(Page last updated Jan 28, 2024)

In Memory Levi W White, whose burial site is currently unknown, though it is suspected he is buried in Houston Co TX, on one of his former properties.

**ATTACHED MAP 1859 TO LEFT - SHOW 3 OF LEVI'S PROPERTIES, HOUSTON CO TX

---2 Properties right of Crockett, center of page, 1 below Crockett bottom of page.

---Highlighted in yellow. Others marked Yellow, may be related.

Levi's middle name has appeared as Wiley and William, on old sources, one who had access to a bible record, now lost, listed him as Levi Wiley White, and provided middle names of his siblings as well, some of those have been proven, thus, Wiley, may be the most likely probability. His first name has been spelled, Levy, and Lewis, common misspellings for Levi, and abbreviated as LW, or L. W. White.

He was the son of Stephen & Nancy [Betterton] White, of Houston Co TX, the Grandson of Robert & Milly [Whitehead] White, of Cross Keys Union Co SC. Nancy's parents were, Thomas and Palatia [Baily] Betterton, of Spartanburg Co SC. His father Stephen was

born in Caswell Co NC, raised in Cross Keys Union Co SC, before moving to Spartanburg Co SC, next door to Union Co, where he met and married his wife Nancy.

Levi married Sarah J Young, born VA, about 1847. In Houston Co TX, on the 1850 census, her Mother Ann Young, is living next door. Their first child Laura Alice White was born 20 Aug 1848, in Madison Co TX, formerly part of Houston Co, her death certificate verifies, Levi and mothers maiden name, her parents were still living in Houston Co TX, at least until 1865, they are on the Tax records, until this time, and on the 1850 & 1860 Census, after 1865, Levi is not found in Houston Co census or tax records, there is a 1878 entry for Levi, involves 320 acres, but it is worded in a way that indicates, to me, that he was deceased or living else where, A 1906 Claim on 320 acres of Levi's land, was submitted by the Heirs of Levi, which were not listed on the land records, so, will take a search of local will/estate/land records to determine, which Heirs, filed this claim or false claim, thinking he was their Levi?.

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Levi & Sarah's known children:

Laura Alice 'Louvina?'--1848-1932------m.Tilman Bailey White--abt1870---09 Children

Nancy A--------------------1850-bef1860--m. Died Young-----------------0000---00 died yg.

William---------------------1852-Unk-------m. Unk - On 1860 census----0000---00 Unk

Ellen------------------------1854-Unk-------m. Unk - On 1860 census----0000---00 Unk

Benjamin------------------1856-Unk-------m. Unk - On 1860 census----0000---00 Unk

Therston-------------------1859-Unk-------m. Unk - On 1860 census----0000---00 Unk

**Note:

1860 - Two of Milly White Pritchard's children were living with Levi:

---------They were Monroe & Sarah Pritcher (Pritchard), & 2 Labour's.

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Levi had the following siblings:

John Stephen---------1807-aft1880---m. Athena Harwell-----1831--AL

Tilman Bailey---------1809-1875-------m. Sarah F Harwell----1833--AL

Mildred Whitehead---1811-1848------m. Sion Pritchard-------1832--AL

Stephen Murphy Jr---1814-Unkn-----m. Not known------------Unkn

Lavina Bailey-----------1816-1858-----m. Milldleton Luckie----1834-TX

Levi Wiley (Wm?)------1818-1868------m. Sarah J Young-------1847-TX

William Whitehead---1820-Unkn-----m. Unkn-there was a Wm W in Hou. Co TX-no info.

Nancy Matilda June--1823-Unkn-----m. Unkn-no info.

**There was a William W White in Houston Co, Nancy M J White is a total mystery.

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LEVI'S MIGRATION PATH:

1788 Our White Family, arrived Cross Keys, Union Co SC from Caswell Co North Carolina, father Stephen and mother Nancy Betterton, married, and moved west, next door, to Spartanburg Co SC, by 1807, where his wife's father sells Stephen White a parcel of land. Stephen migrates to Putnam Co GA 1810/1813, with his father-in-law, Thomas Betterton, in 1813, Stephen moves next door to Morgan county GA to join up with Thomas Betterton, and his brother-in-laws. Levi W White is born July 20, 1818, Morgan Co GA. By 1819, Stephen and the Betterton's have sold their lands, in Morgan Co GA, the Betterton's migrate to Fayette Co GA, Stephen White, Levi and family, migrate west, eventually, to Lowndes Co AL and are on the 1830 census. Stephen received a land grant/patent there, in 1831, also, receiving a grant/patent, in 1831, is his brother-in-law, Nathan Betterton. The family may have arrived before 1830, when Lowndes Co AL was formed, prior to 1830, it was Montgomery Co AL and couple or others. In 1836, Stephen and some of his family, along with Levi, and son-in-law, Sion Pritchard, migrate to Mustang Prairie TX, formerly part of Nacogdoches Co TX, later to become, Houston Co TX, in 1837, via a petition, his father, Stephen signed.

