVINA9-was formed from Delhi, Stamford, and Middletown, Feb. 25, 1820. It is an inte- rior town, lying directly E. of the center of the co. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by the (leep valleys of small streams. The highest summits are 1500 to 2500 ft. above ti le. The streams are Little Delaware River, flowing w. through the center of the town, Bush Creek, the outlet of Teunis Lake, and Coulter, Maynard, Mountain, and Grants Brooks. The valleys of these streams
1 For full particulars see Governor's Message in 1846, and Goulit's Hist. Del. Co., Chap. xii. About 90 persons were in- dicted for the murder, of whom one-third were arrested. Two ! )'Conner and Van Steenburghi were convicted and sentenced to be executed, but their punishment was commited to Stale prison for life by Gov. Wright. and they were fully pardoned by Gov Young. The co. remained noder martial law from Ang. 18 In Dec. 22. 1845. The murder of steele led to the speedy aban- Comment of secret organizations and Indian costumes.
" A emmpany of volunteers under Benj. T. Cook. aml another under John R. Baldwin. were formed, and organized into a bat- Malion under Thomas Marvine as major. A company of light infantry from Unadilla. under Capt. Bolles, was also called ont, atyt reported themselves to Maj. Marvine.
7 Among the first settlers were JJames Phoenix. - Omsted, Peter Burgher, Joseph Erskine, Silas Parish. E. Washburn. Eli Sears, Jacob. Adam. and Philip Shaver, and Philip Barnhart. The first birth was that of Philip. son of Adam Shaver. Oct. 2, 15x6: the first marriage, that of Henry Myers and Cathar.no Shaver. June 17. 17:9: am the first death, that of Win. June. 3 Adjutant General's Report: Assen. Doc. 6. 1846. The whole Wm. Washburn taught the first school, in 1792-93: Edward expense of this service was 863,653 20, which was charged to the Sands kept the first store. Russell Comstock the first inn, and con, but has never been repaid. Consideralde tracts of land have since been conveyed in fee: and of others. the rent is now paid an formerly, and if in arrears, suits are instituted without ditli- enlty.
4 Natued from the mountainous character of its surfue.
6 .. MI. Pisgalt'' is the highest point between the two branches of the Delaware. By a R. R. survey from Oneonta by way of Elk Creek. Delhi and Fish Lake. the Fish Lake summit is ascertained to be 1640 ft. above tide. By another route. up the Little Dela- ware and Conlters Brook, the highest point on the line was almost the same height. Mt. Pisgah measured 1500 ft. above this. or about 3400 feet above tide.
6 Erected by Henry Down in 1847. It is not incorp.
Robt. More built the first mill on Trempers Kil in 1797.
8 The census report- & churches; 2 Avo. Ref. Prot . and 1 each Bap .. O. S. Bap. Pong .. M. E ... Presh., and Union.
9 Name appdied by Gen. Erastus Root, from the Latin, in allu- sion to its fitness for grazing.
260
DELAWARE COUNTY.
are narrow and are bordered by steep, roeky hillsides. Teunis' and Landons Lakes are small bodies of water near the s. border. The surface is stony, and the soil is generally a elay loam, admirably adapted to grazing. Brushland,? (p. v.,) on the Little Delaware, contaius a tan- nery, gristmill, and clothing works. Pop. 183. Bovina,8 (p. v.,) at the junetion of Maynard and Mountain Brooks, contains about a dozen houses. Mountain Brook is a hamlet. The first settlement was begun in 1792, by Elisha B. Maynard, aud during the sueeeeding 3 years many families from Conn. and Scotland located in the valleys.4 Rev. James Richie eouducted the first religious services, in 1795. The first church (Asso. Presb.) was formed in 1809. The census reports 3 ehurehes; M. E., Asso. Presb., aud Ref. Presb.
