USA > New York > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and family history of New York, Volume II > Part 19
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Mr. Stewart was in many ways a most remarkable man, and in the fullest sense of the word was a self-made man. Having been endowed with a generous share of the perseverance and energy which characterized his forefathers, he coupled with this a laudable ambition to succeed in life and a methodical and
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systematic plan of work. He became an active factor in the development and perfecting of the numerous details of the largest manufacturing concern of its kind in this country, namely: the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company. In addition to the many duties in connection with his interests in the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company, Mr. Stewart was extensively in- terested in real estate enterprises in Brooklyn, where he ac- complished much by his keen discernment and practical busi- ness judgment in advancing the interests of the community in which he resided. The success attained by him in commercial and social circles was the logical result of the straightforward and honorable methods employed by him in all the affairs of life. He was a splendid type of American manhood-kind and amiable in disposition, a true friend, a good citizen. an indulgent father and a loving husband. His career, which was so abruptly ended by death, will serve as a splendid example to young men who are ambitious and wish to succeed in life, and shows as well what can be accomplished by intelligent and well-directed effort. Mr. Stewart gave liberally of his time and substance to charitable and other worthy organizations, thus fulfilling the scriptural injunction, "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."
Mr. Stewart was married in New York City, January 15, 1865, to Margaret O'Connell, who was born in the town of Goram, in the Emerald Isle. She came to the United States, and took up her residence in New York City. Of this marriage was born one daughter, Mary Elizabeth, August 8, 1866. She married George W. Horton, and has children: Hugh Stewart, born July 21. 1889; Millicent Jane, born February 8, 1894; Elwood, born Sep- tember 18. 1896; Wesley, born April 21, 1900, died April 24, same year: Dorothy, born May 20, 1903.
Margaret (O'Connell) Stewart died July 11, 1877, and Mr. Vol. II=18
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Stewart married (second) Ellen Ann Bennett, daughter of Ar- thur and Margaret Bennett, of New York City. Of this mar- riage there was no issue.
JOHN JACOB FRECH.
John Jacob Frech, who was for a number of years the treasurer of the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company, of which he was also one of the founders, was recognized in commercial circles as one of the leading, enterprising and progressive busi- ness men of the metropolis.
Mr. Frech was of German extraction, and was born at the family homestead in Houston street, October 29, 1839, and is a son of John Jacob and Maria (Schmidt) Frech, the former a native of Germany, and the latter of the Province of Alsace, France.
John Jacob Frech had learned the baking trade in the fath- erland, and upon coming to New York he became employed at his trade, and finally engaged in business on his own account, continuing in this line of enterprise for a number of years, and became known as a just and upright man in all his affairs of life. By his marriage to Maria Schmidt he had born to him four children who attained to years of maturity: 1. Maria, mar- ried Peter Shunk, of Brooklyn. 2. Elizabeth, who married Rob- ert Howe, of Brooklyn, and had two children: Elizabeth and Robert Howe. 3. John Jacob, whose name introduces this re- view. 4. Peter, who married Mary Harrington, and had chil- dren : Magdalene, John J., and Jennie. Of the parents of the aforementioned children, the father died in New York City and the mother died in Brooklyn. They were both well known and highly respected.
John Jacob Frech, Jr., received his educational training in the old Fifth Street School in New York City, and upon taking
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up the practical duties of life learned the baking trade under the direction of his father, who was then conducting business on Avenue D, New York City. The younger baker continued thus engaged up to 1866, when he entered the employ of Jacob Fussel, who was then the pioneer ice cream manufacturer of the city. After continuing thus employed for several years, he entered the employ of Dunnington & Emig, with whom he remained up to the time of the formation of the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company, and then entered the employ of the latter company, with whom he soon won favor by his industry and fidelity to duty, and by his frugality and practical management of his affairs he was enabled to become a stockholder in the J. M. Horton Ice Cream Company, and later was elected by the board of directors to the position of treasurer, which office he held up to the time of his demise, which occurred October 25, 1892. It will thus be seen that Mr. Frech was a self-made man in the strictest sense of the term. The success which he achieved was the logical result of his indefatigable perseverance and energy, coupled with straightforward and honorable methods in all his transactions in business and other affairs of life, and at the time of his death he not only left to his family an ample com- petence, but also the priceless heritage of an honorable name. Politically Mr. Frech was an ardent supporter of the principles of Democracy, but never sought political preferment.
