NSDAR Patriot Ancestor #4: Adam Waggoner #A133663

Purported to be Adam Waggoner, c. 1790.*

Another of my paternal grandma Mary’s pioneer ancestors is 5^x great-grandfather, Adam Waggoner: Me > Verne Troutman > Mary Waggoner > Eli P. Waggoner > Jacob Waggoner > Elias Waggoner > George Waggoner > Adam Waggoner, probably born before 1730 in Germany. Name spellings vary from Waggoner/Wagoner/Wagner/Waganer/Wegener, and probably more. It’s spelled Adam Wagner in the DAR database. My grandmother used the Waggoner spelling, so that’s what I prefer.

 

But it’s Adam Waganer on a list of Palatines arriving in Philadelphia on the ship Nancy, on September 14, 1754.[1] Following that is a list of signers of an oath to the British Crown, which includes the name Johann Adam Wagner: same ship, same day, same man, two name versions. He is said to have arrived with a wife, name unknown, and two sons, Jacob and George. [2]  Children born in America were Margaret, Daniel, David, Christina, Sarah, Rebecca, Elizabeth and Mary. Later to wife #2, known only as Jane, were born Anne and Susannah.  All but Margaret, Elizabeth, and Mary were named in his 1785 will.[3] The date of his exit from Germany coincided with an exodus of Moravians escaping persecution, but whether he was Moravian or not is uncertain. Later his children affiliated with the Methodists.[4]

 

Adam’s whereabouts and activities are unknown until his name appears in a land record in Augusta County, Virginia on 18 December 1769. To get there, he had surely followed the Great Road through the Valley of Virginia. He purchased several properties in and around the area and lived in Montgomery County during the American Revolution. Records indicate that he was educated, and in his will he left provision for his minor children to be “schooled.” When he died in March 1796, he left substantial land holdings to his children. [5]

 

As patriotic service, he supplied certain items needed by the colonial army.  When the military confiscated people’s property for military use, the owners were given a voucher to turn in later to be reimbursed. Adam submitted his voucher, and it was duly recorded.[6] He claimed the Washington County militia took one steer valued at £3. Also, he “provided 13 diets at 13/, pasturage for 11 horses of the Montgomery County militia at 19/, and a mutton, the total being £5.12.10.”[7] Whether he ever received compensation for his losses is unknown. Also, in Montgomery County, he took the oath of allegiance and is listed on a militia company roster led by Captain McCorkle.[8]

 

*Posted on Ancestry, this appears to be a photo taken of a portrait, as there was no photography in 1790. An attempt was made to contact the person who originally posted it to authenticate it, but no reply. So if JeanRoot97 sees it here and objects to my using it, just let me know and I will remove it. Comparing to photos of two of A. W.'s great-grandsons, sons of Elias, the likeness is striking.

 

David N. Waggoner, H. & N. p. 14.

Adam E. Waggoner, H & N, p. 43.

 

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[1] Ralph Berger Strassberger, Pennsylvania German Pioneers: A Publication of the Original Lists of Arrivals in the Port of Philadelphia from 1727 to 1808 (Norristown [PA]: Pennsylvania German Society, 1934), Vol. 1, p. 591, 593. Can be viewed on Hathi Trust.

[2] Thomas C. Hatcher and Nancy Nash, The Adam Waggoner Family of Tazewell and Montgomery Counties Virginia, 1750-1996 (place n/a: publisher n/a, 1996) p. ii, 1.

[3] Virginia, Montgomery County, Will Book B (1720ca-1786ca), p. 80, will of Adam Waggoner

[4] Hatcher and Nash, pp. 190-196.

[5] Hatcher and Nash, p. 176.

[6] Abercrombie & Slatten, VA Rev Pub Claims, Vol. 2, pp. 685, 687.

[7] Hatcher and Nash, p. 346, as qtd. from Early Adventures on the Western Waters, by Mary B. Kegley, p. 764).

[8] Ibid., p. 1.