USA > New York > Chemung County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 157
USA > New York > Schuyler County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 157
USA > New York > Tioga County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 157
USA > New York > Tompkins County > History of Tioga, Chemung, Tompkins and Schuyler counties, New York > Part 157
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The academy building, situated on the corner of Decatur and Tenth Streets, is of wood, two stories above the base- ment, 75 feet long by 40 feet wide.
The grannar-sehool building is situated on the corner of Porter and Ninth Streets, is of wood, two stories high, with ecllar for store-room, 40 feet square.
The North primary building, situated on the hill-side, in the northwestern part of the village, is of brick, two stories
# Died in February, 1871.
580
HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
high, with eellar for eoal, wood, ete. Grounds, 150 by 200 feet. 40 feet long by 30 feet wide. Present estimated valne of buildings and grounds, $20,000.
The following shows the receipts and expenditures of Watkins Union School District, from Oet. 1, 1876, to Oet. 1,1877 :
RECEIPTS.
Publie money :
On district quota .. $558.80
" number of pupils ..
663.44
" average daily attendance library ...
33.75
$1,967.59 61.39
Tuition ....
235.25
Tax on property
4,502.53
Total
$6,766.76
Balanee in treasurer's hands Oct. 1, 1876.
3,240.23
Total receipts, including balanee in treasurer's hands Oct. 1, 1876.
$10,006.99
EXPENDITURES.
Teachers' wages and elerk's salary.
$1,872.09
Maps and apparatus.
50.40
School furniture. 2.00
Library 80.00
Books for indigent pupils. 5.81
Fuel (for two years)
475.15
Incidentals.
Janitor (fourteen months).
$453.50
Delivering notices to parents ..
17.55
Other ineidentals
65.46
Hardware.
82.55
Stationery and printing ..
177.51
Improvements and repairs.
459.10
Insurance ...
46.50
Interest on note of board
11.46
$6,799.21
RECAPITULATION.
Total receipts, ineluding balanee in treasurer's
hands Oct. 1, 1876
$10,006.99
Less expenditures .. 6,799.21
Balance, Oet. 1, 1877
3,207.78
The school is well supplied with musical instruments, maps, charts, fireproof safe, etc.
Value of philosophieal and chemical apparatus, $400; number of volumes in library, 679; number of children in distriet between five and twenty-one, 912.
The following is a summary of attendance at Watkins Academie Union School for the year ending June 28, 1878 :
DEPARTMENTS.
No. of Pupils
Registered.
Average No.
Days' Attend-
Average Daily
Attendance.
Per Cent. of
Attendance.
No. of School
Days of Ab-
Cases of Tardi-
Time Lost.
Academic
108
70.5
13,009
68.1
96.7
191
708
161
29 22
Fourth Grammar
75
38
7,247
36.7
96.5
197
453
52
8 43
Third
98
53.9
9.825
51.8
96.21
197
610
58
7 30
Second
98
52
9.848
49.9
96
19'
599
53
9 51
First
87
48.9
9,257
46.9
95.9
197
639
54
13 43
Third Primary ..
93
53.3
9,931
50.4
94.7
19'
606
86
11 18
Second
93
47.8
8,804
44.7
93.3
19'
855
38
10 20
First
99
47.8
8,507
43.2
90.3
197 197
1268
142
29 24
North
58
36.
6,151
32.
89.
79.
168
33 27
Totals.
630
448.2
82,579
423.7
94.3
197
6533
812 153 38
CHURCHES.
THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHI
was organized Sept. 8, 1818. Wm. Baskin and wife Cath- arine, Elijah Bacon and wife Ruth, John Diven and wife
Eleanor, Charles T. Brown, Bradley Thompson, Miss Olive Bacon, Miss Sarah Thompson, Miss Sarah Vanzant, Mrs. Anna Norton, Mrs. Polly Smith, Mrs. Patty Phinney, Mrs. Jane Baskin, and Miss Elizabeth Diven were examined by Mr. Higgins and by each other concerning their knowledge of doetrine, experimental and practical religion, and their willingness to enter into solemn covenant with God and one another to observe the important duties and ordinanees of the gospel ; and all agree to receive and adopt the Presby- terian confession of faith and system of discipline. Certi- fied by David Higgins, minister of the gospel, and Elders Wm. Baskin and Elijah Bacon.
