USA > New York > Orange County > History of Orange County, New York, with illustrations and biographical sketches of many of its pioneers and prominent men > Part 146
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Pastor. Rev. Wm. Colden ; Stewards, Charles R. Cline, Elihn B. Taylor, Peter S. Post, S. T. Lazear, Edward C. Armstrong, J. M. Burt, J. H. Vreeland, J. IIunter ; Trustees, J. II. Vreeland, James B. Dem- erest, Jacob Quackenbush, John B. Knapp, Elihu B. Taylor, J. M. Burt, P. S. Post, Thomas Pitts; Sun- day-school Superintendent, Edwin S. Caldwell ; vol- umes in the library, 300; communicants, 138.
We add a list of preachers from 1837 to the present time. The appointments included in Sugar-Loaf
* Mr. Cornelius Lazear is traditionally mentioned as the first class- leader in the county, but the tradition is not justified by written records. llis house at New Milford was perhaps a place for holding meetings, but the date of his servicea as a leader is evidently some years later than that of the persons named above.
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592
HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
Circuit in 1837 were Sugar-Loaf, Florida, Edenville, Warwick, Bellvale, Oxford, Goshen, Washingtonville, Monroe Church, Greenville, Little Pond, Long Pond, Monroe Works, and Mount Evc :
1837, Seymour Landon, William Miller ; 1838, Seymour Landon, Thomas Newman ; 1839, Thomas Newman, Eli Denniston ; 1840, Eli Dennis- ton, S. S. Strong ; 1841, Thomas Newman, William M. Ferguson, G. C. Bancroft ; 1842, John Reynolds, Matthew Van Deusen, Isaac Divine ; 1843, John Reynolds, Matthew Van Densen, E. Westlake: 1844, E. Osborn, J. G. Smith, C. M. Dibble, J. P. Hermance ; 1845, E. Oldren, J. G. Smith, C. M. Dibble, J. P. Hermance ; 1846, Thomas Newman, J. P. Hermance, J. W. Lefevre, Henry Wright. At this time the Southfield division was established, while Monroe and Goshen were made separate charges. 1847, Thomas Newmao, David Buck, T. F. R. Mercien (Monroe Circuit), J. P. Hermance (Southfield) ; 1848, E. J. Jackson, D. Buck (Sugar-Loaf), D. Buck, N. II. Bangs (Monroe), C. C. Isham (Coshen), John P. Hermance (Southfield). In the place of the appointee, E. J. Jackson, came William H. Nelson. 1849, J. Ferris, M. Carrier (Sugar-Loaf ), H. Lounsberry (Coshen) ; 1850, H. Humphries, C. S. Brown ; 1851, A. C. Fields, C. S. Brown; 1852, A. C. Fields, J. Ilillard ; 1853, William Bloomer, J. Hillard; 1854, William Bloomer, G. W. Dikeman (Sugar-Loaf ), and B. H. Genning (Chester) ; 1855, C. F. Pelton and M. Lockwood (Sugar-Loaf), and B. H. Gen- ning (Chester) ; 1856. C. F. Pelton, James P. Hawxhurst ; 1857, James P. Hawxhurst, R. S. Amerman ; 1858, J. Croft, R. S. Amerman ; 1859, J. Croft, J. H. Jones; 1860-61, N. Il. Bangs, Joseph Elliot ; 1862-63, U. Messiter, R. L. Shorter ; 1864-65, D. D. Gillespie ( Warwick alone) ; 1866-68, D. W. C. Van Gaasbeck; 1869-71, D. Buck : 1872, E. L. l'rentice ;* 1873-74, Z. N. Lewis; 1875, W. N. Traver ; 1876, V. N. Traver; 1877-79, William E. Ketchum ; 1880, Rev. William Colden.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF NEW MIL- FORD.
