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Meet Thomas Waggener

That last reference we can find of Captain Thomas Waggener is in the executive council of Virginia journal. The journal states that several of Captain Thomas Waggener's men were killed by Indians at "Pittsburg." It doesn't say he was killed, but it does say Small Pox and Measles were hitting the men. Small pox might have claimed Waggener's life there. Here is the last reference to Waggener before he disappears from any record we can find.


At a Council held June 13th 1759:


A Letter from Col. Byrd , dated Winchester June 4th informing that Fort Cumberland is in Danger , the Indians appearing before it every Day - that he had sent Captain McKenzie there with Fifty Men - that several of Capt . Waggoner's Men have been killed at Pittsburg lately - that the Posts are in a miserable Situation above , for Want both of Men and Provisions - that the Regiment is at a low Ebb from the Losses they have sustained , the Small - Pox and Meazles amongst them , and great Desertion - desiring a Commission to hold a General Court - Martial , some blank military Commissions , and a Sum of Money for Contingent Charges .



Another researcher states no reference can be found for Waggener past 1758. We found the above one in 1759, but that is because his name is misspelled in that Council journal.


So why does this man matter?

He mattered to George Washington.

Waggener was a man on which GW could depend.


Although Thomas Waggener was a Captain, he was made senior officer, point man, over all the other Captains in the forts on the South Branch of the Potomac River.


The great Potomac splits into north and south branches well before Cumberland Maryland.


He supervised the building of those forts on the South Branch. He trained Charles Smith to build those forts. After that training, Charles Smith was made foreman supervisor of building Fort Loudoun Winchester VA.


Waggener's Death?

Waggener continued his service after GW resigned in 1759. Waggener was with Washington from 1754 to the end of 1758. Then he continued service under Colonel Byrd. We believe Waggener died from Small Pox in Pittsburg in 1759 or 1760.


Top leaders associated with Washington died in 1759 from Small Pox.


James Wood, founder of Winchester died Nov 1759. His court moved to Stephensburg, now known as Stephens City, because of Small Pox in Winchester VA. Then Small Pox broke out in Stephensburg too.


Christopher Gist, an old Captain and scout for GW, died July 1759 from Small Pox.


Washington developed immunity to Small Pox because he was infected with it in Barbados in 1751.




Waggener's Origins?

Waggener could possibly be a Dutch name.




Other Stories on Waggener

In 1754, Thomas Waggener was in the Virginia Regiment, living through the events of Jumonville and Fort Necessity, but his brother didn't. Thomas's brother, Edward, was killed at Fort Necessity. In 1755, Waggener was with the Virginia Blues in the Braddock campaign. In 1756, Washington made Waggener the point man on the South Branch of the Potomac and of overseeing the building of forts there and of ensuring the spending of supplies is under control. In 1757, Captain Waggener and his company challenged the Superintendent of Indian Affairs, Edmund Adkin. Waggener said he and his men had a right to interrogate the captured French prisoner. That story almost caused the Cherokees to revolt. Washington had to quickly quiet down that affair. In 1758, Waggener helped Washington on the Forbes Campaign.



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That's our lead story.

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Timeline



1720-1754

"Thomas Waggener would have been born on the estate of his parents in Essex County, probably before 1720. . . . The first records show him as a Sergeant serving under Captain Beverly Robinson in his expedition against Canada in 1746 and 1747. This would seem to indicate that he had some kind of military experience prior to this. . . . He next shows up on records as a Lieutenant with the Virginia Regiment in the spring of 1754."






Feb 1754

Capt. Thomas Waggener, an officer in the Virginia forces since February 1754, was at this time [1756] a company commander and the senior officer among the forces of the Virginia Regiment stationed in the forts on the South Branch of the Potomac.




May 1754

Thomas Waggener was at the defeat and death of Jamonville, May 28, 1754, and was slightly wounded. He had previously served under Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts, in the projected Canada expedition of 1746. He received the thanks of the House of Burgesses for his gallantry at Fort Necessity. Others of the name also served during this period. Ensign Edward Waggener was killed at the defeat of Braddock, and Captain Andrew Waggener received lands under the proclamation of Governor Dinwiddle of 1754 Ed.


Source:

See page 10 for bottom footnote:



1755

Instructions for Captain Waggener. As the Service at present will not allow of Colonel Stephen,...


You are hereby Ordered to proceed to Alexandria, with all possible Dispatch, and to take all the...


After appointing what Officers you think most proper to your Command; I would have you leave some...




1756

Late March or early April 1756.

Battle of the Trough

This battle was fought on the South Branch area known as The Trough just north of Fort Pleasant Late March or early April 1756.


This encounter became known locally as the "Battle of the Trough" and was detailed to the author Samuel Kercheval when he visited the area in 1830.[11] According to one account, at the time of the fight a company of British regulars [ they were not British regulars but were instead a company of the Virginia Regiment] were quartered at Fort Pleasant under the command of Capt. Waggener who had overseen the building of the fort shortly before. Waggener supposedly refused to come to the aid of the besieged settlers, a mere mile and a half away. Adding insult to injury, this account further relates that Waggener, after being called a coward, had several of the survivors of the fight pursued and whipped.[12]  Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_the_Trough 


There were no court martials after this battle, as there were after the Battle of the Great Cacapon on 18 April 1756. Colonel George Washington did not remove Waggener from command, but continued to rely on Waggener as the overall commander of that area along the South Branch of the Potomac.





As of this 16 May 1756 letter GW writes to Waggener two forts are built.

Footnote 2. See GW to John Field and GW’s memorandum (regarding George Hedgman), both 16 May 1756. Waggener’s Upper Fort was one of the two forts that Waggener had built in recent months on the South Branch above the Trough. Fort Pleasant was the other. The Upper Fort was at Lunice (Looney’s, Luney’s) Creek where it flows from the northwest into the Branch. Fort Pleasant was at Henry Van Meter’s about 10 miles lower on the South Branch.


Source:





Summer 1756

Training of Charles Smith to construct Fort Loudoun

Footnote 2. Charles Smith, who was made an ensign in the new Virginia Regiment in September 1755, spent the summer of 1756 as an officer in Waggener’s company working on forts on the South Branch. After his return to Winchester, he became, on 14 Nov. 1756, the overseer of the construction of Fort Loudoun there. See GW’s Orders, 18 Sept. 1755, n.5.


Also in this link are a discussion of the measurements of those forts to be built on the South Branch.




Dec 13, 1756


To Thomas Waggener [Fort Loudoun, 13 December 1756] To the Commanding Officer on the So. Branch Sir, I was not a little surprized to find what a quantity of provision had been consumed by your command, in the short space they have been stationed on the Branch: There certainly must have been great waste & neglect. To prevent which for the future, it is my Orders—That you direct each of the commanding officers where the troops are stationed on the Branch, to appoint a Sergeant of his command (the most trusty one) to be exempt from all other duty—to receive and issue the provisions which are brought to that Garrison. Let the officer certify the quantity he receives from each person; and let regular returns be made each drawing day, signed by the Officer commanding each Detachment; and he must issue provisions agreeable thereto, and deliver none without a written order from the Officer which will be his vouchers for the consumption of what he receives.