Mr. Frech was married, July 17, 1858, to Catherine Hisbon, born July 27, 1842, daughter of Henry and Mary (Boyle) His- bon. Of this marriage were born a family of thirteen children, as follows: 1. Maria Agatha. born February 17, 1859; married Peter Hofsess, and has one son, Peter Hofsess, Jr. 2. Mary Elizabeth, born December 23, 1862; married John J. Graul, and has one child, Beatrice Graul. 3. John Jacob, born December 30, 1864; married Emma Cotton. and has children: Emma,
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Grace Magdalene, and John Jacob, Jr. The father of these chil- dren died May 7, 1902. 4. Catherine, died in early life. 5. Pau- line, died during childhood years. 6. Henry, died in early life. 7. Henry, born May 4, 1872. 8. Grace Magdalene, born October 6, 1874; married Edward Condren, and has one son, James Condren. 9. George W., died during childhood years. 10. Will- iam Tell, born September 13, 1876; married Lillian Drake, no issue. 11. Florence Lillian, died during childhood years. 12. George W. (2nd), born June 20, 1881. 13. Joseph Hugh, died in early life.
John Jacob Frech, father of the aforementioned children, was a consistent Christian gentleman, and a communicant of the Roman Catholic church.
CAPTAIN CORNELIUS C. ELLIS.
Captain Cornelius C. Ellis, deceased, a highly regarded citizen of Tottenville, borough of Richmond, New York, was during a long and peculiarly active life known as one of the most experienced and resourceful seafaring men of the great port of New York, and his services extended to duty as its harbor master, and also in foreign waters.
He is descended from the Ellis family of England, three branches of whom emigrated to the American colonies in early days, anterior to the Revolution. Of one of these was Garret Ellis, born 1720, died 1797, who was one of the pioneers of Staten Island. His son, Captain Garret Ellis, born in West- field, Staten Island, in 1756, died at the age of seventy-one years, was a wealthy farmer, and one of the heroes of the struggle for independence. During the period of hostilities he was seized at his home at midnight, by British soldiery, and compelled to walk for many miles shoeless, over frozen ground, to Fort Richmond, where he was long held a prisoner. He
Cornelius C. Ellis
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married Mary Tappan, of New Jersey, of Dutch descent, born 1767, died aged seventy-seven years. She and her husband were members of the Dutch Reformed church. They were the parents of ten children, five sons and five daughters, the three eldest children dying young. Their eldest son, Cornelius, is to be further referred to. Their second son, Garret Ellis, mar- ried Susan Butler, a descendant of a Nathaniel Butler, a Scotch- Irish emigrant. She was born 1801, and lived to the remark- able age of nearly one hundred years. Her home was in the famous old colonial Ellis homestead at Kreischerville, Staten Island, which was in early days the social center of the county, where the Vanderbilts and other honored old families were frequently guests. Mrs. Ellis distinctly remembered events of great historical importance, among them the war of 1812, and a public meeting and parade in honor of General Andrew Jack- son when he was Democratic candidate for the presidency. Mrs. Ellis was a cousin of Miss Tappan, first wife of Com- modore Vanderbilt. Garret Ellis and wife had thirteen chil- dren. Abraham, third son of Captain Garret Ellis, was sheriff of Richmond county; he married Alice Murray, and they had ten children. Of the daughters of Captain Garret Ellis, Fannie, born 1785, died in her eighty-second year, married Captain Peter Winant, who died at sea in 1823. Leah married Jacob Simonson. Lany married Henry Butler. Polly married James Johnson.