Then followed the baptism of a number of persons and children, June 20, 1819, by the pastor, Rev. Samuel Parker.
These met at the house of Daniel C. Norris for worship and the Lord's Supper, Nov. 20, 1819. Feb. 17, 1821, the church met and elected John Diven, Sr., Elder. July 29, 1821, Rev. Samuel Parker, Pastor. Feb. 24, 1822, the clureli of Catharine and Reading this day reported to tlie Presbytery 21 members in communion. Bradley Thompson, Clerk.
THE FIRST CHURCHI
in Jefferson, now Watkins, was completed May 10, 1833, and cost $1000, and had a seating capacity of 400; was of frame, and situated on the side-hill at the head of the lake, on Monroe Street, between Cross and Partition Streets ; was afterwards sold to the Catholies, about 1846-47; is still standing, though not used for church purposes.
Rev. Samuel White was present at the new church serv- iees. At a meeting of the church called for the purpose, Wm. H. Hellerman was unanimously ehosen trustee in place of Newman Abbey, whose term expired. Report to Presbytery, Jan. 1, 1835, 72 members at communion, $50 raised for missionary purposes, and $20 for elothing, for- warded to Rev. Ansel D. Eddy, Canandaigua, Agent for the Missionary Society.
1837, Jan. 29 .- The Session met; Rev. Royal West, Moderator. Elders Elijah Bacon, Luther Cleveland, and C. S. Deming opened with prayer. "Resolved, That Elder Luther Cleveland be our delegate to the next meeting of Presbytery.". Examined and approved by Presbytery, Feb. 6, 1837. J. H. Hotehkin, Moderator.
Aug. 16, 1847 .- In pursuance of notice, a meeting of the church and society was held at the school-house for the purpose of eleeting a pastor of this church. J. Hewitt was eliosen Moderator, and, by unanimous vote, S. B. Shearer was elected ; and P. Norton, Wm. Denton, and M. S. Phinney were chosen a seleet committee in the name of the church to subscribe to their eall. Attest, M. S. Phin- ney, Clerk.
The call was made and duly signed by said committee, agreeing to pay said Rev. S. B. Shearer the sum of $400 per annum for his services. Said eall was put into the hands of the Presbytery of Chemung, and by them pre- sented to Rev. S. B. Shearer and by him accepted, and he was duly installed pastor of this church by said Presbytery, Sept. 28, 1847. M. S. Phinney, Clerk.
June 14, 1848 .- At a meeting of the church and eongre-
ness.
Belonging.
ance.
Days.
sence.
h. m.
711.60
From Regents of University
DEACON B. L. SHAY
was born in Connecticut, December 27, 1816. When but a child he came with his parents to this section of country, being the second of nine children, and lived in and within ten miles of Watkins all the rest of his life. He helped to build the Jefferson House ; was for a time a boatman, and at one time a farmer, thus earrying out in his life and character the seriptural injunetion, "Do what thy hands findeth to do." During the ministration of Elder Marvin, he joined the Christian Church at Pine Grove, about forty years ago, and remained an active member until his death, for many years holding the office of deacon. For twenty- eight years he was baggage-master at the Watkins depot of the Northern Central Railway, and was among the com- pany's most faithful and efficient employees. He was a member of the Masonie fraternity for fifteen years, and had risen to the high de- gree of Knight Templar, being one of the Knights Templar of St. Omar's Commandery, of Elmira.
Deacon Shay took but little interest in polities, other than in his endeavors to mould the will of the voter to the Prohibition platform. He sought no politieal distinetion, but for three years was a trustee of the village of Watkins. For a number of years he was the leader of the gospel temperanee movement in Schuyler County. And it was in the role of a temperance reformer and advoeate that FILA Deacon Shay was best known, and perhaps most highly esteemed. Indeed, his whole eharaeter was estimable ; but in the eause of tem- peranee his time and his energies were largely engaged; and there ean be no doubt but that his death was prematurely hastened by his self-sacrificing labors and unremitting exertions for years past in behalf of the temperanee eause. Months prior to the inauguration of the Murphy movement he, in connection with Dr. Skinner and a few others, opened the temperanee reform in Watkins and Sehuyler Counties, and had thousands of names on the pledge in advance of the Murphy advent. He died a martyr to the eause he loved so well, and for which he labored so incessantly. Being
DEACON B. L. SHAY.
admonished, a few days before his death (which occurred Sept. 2, 1878, at the North Heetor eamp-meeting ground), that he was going beyond his strength, he replied in these characteristie words, " I shall continue to fight while I live ; if I die, let this inscription be placed upon my monument, ' He fought whisky until death.'"
