Three Forks of the Kentucky River Historical Association

Genealogy

Descendants of John Abner, Sr.

Submitted by Judy Vietri

Generation No. 1

1. JOHN² ABNER, SR. (ELISHA¹)¹ was born Abt. 1794 in Tennessee¹, and died Aft. 1860 in Owsley Co., Kentucky^2,3. He married (1) PAMELIA WATTS? Abt. 1825. She died Bef. October 1829 in Clay Co., Kentucky. He married (2) MILLIE NOBLE⁴ October 07, 1829 in Clay Co., Kentucky⁵. She was born Bet. 1800 - 1810⁶, and died March 1846 in Owsley Co., Kentucky^7,8.

Notes for JOHN ABNER, SR.:

John Abner, Sr. was a resident of Clay Co., Kentucky from 1807 or earlier until 1843 when the area where he lived became Owsley Co. He is listed in the 1811 Clay Co. tax list, later tax lists and census records thru 1840, and in Owsley Co., Ky. 1850 and 1860 census records. Maryann Campbell believes John is buried in the oldest section of Proctor Cemetery.

The children of John Abner have been established using the list of heirs of his son, William Abner. John's son Lewis Abner filed a Petition of Equity in Lee County Circuit Court, July 1, 1909 to "have certain lands belonging to the estate of William Abner, deceased, divided between the plaintiff, Lewis Abner, and the defendants, they being the only heirs at law of William Abner."

The Lee Co. Circuit Court appointed commissioners to divide and allott Tract 1, containing 1000 acres, into 6 equal parts based on quality, quantity and value. The other 9 tracts were ordered sold to the highest bidder and the proceeds, after costs of division, paid to parties based on their respective interests. Their report and a plat map were filed and approved in the March Term, 1910. Commissioner J. K. Roberts was ordered to make deeds of conveyance which was done in the November 1910 Term. (A petition filed November 30, 1909, pg. 425, was set aside.)

The July 1, 1909 petition lists the following heirs of William Abner:

1. Lewis Abner and John Abner, brothers of William Abner, 1/6 interest each.

2. - 7. Robert Abnee, Milton Abnee, Fannie Hildreth (nee Abnee), Effie D. Marlowe (nee Abnee), Charlie Abnee, and Clarence Abnee, children of his deceased brother, Link Abner.

8. Sim Shy, son of Surilda Shy, deceased, who was a daughter of said Link Abner.

9. - 11. Rowena H. Jefferson, Ora Lee Abner, Arris V. Abner, grandchildren of said Link Abner and children of William Abner, deceased, who was the son of Link Abner. Heirs #2-11 1/6 interest jointly

12. Mollie Abner, widow of William Abner, deceased son of Link Abner. No real interest

13. - 14. John Bartlett and Charlie Bartlett, child and grandchild of Malinda Bartlett, 1/6 interest jointly. (Wife of Enos Bartlett)

15. - 17. Perry Bartlett, Milton Bartlett and Laura Lutes, children and only heirs at law of Mary Bartlett, deceased sister of William Abner, 1/6 interest jointly. (2nd wife of Enos Bartlett)

18. - 19. Malinda Murray and Louisa Gay (later her name was corrected to Eliza), only children and only heirs at law of Nancy Hunt, deceased sister of said William Abner. 1/6 interest jointly. (wife of James Hunt)

NOTE: While the parents were not named in the petition, proof they were the children of John is confirmed by the 1850 Owsley Co., Ky census naming Lewis, William, Elisha & John Jr. as children of John Abner. The 1830 and 1840 Clay Co. census confirms the sex and ages of John's children.

NOTE: "History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky,": ed.by William Henry Perrin, Chicago, 1882 pg. 772 (Nicholas County, Lower Blue Licks Precinct)

"LINCOLN ABNEE, b. May 10, 1826, is the son of John and Pamelia (Watts) Abnee. He was born in Clay County and died in 1852; she was a native of Perry County, Ky and died in 1844. She was the mother of six boys and 3 girls. (I have 5 boys and 3 girls. John was b. in Tenn. and died after the 1860 census)

There are 2 possibilities: John married twice. First to Pamelia Watts about 1825. She died prior to October 7, 1829 when John Abne married Milla Noble and only the first two children are hers. However, neither this biography nor William Abner's list of heirs indicate there were two wives.