Services by ministers of the Methodist Church were held in this neighborhood very early .; This pioneer In 1817, William Seymour, a colored man, was licensed to exhort ; afterwards he was given a local preacher's license, and for many years preached in the vicinity of Bellvale. As one of the first laborers under God, his name is remembered by some still living in this place. His home, while here, was at work soon induced the organization of a class, but the class-papers seem to have been lost, and the names of the founders of this church are not preserved. The house of worship was erected in 1838. The charge belonged to the New Jersey Conference until 1873, when it was transferred to the New York Con- the house of William Wisner. His portrait, gift of. ference. Prior to that date the records are with the Mr. Samuel Wilson, is in the Bellvale parsonage. Vernon Church, of New Jersey. The Edenville William Seymour died at the house of Isaac Still, in the town of Monroe. He retired for the night, after a very happy meeting during the evening in the place, and when called for breakfast he was found dead in the bed. The Master came, his work ended, and he entered into rest. Church had been included in the Warwick charge. In 1873 Edenville and New Milford were united under the name of Edenville charge, and so remain at the present time. The pastors have been as fol- lows : 1873-75, Rev. C. C. Miller ; 1876-78, Rev. M. S. Tuthill; 1879, Rev. J. B. Heroy ; 1880, Rev. C. F. Winan. The present stewards and trustees are S. Y. Layton, Thomas Corey, and A. Vail. A Sunday- school is in active operation with a good attendance.
Heman Bangs, one of the circuit preachers of 1820, lived in part of William Wisner's house, near where William H. Wisner's house now stands. Preaching was held at Ananias Wilson's, Squire Horton class- These brief facts give the outline of a steady work of leader. His wife, son, Milton, daughter, Julia, and fifty years, the details of which are not preserved for the pen of the historian ; but the influence for good wielded by this church, and the results achieved, re- main a permanent blessing to this community.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF EDEN.
This society effected a legal organization Sept. 11, 1822. The proceedings were signed by Eleazer Mc- Camley and Andrew Shorter. The trustees chosen were John Bloom, Eleazer McCamley, Cornelius
Jones, George Jones, Samuel Gardner, Peter Van Cort, J. C. Ketchum, Elias Fancher, Andrew Shorter. Edenville appointment was connected with Warwick charge down to 1873; since that date it has been united with New Milford, and its pastors are given in the notice of that church. The present stewards are R. Wisner, S. Green, S. B. Houston, and A. Ilouston. The trustees are H. B. Edwards, W. Du- sinberre, A. Houston, and R. Wisner.
The pastor of this church and of New Milford re- ports ninety-six members, two Sunday-schools, with twenty teachers and eighty members.
BELLVALE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
The first record of the Bellvale class in connection with the Methodist Episcopal Church in Orange County was made in 1809,-Henry Stead, presid- ing elder; John Roberson, James Coleman, circuit preachers; Andrew Cunningham and Benjamin West- lake, local preachers. It was reported at a quarterly meeting as a part of the New Windsor Circuit. The quarterage paid was $2.76; the class-leader, James Cunningham. He also received license to exhort, but afterwards withdrew from the church. The places for preaching were at Mr. William Wisner's and Mr. Ananias Wilson's. The preachers were those of the New Windsor Circuit prior to 1837. (See New Wind- sor.)
son-in-law, Peter Bennett, Mr. William Wisner, his wife, and a Mrs. Jones, also two slaves in the family of William Wisner (named Joe and Lottie), were members of the class.
1824. This year the class at Bellvale was broken up by what was then known as the "Horse Trial." Mr. William Wisner withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and Peter Bennett, a class-leader, was expelled, and Messrs. Wilson, Bradner, Wisner, and others removed their names to Sugar-Loaf class. The regular appointment for preaching at Bellvale was abandoned until 1833, when Samuel Wilson,
* He died in the parsonage at Warwick. Feb. 28, 1873. + See account of Warwick Church.
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WARWICK.
having experienced religion, invited the preachers on the circuit again to preach at his house.
In 1832, Revs. Silliman and Thomas held an extra meeting at the house of Samuel Wilson, in Bellvale, during which, in the month of November, Mr. Samuel A. Monell, Jonathan S. Wood, Henry B. Wisner, and many others experienced religion. The persons named have been for years the true and warm-hearted friends of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and when the church was divided and its interest suffered at the hands of others they remained steadfast. Following the protracted meeting, a class was organized, and Milton Horton appointed leader. Services were held also at the Red School-house, near Mr. James H. Hal- lock's farm, and at an old house opposite the Bellvale church, owned at this date, 1880, by Mr. Jonas Quackenbush.