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LEVI'S LANDS - Headright's.

Levi, had taken some of his headright lands in McLennan Co TX, and is on a list, shown as one of the oldest land owners in McLennan Co TX, he had received bounty grant lands for his two enlistments, in the Texas Revolution of 1836, and bonus/donation lands, for serving in the San Jacinto battle, and for service in the Texas Ranges of Houston Co TX, later in 1836. He had lands, in addition to Houston Co TX, in both Ellis Co TX and McLennan Co TX, where he paid to have it surveyed and mapped, much of this land was from his headright/grants for migrating to Texas prior to the revolution. His sister, Lavina White Luckie and her husband were living in McLennan Co TX, at that time. Darius Edens, was on 3 of Levi's patents, he became the patentee, in all 3 of the Counties; Houston, McLennan, and Ellis. However, it appears Levi, remained in Houston Co TX, most of his life, he had considerable land there.

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LEVI WAS A MEMBER OF THE 'IOOF' SAN PEDRO LODGE & 86 & A MASON:

Levi was a member of the IOOF, San Pedro Lodge #86, whose meeting hall was in Augusta Houston Co TX, and Masonic Lodges #93, also, in the town of Augusta, this lodge is no longer in existence. He was in the IOOF, organization Nov, 14, 1860, and probably before, but on this date appeared as a member, in a local newspaper, list of members, of said year, newspaper was the "Crockett Printer".

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**START OF MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS**

LEVI'S MILITARY HISTORY:

Texas War of Independence, 1836

1. Enlisted Mar 31th, 1836, Discharged May 2, 1836: Enlisted into the 2nd Regt, 7th Infantry Co, cmd Capt. Benjamin Franklin Bryant. Also serving in this unit is William Harrison Pate, friend & neighbor of Levi White, and family, in Houston Co TX. They both fought in the same unit. at the Battle of San Jacinto.

Levi was 18yrs old in 1836, thus, for emigrating to Texas, he received only 1/3 League of land, as he was single and did not have children, and was not head of household, these were the rules prior to the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence. In contrast, his father received 1 league and 1 labor of land, as he was head of household, married with children. (over 4605 acres)

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MEMBER OF THE HOUSTON COUNTY TEXAS RANGERS, 1836:

(Is believed that this was the first/original unit of the Texas Rangers in TX)

2. Enlisted September 10th, 1836, Discharged December 12, 1836: served with Capt. Elisha Clapp's, Houston County Texas Rangers. Elisha Clapp was also at the Battle of San Jacinto. Levi was 18yrs old in 1836, he receive 640 acres of land for this 3 months of service. Also in this unit was his father Stephen, and again, neighbor, William H Pate. This enlistment was to protect the settlements, against frequent Indian and Bandit attacks, in a section of East Texas, that included, Houston Co.

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CIVIL WAR SERVICE, HOUSTON CO TX, 1863:

3. At 44 yrs old, one year before being to old to serve, Levi mustered/enlisted, January 8th, 1863, initially for 3 months, however, most enlistee's were held in service until they aged-out, or the end of the war, Levi was still in service Feb 3, 1864. He may have been discharged on February 03, 1864? Served in Co C Houston Co TX Volunteers, Capt Thomas W Warren's Co, Jone's Regt, 11th District Brigade, Texas State Troopers (TST), cmd Brigadier Gen. W. H. Farrish. Levi served his time at Camp Shiloh, Houston Co TX.

**END OF MILITARY SERVICE RECORDS**

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POLL TAX:

Levi shows up on his first tax poll in 1839, he must have, just about, turned 21, the age when you had to start paying taxes, his father Stephen paid his Poll Tax. Levi is on every poll tax, from 1839, to 1865, in Houston Co TX, except 1864 (Civil War).

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ONLY '1' LEVI W WHITE - IN HOUSTON CO TX:

At no time during Levi's stay in Houston Co TX is was there ever more that '1' Levi W White, on either the Poll Tax, or Census records.

1850 and 1860 census for Houston Co TX, indicate, Levi's Parents and/or siblings and wives families are living as next door neighbors. Several Houston Co Texas documents, clearly indicate, and show that Stephen White is the father, of Levi W White born 1818 died 1868.