Second: John m. Milla (Pamelia) in 1829 and they were just late getting married. There would also have to be an error on her last name on the license or she first married a Noble. If I have the right Watts family, Pamelia's mother's maiden name was Emilia (Milly) Noble, a coincidence?? More research needed here. See my handwritten notes in John Abner file.

Children of JOHN ABNER and PAMELIA WATTS? are:

i. LINCOLN³ ABNER⁹, b. May 10, 1826, Clay Co., Kentucky¹⁰; d. Bet. August 1890 - September 1897, Nicholas Co., Kentucky¹¹; m. SARAH MARGARET EVANS^12,13, October 03, 1851, Fleming Co., Kentucky¹³; b. September 19, 1836, Fleming Co., Kentucky¹³; d. Bet. 1900 - 1910, Nicholas Co., Kentucky^14,15.

Notes for LINCOLN ABNER:

In 1850 Nicholas Co., Ky. census, Lincoln was living w/Samuel Bartlett, the father of Mahala Bartlett Evans, Lincoln's mother-in-law. Samuel Bartlett was also the father of Enos Bartlett who married 2 of Lincoln Abner's sisters.

Abner/Abnee appears interchangeable in this branch of the family starting with the 1880 Nicholas Co., Ky. census which is the only record where Lincoln or his wife, Margaret are listed as Abnee. William Abner's 1909 heirs list uses Abnee for this branch of the family except for Mollie and her children. Census and death records vary but most children use Abner and most grandchildren use Abnee.

History of Nicholas County: "Abners Mill, now only a memory, was located 2 miles north & east of Blue Lick Springs where the Licking River and Elk Creek join. On the west side of Elk Creek, Lincoln Abnee (Abner) ran a water powered grist and saw mill. He was appointed postmaster there Aug. 16, 1890." The next postmaster was appointed Sept. 8, 1897 so Lincoln's death would be between those two dates.

"History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison and Nicholas Counties, Ky" by William H. Perrin, 1882: (This info was placed online by Sandi Gorin and not verified from the actual book)

"Lincoln Abnee, miller & millright, is a prominent man in the Lower Blue Licks Precinct and has served the people as Magistrate for several years. Politically he is a Democrat. He married Miss Margaret Evans married Oct. 3, 1851. They have ten children, viz: Serilda, Robert, John N. (Milton), Francis (Mary Fannie), William H., James, Charles, Effie, Clarence and Lee; the latter died when four years of age." (Fleming Co. marriages online list the date as Oct. 1 which may be the license date. Also the actual index has her name as Adams) This book lists his parents as John Abnee of Clay County and Pamelia Watts, a native of Perry County, Kentucky - See John Abner Sr. Notes for more.

Notes for SARAH MARGARET EVANS:

History of Bourbon, Scott, etc. 1882, states she was "born in Fleming Co., the daughter of Rafe R. Evans, a native of Montgomery and Mahaley Bartlett, a native of Nicholas Co." Most documents call her father Ralph.

Margaret was living with her son Clarence in the 1900 Nicholas Co. Ky census where she states she had 10 children - 8 alive. Deceased were William H. who died in 1898, and Lee ca 1871.

Her children's death certificates list various places for her birth but I agree the the above source since her father purchased land in Fleming Co., Sept. 13, 1832.

ii. NANCY ABNER¹⁶, b. Abt. 1828, Clay Co., Kentucky^17,18; m. (1) JAMES B. HUNT¹⁹, September 03, 1846, Owsley Co., Kentucky^19,20; b. April 18, 1828, Monroe Co., Tennessee^21,22; d. Bet. 1853 - 1855, Barry Co., Missouri^22,23; m. (2) JAMES LAFAYETTE SCROGGINS²⁴, September 30, 1855, Barry Co., Missouri²⁵; b. Abt. 1795, Virginia²⁶; d. Bef. January 16, 1867, Barry Co., Missouri²⁷.

Notes for NANCY ABNER:

Petition of Equity to divide William Abner's land states Nancy was William's sister and therefore the daughter of John Abner, Sr. Nancy's two daughters, Malinda and Eliza were her only heirs at law and heirs of William Abner.