Cornelius Ellis, eldest son of Captain Garret and Mary (Tappan) Ellis, married Belah Butler, and to them were born five children, all of whom came to maturity: 1. Jacob S., see sketch elsewhere. 2. Sarah, married a Mr. Brightman, of Seran- ton, Pennsylvania. 3. Cornelius C., see forward. 4. Sophia, married Loring Jackson, of Brooklyn, New York. 5. Sebastian (see sketch). The father of his family died about 1833, and
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his remains were interred in the family burying ground in Woodrow cemetery. His widow married (second) Cornelius Woglom, of Brooklyn, New York, and of this marriage were born two children, William and Alice. The latter married James Garney, of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Cornelius C. Ellis, third child and second son of Cornelius and Belah (Butler) Ellis, was born in Kreischerville, town of Westfield, Staten Island, December 7, 1823. He received his educational training in the schools of his native town. Upon taking up the practical duties of life he engaged in seafaring, a vocation for which he showed a special aptitude and prepared- ness. While yet a young man he became master of a vessel. and by his careful study and practical knowledge came to be widely known as one of the most successful navigators and commanders of his day. During his long and useful career Captain Ellis entered upon many hazardous tasks, especially in navigating and sailing vessels during the civil war blockade, but always discharged his trust with entire fidelity and success. Of necessity he was a strict disciplinarian, yet he was of warm and sympathetic heart, and ever held the respect and esteem of his sailors. During the civil war Captain Cornelius C. Ellis carried a cargo of war material to the Federal troops, and was in Mobile Bay in August, 1864, at the time of Farragut's famous battle. While returning, his vessel came in close contiguity with the "Hartford," the flag ship of Admiral Farragut, and was a target for the fire of the Confederate forces, but for- tunately escaped unharmed. During the civil war period he mnade numerous successful voyages conveying government stores to southern ports, undertakings which involved dangers not measurable at the present time. In 1868 he made his last voyage abroad, touching at various Italian ports. During the administration of Governor Lucius P. Robinson, Captain Ellis
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was appointed harbor master of the port of New York, and during a period of three years rendered important service to the government. Upon his retirement from this position he engaged actively in navigating and towing in the harbor of New York, at times extending his tasks to outside waters and considerable distances. He was owner of the "Cyclops," the largest seagoing tug of its day, and which is yet in commission. This once famous craft enabled Captain Ellis to perform an undertaking which was among the wonders of the times. An immense raft of lumber was at St. John's. Newfoundland, await- ing towing to New York, a distance of eleven hundred miles, much of the route laying near a rocky and dangerous coast. The dangers of disaster were so apparent that not a towing line would undertake the commission, and the project was about to be abandoned and the raft broken up, when knowledge of the fact was brought to Captain Ellis. "It can be done," said he; "I'll bring the raft here with the 'Cyclops.'" He was as good as his word, and safely brought into port the immense raft, winning the plaudits of the entire maritime fraternity, and furnishing material by his act for many a column of spirited narrative in the maritime columns of the press in every land. He also towed to New York the immense passenger steamers "Richard Peck" and "Pilgrim" from Philadelphia, where they were built.
Captain Ellis passed the last eighteen years of his life in a pleasant and well-earned retirement at his home in Totten- ville, where he had built a handsome and commodious residence. He possessed ample means, and spent money with great liberal- ity but without recklessness. He displayed his regard for a friend by his acts rather than by words. At the time of the failure of the Marine Bank of New York, when Mr. Fish, the receiver, was called upon to execute a bond for $100,000, Cap-
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tain Ellis and the then proprietor of the Astor House qual- ified as sureties, each for one-half of that amount. Captain Ellis was an active member of the Marine Society of New York, which conducts Sailors' Snug Harbor, and a charter member of Huguenot Lodge, No. 381, Free and Accepted Masons. In politics he was an ardent supporter of the principles of Democ- racy as laid down by Thomas Jefferson.
