USA > Pennsylvania > Juniata County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 1 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Mifflin County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 1 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Snyder County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 1 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Union County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 1 > Part 22
USA > Pennsylvania > Perry County > History of that part of the Susquehanna and Juniata valleys, embraced in the counties of Mifflin, Juniata, Perry, Union and Snyder, in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania. V. 2, Pt. 1 > Part 22
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Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60
The land lying south and east of the Alex- ander Murray tract, and upon which is the town of Andersonburg, and also the Benjamin Beistline farm and a portion of the Martin farm, was taken up by John MeNcore (MeAncer) in 1766 and 1767. In the same years Alexander MeNeere, probably a brother, took up two hundred and sixty-nine acres just south of John's, which land is now in the farm of George M. Loy, who is a full brother of Andrew Loy, on the Robinson tract. This farm was for a long time owned by Abraham Bowers, whose daughter Mr. Loy married. South of this tract, but joining it, Jolm Doug- lass warranted, in 1788, " fifty aeres, including an improvement bounded by his other lands on the south and cast, Robert Adams on the west and Alexander Melnear on the north." The Green Point school-house is on this tract and the balance is owned by Samuel Kerr's heirs, who likely own some of the other land taken up by Donglass,
Robert Morrow, csccutor of William Hamil- ton, on the 9th of September, 1766, took up one
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
hundred and fifty-three aeres, and on the same day and date the Widow Hamilton took out an order of survey for some land. These tracts are now owned by William and Jonathan Moore. The William Hamilton referred to was killed by the Indians, along with John Logan, Coyle and others, as before mentioned, near Daniel Ernest's house. The William Moore farm was owned by John Nelson, whose wife was a daughter of William Hamilton,
The principal part of the land included in the Martin Motzer and Thomas Martin farms was taken np by James Morrow in 1766 and 1767, who had three hundred and fifty acres of land. Near to this tract John Irvin located one hun- dred and ninety-four acres in 1766, and one hundred acres in 1767, and Alexander Morrow, E-q., in trust for heirs of John Irvin, in 1790, warranted a tract. All these tracts are now owned by William and Thomas Martin and William Zimmerman, the latter of whom is of the family so long identified with the carly his- tory of Toboyne.
The Creighton Junk farm (bnt which was long known as the " MeClintock farm ") Was taken up in 1766 by John Murray.
John Nelson warranted, in 1766, over three hundred acres, lying near the Hamilton tracts, which is owned by George M. Loy, Adam Sheaffer and others. The John Blair surveys for two hundred acres, made in 1766 and 1767, are mostly owned by William Moore.
Bartholomew Davis, whose remarkable escape from death at the hands of the Indians in 1763, when all his companions were killed, near George McCord's, surveyed a part of the land now owned by John Moore and Samuel Kern. The date of his order was the 27th of August, 1766, and was for one hundred and eighty- seven acres.
Thomas Clark, by order of survey No. 1165, and dated 9th of September, 1766, took up two hundred and forty-two acres, which laud is now owned by Robert A. Clark, a descendant, and Abram Stahl. Clark also took up one hundred acres in 1767. Robert Clark, a son of Thomas, cate to Sherman's Valley from Carlisle as a volunteer to defend the settlers against the lu- dians, and seeing the fine water, timber and soil
of the valley, settled on this tract, but the order of survey was taken out in the name of his father. This Clark tract and the Adams tract, in Jacksou, are the only two in the upper town- ships that are yet in the name of the original settler. Robert Clark married Mary, the third child of Ingh and Martha Alexander. Robert Clark died in 1819, aged eighty years, and his wife in 1838, aged seventy-six years. Their children were Thomas, Hugh, Frances, John, David, Martha, Margaret, James and Andrew. Thomas Clark married Nellie Black, 30th of December, 1809, aud moved to Ohio, where he died in 1846, and she in 1871.
HIngh Clark did not marry, his residence being in Pigna, Ohio.
Frances Clark married Richard Morrow, probably a neighbor, in 1814, and moved to Miami County, Ohio, where he died in 1864, and his wife a few months later in the same year, aged seventy-six and seventy-five respect- ively.
John Clark married a Susan Clark, of Perry, probably a daughter of Roger Clark, and movel to Ohio in 1816.
David Clark married Margaret Blain, likely one of the Jackson township Blains, in 1815, and moved to Ohio, where he died in 1839, and his wife in 1836.
Martha Clark married Robert Adams, a far- mer of Toboyne ; lived in Sherman's Valley, where she died in 1813. Her daughter Jeniza married Fisher Nesbit, whose children were John, William, James and Martha. This family and their descendants are mostly in the county.