The Hunt family bible does not list Nancy by name, just gives James B.'s marriage date. Entry is difficult to read and could be September 5th instead of Sept. 3rd. Also it appears the year was written as 1849 and changed to 1846 indicating the entries were not made when an event happened.

After the death of her 2nd husband in 1867, Nancy and Eliza moved to Neosho Twp. Cherokee Co. Kansas near Nancy's sister Mary Abner Bartlett. The 1870 census #133 lists Nancy as a housekeeper 43, b. Kentucky. #131 is daughter Eliza and her husband and # 152 Mary and Enos Bartlett. Nancy was not found after 1870.

Notes for JAMES B. HUNT:

While the Hunt family bible does not name Nancy Abner as the wife of James B. Hunt, I believe the bible provides enough additional evidence to prove this is our Hunt family.

In 1840 Clay Co., Kentucky, James B. Hunt was only three families from John Abner, Sr., father of Nancy Abner.

James and Nancy are listed in the 1850 Owsley Co., Ky census. Their names, ages and children match proven information. Death certificates of their 2 daughters, Malinda and Eliza, list only the last names of Hunt and Abner. Their first two daughters, Malinda and Mary were named for Nancy's sisters. Their third daughter, Eliza Marie, was probably named for James Hunt's sister Eliza Mariah.

Based on information in the 1860 Sugar Creek Twp., Barry Co., Mo. Census, I believe James B. Hunt and family traveled with his mother, Nancy, brother Jonathan and sisters, Caroline and Elizabeth and their families to Barry Co., Mo between July 1, 1853 and October 4, 1853. (James daughter Eliza was born Oct. 15, 1852 in Clay Co., Ky. Jonathan was married July 1, 1853 in Clay Co., Ky. Both Caroline and Jonathan had children born in Missouri October 1853 and Sept. 1854; and Evan Daugherty with Gabriel Wilson entered land Dec. 1, 1853 and Sept. 15, 1854 in Barry Co., Mo.)

James Hunt probably died in Barry Co., Missouri between October 1853 and September 1855 when his widow, Nancy Hunt married James L. Scroggins. It is not likely Nancy would have traveled alone with 3 children under 6 years of age.

The 1860 Barry Co. census lists James L. Scroggins' next door neighbor as Hawkins Bales and his wife Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the sister of James Hunt. Nearby in the same township were James's mother Nancy, sister Caroline, brother Jonathan, and sister Eliza Mariah who arrived in Missouri by 1860.

Notes for JAMES LAFAYETTE SCROGGINS:

See Howard Scroggins' website for the ancestors of James Lafayette Scroggins.

Howard Scroggins says James L. moved from Christian Co., Ky to Henry Co., Tenn. around 1824. He is listed on the 1828, 29, 30, 35 & 40 Henry County census and/or tax lists. He had 1 slave in 1828. According to the W.G Rhea Library at Paris, Henry Co., Tenn., there were no deeds in the name of Scroggins. There was one male child not listed below. He was 5-10 in 1830 Henry Co. census and gone by 1840.

The James L. Scroggins family was probably in Barry Co., Mo. by April 15, 1846 when Lourana, age 16, married James D. Tilford since its not likely she traveled to Missouri alone.

James L. Scroggins purchased 134 54/100 acres of government land (2 parcels) in Barry Co. October 1, 1852.

James L. Scroggins' probate was opened January 28, 1867. He was deceased by January 16, 1867, when three of his children signed a deed to Richard Murray for 114 54/100 acres of his land that was listed as an assest in his probate. Richard Murray, Administrator of his estate, provided an affidavit of heirs March 8, 1867. The heirs were: Henry, James & Lafayette Scroggins, Lourena Tilford, and the children of Crittenden Scroggins, Lazarus Scroggins, Louisa (Elisa) Skelton and Susan Murray. Final settlement of the estate was March 4, 1873.

Children of JOHN ABNER and MILLIE NOBLE are:

iii. MALINDA³ ABNER²⁸, b. Abt. 1830, Clay Co., Kentucky²⁹; d. 1860, Nicholas Co., Kentucky³⁰; m. ENOS BARTLETT³¹, September 24, 1848, Owsley Co., Kentucky^32,33; b. 1813, Nicholas Co., Kentucky^34,35; d. June 12, 1874, Neosho Twp., Cherokee Co., Kansas³⁶.