We quote from the Elmira Advertiser the subjoined tribute to the memory of Deacon Shay :
" The death of this apostle of temperanee was a most fitting and glorious consummation of a well-rounded life. A temperanee landmark is gone. One of the lion-hearted leaders of Sehuyler has gone to his reward. He died, like John Quiney Adams, at his post, and with his harness on.
" No more magnificent ending could have been selected for such a life as that granted by God to Deaeon Shay. His towering form and gray head have been fore- most and conspicuous during all the session of this camp-meeting, and his voice has been prominent among all the wealth of talent and eloquenee that has distinguished the pres- ent meeting."
* *
Deacon Shay was twiee married; first to Mary Sowers, by whom he had six children, namely : Chas. T., William, Solon, Mat- thew, Marvin, and Maggie. His second wife, who sur- vives, was Samantha J. Drake, whom he married June 11, 1855. Their children were named as follows: Fremont, Mary Ettie, Henry, Frank M., George B., Climena, Leella, and Albert. Those now living are Matthew, Marvin, George B., Leella, and Albert.
As a general summary of the character of Deaeon Shay, we may add that he was a kind husband, an affectionate father, a most excellent neighbor, and an honor to the church of which he was an exemplary member and deaeon. He was a man of large heart, warm impulses and sympa- thies, highly esteemed and respeeted by all; a man whose virtues so far transeended the weaknesses common to our human nature, that the former will be remembered and beam forth in living light when the latter are wholly forgotten.
581
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
gation to eleet trustees, the following were chosen : Thos. Vassault and II. M. Hillerman, for one year; Peter Tryer and Philander Norton, for two years ; and M. S. Phinney for three years. M. S. Phinney, Clerk.
Watkins, July 17, 1858 .- At a meeting of session of the Church of Reading, held in a room over T. H. Abbey's store, in the village of Watkins-the church being without a pastor or stated supply, and it being inconvenient to eall one, A. T. Sillsbee was appointed Moderator.
April 1, 1873 .- Reported to Presbytery, 210 members ; sundry items, amounting to $2650, for expenses of church and society, and the sum paid on debt of $1500, and amount paid for lot for parsonage, $2000,-making a total of $6150. M. S. Phinney, Clerk.
April, 1874 .- Reported to Presbytery 223 members, and for benevolent purposes, $417.89 ; amount paid towards parsonage, $6300 ; expenses of church and society, $2695,- making a total of $9462.89. Sunday-school seholars, 190 ; teachers, 19. M. S. Phinney, Clerk.
The change from the oldl perpetual term to the limited term for elders, adopted Dee. 29, 1874, in accordance with resolution by the General Assembly.
Dec. 7, 1875 .- The following elders eleeted,-the first under the new system : James Gray and John Lang for three years from the first Sabbath in January, 1876, and for deaeon, John H. Lang, as above.
At a meeting of session, Dee. 25, 1876, H. M. Hiller- man and A. T. Sillsbee were elected elders for three years from the first Sabbath in January, 1877, and Matthew L. Dennet as deaeon for same term. H. M. Hillerman, Clerk.
The present session consists of T. H. Abbey, John Lang, HI. M. Hillerman, James Gray, A. T. Sillsbee, and James Hope. H. M. Ilillerman, Clerk.
Thus far examined and approved in Presbytery at Dun- dee, April 16, 1878: Milton Waldo, Moderator, and also pastor elect, but not installed.