1837. This year the New Windsor Circuit was di- vided, and the Sugar-Loaf Circuit formed, embracing the following appointments, viz. : Florida, Eden- ville, Bellvale, Chester, Monroe village, Oxford, Sat- terly Town, Washingtonville, Blagg's Clove, Highland Mills, Little Long Pond, and Dutch Hollow (now Greenwood Lake), beside preaching in almost every school district on this circuit. Rev. Phineas Rice, presiding elder; Seymour Landon and Wm. Miller, preachers on Sugar-Loaf Circuit.
1838. Seymour Landon and Thomas Newman, preachers.
1839. William Jewett, elder; Eli Denniston and Thomas Newman, preachers.
1840. D. Ostrander, elder; Eli Denniston and Syl- venus S. Strong, preachers.
1841. Wm. M. Fergerson and George Bancroft, preachers.
1842. John Reynolds, Matthew Van Deusen, and Wm. Blaksly, circuit preachers.
1843. John Reynolds, Matthew VanDensen, and Isaac 1. Divine.
1844. Marvin Richardson, presiding elder ; Edward Olden and Chas. 11. Dibble, preachers.
1845. Edward Olden and John P. Hermance, preachers.
1846. Thomas Newman and J. P. Hermance, preachers, on Sugar-Loaf Circuit.
1846. I. G. Smith and Chas. H. Dibble, preachers, on Monroe Circuit. This year the Sugar-Loaf was divided, and the Monroe Circuit formed. Sugar-Loaf embraced only Sugar-Loaf, Chester, Goshen, Florida, Edenville, Warwick, Bellvale, Demerest School-house, and Greenwood Lake. In 1841 the upper part of the school-honse at Bellvale was furnished and seated for holding meeting. The committee who circulated the subscription was W. HI. Wisner and Edward Burt. The room was to be occupied by Baptist, Reformed Dutch, and Methodist jointly, and the building was called the Tabernacle.
1847. Thomas Newman and Henry Wright, preachers.
1848. Ira Ferris and Marcus Cumer, preachers; Wm. Jewett, presiding elder.
1848. Goshen was taken from Sugar-Loaf Circuit, and Rev. C. Isham stationed there.
1849. Ira Ferris, Wm. N. Nelson, preachers. This year a protracted meeting was held in the Tabernacle, and the same winter a gracious revival attended the labors of Henry D. Wright, a local preacher at the present Greenwood Lake charge, following which a subscription was raised, lot purchased, and church built at Greenwood Lake. At that time the Green- wood Lake class was connected with the Southfield charge.
1850. S. Martindale, presiding elder ; Humphry Humphries and C. S. Brown, preachers.
1851. A. C. Fields and C. S. Brown, preachers.
1852. A. M. Osbon, presiding elder; A. C. Fields and J. Millard, preachers. During this year a sub- scription was circulated to build a church at Bellvale. On Feb. 8, 1853, a meeting was called of the society, and the following persons elected as a board of trus- tees, viz .: Mr. Calvin Bradner, Townsend Wright, Samuel Wilson, Benjamin H. Bennett, Thomas Brooks, Win. H. Wisner, John R. Wilson. Samuel Wilson, chairman ; John R. Wilson, secretary ; Wm. HI. Wisner, treasurer.
On the 11th of February, 1853, at a meeting of tlie board of trustees, it was resolved to build a church 50 feet by 32 feet, with 22 posts, and belfry, also a gallery : across the end of the church, and a basement 30 feet by 18 feet, with 7 feet ceiling. Resolved to accept a Jot given by Mr. Samuel Wilson. Immediately fol- lowing this work was commenced on the lot for a foundation. The corner-stone was laid by Rev. J. B. Wakely, then pastor of the Forsyth Street Church, New York City. The corner-stone was given by Mr. David Stevens. The mason-work was under the supervision of Mr. Edward Mills, the carpenter-work being under the supervision of Mr. Adolphus Brad- ner. The timber for the entire building was cut on the farm of Wm. H. Wisner, and sawed in the old saw-mill just above where the church now stands.