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LAND FOR MIGRATING TO TEXAS 1836:

1836 - Migration and patents:

Head of households received 1 League of land and 1 labor of land, you had to be 17 years or older to be eligible for a patent, in Texas, 1836. If you were single and no children, and NOT the head of household, you received 1/3 League of land. A league of land was measured differently, before and after the Texas revolution, and different still, under Mexico's rule, prior to 1836.

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THE ARRIVAL FROM ALABAMA:

Both Stephen and his son Levi, Migrated from Lowndes Co AL and arrived in Texas January 1836, son-in-law Sion Pritchard, who married Stephen's daughter Mildred, also arrived with the family in Jan 1836, he also served in the Texas Revolution, but not at San Jacinto. Levi's brothers, John S and Tilman B White arrived in 1838, from Lowndes Co AL.

The above information has been documented and sourced.

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CENSUS RECORDS:

1840 census - No State census in 1840 - Texas was not a state yet...

1850 Houston Co TX Census

Page 185a ED 29th Nov 1850 R J C Wortham

Son of Stephen

612 - 612

Levi W White 31 M Farmer------GA

Sarah J--------21-F-----------------VA

Louvina A-----01-F-Houston Co TX

Nancy A-----2/12-F-Houston Co TX

1850 Census Neighborhood:

1850 Houston Co Census

Page 185a ED 29th Nov 1850 R J C Wortham

603 - Tilman B White 37 GA (Levi's brother - his son Wm H married C Iden below)

604 - Worldley, Zachariah 43 VA (M. Baptist Minister)

605 - Hall, William A 50 SC

606 - Harrold, David 32 GA

Census below taken Nov 29, 1850

607 - Iden, Thomas 39 VA (also Eden - Father of Cornelia, future wife of Wm H White)

608 - Hall, Samuel 25 AL

609 - Runels, Elizabeth 38 TN

610 - Young, Ann 46 VA head of household's (Possible mother of Levi's wife?)

611 - Luckie, Lavina B 34 GA (census taker made mistake) Levi's sister

612 - White, Levi 31 GA (Note Sarah J 21, Levi's wife born in VA)

Others of Interest

650 - Huntsman, James B 19 TN

651 - Huntsman, William C 32 KY

652 - Huntsman, Lemuel 62 VA

Agricultural Census:

1850- Levi W White Recorded on 1850 Houston Co TX Agricultural Census;

(Source: Texas 1850 Agricultural Census Vol1, by Linda L Green - only 5 field transcribed)

1. Levy W White,

2. Improved land---------30--acres

3. Unimproved land-----300 acres

4. Cash Value of Farm---320

5. Val. Of Farm equip----10

13. Val. Of Live Stock-----210 (40)

**Living next door is sister Lavina B Luckey (transcribers spell it Lackey), and brother

Tilman B White a couple doors away.

1860 Houston County Census Page 102 beat #9

PO Augusta Ed date 20 Jul 1860 Page 258

714 - 668

White, Stephen-74 M--Miller 3650 2920 NC

White, Nancy----78-F--kephse-------------SC

715 - 669

White, Levi-42-m---Laborer-----GA

Sarah---------31-f----Housewife--VA

Allice----------12-f--------------------TX

Wm------------08-m-------------------TX

Ellen-----------06-f--------------------TX

Benj------------04-m------------------TX

Therston------01-m------------------TX

Living in same household:

Pritcher, Munroe-15-m-------------TX

Sarah----------------13-f--------------TX

Living in same household:

Moore, Wm---------24-m-Laborer--------MO

Bennet, Soil--------24-m-Wood Cutter--MO

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LEVI AFTER 1860:

(Levi still had land in Houston Co)

Levi was still on Poll tax of Hou Co after 1860, served Civil War 1863 Hou Co.)

McLennan Co formed in 1850

from Milam County Texas.

Listed in the oldest land owners...

Land Transactions McLennan County Texas

McLennan County Land Records:

Survey-----------------Blk Grantee-------Leag Section Abs

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

LEVI W WHITE-----------L. WHITE---------------------------891

LEVI W WHITE-----------L. WHITE---------------------------1210

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HOUSTON COUNTY ABSTRACTS: (Levi listed with Father & Brothers)

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Full Name----------------First-----Last------------Bloc Grantee--------League Section Abs

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LEVI W WHITE-----------LEVI-----WHITE-----------L.W. WHITE------------1050---1064

STEPHEN WHITE----STEPHEN--WHITE-------------S. WHIT--------------1064---1078

LEVI W WHITE-----------LEVI------WHITE----------L.W. WHITE------------1077---1090

LEVI W WHITE-----------LEVI------WHITE----------L.W. WHITE------------1080---1093

WILLIAM M WHITE---WILLIAM-- WHITE----------W.M. WHITE-----------1084---1097

JOHN WHITE----------JOHN------WHITE--------------J. WHITE-----------1087---1100

WILLIAM WHITE------WILLIAM---WHITE-------------W. WHITE-----------91

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NEWSPAPER POSTING "CROCKETT PRINTER" - NOV 14, 1860

"SAN PEDRO LODGE NO. 86, I. O. O. F. meets at its hall

in Augusta every Saturday night.