He was married, in the town of Westfield, Staten Island, February 22, 1845, to Mary A. Joline, born May 25, 1824, daughter of Benjamin and Elizabeth (Manee) Joline, and of this marriage were born children: 1. Jacob C., died February 9, 1888; married Louisa Lyon; no issue. 2. Loring J., died Oc- tober 9, 1895. 3. Benjamin Franklin, married Sadie Keller; children: Mabel and Franklin. 4. Minnie E., born Angust 25, 1866, married Milton C. Quimby, who was born at the family homestead, in West Fifty-ninth street, New York City, Febru- ary 4, 1865, son of John S. and Adele (Mayer) Quimby, both natives of New York City. John Quimby was a son of John Quimby, who was well known and a succesful contractor in that city, as was also the maternal grandfather, John Mayer. No issne. Mary (Joline) Ellis, mother of the children above named, died June 21, 1886. She was a consistent Christian woman, pos- sessed of many excellent traits of mind and heart, and an ear- nest member of St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal Church at Tot- tenville.
Captain Cornelius C. Ellis died at his home in Tottenville, March 27. 1905, having survived his wife nearly twenty years. He had many staunch friends both in New York City and on Staten Island, where he was held in high respect by all who knew him, and it was correctly said that in his death the community had lost a most worthy and useful citizen. The funeral, which was very largely attended, was conducted with the time hon-
Jacob S. Ellis
Hampton & Ellis
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ored rites of the Masonic fraternity, by Huguenot Lodge No. 381, of which he was one of the oldest and most revered mem- bers. A fitting discourse was delivered by the Rev. J. Fair, rector of St. Stephen's Protestant Episcopal Church, and the remains of the lamented deceased were interred in the family plot in Bethel Cemetery.
JACOB S. ELLIS.
Jacob S. Ellis was for many years a venerable and highly respected citizen of Tottenville, borough of Richmond, where he was engaged in the ship and yacht building business for a period of nearly half a century. Mr. Ellis was born at Ross- ville, borough of Richmond, in 1820, and was one of a family of three sons, all of whom attained to years of maturity and spent most of the active years of their lives in seafaring and shipping pursuits. There was one sister, Sarah, who married a Mr. Brightman, of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Jacob S. Ellis received his educational training in the schools in the neighborhood of his birthplace, and upon attain- ing to years of manhood learned the trade of shipbuilding under the tuition of William Henry Totten, of Tottenville, and Will- iam H. Webb, of New York City. Upon completing his trade Mr. Ellis worked as journeyman for some time, and by his thrift and economy enabled himself to begin business on his own account at Tottenville, borough of Richmond, about the year 1856. In this undertaking he met with immediate success as a logical result of his skill and enterprise and his honorable methods of transacting all his business affairs. In addition to his shipbuilding interest Mr. Ellis was extensively interested in vessel property, being part owner in several large ocean-going vessels which were engaged in the foreign trade. He took a deep interest in all kinds of useful literature, and was known
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as a diligent reader. Mr. Ellis was a good and useful citizen, and was much devoted to his family. Politically he was an ardent supporter of the principles of the Republican party.
Jacob S. Ellis was married in 1847 to Sarah R. Hazen, daughter of Joseph and Phoebe Hazen, of New Jersey. Of this marriage were born three children: 1. Phoebe, born July 1, 1849, married William L. Jessup, and had two children : Will- iam, born January 2, 1869; Isaac, born January 1, 1871, married Georgia Romer, April 4, 1894, and has children : Ethel, who died aged seven, one who died in infancy, and Lawrence Jessup, born October 3, 1903. After the death of William L. Jessup, his widow married Edgar Jessup. Of this union there was no issue. After the death of Edgar Jessup, his widow married Milton Potter, and has one daughter, Olive May, born May 19, 1890, died May 21. 1896. 2. Hampton C., born February 14, 1856. 3. Sadee, married Stewart McFarland, and at present resides at Los Angeles, California. They have no issue. Jacob S. Ellis, father of the aforementioned children, died July 8, 1902. Both he and his faithful wife were consistent members of the Baptist Church at Tottenville.