Mrs. Elizabeth Wilson, wife of Daniel Wilson, one of the first stewards of the old New Windsor Circuit, and mother of John R. Wilson, one of the trustees, gave the bell for the church.
1853. W. H. Bloomer and J. Millard, preachers.
1854. William H. Bloomer and George Dikeman, preachers.
This year (1854) the church was dedicated. Rev. Hiram Matterson preached the dedicatory sermon from Matt. xxvi. 8: "To what purpose is this waste?" Rev. A. M. Osbon, presiding elder, dedicated the church. A choir under the direction of Mr. Mil- ton Younges, with an instrument of Mr. Town- send Wright, occupied the gallery and conducted the singing. Entertainment was furnished at the houses of Mr. Samuel Wilson, John R. Wilson, and William II. Wisner's for the many persons attend-
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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
ing the dedication from distant parts of the circuit. About this time a church trial at Sugar-Loaf grew out of the renting of the pews at Sugar-Loaf Church, resulting in the expulsion of one member at Sugar- Loaf Church. This difficulty in the church was made the occasion for a division of the society at Bellvale. One of the preachers then in charge withdrew from the Methodist Episcopal Church, and with him a large number of those recently brought into the church. They worshiped at the Tabernacle, organized a Sun- day-school, named the society after their minister, and uuited with the Protestant Methodist; they con- tinued until the year 1867, when they dissolved.
1855. L. M. Vincent, presiding elder ; C. F. Pelton and Rev. Lock wood, preachers.
1856. C. F. Pelton and J. II. Hawxhurst, preachers.
1857. J. H. Jawxhurst and Richard Ammerman, preachers.
1858. Joel Croft and R. Ammerman, preachers.
1859. Joel Croft and I. W. Jones, preachers.
1864. This year Bellvale and Greenwood Lake were separated from the circnit and became a charge by themselves, having one preacher between them. R. M. Roberts, preacher-in-charge.
1865. Horace Wood, preacher-in-charge.
1868. Mark E. Rude, preacher-in-charge.
1869. J. H. Lane, preacher-in-charge.
During this year a subscription was circulated to build a parsonage at Bellvale. About $800 were pledged. The cost of the building to be erected was estimated at about $1500. Work was commenced in the spring of 1870; the house was finished that year, costing $2200. After this the pastors, by subscription, reduced the debt of $1400 down to $1000, which amount still remains.
1871. C. C. Miller, preacher-in-charge.
1873. J. W. Felvus, preacher-in-charge.
1874. C. Rheor, preacher-in-charge.
1875. A. N. Mulnix, preacher-in-charge.
1878. N. Brusie, preacher-in-charge.
1880. F. F. Angevine, preacher-in-charge.
This year, 1881, the church has 60 members and 5 probationers. Service is held at Bellvale morning and evening, and at Greenwood Lake in the afternoon.
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THE UNION METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI OF STERLING,
town of Warwick, executed a certificate of incorpor- ation April 7, 1856. The proceedings were signed by David B. Banker and Zenas Covel. The trustees chosen were John May, Samuel Green, Charles T. Ford, Samuel Duvall, and Peter Barnes. The meet- ing was held "at the school-house where the congre- gation usually worshiped."
THE AFRICAN METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH OF FLORIDA
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executed a certificate of incorporation Dec. 2, 1862. It was signed by Henry Johnson, and the trustees
named therein were William Jacklin, William Mati- zer, and Henry Harris.
This undertaking was not successful, though a lot was purchased and some preparations made to build a honse of worship.
ST. STEPHEN'S CHURCH, WARWICK VILLAGE (CATHOLIC).