Robert Acree, N. G.

L. H. Winfield, Sec.

""L. W. White, Warden""

C. W. Butler,!. G. and O. G.

J. S. Cartwright, R. S. N. G list goes on...

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MASON RECORD:

1861 - Levi W White become a Mason in Lodge #93, Augusta Houston County Texas,

---------his death date is recorded, and his position, at the time:

---------White L W - Augusta Lodge No. 93

---------Passed: 1-5-61----Died 2-1-68

---------Raised--3-2-61

---------Official Records: Tiler #62--Augusta

**Note:: According to the Grand Lodge of Texas the Augusta Lodge no. 93 was demised (went out of existence), in 1888. the Applications or petitions no longer exit of that day, they only ask for age, residence and occupation. [Bruce Mercer - Grand Lodge of Texas]**

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LEVI W WHITE - TIMELINE (Brief) -1836-1983

Levi White in Houston County, Texas:

1836, Jan Texas: Levi White Emigrates to Houston Co, TX. 1/3 League land promised.

1836, 31 March TX Levi W White enlisted in 8th Company, 2nd Regt TX Vols, 7th Inf Co

--------In the same company is family friend William H Pate, also of Houston Co TX.

1836, 21 Apr Texas: Battle of San Jacinto. A twenty minute affair. 630 Mexicans killed,

--------730 taken prisoner, 9 Texans killed or mortally wounded, 30 wounded.

1836, 2 May Levi discharged from Army of the Republic.

1836, 10 Sep Levi enlist Hou Co Texas Rangers, Capt Clapps unit, with father Stephen

--------and again, family friend and neighbor, William H Pate.(to fight Indians & Bandits)

1836, 10 Dec Texas: Levi W. White discharged from service, Army of the Texas Republic

1837, 4 Sep Levi on Hou Co TX Petition against Taxation, with Bro-in-law Sion Pritchard

1838, 3 Feb, Levi issued Cert #8, 1/3 League /1476.1 acres, Hou Co Board of land Comm

1838, 12 May Texas: Levi W. White authorizes Stephen White to call on paymaster

--------general and 'receive my monthly pay and bounty land script'.

1838, 19 May Texas: Levi Wiley White granted $56 bonus and headright certificate for --------one-third of a league of land (1,476.1 acres) by Hou Co Board of Land comm.

1838, 22 May TX: Levi W. White issued bounty warrant #3500 for 650 ac, service in

--------Army of Republic, for his service during the War with Mexico 1836.

1839, TX: L. W. White appears on 1st tax roll in Houston Co. ($6.00 tax) with his father, --------Stephen White ($16.43 tax). Entry by assessor reads: "S. White for L. W. White"

---------Levi now 21yrs old.

1840, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid tax of 8.39, on 1476 acres. (this could be for lands in --------other counties)

1841, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid tax of 1.73, on 1476 acres.

1842, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid tax of 1.73.

1843, Did not find Levi or father on this tax poll? only brother Tilman.

1844, Levi listed on Tax poll, no amount listed.

1845, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid .61 for tax.

1846, Did not find Levi on this tax list.

1847, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax 1.48 & co. tax .74.

1848, Levi listed on Tax poll, 1675 acres, value 735, state tax 2.72, co. tax .91.

1849, Levi listed on Tax poll, also pays fathers tax, state tax .80, co. tax .40.

1850, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .50, co. tax .25.

1850, Census - sister Lavina White Luckey, and husband next door, as well

--------as mother-in-law, Ann Young. 1st Census Houston Co TX.

1850, Levi W White on 1850 Agricultural Census.

1851, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .50, co. tax .25.

1852, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .18, co. tax .49.

1852, 8 September Texas: Levi W. White transferred 320 acres of headright land to

--------Lodowick E. Downes in Houston County.

1853, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .79, co. tax .39.

1854, Did not find Levi on the Tax list?

1855, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax 1.37, co. tax .65.

1855, 14 May Texas: Levi White receives Donation Cert #697, for 640 acres in Houston --------County. this was for his participation in the Battle of San Jacinto Apr 21, 1836.