.As some of the Officers have only small commands, and can not spare a Sergeant for this Duty; you must direct to take one of the best of the men, or make him do the Sergeants duty, whichever is most convenient. Let all the officers know I expect they will account for the Shoes, &c. received from the Store, which they stand charged with on the Quartermasters Book. I am &c.

G:W. Fort Loudon Dec. 13th 1756. LB, DLC:GW.


Capt. Thomas Waggener of the Virginia Regiment was the senior officer of the troops deployed on the South Branch. For the disposition of these troops, see particularly Waggener to GW, 10 Aug. 1756, n.1.

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End of 1756

Only Waggener and his men on the South Branch should stay:

#39 (p. 21) - 1 matching term

At a Council held December 9th, 1756

...Whereupon it was the Opinion of the Board that the former Order of Council for reinforcing Fort Cumberland with a hundred Men should be carried into Execution; but as that Number cannot be supplied from Winchester, where they think it necessary a hundred Men should remain with a proper Officer, that all the small Forts, except that on the South Branch commanded by Captain Waggoner; should be evacuated for that purpose. ...




Dec 13, 1756

To Thomas Waggener [Fort Loudoun, 13 December 1756]

To the Commanding Officer on the So. Branch


Sir, I was not a little surprized to find what a quantity of provision had been consumed by your command, in the short space they have been stationed on the Branch: There certainly must have been great waste & neglect. To prevent which for the future, it is my Orders—That you direct each of the commanding officers where the troops are stationed on the Branch, to appoint a Sergeant of his command (the most trusty one) to be exempt from all other duty—to receive and issue the provisions which are brought to that Garrison. Let the officer certify the quantity he receives from each person; and let regular returns be made each drawing day, signed by the Officer commanding each Detachment; and he must issue provisions agreeable thereto, and deliver none without a written order from the Officer which will be his vouchers for the consumption of what he receives.


. As some of the Officers have only small commands, and can not spare a Sergeant for this Duty; you must direct to take one of the best of the men, or make him do the Sergeants duty, whichever is most convenient. Let all the officers know I expect they will account for the Shoes, &c. received from the Store, which they stand charged with on the Quartermasters Book. I am &c.


G:W. Fort Loudon Dec. 13th 1756. LB, DLC:GW.


Capt. Thomas Waggener of the Virginia Regiment was the senior officer of the troops deployed on the South Branch. For the disposition of these troops, see particularly Waggener to GW, 10 Aug. 1756, n.1.

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Source



1757

17Court-Martial, 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)

At a Regimental Court martial held at Fort Loudoun June the 19th 1757 Capt. Thos Waggener Presidt...


We understand that Mr Atkins has either complain’d or intends to complain to you that we had the...


You are Ordered forthwith to march from hence to the South-branch with your own men, and such of...


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June 1757

Complaint about interrogating a French Prisoner


From Thomas Waggener et al. [Winchester] June 19. 1757

Sir

We understand that Mr Atkins has either complain’d or intends to complain to you that we had the Insolence to desire one of the Cherokee Warriours with the french Prisoner to come & drink a Glass of Wine with us,


if it is so, we shou’d be very much oblig’d to you if you wou’d inform that Gentleman that as our Officers & Men risk’d their Lives in taking of the Prisoner, we are entitled to speak to him when we please,


Mr Baker in particular imagines that without any Offence to Mr Atkins he may take that Liberty, & we apprehend that whatever command he may have over the Indians he can have none over us—


We can’t help observing that from the former Behaviour of Mr Atkins We imagin’d he had been better acquainted with the Rules of good Manners than to send such a Message to Gentlemen who from their Station in Life their Births & Education ought to be treated with Respect.


We are with great Esteem Sir Your most Obedient Servts

Thos Waggener and all the officers


We are likewise inform’d that Mr Atkins said that neither you nor any of us had a Right to speak to the Prisoner until he had done with him.


LS, DLC:GW.

The text of the letter appears not to be in Thomas Waggener’s hand.

1. For Atkin’s complaints, see Atkin to GW, 19 June 1757.


Source:




April 1758

From Thomas Waggener

Fort Hopewell Aprill 30th 1758.


Sir

I should have comply’d with your orders in Sending an officer or two Recruiting, but it’s Imposible to do It without leaveing some of the Forts without an officer, There’s Not two at any place but this & Capt. McKenzies.1


I recd a Letter From Mr Boyd who inform’d me, it was yr orders for an officer From Each company to come Down for the pay, which accordingly I have sent. Capt. McKenzie Petision’d to go him self and Settle his Pay Roll’s with Mr Boyd, As Mr Gist is but Just Returnd with the Indianes, & very much Fatigued, the Particulars Of his Discovery’s you’ll be inform’d of by Capt. McKenzie.2


Your Recruiting o⟨rders⟩ shall be Punktually Obey’d. But beleive few, or no⟨ne wi⟩ll Inlist on the Branch, as they Say they are doing their ⟨mutilated⟩ the same service, as if Inlisted, As for the charges against Lt Steenbergen, the Officers that Come Down will give them in to you.3


I am Sir Your most Obedt Humble Servt

Thos Waggener

ALS, DLC:GW.


Founders Online footnotees


1. Captain Waggener and his men manned the forts on the South Branch (including Fort Hopewell) upstream and to the south of the Trough, whereas Capt. Robert McKenzie and his company had been stationed in forts to the north of the Trough (including Fort Pleasant) since the summer of 1756.


2. GW gives an account of Nathaniel Gist’s adventures near Fort Duquesne in his letters to John Blair, 4–10 May, and to John St. Clair, 4 May 1758.


3. For the charges against Peter Steenbergen, see Court of Inquiry, 4–8 May 1758.


Source






Nov Dec 1758

Waggener is part of 200 Virginia Regiment men left at Fort Pitt


Waggener at Fort Pitt

Footnote 4. GW used Lt. Nathaniel Gist of the 1st Virginia Regiment as a scout in his march from Loyalhanna to Fort Duquesne. Francis Austin, a 42–year-old Englishman, was a sergeant in Capt. Thomas Waggener’s company in the 1st Virginia Regiment, which at this time was stationed at Pittsburgh.