This society was organized as a mission-work in connection with the Catholic Church of Goshen. In 1865, the Methodists desiring to build a new church, sold their old property to the Catholics for $1600. It was immediately refitted, and consecrated in August of that year as St. Stephen's, and services have been maintained since that date. Much energy has been displayed in raising money for church purposes. The house of worship is a convenient chapel, not showy nor costly ; but with wise prudence the church has declined to enter upon the building of a larger struc- ture, involving the risk of debt and embarrassment. There were not more than five or six families inter- ested in Catholic services at the time the enterprise commenced in Warwick. The property bought cost this small band $3000. It was assuming a serions re- sponsibility, but by steady, prudent, and systematic work it has all been paid except about $900, and the pastor confidently expects to extinguish that in a few months. The priests from Goshen ministering at St. Stephen's were Father O'Callahan, succeeded by Father O'Hare, and lastly, Father Keoghan. In July, 1880, the appointment was taken from Goshen. War- wick became a separate pastorate, to which Monroe is attached. Rev. Edward J. Byrnes was assigned to the pastoral work here in July, and immediately en- tered upon his duties. The members number about 200. The Sunday-school, with two ladies as teachers, and about 50 scholars, is superintended personally by the pastor, Rev. Edward J. Byrnes.
CALVARY BAPTIST CHURCH.
This is located at Warwick village, and is a young and vigorons organization. The church was formed on the 4th of January, 1866, and with only six mem- bers, viz. : Ezra Sanford, Mary E. Van Duzer, Anna E. Peck, Adaline Harrison, Martha Fancher, . and Rev. George F. Love. The movement was under- taken in connection with the preaching of Rev. George F. Love, who became the first pastor, and remained until March 28, 1868. The pulpit was not allowed to remain vacant, but, in anticipation of the close of Mr. Love's services, the church had already engaged (March 11th) Rev. Mr. Dwight Spencer as stated supply, who continued to labor in this capacity for nearly nine months. The Rev. Charles A. Cordo was then settled as pastor, commencing his labors in Warwick June 5, 1869. Ile remained nearly six years, his services terminating May 2, 1875. The pulpit was supplied by various ministers during the summer. In September Rev. Daniel C. Litchfield
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WARWICK.
acecpted a call to this church, and commenced his labors in October. He has remained to the present time, and is just entering upon the sixth year of his pastorate.
The society for a time worshiped in the public hall of the Van Duzer building, but active measures were taken very soon to erect a house of worship. An eli- gible lot was secured on West Street and the present handsome church ereeted. The edifice was dedicated Aug. 26, 1868.
The parsonage stands adjacent to the church, on the same lot. The grounds of both are laid out with taste, displaying the effect of careful adornment and culti- vation. Together they constitute a handsome ehurcli property. The whole expenditure was about $20,000; and, notwithstanding the reduction in the value of real estate within the last few years, the property is yet valued at $15,000.
As the result of all these movements by a society so small in numbers, a debt of about $3500 remained unpaid for a few years. The present pastor two years since determined that this ought to be paid and could be paid. By the quiet circulation of a subscription, with no publie demonstration, the whole amount was raised in about one week. It was followed by a jubilee- meeting, March 1, 1878.
An active and vigorous Sunday-school has been maintained from the date of the organization to the present time. The contributions of the church have been unusually large. The congregation raises annually about $1300 for the ordinary current ex- penses. Including the erection of the church and parsonage, this may be stated at an average of $2500 a year for the whole fourteen years ; and bringing the statement to an individual basis, it amounts to forty- two dollars per member each year since 1866.
The present officers are Rev. D. C. Litchfield, pas- tor ; Isaae N. Baldwin, Charles L. Morehouse, dea- cons ; Ezra Sandford, now in his eighty-sixth year, has also been a deacon in the church from its organization and oeeasionally officiates at the present time. J. N. Baldwin is the present clerk, and C. A. Crissey treas- urer. The number of communicants at the present tinie is 76. The Sunday-school has 150 volumes in the library, 103 pupils, 18 of whom are members of the church, 8 teachers, and an average attendance of 68.
THE METHODIST CHURCH OF MOUNT BETHEL executed a certificate of incorporation Aug. 3, 1870. It was signed by Darius P. Merritt and George M. Aekerson, and the trustees therein named were Da- rius P. Merritt, Stephen Morse, Melvin R. Green, Wallace P. M. Horton, and Henry Hyatt.
VIII .- BURIAL-PLACES.