Margaret Clark married Robert McClure about 1819, and moved to Ohio, where she died in 18-40.
James Clark married Ann Coyle, a daughter of David Coyle, who was mentioned as living for many years on the Benjamin Rice farm in Madison. James Clark lived on the old farm now owned by his oldest son, Robert A. Clark, where he died in 1858, aged sixty years. His wife survived him until the year 1885, dying in Nashville. They had seven children -- Robert A., David C., Martha 1 .. , Andrew M., Mary A., Elizabeth A. and William S.
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Robert A. Clark married Matilda Q., dangh- ter of flames MeNeal, of Centre, who died some years ago. Ilis present wife is of the Smiley family, of Carroll. He has a family of seven children. The old farm under his careful cultivation is in fine condition, and the build- ings and improvements indicate the thrift and prosperity of the owner.
David Coyle Clark married Maggie Sharp, and resides near Chambersburg.
Martha Lynn Clark married William A. McCulloch, and lives near Newville.
Mary A. Clark married Samnel Sharp, and resides near Newville.
Andrew Mitchell Clark, the youngest child of Robert. and Mary (Alexander) Clark, died ummarried at the residence of his brother James in 1858, aged fifty-eight years.
Adjoining the Thomas Clark survey on the north and west, John Crawford located one hundred and thirty-eight acres in 1766, and one hundred acres in 1767. On this latter tract is situated the St. Paul Intheran Church. The farms of Jacob and Samnel Burrell, south of Clark's, were warranted by Robert Nelson in 1766.
On the 18th of June, 1774, William Erwin warranted " fifty acres along the south side of the Limestone Ridge, joining the lands of James Murray, Jolm MeNaire, Alexander Murray and Alexander Clarke." This land is owned by A. B. Grosh, Anderson's heirs and Thomas Martin. This warrant names, as joiners, a few of the extensive land-owners of the neighborhood. Christopher Bower warranted a considerable portion of the land in the Woods' and Gray's farms. The same farms also contain the Conrad Wolf warrant of 1786 for " two hundred acres, including an improve- ment, adjoining lands of John Garner, William MeCord, Andrew Eberhart, Jacob Grove and John Byers."
The land lying around Cisna's Run was the earliest warranted in this part of the town- ship. It was warranted in the name of Jolm Garner (Gardner) on the Ith of February, 1755, and was for "two himdred acres, in- cluding his improvement on Cedar Spring, a branch of Sherman's Creek ; " also one hundred
arres in 1767. John Hench's heirs, George Bryner, Sammel Shape and others own this land. The large scope lying west and north of this point, and which includes the most valuable land in the county was also warranted carly, but as the warrants were not found, the dates cannot be given. We have given, wherever possible, the names of the joiners to the tracts already described, and it is believed that by this method few names of early settlers have been omitted. The only person in the western end of the county capable of supplying the omissions in this narrative is James Woods, Esq., of Blain, who will no doubt cheerfully gratify those who may be interested.
The land now owned by John Milligan's heirs and Thomas Messimer, and lying south of Cisna's Run, was taken up in the years 1762, 1767 and 1792 by Hugh Gibson, who was taken prisoner by the Indians in 1756 at the time of the attack on Robison's Fort, when his mother, the Widow Gibson, the wife of James Wilson and several others were killed and scalped. He was adopted by the tribe and kept a prisoner for some time, but finally made his escape.
Sanmel Lightner owns the land, taken up by James Brown in 1766 and 1767, that lies on the south side of Sherman's Creek.
Adjoining the Brown tract William MeFar- land took up three hundred acres in 1789, which land is now owned by James Adair's heirs and Sammel Lightner.
The flames Adair farm was a part of the large tract taken up by John Byers ( Byards) in 1767, which contained two hundred acres. In 1794 he took up over five hundred aeres, likely ridge land, which is owned by John Martin and George M. Loy. It is probable that this is the same Byers who took up the Judge Stroup farm, in Sandy Hill, and who was the presiding justice of the Cumberland County Court in 1763, when Toboyne township was erected. On the Byers tract at Adair's, is the large brick grist-mill known as the "Trostle mill," and erected by William Owens and for a long time owned by the Bruner brothers. It is now owned by David Metz.
Much of the land lying on the Limestone
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
Ridge, and north of Cisua's Run, was taken up by Stephen Cessna, who for many years lived at this point and owned considerable land in the vicinity. His name has become fixed to this locality and some of his descendants are still living in the township. He was related to John Gardner. Dr. Reed Cisna, formerly of Ickesburg, is a descendant, and also Captain Gardner C. Palm. Hon. John Cessna, of Bedford County, is a representative of a collateral branch of the same family. The farm now owned by John A. Garber, a brother of Hon. Jos. B. Garber, was war- ranted by Stephen Cessna and Henry Zim- merman as early as 1789.