COLCHESTERS-was formed from Middletown, April 10, 1792. A part was annexed to Walton in 1799; Haneoek was taken off in 1806, and a part of Walton was annexed in 1827. It occupies a eentral position upon the s. E. border of the eo. Its surface is a mountainous upland, broken by the narrow valleys of the streams. The E. braneli of the Delaware flows westward through the N. part of the town, dividing the highlands into two distinet parts. From the N. it receives West Trout, Downs, and Coles Brooks, and from the s. Clearwater and several smaller brooks. Beaver Kil flows through the s. w. eorner, receiving Spring Brook as a tributary. The valleys of these streams are all narrow, and many hundred feet below the summits of the hills which rise on either side. The soil is a reddish elay, and is ofteu very stony. A considerable share of the surface is still covered with forests. Lumbering is extensively pursued. Downs- ville, 6 (p.v.,) on the Delaware, at the mouth of Downs Creek, contains 3 ehurehes. Pop. 206. Pepacton and Colchester are p. offiees. The first settlement was begun in May, 1774.7 The first religious services (Bap.) were conducted by Elder Haynes, and the first ehureh (Bap.) was formed in 1803. There are now 2 churches in town; M. E. and Presb.
DAVENPORT8 -- was formed from Kortright and Maryland, (Otsego eo.,) March 31, 1817. It lies along the N. border of the eo., E. of the center. Its surface is a broken upland, divided into two ridges by the valley of Charlotte River, which extends E. and w. through the center of the town. These ridges are subdivided by the narrow, lateral valleys of tributaries of Charlotte River. The soil is a chocolate eolored clay loam mixed with slate. Fergusonville,9 (p. v.,) on Charlotte River, on the E. border of the town, contains an academy,10 a chureh, and several manu- facturing establishments. Pop. 125. Davenport, (p. v.,) 3 mi. below, contains a population of 95. Davenport Center (p. v.) contains a eradle and rake factory and 5 sawmills. Pop. 125. West Davenport" (p. v.) contains a woolen factory, 3 sawmills, and 90 inhabitants. The first settlers were Daniel Farnsworth and - Pross, who located upon the present site of Davenport Center in 1786.12 At that time an Indian trail, of sufficient width to admit the passage of wagons, extended along Charlotte River. Elder Mudge (M. E.) condueted the first religious services, and commeneed regular preaching in 1813.13
DELHI44-was formed from Middletown, Kortright, and Walton, Mareh 23, 1798. A part of Bovina was taken off in 1820, and a part of Hamden in 1825. A part was annexed to Walton in
1 This lake lies at the foot of Mit. Pisgah, and its shores are ' breth. Nathan Elwood, Nathan Fuller, Joseph Gee, Caleb and muddy, and covered with bushes and course grass. It was . Henry Sutton. Jas. Miller. and Dennis, Jared. and John Hlitt. named from a friendly Indian who saved the carly settlers of ; The first birth was that of Catharine, a daughter of Wm. Ror. Dec. Middletown from massacre by giving them a timely warning. Ifis Init was near the lake, and he remained several years after the war. Tradition attributes to this region rich lead miues known only to Indians.
2 Named from Alex. Brush. first settler and proprietor.
8 Locally kuown as " Butt End."
4 Francis Coulter, Levi and Jacob Mabie, Jas. Kidzie, Andrew Chisholm, Jas. Ray, and Thos. Liddle were early settlers along the Little Delaware. The first birth was that of Elisha H., son ot Elisha B. Maynard, Ang. 26, 1793; the first marriage, that of James Russell and Nancy Richie, in 1802; and the first death. that of Aaron, sou of Abraham Nichols. Abel Adams taught the first school, in 1810: James Wetmore kept the first inn, at the " Took :" James McClure the first store, at Brushland ; Stephen Palmer built the first mill. in 1796, for Gov. Lewis; and John Jerome the first factory, in 1808.
5 Name applied by Joseph Gee, from Colchester, Conn.
6 Named from Abel Downs, who erected there extensive tan- neries and mills.
24. 1764; and the first death, that of Thomas Gregory. Adam J. Doll opened the first store, and built th first bridge across the river at the place now known as Brooks Bridge. Win. Rose Imilt a sawmill in 1790. On the farm of Wm. Early, near the month of Coles Brook, is the site of an Indian village, with many of the apple trees planted by the natives still standing.