Source is Founders Online footnote to a letter Robt Stewart wrote to GW 31 Dec 1758:     https://founders.archives.gov/documents/Washington/02-06-02-0146 


200 men

Forbes, according to the council minutes, went on to say “that he shall send off the Virginia Troops as soon as he can give them four Days Provisions, to set them on their March . . . hoping the Colony of Virginia will contribute, with other adjoining Provinces


to enable him to fix a proper Fort, and maintain a suitable Garrison for the Defence of the Country,


to establish an equitable and just Traffick with the Indians, and to allow them proper hunting Boundaries—giving an Account of the infamous Behaviour of the Little Carpenter . . . that the rest of his Nation leave him the next Day, all well satisfied—that he shall be obliged


to keep about Two Hundred of Col. Washington’s Battalion, as a Part of the Troops necessary there this Winter” (Exec. Journals of Virginia Council description begins H. R. McIlwaine et al., eds. Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia. 6 vols. Richmond, 1925–66. description ends, 6:121–24).


Source:

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June 4, 1759

At a Council held June 13th 1759

A Letter from Col. Byrd , dated Winchester June 4th informing that Fort Cumberland is in Danger , the Indians appearing before it every Day - that he had sent Captain McKenzie there with Fifty Men - that several of Capt . Waggoner's Men have been killed at Pittsburg lately - that the Posts are in a miserable Situation above , for Want both of Men and Provisions - that the Regiment is at a low Ebb from the Losses they have sustained , the Small - Pox and Meazles amongst them , and great Desertion - desiring a Commission to hold a General Court - Martial , some blank military Com- missions , and a Sum of Money for Contingent Charges .




1760

Thomas Waggener dies?



1772

At a Council held Novr . 6th 1772

Col. George Washington being introduced into the Council Chamber , and presenting to the Board a Scheme of Partition of Sundry Surveys of Land among certain of the Officers and Soldiers who were to share the 200000 Acres promised by Governor Din- widdie's Proclamation ,


after having been heard thereupon with- drew ; when it was accordingly ordered , that a patent immediately issue to


George Muse , Andrew Lewis , Adam Stephen , Peter Hog , John West , John Polson , ( Representative of William Polson ) and Andrew Wagener ( Representative of Thomas Wagener ) in Part of their Shares , for 51302 Acres ; another to George Mercer for 13532 Acres , being for his Share , and those of his deceased Brother , John Mercer , of John Hamilton and Mark Hollis ; another to George Washington for 20147 Acres , in Part of his own share and of his purchases from George Muse and Rudolph Brickner ; another to the Heir , or other Representative , of the late Col. Joshua Fry , deceased , for 7758 Acres , in Part of his Share ; another to George Muse for 927 Acres , being the Balance of his Claim ; and another to John Savage , Robert Longdon , Robert Tunstall , Edmund Wag- ener , Richard Trotter , Wise Johnston , Hugh McKoy , Richard Smith , John Smith , Charles Smith , Angus McDonald Nathan Chapman , Joseph Gatewood , James Samuel , Michael Scully , Ed- ward Goodwin , William Bailey , Henry Bailey , William Cofland ,


#532 (p.514)

514 Executive Journals , Council of Colonial Virginia


Mathew Doran , John Ramsay , Charles James , Matthew Cox , Mar- shall Pratt , John Wilson , William Johnson , John Wilson , Nathaniel Barrett , David Gorman , Patrick Gallaway , Timothy Conway , Christian Bombgardner , John Houston , John Maid , James Ford , William Braughton , William Carnes , Edward Evans , Thomas Moss , Matthew Jones , Philip Gatewood , Hugh Paul , Daniel Staples , William Lowry James Ludlow , James Latort , James Gwin , Joshua Jordon , William Jenkins , James Commack , Richard Morris , John Gholson , Robert Jones , William Hogan , John Franklin , John Bishop , George Malcomb , William Coleman , Richard Bolton , John Kincaid , and George Hurst for 28627 Acres , And the Shares of such of them as are dead , or have assigned , are to go ( according to the former Order of the Board and the proportions then settled ) to those who represent them .


And it was farther ordered , that the said Patents issue without Rights and with a Reservation of Quitrents from the Feast of St. Michael which shall be next after 15 years from the Dates thereof respectively , according to the said Proclamation .


And Col. Washington engages , that if at the intended Meeting of the several Claimants at Fredericksburg , or in any reasonable Time after , the above Distribution should be complained of as unequal , and upon a Represent [ ation ] to the Board it should appear to be so , he will give up all his interest under his Patent , & submit to such regulations as the Board may think fit to prescribe .




1784

Building Forts

Washington visits Fort Pleasant in 1784 after the Rev War. This fort is an old French and Indian War. Waggener built it in 1756. This fort has other names: Waggener's Lower Fort, Fort Buttermilk. This fort and other forts built by Waggener lied along the South Branch of the Potomac. He trained Charles Smith on the building of these forts. Because of this training, Charles Smith was assigned by Colonel George Washington to be the top foreman of constructing Fort Loudoun in Winchester VA.



Footnote 3. GW was putting Waggener in charge of building the forts along the South Branch of the Potomac down to Fort Dinwiddie on Jackson River. See GW’s instructions to Waggener of this date.


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Thomas Waggener letters with GW


Results 1-10 of 26 sorted by date (ascending)


Instructions for Captain Waggener. As the Service at present will not allow of Colonel Stephen,...

You are hereby Ordered to proceed to Alexandria, with all possible Dispatch, and to take all the...

After appointing what Officers you think most proper to your Command; I would have you leave some...


I have ordered Lieutenant Colonel Stephen, so soon as he arrives at Fort Cumberland, to detach...

A party of the militia of Stafford, is ordered to Harnesses Fort; and will march to-morrow: as...

The companies of the Virginia Regiment are completed to an equal number, except yours, which,...

As the Assembly voted a chain of Forts to be built on the Frontiers for the protection of the...

I now enclose you the plans promised in my last; which if you observe, you can not possibly err....

I received yours—and much approve of your Halt, as the times are so perilous. The great distance...

Letter not found: to Thomas Waggener, 4 Aug. 1756. On 5 Aug. 1756 GW wrote to Waggener: “I wrote...


Results 11-20 of 26 sorted by date (ascending)


I have so many places and people to defend; so great calls from every quarter for men, and so...

I had got as far as this Place in my way to the Upper Tract; And Imediatly upon Rect of your...

I received yours by Express—and concur in sentiments with the officers of your council: Save that...

I Received Yours of the 12th Instant, And am glade to find you so far Approve of our Proceeding....

I received yours by Captain Spotswood. I was obliged to order the waggons down to Alexandria for...

I was not a little surprized to find what a quantity of provision had been consumed by your...


17Court-Martial, 19 June 1757 (Washington Papers)

At a Regimental Court martial held at Fort Loudoun June the 19th 1757 Capt. Thos Waggener Presidt...

We understand that Mr Atkins has either complain’d or intends to complain to you that we had the...

You are Ordered forthwith to march from hence to the South-branch with your own men, and such of...


Capt. Waggener Sir: Fort Loudoun, the 25th of April, 1758. I received Orders yesterday from the...

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Results 21-26 of 26 sorted by date (ascending)


I should have comply’d with your orders in Sending an officer or two Recruiting, but it’s...