Hon. John Magee was the builder and donor of the present beautiful and commodious ehureh, one of the neat- est briek structures in the country. The ehureh was not quite finished when he died ; but in view of the great in- terest he had taken in the eause of religion and this par- tieular ehureh, the audienee-room was put in the best possi- ble condition for the oeeasion, and his funeral obsequies were held there. The cost of this fine church was $50,000. The organ, earpets, cushions, and furniture, furnished by the congregation, eost about $6000. The present mem- bership is 205 ; the present Sunday-sehool numbers 327.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
At the Annual Conference held in Ehnira in August, 1849, Tyrone and Jefferson Cirenit was divided, and the following plaees set off to constitute Jefferson Circuit, viz. : Reading, Jefferson, Sugar Hill, Partridge, and County Line.
The first official reeord in relation to preaching at this point is indefinite. Jefferson, at the head of Seneca Lake, was visited, however, by a Methodist preaeher as early as 1810, and meetings held at the house of John Dow, one of the first settlers of this county, but there was no regular appointment until some time after.
In 1840 and 1843, S. W. Alder and S. W. Wooster had regular appointments at Jefferson ; Reading had been a regular appointment for years previous. In 1846, Jefferson appointment belonged with Havana, Rev. C. S. Davis, pas- tor. Reading was supplied from Tyrone by Rev. L. B. Castle in 1847-48. This appointment belonged to Tyrone, Revs. L. B. Castle and C. Wheeler, preachers. In 1848- 49 supplied by S. S. Congdon and C. Wheeler; in 1850 by Luther Northway, during whose sceond term the church at Jefferson was built. In 1851-52 it was supplied by Charles M. Gardner, and in 1853-54 by Rev. A. H. Shurt- liff; in 1855, Rev. H. Harrington was pastor. In 1856, Rev. J. W. Nevins was presiding elder. The balance of the year Rev. T. B. Hudson was pastor ; he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Staey.
The Watkins and Reading Society was revised by John H. Blades, pastor, in 1861, and again, in 1866, by S. L. Congdon, P. E. In 1871 the pastor was authorized to write eertain names of persons who could not be found as withdrawn ; this was done by resolution of Geneva Con- ferenee.
The membership was revised again, in July and August, 1877, by Thomas Tousey, pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Watkins is in Cen- tral New York Conference. The present elegant brick church was built in 1874, completed and eonseerated in 1876; eost about $27,000. The present membership is over 200; the Sunday-school about 100 ; the present pastor is Rev. A. Roe (first year) ; the presiding elder is Rev. Manley Hard. The church is in the Elmira distriet.
ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
From " an address delivered at the laying of the corner- stone of St. James' ehureh, in the village of Watkins, Aug. 11, 1863, by the reetor, Rev. D. C. Mann," the main facts of its history are obtained.
On the 14th September, 1830, a meeting of persons attached to the Protestant Episcopal Church residing in the town of Reading, Steuben Co., and in the town of Catlin, Tioga Co., was held for the purpose of organizing a church. Rev. Amos G. Baldwin presided over the meeting, and Isaae G. Leake acted as seeretary. The name of the parish proposed was St. James' Church, of Watkins and Reading, and this name was adopted.
The following persons were elected vestrymen ; Wm. B. Ireland, Winthrop E. Booth, Alanson G. Evarts, Asa A. Norton, Charles Tillinghast, Samuel J. Beebe, Ebenezer Harvey, and John Mitehell.
The following were elected wardens : Isaae Q. Leake and Henry C. Leonard.
The new parish was admitted into union with the Con- vention of the Diocese of New York, Oct. 7, 1830. About this time measures were taken to proeure means to erect a suitable ehureh building for the use of the parish, and shortly after the organization Dr. Samuel Watkins gave a lot on which to build, and, April 4, 1831, Mr. Samuel J. Beebe agreed to assume the responsibility of ereeting the ehnreh. The first services were held on the first Sunday in August, 1831, though the building was not then eom- pleted. In 1836 the structure was finished, and a donation
581
AND SCHUYLER COUNTIES, NEW YORK.
gation to elect trustees, the following were chosen : Thos. Vassault and II. M. Hillerman, for one year ; Peter Tryer and Philander Norton, for two years; and M. S. Phinney for three years. M. S. Phinney, Clerk.