A short distance east of the Byers tract, and on the main road, where George Hench's tan- nery and the village of Centre are located, Jane MeCreary and sons warranted one Inm- dred and sixty eight acres on the 2d of June, 1762. She was the widow of Thomas Me- Creary. A portion of this land is now in the George MI. Loy farm, which he purchased from Samuel Arnold abont fifteen years ago, and it. joins the James Wilson survey, described as one of the joiners of the Robinson tract.
The tannery of George Hench, on this tract, was erceted before 1820, although A. L. Hench, in his semi-centennial narrative, does not put it earlier than 1825, and gives John Loy the credit of being the founder of it. If it was not in existence in 1820, where was the " tan-yard " for which Nicholas Loy, the father of John, was assessed in Toboyne township in that year ? On the 17th of December, 1825, Jolm Loy purchased it from his father, and it then consisted of a " log building, two stories high, containing two limes, one bate, beam- house and currying-shop. The bark was ground in a hoop on the first floor of a shed adjoining. One pool, one leach and the sixteen vats, still numbering from one to sixteen, com- prised the whole establishment."
On the 19th of April, 1832, the property was bought by Atcheson Laughlin, and, on the 10th of August, 1832, George Hench became a part- ner of Mr. Langhhu's, which partnership cou- finned until 1837, when Mr. Hench purchased Laughlin's entire interest for one thousand
five hundred dollars. Mr. Hench was a young man of energy and character, and began at once to improve his property. He erected the present main building in 1812, and, in 1851, put in au engine and two boilers, by which wet spent-tan could be used as fuel. In 1857 a saw-mill was attached, and, in 1860, a fornace for burning wet tan was put in, being the first succesful venture of the kind in the State west of the Susquehanna. On the 1st of April, 1865, A. 1 .. Hench, the eldest son, became his father', partner, securing a one-third interest. On the Ist of April, 1872, the partnership was dis- solved by mutual consent, the junior partner withdrawing, the assets of the firm at this time being over ninety thousand dollars. From that time to the present Mr. George Hench has been the sole proprietor. He has been living iu Carlisle for about ten years. Much of the thrift of the laboring classes in the neighbor- hood is due to Mr. Hench's successful manage- ment of this tannery. For more than fifty years he has been the active head of this enter- prise, and during all that time has been a potent factor in the intellectual, social and moral advancement of the community. His son, Atcheson L., married Alice, a daughter of Jacob Bixler, moved to Bedford County in 1872, and erected a large tannery near Alum Bank. Ilis son Thomas, after graduating at Princeton College and Seminary, became a Presbyterian minister, and is located in the West.
On the 10th of Angnst, 1882, Mr. Hench in- vited his friends, neighbors, Philadelphia and New York business men with whom he dealt, and many others, to join with him and his family in celebrating, in a fitting manner, his successfully reaching the fiftieth milestone of active business life. It was a happy idea, a credit to the heart that conceived it, and grace- fully managed for the comfort and pleasure of all.
East of the Met'reary tract was the survey of Joseph Neeper, containing one Imindred and eighty-seven aeres, and dated the 27th of Angust, 1766, and now owned by Reuben Mover. This tract is south of Wilson's and on both sides of Sherman's Creek. William Neeper also located land in this vicinity, and, in 1759,
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PERRY COUNTY.
lee took ont an order for what is now the David Gring tract, in Sheaffer's Valley. Joseph, James and William were sons of William Viper. George Connors bought the Neeper farm in 1816, and sold to George Loy in 1823, and he to Jacob Lighter in 1821. William Dalzell warranted one hundred and six acres east of Neeper's on the 11th of December, 1788. On this tract was located the old Daniel Sheaffer tavern. It lies west of Roddy's and south of Robinson's tracts, and is now owned by Jolin Hohenshilt. The farm on the south side of the creek from Centre, for some years owned by David Metz, but now owned by George Hench, Jr., was warranted on the 7th of May, 1787, by James Maxwell. The warrant called for " two hundred acres, including an improve- ment, bounded on the northwest by lands of lohn Byers, on the south by lands of the heirs of David Brown, and on the cast by land of William Hunter." Colonel John Maxwell, one of the commissioners of the county in 1824, and a son of James Maxwell, owned this property in 1820, as the assessment shows, and there was theu erected upon it a " fulling-mill "and " power- mill." James Maxwell was yet living in 181 1, as he is assessed for a " fulling-mill " that year. Joseph Eaton, a relative of the Maxwells, pur- chased the property from John and owned it for many years, and, in 1835, is assessed for a tilling-mill and carding-machine and a still.