In obedience to your orders by the Express, I have sent Ensn Woodford to Releive Mr Steenbergen,...

the linnen mr woodford brought up was devided between the two Companys for the mens Spatterdashes...

To Captn Ths Waggener [Fort Loudoun, 15 June 1758 ] Sir As you have been long under Marching...

To Captn Thomas Waggener. Sir Fort Loudoun 19th June 1758 The bearer Captn McClanaham comes up to...

I have just Incamp’d at this place on my way to Fort Cumberland, with a weak escort to a large...

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Related Links




 

These Stories are related to that French Prisoner Belestre


That prisoner was captured during this skirmish


Brave Harry of Agincourt is used to call Spotswood and Baker companies. Baker company is the one that brought back the prisoner and where Swallow the Cherokee warrior was killed.



Belestre was the French prisoner caught by the Baker Company and Cherokee. He was actually held as a Cherokee prisoner. This story is about Belestre being a Gason.



Story of Belestre the French Prisoner held at Fort Loudoun Winchester VA



The problem with Atkin in July 1757



And stories about Swallow the Cherokee killed

along with capture of that French prisoner


May 2023 posted


May 2022 posted


May 2021 posted




More links to Waggener



26 letters between GW and Waggener


3 references to Waggener


Wix Stories on Waggener


Waggener as Captain of one of the companies


Waggener had a bearded man in his company




George Washington is no longer their leader. Fort Duquesne is no longer their target. But Violence is popping in May and June 1759. The men of the Virginia Regiment are getting hit.   Thomas Bullitt's men are attacked in May near Fort Ligonier. Waggener's men are attacked near the new Fort Pitt in June.  Because of Indian threat around Fort Cumberland, Colonel Byrd informs the Virginia Executive Council he is sending Capt McKenzie with 50 men. And yes, the inevitable court martial follows many of these skirmishes.



At a Council held June 13th 1759

A Letter from Col. Byrd , dated Winchester June 4th informing that Fort Cumberland is in Danger , the Indians appearing before it every Day - that he had sent Captain McKenzie there with Fifty Men - that several of Capt . Waggoner's Men have been killed at Pittsburg lately - that the Posts are in a miserable Situation above , for Want both of Men and Provisions - that the Regiment is at a low Ebb from the Losses they have sustained , the Small - Pox and Meazles amongst them , and great Desertion - desiring a Commis- sion to hold a General Court - Martial , some blank military Com- missions , and a Sum of Money for Contingent Charges .









Future generations of Waggeners


1776 a later generation - Journal of American Revolution JAR

Waggener’s uncle, Thomas Waggener, had been a junior officer under Lt. Col. George Washington at Jumonville Glen and Fort Necessity in 1754.




26 references to Waggener

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Thomas Waggener

Born 1736 in Colony of Virginia

ANCESTORS

Son of John Waggener and [mother unknown]

[spouse(s) unknown]

[children unknown]

Died [date unknown] [location unknown]

PROBLEMS/QUESTIONS

Profile last modified 21 Aug 2019 | Created 5 Jul 2011


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Roster of Virginia Regiment - Fort Necessity ...

National Park Service (.gov)

https://www.nps.gov › fone › learn › historyculture › ros...

Feb 26, 2015 — William Polson, Captain (Lieut.) Jacob Van Braam, Captain (Lieut.), hostage. Thomas Waggoner, Captain Thomas Wagener, Lieutenant William ...

Missing: waggener ‎| Show results with: waggener

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Thomas Waggoner

Thomas Waggener would have been born on the estate of his parents in Essex County, probably before 1720. He was apparently a career soldier, serving with at least a couple of the Virginia Colony Regiments. The first records show him as a Sergeant serving under Captain Beverly Robinson in his expedition against Canada in 1746 and 1747. This would seem to indicate that he had some kind of military experience prior to this. He next shows up on records as a Lieutenant with the Virginia Regiment in the spring of 1754. He served with George Washington in the apparent construction of and maintenance of Fort Necessity in 1754. His younger brother Edmund also served there as a Sergeant. Thomas was promoted to Captain in the summer of 1754. He fought with Washington in the Battle of Great Meadows (also known as Braddock's Defeat) on July 9, 1755. He was apparently wounded in this battle, and his brother Edmund was killed.

Thomas is listed on numerous records from 1756 through 1758. In 1756, under orders of Colonel Washington, he with a Company of 60 men, reportedly built and garrisoned two forts on Patterson's Creek. That same year he was also at the two forts at Fort Holland on the South Branch of the Potomac River near Cumberland, Maryland. He also is listed in 1756 at Monongahela, and he signed a petition at Cumberland. In 1757 He again shows up on records at Fort Holland and Fort Loundoun. In 1758 he is described in one record as being in command at Fort Pitt, and in other records as being at Fort Geroge and Fort Hopewell. Presumably, as a Captain, he was in command at many of these locations that he was serving at throughout this time period.

It is not at all clear what happened to Thomas after 1758. I have not found any records of him from 1758 until 1771. The indenture dated 1771 shows that he is clearly deceased at that point, but there is no indication of when or how he died. It has been reported that he lived to and fought in the Revolutionary War, but this seems very unlikely. There is no record of Thomas being married or having any offspring, and the 1771 indenture would seem to show that he apparently did not.



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ShareFort Buttermilk

Fort Buttermilk was a French and Indian War fortification constructed by Capt. Thomas Waggener’s Virginia Regiment Company in spring 1756 to protect the settlers living along the South Branch of the Potomac south of present Moorefield, Hardy County. Col. George Washington, commander of the Virginia Regiment, noted, “since numbers of the Inhabitants . . . are lately moved down about . . . a place called Butter-milk Fort, which renders . . . it necessary to place the troops, or at least a principal part of them, there also to protect the Inhabitants in sowing and gathering their Crops, Etc.” During much of the French and Indian War this fort usually had a garrison of between 28 and 70 Virginia Regiment soldiers (mostly from Waggener’s company) as well as militiamen. No description of this fort has been found, but it was likely a bastioned wooden stockade.

In April or May 1756, 16 to 18 men from Fort Buttermilk and Fort Pleasant left the latter fort to pursue an Indian raiding party sighted near Fort Pleasant. These soldiers or militia were soundly defeated with the loss of seven men killed and four wounded by the Delaware and Shawnee Indians under Killbuck at what is known as the Battle of the Trough. In October 1757 another Indian raiding party killed two men near Fort Buttermilk. After the burning of Fort Duquesne (later Pittsburgh) in late 1758, Fort Buttermilk is no longer mentioned in historical documents and was probably abandoned. The origin of this fort’s name is unknown, although as historian William Ansel relates, “One story would have us believe that at the time the fort was being constructed, a party of Indians ventured into the area and so harassed the cows about the place that at milking time, they gave buttermilk instead of the standard variety.”

This Article was written by Stephen McBride and Kim McBride

Last Revised on November 30, 2023





 





THOMAS WAGGENER, b. Unknown, Essex Co., Virginia; d. Bef. 1771.