It is, however, a local tradition that this was the early Decker burying-ground. As Lawrence Decker is supposed to have been the earliest settler in this part of Warwick (the deed from Benjamin Aske to him being dated 1719), the fact of burials here by his family is at least probable. The graves are said to be of unusual length, indicating very tall people, and this is further stated to have been characteristic of the early Deckers.
The burying-ground in connection with the Re- formed Church was in use, it is said, before it was deeded to the church in 1770. Mr. Pelton, before quoted, states that this is shown by stones in the yard. But the earliest dates found by the writer are the fol- lowing: "Hannab, wife of Ebenezer Gregory, died Dec. 21, 1789, aged twenty-two ;" " Anna, wife of Wil- liam Feagles, died July 8, 1771. aged seventy-four ;" " Alida Johnson, died July 29, 1777, aged forty-nine ;" "Cornelius Paulding, Jr., died May 17, 1778, aged six years." It is possible that on the sunken field- stones which mark most of the early graves dates might be discovered prior to 1770. It is evident that the early settlers are buried here in large numbers.
The Florida cemetery is now being laid out with considerable eare, drive-ways made and walks estab- lished. The grounds include in part an old burial . place, though not dating back to the time of early settlement. There are monuments by the families of Jennings, Houston, Jackson, Lawrence, Shultz, Van- deroef, and Wheeler. In this ground is the Seward vault. Upon a marble tablet in the front, over the iron door, is the simple inscription, "The family vault of Samuel S. Seward, 1839."
The cemetery around the Florida First Presbyterian church was doubtless a historical landmark before it was torn to pieces, and its oldest stones removed and lost or miscellaneously piled up. Stones are said to have been taken away that were one hundred and thirteen years old. The destruction of old grave- yards is a serious historical loss, as well as a violation of esthetic taste and precious family traditions. There is land enough for trade and business and churches without building upon the graves of the fathers. There is one stone in the part left erected to the memory of " Maj. John Poppino, who died March 7, 1828, aged one hundred and one years and ten months;" another to "William Armstrong, who died March 11, 1805, aged eighty-two."
At Amity is a cemetery securely walled and show- ing considerable care. Without any attempt at elaborate ornamentation, it is yet cleared of rubbish and well mowed, giving a chance for a clean grass- sod to form, one of the best methods (where expen- sive plans cannot be carried out) to plaec an old burial-place in good condition. Thorough elearing out of brush and careful, frequent mowing will give any burial-place a ereditable appearance. A portion of this ground eontains the early graves, marked only
On the Belden Burt farm is a very ancient burial- ground. There are no monuments with inscriptions to give any elue to the names of those buried there. by field-stones, with neither names nor dates. There
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HISTORY OF ORANGE COUNTY, NEW YORK.
are several monuments of good proportions, and one brick vault covered with a tablet, "Sacred to the memory of Martha, wife of Alexander Denniston."
THE WARWICK CEMETERY.
This was founded by an association organized at a meeting held in the Wawayanda Hotel, Nov. 27, 1866. Gabriel Wisner was appointed chairman, and Wil- liam D. Irwin secretary. The trustees named were Thomas S. Vandervort, Gabriel Wisner, William D. Irwin, Thomas Welling, Cornelius J. Lazear, Grin- nell Burt, Richard Wisner, George W. Sanford, and Israel Willesdorf. The proceedings were verified by the officers before Mahlon Cooper, notary public, November 28th, and recorded November 29th.
The association purchased and laid out a tract of rolling npland in the centre of the valley, not far from the village of Warwick. The selection was made with excellent judgment and discriminating taste. There : are two distinct elevations, each sloping gently from the higher ground to the lower, and separated by a smooth valley. The rugged features retained in some rural cemeteries of rock and gorge and wild ravine are not found here, and the effect of their absence is on the whole pleasing. Here are none but soft and gentle lines, easy grades, and a smiling landscape, that suggest life and love and beauty and immortality, rather than the harshness, the pallor, and the ruin of death. The contour of the ground was favorable to the artificial arrangements desirable, and those in charge have availed themselves of this feature with excellent success.
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