Hampton C. Ellis, second child and only son of Captain Jacob S. and Sarah (Hazen) Ellis, received his educational training in the schools of Tottenville. At the age of eighteen he entered the Polytechnic Institute at Brooklyn, where he con- tinued his studies to the age of twenty, when he entered upon the practical duties of life in his father's shipbuilding estab- lishment, and under his tuition learned the various details of the trade and business. He has worthily upheld the traditions of his family, and in every way has proved himself a worthy seion of a worthy sire. Mr. Ellis takes an active interest in the sccial and materiai affairs of the neighborhood where he resides. He is a member of Arthur Kill Council, No. 1409,
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Royal Arcanum, at Tottenville, and also an active member of the Woodmen of the World.
Hampton C. Ellis married, at Tottenville, May 2, 1878, Caroline M. Van Name, born October 10, 1857, daughter of Henry and Sarah (Martin) Van Name, the former of Staten Island, and the latter of New Jersey. Of this marriage have been born the following children: 1. Grace, born February 25, 1879, married Frank Valentine, of Woodbridge, New Jer- sey, and has two daughters, Carolyn, born January 19, 1903; Mildred, born February 14, 1906. 2. Edgar J., born September 8. 1880, a graduate of Pratt Institute of Brooklyn. He mar- ried Elsie Schoonover, October 27, 1904. Mr. Ellis and his family attend the Baptist church of Tottenville.
CAPTAIN SEBASTIAN ELLIS.
Captain Sebastian Ellis, deceased, an old time seafaring man. who had large experiences upon both open and inland waters, was born October 22, 1832, at Tottenville, borough of Richmond, New York. He was educated in the local schools, and at the early age of sixteen years took to a seafaring life. In 1849, when seventeen years old, he voyaged to California, via Cape Horn, and for several years saw service with Captain Hudson's vessels, between San Francisco and Aspinwall. About 1853, upon the discovery of gold in Australia, he sailed thither, and passed several years at Sydney and in that vicinity. Re- turning home he resumed his original occupation, and for some years sailed between American and European ports. During the American civil war he ran the blockade at Port Royal, South Carolina. in the schooner "Gush Banker." He also sailed the Susan M. Anderson" several voyages in the Brazil- ian trade. He was known as an experienced mariner, and he encountered many dangers and rescued his vessels from many
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perilous situations. While a strict disciplinarian, he was of warm and sympathetic heart, and was beloved by all with whom he came in contact, whether as officer or man before the mast. He retired from his profession in 1865, and entered the service of the United States Coast Survey, with which he was usefully employed until 1890, when he finally abandoned active pursuits. He passed his latter days at the famous Sailors' Snug Harbor, Staten Island, where he died, June 18, 1905. He married, at Tottenville, Della M. Rutter, daughter of William and Phebe Rutter, of Ocean county, New Jersey. They were the parents of four children: 1. Edgar W., born November 17, 1861, mar- ried, and resides at Sailors' Snug Harbor. 2. Captain Raymond D. Ellis, see forward. 3. Lillian M. 4. Sebastian, has not been heard from for several years, and is supposed to be following the sea in distant latitudes. The mother of these children died March 7, 1888.
Captain Raymond D. Ellis, son of Captain Sebastian and Delila (Rutter) Ellis, was born December 27, 1863, at Ross- ville, borough of Richmond. He was educated in the schools of his native village, and at an early age entered steamboat service in the harbor of New York. For eight years he com- manded a ferryboat between New York City and Bay Ridge, in the New York and Staten Island line. For eighteen years past he has commanded a boat in the Tottenville and Perth Am- boy ferry line. He is a master of his calling, and has never suf- fered suspension or been responsible for a disaster in those over- crowded waters. He is a member of New York Harbor No. 1, and of Huguenot Lodge No. 381, of Tottenville.
Captain Ellis married, June 6, 1889, Anna DuBois, born No- vember 21, 1864, a daughter of Richard Cole and Susan A. (Post) DuBois, the former of Staten Island. Of this marriage was born one child, Lila, January 6, 1892; died aged six months.