 

Notes for THOMAS WAGGENER:


Thomas Waggener would have been born on the estate of his parents in Essex County, probably before 1720. He was apparently a career soldier, serving with at least a couple of the Virginia Colony Regiments. The first records show him as a Sergeant serving under Captain Beverly Robinson in his expedition against Canada in 1746 and 1747. This would seem to indicate that he had some kind of military experience prior to this. He next shows up on records as a Lieutenant with the Virginia Regiment in the spring of 1754. He served with George Washington in the apparent construction of and maintenance of Ft. Necessity in 1754. His younger brother Edmund also served there as a Sergeant. Thomas was promoted to Captain in the summer of 1754. He fought with Washington in the Battle of Great Meadows (also known as Braddock's Defeat) on July 9, 1755. He was apparently wounded in this battle, and his brother Edmund was killed.


Thomas is listed on numerous records from 1756 through 1758. In 1756, under orders of Colonel Washington, he with a Company of 60 men, reportedly built and garrisoned two forts on Patterson's Creek. That same year he was also at the two forts at Fort Holland on the South Branch of the Potomac River near Cumberland, Maryland. He also is listed in 1756 at Monongahela, and he signed a petition at Cumberland. In 1757 He again shows up on records at Fort Holland and Fort Loundoun. In 1758 he is described in one record as being in command at Fort Pitt, and in other records as being at Fort Geroge and Fort Hopewell. Presumably, as a Captain, he was in command at many of these locations that he was serving at throughout this time period.


It is not at all clear what happened to Thomas after 1758. I have not found any records of him from 1758 until 1771. The indenture dated 1771 shows that he is clearly deceased at that point, but there is no indication of when or how he died. It has been reported that he lived to and fought in the Revolutionary War, but this seems very unlikely. There is no record of Thomas being married or having any offspring, and the 1771 indenture would seem to show that he apparently did not.


====================================


From "Waggoner Family 1670 to 1970" by Earl Wagner, 1970:


Captain Thomas Waggoner- First Virginia Volunteer Regiment


Captain Thomas Waggoner was a son of Herbert and Elizabeth Waggener of Southfarnham Parish, Essex County, Virginia. Captain Thomas Waggener served as Company Commander in the First Virginia Volunteer Regiment under Colonel George Washington during the French and Indian War 1754-1757. He was commissioned Lieutenant February 26, 1754 and promoted to Captain August 16, 1755. He was a veteran of Old Fort Necessity in 1754 and was at the Battle of Great Meadows, Pennsylvania, (Braddock's Defeat by the French and Indians) July 9, 1755; and was at Fort Holland on the South Branch of the Potomac River, North West of Winchester, where the Virginians built two Forts in 1756. Earlier in the same year Captain Waggoner with a Company of 60 men was ordered by Colonel Washington to build and garrison two additional Forts on Patterson's Creek.


Earl goes on to describe some limited service that Thomas served during the Revolutionary War, which I believe to be in error, due to the fact that he apparently died before 1771.


From a section titled: "Virginia Troops in French and Indian Wars List of Officers of the Virginia Regiment, 29 May, 1754, and the Dates of their Commissions


****** ... Lieutenant Thomas Wagener, February 26, 1754. ....


A list of Officers and the Dates of their Commissions


                 


***** .... CaptainWaggener, August 16, 1755 ...


The foregoing contains a list of all the Soldiers which are to be found either upon the Pay Rolls, or Muster Rolls. The party of Recruits which join at Wills Creek after the Battle of the Meadows- the Men who received the present of a Pistole from the Country as an acknowledgement of their Gallant Behavior upon that occasion- and the detachment which marched to Augusta sometime after the Defeat. By which (there appearing to be 350 upon the Roll) it is evident there are many men (here) Including that are not entitled (strictly) to a share of the 200,000 acres of Land under Gov' Dinwiddles Proclaim, and scarce possible that any can be omitted which are- this being carefully attended to least any might be deprived of their Right by not appearing on the list when they applied to


April 30, 1771.                  G. Washington"


==================================


*****From the Roster of Virginia Militia listed at the Fort Necessity National Battlefield, sent to me courtesy of F.E. "Gene" Waggoner;


The roster lists "The names of soldiers serving under George Washington during the Fort Necessity Campaign. It is a compilation of two sources described below. Spelling of names are as they appear on the separate rosters.


-Title of paper roster: A listing of the Officers, Non commissioned Officers, and Privates serving with G. W. at the Battle of Great Meadows at Fort Necessity in the Summer of 1754.


-Title of the framed pay and muster rolls: A Roll of the Officers and Soldiers in the Service of the Colony Before the Battle of the Meadows the 3rd of July, 1754 as Taken From the Pay and Muster Rolls of These Times.


Officers


****** ... Thomas Waggoner, Captain (from the paper roster)...


****** ... Thomas Wagener, Lieutenant (from the framed pay and muster rolls)..."


(Thomas' brother is listed from both sources as "Edward Wagener, Sergeant.")


===================================


From "They Went Thataway" by Charles Hughes Hamlin (1964, 65, 66):


The roster of the "Company of Captain Thomas Waggener at Fort Holland, on ye South Branch." is listed without date. There are 89 names on the roster. Mr. Hamlin reports that he was unable to locate any reference to Fort Holland, but that the South Branch is of the Potomac River, Northwest of Winchester and according to Douglas Southall Freeman, the Virginians built two forts thereon in about 1756. Mr. Hamlin also describes Captain Thomas as being a veteran of Ft. Necessity in 1754 and was at the Battle of Great Meadows (Braddock's Defeat on July 9, 1755)


===================================


From "Virginia Colonial Soldiers" by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Copyright 1988, 3rd Printing 1998:


The following listings of Thomas are in the chapter labeled:


"King George's War 1739-1748"


"The following are the muster rolls of the company of foot of Captain Beverly Robinson raised in the colony of Virginia in 1746 an expedition against Canada. The company was part of a larger force under the command of George Clinton, Captain General and Commander in Chief of the Province of New York. Lieutenant Joseph Harmer was was left sick at New York and Ensign John Sloss was not returned. The original records are in the Public Record Office, London, CO5/1338."


****** "Returns for 14 June 1746- 24 August 1746......Thomas Waggoner, Sgt., 25 June: ....." (p. 39)


****** "Returns for 25 August 1746- 24 October 1746. .... Thomas Wagganer, Sgt. ..." (p.40)


****** "Returns for 25 October 1746- 24 December 1746. ... Thomas Wagganer, Sgt. ..." (p. 40)


****** "Returns for 25 December 1746- 23 February 1747. ... Thomas Wagganer, Sgt.; ..." (p.41)


****** "Returns for 24 February 1747- 24 April 1747. ... Thomas Wagganer, Sgt. ..." (p.41)


****** "Returns for 25 June 1747- 24 August 1747..... Thomas Waggoner, Sgt. .... " (p. 42)


****** "Returns for 25 August 1747- 24 October 1747. ..... Thomas Waggoner, Sgt. ..." (p. 42)


The following listings are in the next chapter labeled:


"French and Indian War 1754-1763"


"Anglo-French rivalry in North America erupted in November 1753 when Governor Robert Dinwiddle of Virginia sent George Washington to Fort LeBoeuf to warn the French that they were encroaching on territory claimed by Virginia. Governor Dinwiddle ordered Washington to select a suitable site for a fort to counter the French advance. Construction in the vicinity of present day Pittsburgh began in 1754, and the conflict was joined. The French were overwhelmingly victorious, and Washington capitulated at Great Meadows. He returned to Virginia in disgrace.