8 Named from Johu Davenport, an early settler and first supervisor.
9 Named from Messrs. Ferguson, who were largely engaged in I business here.
10 Erected by the Fergusons about 1843.
II Called Ad-a-quigh tin-ge, or Ad-i-qua-tan-gie, by the Indians. 12 Among the other first settlers were Humphrey Denio, Geo. Webster, Daniel Olmstead, - Van Valkenburgh, Harmon Moore, and Elisha Orr. Dr. Dan't Fuller came in 1796, and was the first physician. The first marriages were those of larmen Moore and Mary Orr, and Richard Moore and M. Banks, in 1791. the two marriages taking place at the same time; the first birth was that of a child of Harmon Moore, who died in infancy: this was the first death. The first death of an adult was that id Mrs. Harmon Moore, in 1796. Wid. Hannah Dodge taught the first
7 Timothy Russell Thos, and John Gregory. (from Westchester co .. ) Frederick Miller. (still living. Jsp9, aged 100 vears. ) Jas. and S. Shaver, Silas Bowker. Peter. Harry. and Nehemiah Avery, ! school: Dan'] Prentice built the first grist and saw mill, in 1799- Jacob Brambart, Paniel and Wm. Parish, and Win. Rose, began 93, and it is believed he kept the first inn. Ezra Denio kept the first store, in 1800. settlement before the war, but were driven off by the Indians and tories. Before leaving they buried their iron implements. 13 The census reports 5 churches ; $ M. E., F W. Bap., and Presh. 11 Named through the influence of Judge Ebenezer Foote. The to preserve them. After the war several of the fandilies returned. #ud were joined by Win. Horton. Abraham Sprague, Thos. Cal- ; name of " Mapleton" was suggested by several prominent citizens.
261
DELAWARE COUNTY.
1812. It occupies a nearly eentral position in the eo. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by the deep valleys of the streams. The w. branch of the Delaware flows s. w. through the center of the town, receiving from the N. w. Platners, Peeks, Steels, and Elk Creeks, and from the s. E. Little Delaware River. The valleys are generally narrow and bordered by steep hills. The soil is a clay loam, and the surface is very stony in places. Delhi, (p. v., ) the county scat, is finely situated on the N. bank of the w. branch of the Delaware. It was incorp. March 16, 1821. Besides the eo. buildings, it contains the Delhi Academy,1 4 churches, a bank, 2 printing offices, a woolen factory, an iron foundry, a gristmill, and a sawmill. Pop. 919. The first settlement was commenced hy Abel and John Kidder, in 1785.2 The first religious meetings were conducted by Elder Kidder Beek, in 1786. The first church (Cong.) was formed in 1798.3
FRANKLIN'-was formed from Harpersfield, April 10, 1792. Walton was taken off in 1797, and a part was restored in 1801. A part of Meredith was taken off in 1800, Sidney in 1801, and a part of Otego, (Otsego eo.,) as " Huntsville," in 1822. It lies upon the N. border of the co., w. of the eenter. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by deep and narrow valleys. The principal streams are Oulcout5 Creek, flowing w. through the N. part of the town, and its two tributaries front the s., Croton Creek and Handsome Brook. The soil upon the hills is a shaly loam underlaid by hard- pan, and in the valleys a gravelly loam and alluvium. Franklin, (p. v.,) on the Ouleout, in the N. w. part of the town, contains the Delaware Literary Institute,6 printing office, and 3 churches. Pop. 490. Croton (p.v.) is situated upon Croton Creek, near the line of Meredith. Pop. 200. North Franklin is a p. o. Sluman Wattles, afterward judge, was the first white settler who built his eabin iu the valley of the Ouleout. Hc came in 1785, and was accompanied by his brothers John and Roger and his sisters Sarah and Caroline. The town was surveyed under Judge Wattles, who acquired one of the 4 shares." The first church (Bap.) was formed at the house of Gad Merrick by Elder Hamilton, in 1798.8