1855, 12 Feb Texas: Levi issued certificate for 1156 acres in Houston County.

--------unlocated bal of Cert's #3850/3951 of 1156 acres, being balance of Cert #67.

1855, 2 June Texas: Levi White sold the Donation Cert #697, 640 acres in Houston Co.

--------to F. S. Bodenhamer and A. T. Monroe.

1856, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax 1.19, co. tax .59.

1857, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .50, co. tax .25.

1858, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .50, co. tax .25.

1858, 9 Feb Court of Claims entered at Houston Co Land office, no info attached?

1858, 2 Oct Texas: Levi White sold land to Darius H. Edens.

1859, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .59, co. tax .25.

1859, 2 May Texas: Levi issued Bounty certificate #3500 for 320 acres in Hou County.

--------Patent date was 26 July 1861.

1860, prior to 1860, Levi listed as one of the oldest land owners in McLennan Co,

--------where he owned land.

1860, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .50, co. tax .25.

1860, Census: 20 July Texas: Levi White, wife Sarah and 5 children recorded in Beat 9 Hou --------Co census. Post office was Crockett, Parents Stephen and Nancy living next door.

1860, 14 Nov Article in "Crockett Printer", Levi W White is warden for IOOF of San Pedro --------Lodge #86, which met at the Augusta Houston Co TX meeting house.

1861, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax .50, co. tax .25.

1861, Levi joins the Mason's, Lodge #93, Augusta Houston Co TX.

1861, 26 July Texas: 320 acres in Hou Co patented to L. W. White. EE 1859 entry above.

1861, 5 Aug Levi sells land his land in Hill Co TX to Darius H Edens, 139.51 Acres.

1862, 5 May 1862 Levi sold land in Ellis Co TX to Darius H Edens, 638 acres adj. acres 364.

1862, Levi listed on Tax poll, paid state tax 1.00, co. tax .50.

1863, 8 Jan - Civil War - Levi enlist (44yrs old), Pvt in Capt Thomas W Warren's Co. C, Vol.,

--------Jones Regt., Hou Co TX State Troops 11th Inf. cmd. Brigadier Gen W H Farrish,

---------Unit was stationed at Camp Shiloh, Houston Co TX. One record shows Levi's ---------Enlist for 3 mos, however, soldiers were kept until the end of the war.

1864, Levi still in Civil war Service.

1864, 3 Feb - Levi now 45 yrs old, in same unit, however, he was not 'over-age', and may --------have been discharged, would have to contact Natl Archives for further records.

1864, Levi Not on this years Tax List, most likely because he is serving in the Civil War.

1865, Levi's last Tax List in Houston Co TX, paid state tax 1.03, co. tax .53.

1866, We do not know what happened to Levi after 1865, He may have been living on --------lands he had in McLennan Co TX, or with father, elsewhere???

1868, 1st Feb: Levi's Death Date is recorded in the Mason Lodge #93, Houston Co TX, & --------Grand Lodge of TX.

1870, No Surname White's related to us, on the Houston Co 1870 Census.

1877, Tax list had following on Levi: " Tax List - Levi W White - acres 364, value 546 state --------tax .80, poll tax .90, following entry:

--------Levi W White (Assessment roll of Unrendered Property Real & Personal)".

--------Not sure but appears Levi is either deceased, or living in another county?

--------Note: I have not found Levi after 1865, no idea of his fate, at this time.

1878, 7 Jan - Darius Edens takes over Levi's land patent in Houston Co for 254.89 acres.

---------not sure how this works...?

1887, 6 May - Darius Edens takes over patent on Levi's 72.79 acres in McLennan Co TX.

1890, 14 May - Darius Edens takes over patent on 51 acres in McLennan Co TX?

1906, 13 Jan - Heir's of Levi's (their lawyer) takes over 320 acres of Levi's Hou Co Bty Gt

1983, Article mentions Levi W White:

--------On a list, of U. S. Canada, Passenger and immigration Lists Index, 1500s-1900s --------says; "Name: Levi W White Arrival Year: 1836 Arrival Place: Texas, Source, --------Publication Code 9728 7 Primary Immigrant: White, Levi W, Source: Bibliography: --------by White, Gifford. The First Settlers of Houston County Texas, St Louis, MO.,

--------Ingmire Pub., 1983. 35p, Page 8.

Note: Levi was on the Houston Co Organization list, under, Mason's and IOOF Members.

--------I have a query out to the Grand Lodge to check for Levi... I cannot contact the --------IOOF, until we get an exact DEATH DATE... I suspect he was in a Mason Lodge in --------Crockett...?

--------UPDATE: See above for IOOF & Mason records, they replied.

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