The land now owned by Andrew Adams' heirs, along the creek, was warranted at differ- ent times by the Baxter brothers. John Baxter located fifty acres in 1767, and one hundred and fifty acres in 1787, and James and William Baxter warranted, on the 25th of November, 1789, "one hundred acres joining AAndrew MeCurdy, John Baxter and John Shower, and on the south by a barren hill."
John Neeper, Sherman's Creek, James Maxwell and the heirs of Wm. Neeper."
Henry Bear's mill is on a tract warranted by John Scouller on the 22d February, 1787, and containing " 200 acres, including an im- provement, adjoining lands of the Neeper-, the heirs of Roger Clarke, John Baxter and Wil- liam MeClintock, on Sherman's Creek."
Englehart Wormley owned this property in 1814 and was assessed for a mill and saw-mill, which proves the erection of the mill at least a- early as that date. The present brick mill was built in 1841. John Wormley owned the mill in 1835.
Across the creek from Bear's mill, William McClelland located, in 1766, one hundred and twenty-six acres, and in 1767 one hundred acres. This land is owned by James Adair.
The foregoing list of carly settlers in Madison township contains almost one Inindred names, and, while it is not complete, very few of theactual settlers on the good land of the township have been omitted. If this, the first attempt of the kind, is found imperfect, and occasionally inac- curate, it is hoped it will induce those who have the ability to correct and rewrite this very im- portant part of our local history to do so while it is possible to get at the facts. But few gene- alogies are given, and these very briefly-first, because space was wanting, and second, but few families have a connected history from the early settlers to the present, and, of course, can- not furnish it on short notice.
CENTRE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH .- This was the earliest church, not only in Madison township, but in the western part of Perry County. Its history dates back to a period carlier than that of any church in the county, although the old Dick's Gap Church, on the New Bloomfield and Baileysburg road, was probably erected first. The land upon which the Centre Church stands was taken up by order of sur- vey No. 1181, on the 9th of September, 1766, by " Thomas Ross, John Byers, Edward Allet, John Hamilton and Hugh Alexander, in trust for the congregation at Tyrone, in Tyrone town- ship." The charter of incorporation was granted by Governor William Findley on the
The Adairs, themselves an old and numerous family in the township, are related to the Bax- ter family. John Wolf, south of Centre, owns the greater part of a warrant dated 16th of April, 1793, and taken ont by William Ihin- ter " in behalf of Jas. Baxter, one of the ad- ministrators of Martha Hunter, widow of Wm. Ilumter, and the surviving children, 100 acres, including an improvement, bounded by lands of , 21th of March, 1819, and the land was patented
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JUNIATA AND SUSQUEHANNA VALLEYS IN PENNSYLVANIA.
in 1820. The tract originally contained seven acres and five perches, and consisted of a bean- tiful grove of majestic oaks, many of which are yet standing. The old graveyard, which cou- tains tombstones as early as 1766, occupies soy- eral acres of the tract. A dwelling-house for the couch sexton and the Centre School-house are also on the tract. The church is in an his- torie neighborhood, being in sight of Robison's Fort, and was surrounded by sturdy Scotch- Irish settlers, whose love for the tenets of John Calvin was only equaled by their love of lib- erty and their hatred of despotie power.
The old grave-yard is the final resting-place of many of these heroic meu.
The first church was built about 1767, of logs dovetailed at the corners. Like all coun- try churches of the period, it was fireless, even in winter. Being the only church within a radius of many miles, its members came from distant points, and, during the Indian wars, armed with their trusty rifles. Two sermons on Sunday was the rule, the members bringing their dinners with them.
In 1766 the settlers of Sherman's Valley asked Donegal Presbytery for church organiza- tion, although as early as 1760 they had asked for preachers, and they had been sent. Iu Aug- nst, 1766, the Rev. Charles Beatty was sent out from Philadelphia, by the Missionary Board of the Presbyterian Church, to visit frontier settle- ments. He was joined at Carlisle by the Rev. George Duffield, and, together, they went over the mountains, and " on the eighteenth day came to the house of Thomas Ross (Colonel Graham's farm in Tyrone), where we lodged. On the nineteenth day rode four or five miles, to a place in the woods designed for building a house for worship, and preached. (This was undoubtedly the site of Centre Church.) After sermon pro- ceeded abont five miles and lodged at the house of Mr. Ferguss; the house where he lives was attacked by the Indians in the late war and the owners of it killed." (The house referred to was very likely the Logan house, as it would be on his route to the West.)