Notes for MALINDA ABNER:

1850 Clay Co. and 1860 Nicholas Co., Ky. list her birth year as 1830. Standiford Graveyard lists her birth year as 1828. If it was 1828, her mother would not be Millie Noble.

More About MALINDA ABNER:

Burial: 1860, Standiford Graveyard, Nicholas Co., Kentucky³⁷

Notes for ENOS BARTLETT:

Enos purchased 50 acres of governmant land in Nicholas Co., Kentucky, surveyed April 8, 1839, but was not found in 1840 Ky census records.

He probably married Malinda in Owsley Co., Kentucky since the marriage wasn't in Clay Co. marriage records. His marriage to Mary should be in or near Nicholas Co. Ky between 1860 and Oct. 1863 when Enos & Mary sold their property. There were numerous lawsuits regarding the division of his Grandfather, William Bartlett's land. Enos finally received deeds for his father's share in 1859

In a letter written by John Bartlett to Ethelbert Bartlett, he states "his father, Enos, lived on part of the land owned by his grandfather, William Bartlett, until he moved to Indiana in 1863, to Platte Co., Missouri, in 1864 and Chetopa Kansas in 1867." He was also in Barry Co., Missouri Feb. 22, 1867, where he bought items at the estate sale of his wife's sister's 2nd husband, James L. Scroggins.

By 1870, they were in Neosho Twp., Cherokee Co. Kansas, 3 miles southeast of Chetopa, 1/2 mile north of the Oklahoma border, where Enos purchased 119 acres of government land on the Neosho River.

Enos is probably buried at Fairview Cemetery, Cherokee Co., Kansas where his third wife, Mary "Polly" is buried. Maryann Campbell found no markers for either of them.

The Bartlett Book has a child named Alice, born and died in 1875. If she existed, she was born 1867-1873 since Enos died and Laura was born in 1874. The 1900 census does show that Mary had 4 children - 3 alive.

NOTE: For a complete record of the Bartlett family, see the Bartlett Book, currently being updated by Joe Myers. Joe's ancestor was Jeffrey Bartlett, brother of Enos.

Joe Myers moved to Arizona in 2004. His email address is pimalero@sbcglobal.net

iv. LEWIS ABNER³⁸, b. March 1833, Clay Co., Kentucky³⁹; d. November 05, 1911, Lee Co., Kentucky⁴⁰; m. AMELIA ANN GUM⁴¹, July 11, 1859, Owsley Co., Kentucky^42,43; b. November 1839, Estill Co., Kentucky^44,45.

Notes for LEWIS ABNER:

Lewis filed a Petition of Equity July 1, 1909 in Lee Circuit Court to divide lands belonging to the estate of his brother William. (See notes on John Abner Sr.) Lewis's death certificate does not list date of birth or parents.

More About LEWIS ABNER:

Burial: November 06, 1911⁴⁶

Notes for AMELIA ANN GUM:

Amelia Ann Gum, born in Estill Co., Ky, was the name used to register the birth and death of their daughter Phebe. Milly must be a nickname for Amelia. All other sources refer to her as Milly Ann. Her parents were William Gum born about 1829, Lucinda b. about 1824, both in Kentucky. I found William Gum in 1840 Estill Co., Ky on pg. 51; 1850 Owsley Co., pg. 310; 1860 Owsley Co., pg. 387; 1870 Lee Co., pg. 349.

v. WILLIAM ABNER⁴⁷, b. January 1835, Clay Co., Kentucky⁴⁷; d. March 1908, Lee Co., Kentucky⁴⁸.

Notes for WILLIAM ABNER:

William received over 600 acres in Kentucky Land Grants in Owsley Co., which became Lee Co., Ky. William was single and lived alone from 1860 through 1880, and he was a boarder with George Cundiff who was probably renting William's farm in the 1900 Lee Co. Census.

There are Civil War entries for "William Abner" in Ky including a Union pension application filed in 1904 by Levi Abner. However, this pension app. could also be Levi Abner's brother, William.

At his death in March 1908, William had $10,000, over 1100 acres of land plus an interest in 3 other parcels. He died without leaving a will. See his father, John Abner's notes for details.

vi. ELISHA ABNER⁴⁹, b. 1837, Clay Co., Kentucky⁴⁹.