Watkins, July 17, 1858 .- At a meeting of session of the Church of Reading, held in a room over T. H. Abbey's store, in the village of Watkins-the church being without a pastor or stated supply, and it being inconvenient to call one, A. T. Sillsbee was appointed Moderator.
April 1, 1873 .- Reported to Presbytery, 210 members ; sundry items, amounting to $2650, for expenses of church and society, and the sum paid on debt of $1500, and amount paid for lot for parsonage, $2000,-making a total of $6150. M. S. Phinney, Clerk.
April, 1874 .- Reported to Presbytery 223 members, and for benevolent purposes, $417.89 ; amount paid towards parsonage, $6300 ; expenses of church and society, $2695,- making a total of $9462.89. Sunday-sehool scholars, 190; teachers, 19. M. S. Phinney, Clerk.
The change from the old perpetual term to the limited term for elders, adopted Dec. 29, 1874, in accordance with resolution by the General Assembly.
Dee. 7, 1875 .- The following elders elected,-the first under the new system : James Gray and John Lang for three years from the first Sabbath in January, 1876, and for deacon, John H. Lang, as above.
At a meeting of session, Dec. 25, 1876, H. M. Hiller- man and A. T. Sillsbee were elected elders for three years from the first Sabbath in January, 1877, and Matthew L. Dennet as deaeon for same term. H. M. Hillerman, Clerk.
The present session consists of T. H. Abbey, John Lang, H. M. Hillerman, James Gray, A. T. Sillsbee, and James Hope. H. M. Hillerman, Clerk.
Thus far examined and approved in Presbytery at Dun- dee, April 16, 1878: Milton Waldo, Moderator, and also pastor elect, but not installed.
Hon. John Magee was the builder and donor of the present beautiful and commodious church, one of the neat- est brick structures in the country. The church was not quite finished when he died ; but in view of the great in- terest he had taken in the cause of religion and this par- ticular church, the audience-room was put in the best possi- ble condition for the occasion, and his funeral obsequies were held there. The cost of this fine church was $50,000. The organ, carpets, cushions, and furniture, furnished by the congregation, cost about $6000. The present mem- bership is 205 ; the present Sunday-school numbers 327.
THE METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCHI.
At the Annual Conference held in Elmira in August, 1849, Tyrone and Jefferson Circuit was divided, and the following places set off to constitute Jefferson Circuit, viz. : Reading, Jefferson, Sugar Hill, Partridge, and County Line.
The first official reeord in relation to preaching at this point is indefinite. Jefferson, at the head of Seneca Lake, was visited, however, by a Methodist preacher as early as 1810, and meetings held at the house of John Dow, one of the first settlers of this county, but there was no regular appointment until some time after.
In 1840 and 1843, S. W. Alder and S. W. Wooster had regular appointments at Jefferson ; Reading had been a regular appointment for years previous. In 1846, Jefferson appointment belonged with Havana, Rev. C. S. Davis, pas- tor. Reading was supplied from Tyrone by Rev. L. B. Castle in 1847-48. This appointment belonged to Tyrone, Revs. L. B. Castle and C. Wheeler, preachers. In 1848- 49 supplied by S. S. Congdon and C. Wheeler ; in 1850 by Luther Northway, during whose second term the church at Jefferson was built. In 1851-52 it was supplied by Charles M. Gardner, and in 1853-54 by Rev. A. H. Shurt- liff; in 1855, Rev. H. Harrington was pastor. In 1856, Rev. J. W. Nevins was presiding elder. The balance of the year Rev. T. B. Hudson was pastor; he was succeeded by Rev. Thomas Stacy.
The Watkins and Reading Society was revised by John H. Blades, pastor, in 1861, and again, in 1866, by S. L. Congdon, P. E. In 1871 the pastor was authorized to write certain names of persons who could not be found as withdrawn ; this was done by resolution of Geneva Con- ference.
The membership was revised again, in July and August, 1877, by Thomas Tousey, pastor.
The Methodist Episcopal Church of Watkins is in Cen- tral New York Conference. The present elegant brick church was built in 1874, completed and consecrated in 1876; cost about $27,000. The present membership is over 200 ; the Sunday-school about 100 ; the present pastor is Rev. A. Roe (first year) ; the presiding elder is Rev. Manley Hard. The church is in the Elmira district.