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THE TIMPSON FAMILY.
Edwin W. Timpson, for many years an active member of the New York Stock Exchange, and now a retired citizen of Orange, New Jersey is descended from good old English, Irish and Dutch ancestry.
The pioneer ancestor of the American branch of this fam- ily was Thomas Timpson, born October 25, 1765, in County Leit- rim, Ireland, from whence he emigrated to this country. He married, September 10, 1785, Catherine Van Toren, born No- vember 16, 1766, and the children of this union were twelve. Thomas Timpson died August 1. 1856, and Catherine (Van Toren) Timpson passed away Jannary 14, 1848. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Timpson are as follows: 1. Thomas, born December 6, 1786, married Ann Brown, June 28, 1810, and their children were: Thomas B., born December 6, 1811; Will- iam B., born March 3, 1813; Emily C., born October 16, 1815, died Jan. 3, 1818; Charles W., born September 17, 1821; Ann E., born June 21, 1823. died Jan. 20, 1824. The mother of these children died July 24, 1823. Thomas Timpson married (sec- ond) Phebe Humbert, born February 14, 1804, and their chil- dren were: Sarah Ann and John, twins, born July 2, 1825; John, died September 10, 1826, and Sarah Ann died September 24, 1856; James B .. born July 24, 1827, was lost in the steam- ship "Arctic, " 1854: Elizabeth B .. born October 4, 1830, died October 16, 1831: Sarah E. A., born June 13, 1835, died June 27, 1838; and George H., born March 1, 1838. 2. John, born November 6, 1788, died February 18, 1855. He married (first), February 4, 1811, Mary W. Gillchrist, born November 4, 1792, died November 7, 1817. He married (second), December 5, 1818, Mary Taylor, born April 7, 1799. The children of John Timpson were: John H., born February 15, 1812, died March 17, 1882: Catherine, born October 26, 1813; David, born March
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24, 1815, died September 22 of the same year; Charlotte MeN., born January 19, 1817, died August 26 of the same year; Mary, born September 28, 1819, died November 19, 1821; Eliza M., born February 10. 1821; Edward, born January 17, 1823; Mary J., born May 29, 1824, died April 26, 1827; Violetta, born Janu- ary 28, 1826; Thomas W., born November 24, 1827; Henry E., born August 1, 1829, died July 1, 1844; Benjamin F., born April 5, 1831; Jared A., born November 2, 1832; Mary T., born July 30, 1834, died June 20, 1836; Samuel B., born July 9, 1836; Alma G., born August 8, 1838, died November 2 of same year; Frank- lin, born January 1, 1840; William, born February 8, 1842. 3. Sarah E., born November 4, 1790, married William Adee, April 25, 1807, and died July 17, 1846. 4. Cornelius, born September 21, 1792, died February 29, 1823. He married, November, 1815, Susan Parker, born September 15, 1796, died January, 1833, leaving one child : Sarah E., born August 14, 1818. 5. William, born September 26, 1794, died March 6, 1841. He married, March, 1818, Caroline Mount, born December 2, 1800, died De- cember, 1842. Their children were: Robert M., born Decem- ber 11, 1819, died February 19, 1848; Catherine M., born April 8, 1822, died February 4, 1845: Emily A., born October 21, 1823, died January 20, 1842; Caroline, born Angust 3, 1825, died Sep- tember 6th. 1855; Sarah E. A., born February 23, 1827; Will- iam, born November 21, 1828; Lydia L., born March 17, 1830; died July 20 of same year; Theodore, born May 10, 1831; Ed- ward, born September 26, 1832. died September 26 of same year; Ann M .. born September 23, 1833; John W., born August 29, 1835; Thomas, born January 25, 1837; Clara Adela, born July 28, 1838, died January 16, 1839; Adee, born December 25, 1839. 6. James, of whom later. 7. Maria Timpson, born October 1, 1798, died October 5 of same year. 8. Charles W., born Sep- tember 27, 1799, died May 29, 1840. He married, September 9,
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