With humiliation in 1753 and defeat in 1754, Washington with some 600 Virginians guided Gen. Edward Braddock with 800 regulars to the Ohio River Valley. At Fort Dusquesne the French and their Indian allies surprised the English and badly defeated them. The long, fierce struggle was underway.


In 1755 Washington was placed in command of the Virginia Regiment. The year 1756 almost drove him to despair, and he retired from his command in 1757. In 1758 the Virginia regulars were divided into two regiments, one under the command of Col. William Byrd and the other under Col. George Washington. The latter was sometimes called the First Virginia Regiment, and the former, the Second Virginia Regiment. Virginia forces were quite active in 1758 and participated in Forbes's Expedition in taking Fort Dusquesne. Afterwards Washington resigned his commission and returned home. .....


These papers of George Washington contain the bulk of the entries for the service cited in this chapter. The originals are at the Library of Congress and microfilm copies are widely available."


****** "Pay of the Virginia Regiment from 29 May until 29 July 1754. ..... Thomas Waggoner, Capt., 14.0.0 ..."(p. 47)


****** "Pay Bill of the Virginia Regiment by George Washington, 1754 ...... Capt. Peter Hog's company .... Thomas Waggener, Lt.; ..." (p. 51) (Thomas' brother is also listed here,"Edmund Waggener, Sgt.")


****** "Payroll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company, 2 days of December 1754 and January. and Feb. 1755. ..."(p.51)


****** "Pay Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company, Jan. 1756...."(p. 56)


****** "Pay Roll of Thomas Waggener's Company, 1 June 1756. ..."(p. 61)


****** "Pay Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company, 7 July 1756. ..."((p. 62)


****** "Pay Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company for service at Monongahela, 9 July 1756. ..." (p. 63)


****** "Council of War held at Fort Harn, 10 August 1756. The following were present: Capt. Thomas Waggener..."(p. 88)


****** "Pay Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company, July and August 1756. ..."(p. 89)


****** "Size Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company, 19 Sept. 1756...."(p. 90)


****** "Petition from Cumberland, 12 November 1756...... Thomas Waggener ....."(p. 92)


****** "Pay Roll of Capt. Waggener's Company for Jan., Feb., March, April and May 1757. ..."(p. 93)


****** "Size Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company at Fort Holland in the South Branch, August 1757. ...."(p. 107)


****** "Necessary Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggneer's Company, 14 Sept. 1757. ..."(p.109)


****** "Necessary Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company on the South Branch for Sept. 1757. ..."(p.112)


****** "Necessary Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company on the South Branch, Dec. 1757. ..."(p. 117)


****** "Necessary Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company, Nov. 1757. ..."(p. 124)


****** "Pay Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company for Nov. and Dec. 1758, Fort George, 21 Jan. 1758. ..."(p. 124)


****** "Necessary Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company at Fort Hopewell on the South Branch, 1 March 1758. ..."(p. 125)


****** "Necessary Roll of Capt. Thomas Waggener's Company at Fort Hopewell for the month of March 1758. ..."(p. 126)


****** "Return of Necessaries wanting to complete the sick in the hospital at Rays Town, 6 Oct. 1758. .... From Capt. Waggoner's company: ..."(p. 127)


****** "Pay Roll of the Virginia Regiment from Enlistment to 29th of May 1754. This pay roll was according to an account in the possession of Mr. Carlyle, then Commissary. The roll gave name, rank, date of commissioning or enlistment, and pay (in pounds, shillings, pence)..... Thomas Wagener, Lt., 26 Feb., 92 days, 18.8.0; ..."(p. 133) (Thomas' brother was also listed "Edmund Wagener, 2 March, 6.2.6;")


****** "Miscellaneous Court Martial Records relating to the French and Indian War held at Fort Loudoun. Held 27 May 1757. The following were present: Capt. Thomas Waggener, ...Held 25 and 26 1757. the following were present: .... Capt. Waggener...."(p. 136)


The following record came from the chapter labeled:


"Militia Miscellany; Section I, The following records appear in the journals of the House of Burgesses under the following date given."


****** "Petition of Nathniel Stedman, a soldier in Maj. Lewis's company in the late Virginia Regiment. He was left at Fort Pitt under the command of Capt. Waggoner in 1758..... (record dated) 18 Nov. 1762."(p. 176)


The following 2 records are from the chapter labeled:


      "County and Misc. Loose Papers."


****** "Muster Roll Reported to the Council on 6 November 1771. (Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia) .... Thomas Wagner, 2nd Lt.; ...." (This must have been at the formation of the Virginia Regiment in 1754.) (p. 237)


****** "Muster Roll Reported to Council on 6 November 1772. (Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia) ... Thomas Wagener, ....." (His brother "Edmund Wagener" is in this same roll) (p. 238)


The following 2 records are from the chapter labeled:


      "Bounty Land Applications"


It contains abstracts taken from court order books in various counties, and pertains to different soldiers proving their service in the French and Indian War. The end date is the date of the court session.


****** "James Farguson enlisted 16 June 1757 in the Virginia Regiment under Col. Washington in Capt. Waggoner's Company. 7 Apr. 1780." (p. 251)


****** "James Roberts was a soldier in Capt. Wagoner's Company of Regulars in 1757. 27 Apr. 1780."(p. 261)


===============================


From "Virginia County Records, Volume II, Virginia Colonial Militia 1651-1776," Edited by William Armstrong Crozier; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1986:


The following records are from the chapter titled "The Virginia Regiment"


****** "Commissions sent to Colonel Washington for the Officers of his Virginia Regiment, 1754. .....Tho. Wagener, Capt., July 20 ....." (p.108)


****** "Memorandum List of Officers in the Virginia Regiment, 1754, with Their Pay Severally..... Thos. Wagener, Lieutenant, 4s. ..." (Col. Joseph Fry is listed as Com'dr in Chief and George Washington Esq., Lieut.-Colonel.)(p. 108)


****** "This pay rollis preserved among the Washington papers in the Department of State at Washington. Pay Roll of the Virginia Regiment. Commencing from the 29th of May and ending July 29th, 1754. ... Captain Thomas Waggoner, 14.0.0 ..." (p. 115)