Notes for ELISHA ABNER:

Elisha is with his father, John Sr. in 1850, and with Levi Bowman and already a land owner in 1860 Owsley Co., Ky. William and Elisha also purchased 50 acres in Owsley Co. together October 27, 1867. I found no trace of him after that. He was not an heir of his brother, William and died without heirs prior to July 1, 1909.

Possible Civil War service for Elisha Abner, Co. D. 8th Infantry Regt. Ky. Union. Enlisted Jan. 15, 1862 and discharged January 6, 1864. Another entry shows an enlistment date of Sept. 24, 1861 in this same unit. No further service record. This unit was formed in Estill Co. and Lebanon, Ky. and took alot of casualties and deaths from sickness so he may have been wounded and discharged early. The other two entries for "Elisha Abner" refer to the other Elisha, see NOTE next.

NOTE: In error, some researchers believe this Elisha and his brother William, served in Morgan's Raiders, Co. E. 3rd Battn. Ky Mtd. Rifles, Confederate. It was actually Elisha and William, sons of John b. 1813 and grandsons of Elisha, Jr. that served in Morgan's Raiders. This John Abner family also lived in Owsley Co. in 1850 but moved to Grant Co. before the 1860 census where they remained. This 2nd Elisha Abner's death certificate states he was born Dec. 25, 1841, died Aug. 10, 1925. His mother was Nancy Jane McJunkin.

vii. MARY J. ABNER⁵⁰, b. May 1840, Clay Co., Kentucky⁵¹; d. June 14, 1905, Cherokee Co., Kansas⁵²; m. ENOS BARTLETT⁵³, Abt. 1862, Kentucky⁵⁴; b. 1813, Nicholas Co., Kentucky^55,56; d. June 12, 1874, Neosho Twp., Cherokee Co., Kansas⁵⁷.

Notes for MARY J. ABNER:

The 1900 Allen Co., Kansas census lists her birth as May 1844, but 1860 and 1870 show birth year as 1840 and she was born prior to when the 1840 census was taken. She was missed in the 1850 Owsley Co., Kentucky census. Her children were heirs of her brother, William Abner.

More About MARY J. ABNER:

Burial: June 15, 1905, Fairview Cemetery, Sec. 4, 35S 22E, Neosho Twp., Cherokee Co., Kansas⁵⁸

Notes for ENOS BARTLETT:

Enos purchased 50 acres of governmant land in Nicholas Co., Kentucky, surveyed April 8, 1839, but was not found in 1840 Ky census records.

By 1870, they were in Neosho Twp., Cherokee Co. Kansas, 3 miles southeast of Chetopa, 1/2 mile north of the Oklahoma border, where Enos purchased 119 acres of government land on the Neosho River.

Enos is probably buried at Fairview Cemetery, Cherokee Co., Kansas where his third wife, Mary "Polly" is buried. Maryann Campbell found no markers for either of them.

NOTE: For a complete record of the Bartlett family, see the Bartlett Book, currently being updated by Joe Myers. Joe's ancestor was Jeffrey Bartlett, brother of Enos.

Joe Myers moved to Arizona in 2004. His email address is pimalero@sbcglobal.net

viii. JOHN ABNER⁵⁹, b. December 1844, Owsley Co., Kentucky^59,60; m. SARAH ELLEN LUTES⁶¹, December 08, 1878, Lee Co., Kentucky⁶¹; b. April 06, 1855, Owsley Co., Kentucky⁶²; d. June 23, 1927, Kentucky⁶².

Notes for JOHN ABNER:

John received 1/6 of his brother, William's estate. Have not found death records online for either John or Sarah.

Endnotes

1. 1850 Owsley Co., Kentucky Census.

2. 1860 Owsley Co., Kentucky Census.

3. Place of Residence.

4. Sadie Young - familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/y/o/u/Sadie-Young/GENE4-0006.html.

5. Marriage License of John Abne to Milla Noble, October 7, 1829 (License date).

6. 1830 Clay Co., Kentucky Census.

7. Sadie Young - familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/y/o/u/Sadie-Young/GENE4-0006.html.

8. Place of Residence.

9. Will and/or Probate - Division of William Abner's Land, KY Archives, Lee Co., KY Circuit Court, Bundle 333, file dated July 1, 1909.