After several visits from church committees, three churches were organized in the valley- Old Dick's Cap, Centre and the Blain Church.
This arrangement was finally approved by Pres- bytery on the 1 1th April, 1767. The "Lime- stone," or " Lower" Church, at "Samuel Fish- er's," at the grave yard near George Hoobaugh's, in Tyrone, was partly erected when the other were organized, but Presbytery refused to or- ganize it, as being too near to Centre. However, on the 21th June, 1772, the request was grant- ed and this church, with Centre and Upper (named also Toboyne), called Rev. William Thom on the 8th September, 1772, but he de- clined. Between the years 1772 and 1777 thex same churches called Rev. Jno. Black and Rey. MeKnight, but both declined. On the 15th October, 1777, they called Rev. John Linn, who was the first minister to accept. Of course sup- plies were sent by Presbytery during the vacancy of the pulpit. In June, 1778, Rev. John Linn was installed as their pastor, and so continued until his death, in 1820. A sketch of his life will be found in connection with the John Byers tract, which he purchased. After the death of Rev. Linn the churches were sup- plied for a time by Rev. Gray. Before this time changes had taken place in these churches, the "Sam Fisher" Church had been abandoned, and Landisburg organized in 1823. Rev. James M. Olmstead became pastor of the "Upper" Church- es in 1826, and served until 1831, when Rev. Lindley C. Rutter became the pastor of Centre and Upper only, and so continued until 1836. Rev. Nelson was the next pastor, but resigned in 1842, and was followed in 1844 by Rev. George D. Porter, who served these two church- es in connection with Millerstown until 1851. Then Rev. George S. Ray served Centre and Blain as stated supply until 1855, in which year Landisburg mited with these churches in call- ing Rev. Lewis Williams, who was pastor until his death, in 1857. In the fall of 1857, Rev. Jno. II. Clark became the pastor, and served until the fall of 1862. In 1863 Rev. J. Il. Ramsey came, and remained until the spring of 1867. Rev. Robert MePherson was called to Landisburg and Centre in 1868, Blain having united with lekesburg. Rev. MePher-on con- tinned pastor of the church until abont Essl, when he resigned, and the pulpit was vaemt, except supplies, until the 10th June, 1883, when
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PERRY COUNTY.
Rev. J. II. Cooper was installed, who continued | large spring on the land of Jacob Bisler. The as pastor until 10th June, 1885. The pulpit is church has been twice repaired, first in 1863 and again in 1878. Services are held here every two weeks, and it belongs to the Blain charge. Up to nine years ago it was a part of the New Bloomfield " (irenit." now vacant. The trustees of the Centre Church, in 1819, when it was chartered, were John Linn, John Creigh, Thomas Purdy, William MeClure, Charles Elliott, Sammel MeCord, David Coyle, Robert. Elliott and Samnel A. Anderson. The A Sunday School is a regular part of the church services, and is well attended by the children of the neighborhood. present trustees are John Milligan, Newton Me- Millen and Andrew Loy. The present frame church is the third church erected on these grounds. The logs of the first church, pulled down when the second, or stone church, was built, in 1793, were sold to Samuel Rickard, who then owned the Wormley farm, below Way- goner's, who used them in building a barn, which stood until 1857, when it was torn down by Benjamin Wormley. The logs, still being in good condition, were used by him in the erection of his present barn, in which some of them may vet be seen.
The present church was built in 1850, and stands almost upon the site of the first church. The second, or stone church, stood two or three rods east of the present church.'
EMORY CHAPEL METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH. - The first Methodist society organ- ized in Madison township (then Toboyne) was at Bruner's (Trostel's) mill, about the year 1815. The Bruner brothers were carnest and active men, and sterling Methodists. To them is dne much of the honor of founding and firmly establishing within the borders of western Perry County the Methodist Episcopal Church, the largest church, as the last census shows, in America to-day. In those early days the preaching services were held in school-houses and the houses of members, and the present church at Bixler's Mills was not erected until 1838, Jacob Bixler, John Flickinger and others being the most active promoters of the enter- prise. The land was given by John Flickin- ger. The church building is a neat frame structure, inclosed by an attractive fence and -haded by locust-trees. It stands close by a
" For much of this material, thanks are due Rev. John Elgar, who gathered the carly Presbyterian Chorch his- tory while pastor of the New Bloomfield Church ; James B. Hackett, Esq .; A. 1. Hench, of Bedford County ; and Robert A. Clark, of Madison Township,
.
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