HAMDEN-was formed from Walton and Delhi as " Hampden," April 4, 1825. Its name was corrected March 17, 1826. It is the central town of the co. Its surface is a mountainous upland, divided into two parts by the valley of the w. branch of the Delaware. The s. part is covered by lofty peaks and ridges scarcely susceptible of cultivation. Bagleys Brook, a tributary of tlie Delaware, and Clove Brook, in the s. E. part, are the other principal streams. The soil is generally a brownish clay loam underlaid by hardpan. Hamden, (p. v.,) upon the Delaware, near the center, contains mills, a woolen and satinet factory, and 2 churches. Pop. 191. Lan- singville, 1} mi. above, on the s. side of the river, contains 2 churches and 116 inhabitants. North Hamden is a p. o. The first settlers were Daniel Harrower and Benajah McCall, who eame in some time previous to 1795.9 The census reports 4 churches in town.10
HANCOCK11-was formed from Colchester, March 28, 1806. It lies upon Delaware River, in the s. w. corner of the eo. Its surface is a mountainous upland, ending in high and nearly pre- cipitous bluffs upon the Delaware, and divided into two parts by the E. branch of the Delaware. which flows w. through the N. part. Beaver Kil flows into the E. branch in the E. part of the town. Sands and Ilawks Creeks and Rieds aud Baxters Brooks are tributaries of the E. branch of the Delaware, from the N. ; and Big Trout, Basket Pond, Giers, Sand Poud, Lords, and Holmes Pond
1 The first academic building was erected in 1820, on the public square, near the courthouse. In 1856-57 a new site was procured, containing 20 acres, npon the w. bank of Steels Brook, and a new edifice. with two spacions boarding halls. was erected. The site is commanding. and affords a fine view of the village. The institution has been endowed by moneys derived from the sale of escheated lands in the co. to the value of $5114. Its total property amounts to $28.820.
2 Among the first settlers were Judge Gideon Frisbee, Thos. Farrington, Bartholomew Vandes, Joseph Denio. Geo. Fisher. John. Francis, and Levi Baxter, - Preston, and Gideon Rath- bone and his sons John. David, and Gideon. jr. The first birth was that of Inldal. daughter of Gideon Frisbee, June 14. 1787; the first marriage, that of Philip Frisbee and derusha Harmon, in 1791 : and the first death of an adult. that of Dr. Philip Fris- hec. in 1797. Thos. Averill tanght the first school. The first mills Were built in 1788.
3 The census reports S clinrches: 2 Christian, 2 Presb., and 1 each Prot. R., Bap., M. E .. and Asso. Presb.
4 The township of Franklin. embracing 30,000 acres, was patented Feli. 26, 1770, with the nenal powers of a township, and a quitrent of two and sixpence for every 100 acres annually. The patenters were Thes. Wharton. Reese Meredith, and 29 others. It was named from Temple Franklin, a natural son of Dr. Benj. Franklin.
5 In the great Indian purchase o. 250,000 acres, June 14, 1768. this stream is named Au-ly-on-let.
6 The buildings consist of one large stone edifice, containing recitation rooms, &c., and two large boarding halls. The total property of the institution is valued at $20.000.
7 Among the early settlers were Nath'l Edgerton, Jas. Follett. Alex. Smith, Daniel and Chauncey, sons of Enos Parker. Gon Aaron Chamberlain. Moses Clark, Asa Turner, Gad Merrick Hugh Thompson, Eph'm McCall, - Case. Turner and Daniel Clarke, Sal. Green, John Dewey and sons, Maj. Jord Gillett .- Mix, - Sharp, and --- Fitch. The first child born was This Edgerton : the first marriage was that of Judah Bartlett and Caroline Wattles: and the first death. that of Mrs. Alexander Smith, in 1795. Shuman Bartlett taught the first school. and Asn Turner kept the first inn and store.
8 The census reports & churches: 3 M. E., 2 Bap., 2 Cong .. xd Union.
9 Among the first settlers were Joseph Fisk. Henry Van W 1g. goner. das. Mason. Renben Ward. Henry Edwards, Henry aml John Howard. Sam'l Robinson, Win. Cornell. and JJohn and Sijas Grimes. Jas. Howard kept the first inn. in 1796, and Matthias Sweney Imilt the first gristmill, in 1797. Gen. Elias Butler was the first merchant near the Walton line.