10. History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison & Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, William Henry Perrin, 1882, Lincoln Abnee pg.772.

11. History of Nicholas Co., Kentucky, 1976, by Nicholas Co. Historical Soc..

12. 1850 Fleming Co., Kentucky Census.

13. History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison & Nicholas Counties, Kentucky, William Henry Perrin, 1882, Lincoln Abnee pg.772.

14. 1900 Nicholas Co., Kentucky Census.

15. Place of Residence.

16. Will and/or Probate - Division of William Abner's Land, KY Archives, Lee Co., KY Circuit Court, Bundle 333, file dated July 1, 1909.

17. 1850 Owsley Co., Kentucky Census.

18. Place of Residence.

19. Family Bible - Levi B. Hunt 1st printing, 3rd Edition, 1816, in the possession of J. Robert Danley.

20. Place of Residence.

21. Family Bible - Levi B. Hunt 1st printing, 3rd Edition, 1816, in the possession of J. Robert Danley.

22. Place of Residence.

23. Marriage certificate of Hunt, Nancy & James L. Scoggins, Book ABC, pg. 137.

24. Scroggins, Howard, WFT family page, descendants of James Scroggins.

25. Marriage certificate of Hunt, Nancy & James L. Scoggins, Book ABC, pg. 137.

26. Scroggins, Howard, WFT family page, descendants of James Scroggins.

27. Will and/or Probate - James L. Scroggins, and deed to Richard Murray, Jan. 16, 1867.

28. Bartlett Family Bible in the possession of Maryann Campbell.

29. 1860 Clay Co., Kentucky Census.

30. Cemetery Records Online, Nicholas Co., Kentucky, Standiford Graveyard, www.carolyar.com/NicholasCo.htm.

31. Bartlett Book, pub.1915, updated by Lois Mildred Harris Willett, currently being updated by Joe Myers, St. Louis.

32. Bartlett Family Bible in the possession of Maryann Campbell.

33. Place of Residence.

34. 1860 Clay Co., Kentucky Census.

35. Place of Residence.

36. Bartlett Family Bible in the possession of Maryann Campbell.

37. Cemetery Records Online, Nicholas Co., Kentucky, Standiford Graveyard, www.carolyar.com/NicholasCo.htm.

38. 1850 Owsley Co., Kentucky Census.

39. 1900 Lee Co., Kentucky Census.

40. Death Certificate of Lewis Abner.

41. Birth Records, Kentucky, Lee Co., USGenWeb online & ALHN (Am.Local Hist Net) Kentucky, Lee, Phebe E. Abner.

42. R. W. Brown email 9-2-2000 - Lewis Abner m. Milly Ann Gum.

43. Place of Residence.

44. 1900 Lee Co., Kentucky Census.

45. Birth Records, Kentucky, Lee Co., USGenWeb online & ALHN (Am.Local Hist Net) Kentucky, Lee, Phebe E. Abner.

46. Death Certificate of Lewis Abner.

47. 1900 Lee Co., Kentucky Census.

48. Will and/or Probate - Division of William Abner's Land, KY Archives, Lee Co., KY Circuit Court, Bundle 333, file dated July 1, 1909.

49. 1850 Owsley Co., Kentucky Census.

50. 1870 Cherokee Co., Kansas Census.

51. Place of Residence.

52. Obituary of Mrs. Bartlett, Chetopa News, June 16, 1905.

53. Bartlett Book, pub.1915, updated by Lois Mildred Harris Willett, currently being updated by Joe Myers, St. Louis.

54. Place of Residence.

55. 1860 Clay Co., Kentucky Census.

56. Place of Residence.

57. Bartlett Family Bible in the possession of Maryann Campbell.

58. Obituary of Mrs. Bartlett, Chetopa News, June 16, 1905.

59. 1850 Owsley Co., Kentucky Census.

60. 1900 Lee Co., Kentucky Census.

61. Marriage Index: Kentucky, Lee Co., 1874-1878 online USGenWeb, John Abner 32 and Sarah Ellen Lutes 23.

62. Ancestry Family Tree - Lutes Family Tree by Arthur Lutes.

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