***** "List of Officers of the Virginia Regiment contained in the Journal of Captain Charles Lewis. Expedition against the French Oct. 10- Dec. 27, 1755. ... Captains ... Thos. Waggoner... "(p. 120)


****** On the same page under the heading "Virginia Officers at Braddock's Defeat, 1755. (K. Killed). (W. Wounded)."is listed "Captain Waggoner" and also "Lieut. Waggener (K)." (I think this shows that Thomas was wounded during the fighting and his brother Edmund was killed.) (p. 120)


=============================


From the Virginia State Library, List of the Colonial Soldiers of Virginia, Special Report of the Department of Archives and History for 1913, H.J. Eckenrode, Archivist:


Speaking of the day of Braddock's defeat, July 9, 1755;


".... The Virginia companies in Braddock's expedition werecommanded by Captains Waggoner, Cook, Hogg, Stephen, Polson, Peyronie, Mercer, and Stewart; and there was a troop of Virginia light horse. ..... Nearly all of the Virginia troops present were killed or wounded. Captain Peyronie and Poison were among the killed and Stephen, Waggoner and Stewart among the wounded. ..."


==============================


From"A few Acres of Snow: A Saga of the French and Indian Wars," by Robert Leckie, pub. John Wiley and Sons, New York, 1999, p. 284; sent to my by Crystal Dingler:


"...Only the despised Virginians seemed capable of fighting back. A party of them led by Captain Thomas


Waggener dashed for a huge fallen tree. They threw themselves down behind it and began picking off red men flitting from cover to cover or darting to the road to scalp a dead or a wounded soldier. But the British regulars mistook their only friends for foes and opened fire on the Virginia rear, killing many colonials and forcing the rest to withdraw...."


=============================


From Sandy Fortner:


There is an indenture, made August 8, 1771, between "John Waggener of the County of Culpepper, oldest brother and Heir at Law to Thomas Waggener, late of Culpepper in the First Virginia Regiment, and to Edmund Waggener, late ensign of the said Virginia Regiment, now both deceased, of the one part; and Andrew Waggener of the County of Frederick, oldest son of said John Waggener."


The indenture is for parcels of land on the Ohio River, (part of 200,000 acres apparently granted by proclamation to veterans of the French and Indian War), "which the said Thomas Waggener and Edmund Waggener were entitled as Officers in the said Virginia Regiment and under the proclamation of the Honorable Robert Dinwiddle," and which "the said John Waggener bearth to the said Andrew Waggener and for his better advancement and for the further consideration of Forty Pounds of rent (tax) money in hand paid to the said John Waggener to the said Andrew Waggener."


There is a record of surveyed land from the "Earliest Surveys of Land in Kentucky, made as in Fincastle Co., Kentucky Co., Fayette Co., Jefferson Co., and Lincoln Co., Virginia. Principally "By Virtue of the Governor's Warrant Under His Majesty's Proclamation of October 7, 1763." "For Service in the Late War BetweenFrance and Great Britian."From Original Surveys and Plats in the Kentucky Land Office. Catalogued by Philip Fall Taylor, State Archivist of Kentucky.There is a record for Thomas Waggoner, of the rank of Capt. Washington's (presumably meaning Captain under Washington), for 3000 acres, surveyed on July 4, 1774, By Hancock Taylor; Fincastle Co., on S. fork of Elk Horn; cor. to Slaughter and Jones; to Andrew Waggoner, heir-at-law, Ass'd to Edmund Taylor. This would seem to be at least some of the land mentioned in the indenture.


The indenture document seems to clearly indicate that Thomas was dead in 1771, which would mean he did not serve in the American Revolutionary War. Also, the fact that Thomas' brother John is giving the land to John's descendants, would seem to indicate that perhaps Thomas had no descendants.

 

viii.

 

EDMUND WAGGENER, b. Unknown, Essex Co., Virginia; d. 1755.

 

Notes for EDMUND WAGGENER:


Edmund Waggener would have been born on the estate of his parents Herbert and Elizabeth Waggener, in Essex County. I believe he was one of his parents younger children, who was probably born in the 1730's. All that is really known about Edmund is his service in the Virginia Regiment during the French and Indian War. He apparently joined it on March 2, 1754, which was apparently about 4 days after his older brother Thomas had joined. Edmund was listed as a Sergeant when he joined, which would seem to indicate that he had some prior military experience. His brother Thomas was listed as a Lieutenant at the time he joined, and he had been serving in the military for at least 10 years.


Edmund (and Thomas) served with George Washington, as they built and manned Ft. Necessity in 1754. Many of the records from 1754 show him as being a Sergeant under Captain Peter Hogg. Edmund fought with Washington in the Battle of Great Meadows on July 9, 1755, and it appears that he was killed in this battle. It also appears that sometime prior to his death, he was promoted. He is described as an Ensign in the indenture from 1771, as a Subaltern in one of the Bounty Land record from 1774, and as a Lieutenant in the apparent record of his death from the regiment. Although his brother Thomas shows up in many of the regiment records from 1756-1758, Edmund's name is not mentioned, which seems to confirm the fact that Edmund died in 1755. There is no record of Edmund being married or having any offspring, and in fact the indenture from 1771 seems to show that he apparently did not.


===============


*****From the Roster of Virginia Militia listed at the Fort Necessity National Battlefield, sent to me courtesy of F.E. "Gene" Waggoner;


The roster lists "The names of soldiers serving under George Washington during the Fort Necessity Campaign. It is a compilation of two sources described below. Spelling of names are as they appear on the separate rosters.


-Title of paper roster: A listing of the Officers, Non commissioned Officers, and Privates serving with G. W. at the Battle of Great Meadows at Fort Necessity in the Summer of 1754.


-Title of the framed pay and muster rolls: A Roll of the Officers and Soldiers in the Service of the Colony Before the Battle of the Meadows the 3rd of July, 1754 as Taken From the Pay and Muster Rolls of These Times.


****** "Edward Wagener, Sergeant" is listed apparently on both rosters


===============


From "Virginia Colonial Soldiers" by Lloyd DeWitt Bockstruck, Copyright 1988, 3rd Printing 1998:


The following listings are in the chapter labeled:


"French and Indian War 1754-1763"


"Anglo-French rivalry in North America erupted in November 1753 when Governor Robert Dinwiddle of Virginia sent George Washington to Fort LeBoeuf to warn the French that they were encroaching on territory claimed by Virginia. Governor Dinwiddle ordered Washington to select a suitable site for a fort to counter the French advance. Construction in the vicinity of present day Pittsburgh began in 1754, and the conflict was joined. The French were overwhelmingly victorious, and Washington capitulated at Great Meadows. He returned to Virginia in disgrace.


With humiliation in 1753 and defeat in 1754, Washington with some 600 Virginians guided Gen. Edward Braddock with 800 regulars to the Ohio River Valley. At Fort Dusquesne the French and their Indian allies surprised the English and badly defeated them. The long, fierce struggle was underway.