10 Asso. Presb., Christian. Cong., and Presh.
11 Named in honor of John Hancock. President of Continental Congress.
202
DELAWARE COUNTY.
Brooks, are tributaries of the Delaware. These streams all flow through narrow ravines bordered by steep, rocky hills nearly perpendicular. The valley at the junetion of the two branches is 922 feet above tide, aud at the mouth of Beaver Kil it is 1018 ft. above tide. The summits are 1000 to 1500 ft. above the valleys. A large portion of the surface is still covered with forests. The soil upon the uplands is a hard clayey loam, scarcely susceptible of cultivation. Lumber, leather, shingles, and staves are largely manufactured. Hancock,1 (p. v.,) at the junction of the two branches of the Delaware, is au important trading and R. R. station. Pap. 502. Stock port Station and Lordsville are R. R. stations and p. offices. East Branch, (p. v.,) at the mouth of Beaver Kil, contains 2 churches and 20 houses ; and Harvard, (p. v., ) 3 mi. above E. Branch, 15 houses ; Partridge Island, on the E. branch, at the mouth of Rieds Brook, and Cadosia Valley, (p. o.,) on Hawks Brook, 3 mi. above IIaneoek, are hamlets. Before the Revo- lution two families settled in town; but they soon after left and never returned. The first perma- nent settlement was made soon after the close of the war by families from Dutchess co.2 In 1784, Canope, a friendly Iudian, was treacherously killed in this town by Ben Ilaines.3 The first reli- gious meetings (M. E.) were conducted by Rev. Titus Williams.4
HARPERSFIELDS -- was formed March 7, 1788. Franklin was taken off in 1792, Kort- right in 1793, aud a part of Stamford in 1834. It is the N. E. corner town of the eo. Its surface is a rolling upland, constituting a portion of the high plateau region stretching westward from the Catskill Mts. The principal streams are head branches of the w. branch of the Delaware, iu the s .; of Middle Brook, in the center; and of Charlotte River, in the N. The valleys are usually narrow, and bordered by gradually sloping hills arable to their summits. The soil is a shaly and slaty loam of good quality. The quality of the soil, and the great abundance of pure soft water which issues from the hillsides, render this co. one of the finest grazing regions in the State. Harpersfield, (p. v.,) near the E. line, contains 20 houses. North Harpersfield (p. o.) is a hamlet. Fergusonville (p. v.) lies on the line of Davenport, North Kortright (p. v.) on the line of Kortright, and Stamford (p. v.) on the line of Stamford. This town formed part of a large purchase made from the Indians by the IIarpers in 1768.6 In 1771, Col. John Harper and David Hendry surveyed this town, and a small settlement was made soon after. Que of the first settlers was Samuel Claxton, a tory. Several murders were committed by tories and Indians during the war. and the settlement was abandoned. In 1784, Col. John, Capt. Wm., Col. Alex., and Joseph Harper returned, and began the first permanent settlement.7 Rev. John Lindsley conducted the first religious services, at au early period. There are now two churches in town, Bap. and Presb.
KORTRIGHT8-was formed from Harpersfield, March 12, 1793. A part of Delhi was taken off in 1798, a part of Meredith in 1800, a part of Davenport in 1817, and a part of Stamford in 1834. It is an interior town, lying N. E. of the center of the co. Its surface is a hilly upland, broken by narrow valleys and ravines. The mean elevation of the town is 1700 ft. above tide, and the highest summits attain an elevation of 2400 ft. The streams are the w. branch of the Delaware, forming its s. boundary, and its tributaries, and several small tributaries of Charlotte River, draiuing the N. half of the town. The hills are steep, but are generally susceptible of cultivation. The soil is a dark, shaly loam, well adapted to pasturage. Bloomville (p. v.) is in the s. w. part of the town. Pop. 184. Kortright Center (Kortright p. o.) contains a church and 25 houses. North Kortright (p. o.) and South Kortright (p. o.) are farming neighborhoods. Set-
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