ST. JAMES' EPISCOPAL CHURCH.
From " an address delivered at the laying of the corner- stone of St. James' church, in the village of Watkins, Aug. 11, 1863, by the rector, Rev. D. C. Mann," the main facts of its history are obtained.
On the 14th September, 1830, a meeting of persons attached to the Protestant Episcopal Church residing in the town of Reading, Steuben Co., and in the town of Catlin, Tioga Co., was held for the purpose of organizing a church. Rev. Amos G. Baldwin presided over the meeting, and Isaac G. Leake acted as secretary. The name of the parish proposed was St. James' Church, of Watkins and Reading, and this name was adopted.
The following persons were elected vestrymen ; Wm. B. Ireland, Winthrop E. Booth, Alanson G. Evarts, Asa A. Norton, Charles Tillinghast, Samuel J. Beebe, Ebenezer Harvey, and John Mitchell.
The following were elected wardens : Isaac Q. Leake and Henry C. Leonard.
The new parish was admitted into union with the Con- vention of the Diocese of New York, Oet. 7, 1830. Abont this time measures were taken to procure means to erect a suitable church building for the use of the parish, and shortly after the organization Dr. Samnel Watkins gave a lot on which to build, and, April 4, 1831, Mr. Samuel J. Beebe agreed to assume the responsibility of erecting the church. The first services were held on the first Sunday in August, 1831, though the building was not then com- pleted. In 1836 the structure was finished, and a donation
582
HISTORY OF TIOGA, CHEMUNG, TOMPKINS,
of $300 received from Trinity Church, New York, to aid in paying the debt. This house was located on the southwest corner of Division and First Streets (on the side-hill) ; it is now used for a dwelling.
The first serviee in the old church was held by the Rev. Dr. Mason, president of Geneva College, the first Sunday in August, 1831.
The succession of clergymen in charge of the parish was follows : Revs. - Baldwin, 1831 ; - Gilbert, 1831-35; Robt. Smith, 1836; - Diekinson, 1836-43. From 1843 to 1847, no record; it is not thought that the ehureh had any settled pastor during this time. It was visited occasionally by the bishop of the dioeese, but appears to have been too weak to maintain regular serviees.
In April, 1857, Rev. Peter S. Ruth was in charge of the parish and made a vigorous effort to revive the church. Mr. Ruth labored with the church until 1859, and from that time until November, 1861, no regular serviees were held, when Rev. Duncan C. Mann took charge of the parish. The old church was deemed unfit for use, and ser- viees were held elsewhere. A new church beeame a neees- sity, and the corner-stone was laid August 11, 1863, by the Rt. Rev. Wm. H. De Laneey, Bishop of Western New York.
Christmas morning, 1864, the first serviees were held in the new church. The church could not be consecrated at this time on account of a debt of more than $4000 resting upon it; the entire eost of the church was $8000.
This debt was finally paid by vigorous efforts of the congregation, and the special liberality of one member to whom the debt was due, and who eaneeled half of it.
August 18, 1866, the church was eonseerated by the Rt. Rev. A. C. Coxe, Bishop of Western New York. The seating capacity of the building is about 275 persons.
In Mareh, 1868, a new organ was purehased; and in 1870 a bell was placed in the tower.
Nov. 3, 1875, the rector to whom the parish owed its prosperity-Rev. Dunean C. Mann-died, in the fifty-third year of his age.
Jan. 1, 1876, Rev. Cameron Mann,* a deaeon in the dio- eese of Albany, accepted the reetorship, and on St. Martin's day, 1876, he was advaneed to the priesthood in the parish church by the Rt. Rev. A. C. Coxe. In the summer of 1878 the church was enlarged by building a new ehaneel and vestry-room, and its seating eapacity inereased to 375.
The Rev. D. C. Mann began a new parish register Nov. 1, 1861 ; from that date to Aug. 15, 1878, the number of baptisms has been 289 ; confirmations, 127 ; marriages, 65 ; burials, 122; the present number of communieants, a little more than 100; in Sunday-sehool, 80; teachers, 20. The parish is in the diocese of Western New York.
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