In 1755 Washington was placed in command of the Virginia Regiment. The year 1756 almost drove him to despair, and he retired from his command in 1757. In 1758 the Virginia regulars were divided into two regiments, one under the command of Col. William Byrd and the other under Col. George Washington. The latter was sometimes called the First Virginia Regiment, and the former, the Second Virginia Regiment. Virginia forces were quite active in 1758 and participated in Forbes's Expedition in taking Fort Dusquesne. Afterwards Washington resigned his commission and returned home. .....


These papers of George Washington contain the bulk of the entries for the service cited in this chapter. The originals are at the Library of Congress and microfilm copies are widely available."


****** "Pay Bill of Capt. Peter Hog's Company from 29 May until 29 June 1754. The following were paid 2.0.8 each: .... Edmund Waggoner." (p. 47)


8***** "Pay Bill of the Virginia Regiment, Capt. Peter Hog's Company, 29 Sept. 1754. Edmund Waggoner, Sgt., 4.11.6; ..."(p. 48)


****** "List of Soldiers who have received the County's Bounty Money 1754. .... Capt. Peter Hogg's Company: Edmund Waggoner, Sgt.; ..."(p. 50)


****** " Pay Bill of the Virginia Regiment by George Washington, 1754:.... Capt. Peter Hog's company:... Edmund Waggener, Sgt.; ..."(p. 51)(Edmund's brother "Thomas Waggener, Lt.;" is also listed here.)


****** "Pay Roll of the Virginia Regiment from Enlistment to 29th of May 1754. This pay roll was according to an account in the possession of Mr. Caryle, then Commissary. The roll gave name, rank, date of commissioning of enlistment, and pay (in pounds, shillings, pence).... Edmund Wagener, Sgt. 2 March, 6.2.6; ..."(p. 133) (Edmund's brother "Thomas Wagener, Lt." is listed as apparently joining February 26.)


****** "Muster Roll reported to the Council on 6 November 1771. (Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia) ... Edmund Wagener, Sgt.: ..."(p. 237) (Edmund's brother "Thomas Wagner, 2nd Lt." is also listed.)


****** " Muster Roll Reported to Council on 6 November 1772. (Executive Journals of the Council of Colonial Virginia) ... Edmund Wagener, ..." (p. 238) ("Thomas Wagener" is also listed)


****** From a Chapter titled "Bounty Land Warrants"..."Warrant for 1,000 acres issued to Edmund Taylor, assignee of Andrew Waggoner, heir at law of Edmund Waggoner, as proved by certificate from Lord Dunmore."


==================


From "Virginia County Records, Volume II, Virginia Colonial Militia 1651-1776," Edited by William Armstrong Crozier; Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc. 1986:


From the Chapter entitled "Land Bounty Certificates, For Service in the French and Indian Wars," and described as: "For participation in the wars of the Colony of Virginia against the French and Indians, and for service rendered by the Militia in defence of the frontiers, the King's Proclamation of 1763 granted certain amounts of land. ...":


****** "Edmund Wagner, deceased, a subaltern in the Virginia Regiment, entitles to 2,000 acres of land. Andrew Wagner is his heir. March 7, 1774. (Signed) Dunmore, Govr."(p. 11)


From the chapter entitled "The Virginia Regiment":


****** "Pay Roll of Capt. Peter Hog's Company. Edmond Waggoner, SerjeantL4.11.6 ..."(p. 115)


****** "Members of the Virginia Regiment who have received Bounty Money.The following lists are preserved in the "Force Manuscripts" in the Library of Congress. On the back of the five rolls is the endorsement of Washington. ...A List of Captain Hogg's Company who have received his Excellency's Bounty Money. ... Edmund Waggoner, Serj."(p. 118)


****** "List of Officers of the Virginia Regiment contained in the Journal of Captain Charles Lewis.Expedition against the French Oct. 10- Dec. 27, 1755. .... Virginia Officers at Braddock's defeat, 1755. (k. Killed). (W. Wounded).... Lieut. Waggener (K)..." (p.120)


I don't know if Edmund is listed here as a Lieutenant incorrectly, rather than as an Ensign or Subaltern, or whether he was promoted just before his apparent death. His brotherThomas listed as "Captain Waggoner," is also on this same list, without a "K" or a "W" after his name. I believe he was wounded in this battle.


===============


From Sandy Fortner:


There is an indenture, made August 8, 1771, between "John Waggener of the County of Culpeper, oldest brother and Heir at Law to Thomas Waggener, late of Culpeper in the First Virginia Regiment, and to Edmund Waggener, late ensign of the said Virginia Regiment, now both deceased, of the one part; and Andrew Waggener of the County of Frederick, oldest son of said John Waggener."


The indenture is for parcels of land on the Ohio River, (part of 200,00 acres apparently granted by proclamation to veterans of the French and Indian War), "which the said Thomas Waggener and Edmund Waggener were entitled as Officers in the said Virginia Regiment and under the proclamation of the Honorable Robert Dinwiddle," and which "the said John Waggener bearth to the said Andrew Waggener and for his better advancement and for the further consideration of Forty Pounds of rent (tax) money in hand paid to the said John Waggener to the said Andrew Waggener."


There is a record of surveyed land from the "Earliest Surveys of Land in Kentucky, made as in Fincastle Co., Kentuck Co., Fayette Co., Jefferson Co., and Lincoln Co., Virginia. Principally "By Virtue of the Governor''s Warrant Under His Majesty's Proclamation of October 7, 1763." "For Service in the Late War BetweenFrance and Great Britian."From Original Surveys and Plats in the Kentucky Land Office. Catalogued by Philip Fall Taylor, State Archivist of Kentucky. There are two records for Edmund Waggener. The first, lists his rank as Subaltern Va. Regt., and is for 1000 acres, surveyed June 8, 1774, by Hancock Taylor, Fincastle Co., on head branches of Beargrass Creek- cor. to John Ashby, to Andrew Waggener, heir-at-law, Ass'd to Edmund Taylor. The second lists Edmund Waggoner, dec'd, of the rank of Subaltern, for 1000 acres, surveyed on October 29, 1783, By B. Netherland, Jefferson Co. on Ohio River-- Tennant's line. Ass'd to Andrew Waggoner, heir-at-law-- to Edmund Taylor. These parcels of land would seem to possibly be the ones mentioned in the indenture.


The indenture clearly shows that Edmund was deceased by the year 1771. As mentioned above, it is believed he died in the Battle of Great Meadows in July of 1755. The fact that John Waggener, acting as executor forEdmund's estate, gave these parcels of land to his own son, rather than a descendant of Edmund''s, would seem to indicate that Edmund had no spouse of offspring.

10.

ix.

 

GREENSBY WAGGENER, b. Unknown; d. Abt. 1798.

11.

x.

 

REUBEN WAGGENER, b. Bef. 1765, Essex Co., Virginia; d. Abt. 1818, Adair Co., Kentucky.



 

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