Family Tree Maker's Genealogy Site: Genealogy Report: Descendants of John Waggener

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Descendants of John Waggener

11. REUBEN³ WAGGENER (HERBERT², JOHN¹) was born Bef. 1765 in Essex Co., Virginia, and died Abt. 1818 in Adair Co., Kentucky. He married CATHERINE COLEMAN, daughter of EDWARD COLEMAN and SARAH HUTCHINSON. She was born Abt. 1760 in Spotsylvania Co., Virginia, and died 1830.

Notes for REUBEN WAGGENER:
Reuben was apparently born on the estate of his parents, Herbert and Elizabeth Waggener, in South Farnham Parish, Essex County. This estate was probably not far from the estate of his grandparents, John and Rachel Waggener, west of Tappahannock, along the north side of Hoskin's Creek. He must have been one of Herbert's and Elizabeth's youngest children, and he was still young when Herbert died in about 1743.

Several of Reuben's older siblings and cousins, moved from Essex County to Spotsylvania County in the 1740's, and then on to Culpeper in the 1760's. There are no records of Reuben being in Spotsylvania County, but since his wife Catherine Coleman was born and raised there, it seems he must have been there at least long enough to meet and marry Catherine. Probably he went to live with one of his older brothers John or James Herbert, and finished growing up with them in Spotsylvania County. Certainly the Colemans knew the Waggeners in Spotsylvania County. Catherine's father Edward had initially married Reuben's cousin Lucretcia there, although it does not appear that she was the mother of Catherine.

Reuben reportedly served in the Revolutionary War, apparently around 1779, and probably before he married Catherine.

From the record below, Reuben must have also been in Culpeper County for some period of time. He still had business affairs there in 1808. He had probably moved there with one or both of his older brothers James Herbert or John.

In about 1805, Reuben began to sell his property in Culpeper County, Virginia, and he and his family moved to Adair, County, Kentucky. He began purchasing property in Adair County the next year, 1806. Bill Creel reports that they apparently moved in conjunction with the Creel, Dahoney, Atkins, Garnett, Lightfoot, Nelson, Grady, and Jones families. There were also other members of the Waggener and Willis families, who also made the move in this time period. From the records listed below from 1806 until 1818, and the will dated 1809, Reuben seems to be very established and well off, with hundreds of acres of land and 15 slaves. Reuben seems to have lived about 9 years after he wrote the will, apparently dying in about 1818.

(Note: In most of the Culpeper County records, Reuben is listed near to Greensby. Liz Stump seems to feel that this indicates that the Reuben who served in the Revolutionary War, was a son of Greensby and a different person. There do seem to be some problems with the dates of Reuben. If he was born between 1730 and 1740, then he would have been in his 40's when he served in the war and started a family, and he would have been in his 60's or even 70's when he moved to Kentucky. Still, from his father's will, Greensby himself seems to have been one of the younger children of Herbert and Elizabeth. The only record of a wife of Greensby was Leah Mitchell, who he married in 1786. There is a record of some of his daughters, by an apparently earlier wife, but no sons are mentioned. In the will Greensby's son-in-law, Fisher Allen, in 1796, Fisher describes Reuben and Greensby as "my worthy friends Greensby Waggoner and Reuben Waggoner." This sounds more like he is talking about brothers as opposed to a father and son. I believe that Reuben was the 'baby' of the family, who was a 'late bloomer,' and who remained close to his brother Greensby.)

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****** From Virginia Colonial Abstracts, Vol. II, King and Queen County:
"p. 352 Bond. 19 July 1749. William Sears of Drisdale parish, King and Queen Co., for L200. to Elizabeth Waggoner of South Franham par. Essex Co. That he will pay L50. by 19 July next year "For the keeping the Child Sarah Waggener one year". Wit: Nathaniel Pendleton, Thos Waggener, Reuben Waggener."

(This record would seem to indicate that Reuben was an adult, or close to it, by the year 1749. It is not clear what this bond is about, other than it most certainly seems to be in regard to Reuben's sister Elizabeth Waggener, and is witnessed by Reuben and his brother Thomas. It is also witnessed by Nathaniel Pendleton, an apparent neighbor of the Waggeners in Essex County, and mentioned in other records. Although the bond is recorded in King and Queen County, and Elizabeth is described as still in Essex County, it is not mentioned where Reuben is living at the time.)

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From Shirley Hern:

Will bk D, p. 416, Fisher Allen of Culpeper..estate to wife Catherine Allen during her widowhood and after her death equally divided among my children ...and if hereafter my children shall come of lawfull age it is my desire if there is any part of my estate that shall be thought by my wife and the executors that can be spared in that case it shall be given them not exceeding their proportions...my loving wife Catherine Allen my worthy friends Greensby Waggoner and Reuben Waggoner Gentlemen Executrix and Executors of last will and testament giving them full power to act and do in the management of my estate as the majority of them see fit.
3 April 1796 Fisher Allen (mark)...

Catherine Allen is the daughter of Greensby. I feel that the reference here, to "my worthy friends Greensby Waggoner and Reuben Waggener," shows that Greensby and Reuben were brothers and not father and son.

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From Liz Stump:

There is a DAR record that Reuben served as a soldier in the Revolutionary War (Application #'s 395613, 337279, 342869, and 357588). He is listed as having served in the 6th Virginia Regiment, under Col. William Russell at Camp Middlebrook in February and March of 1779. He is also listed as having served in the 10th Virginia Regiment of Foot Soldiers, under Capt. John Gillison and Col. John Green. Liz notes that her source for this information neglected to include the county he was in when he joined.

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The following records were provided by Crystal Dingler from the LDS Family Library, Microfilm #2024517, Culpeper County, Virginia: Personal Property Tax Lists (1782-1802). They give what is probably a limited, although interesting picture of the economic status of Reuben (and Catherine) in this period. Also interesting is the various ways his name is spelled by the various county clerks. The parenthesis show the name as it appears on the various records:

****** From the 1782 Personal Property Tax List in Culpeper County, Virginia: "Reuben Waggoner" is listed with with 1 white male over 21, 0 slaves, 7 horses, 6 cattle, and he paid taxes of 15 shillings and 6 pence.

****** From the 1783 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggoner" is listed with 1 slave, 6 horses, 6 cattle, and 1 tythes.

****** From the 1786 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggoner" is listed with 1 white male over 21, 1 slave over 16, 1 slave under 16, 3 horses, 5 cattle, 2 number of heads tythable, and he paid a tax of 1 pound, 5 shillings, and 6 pence.

****** From 1787 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggoner" is listed with 1 white male over 21, 1 black male over 16, 2 black males under 16, 4 horses, and 4 cattle.

****** From 1789 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggener" is listed with 1 white male over 21, 1 black male over 16, 2 black males under 16, 6 horses, 3 tithables, and paid taxes of 2 pounds and 2 shillings.

****** From 1790 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggener" is listed with 2 white males over 16, 2 black males over 16, 1 black male under 16, 4 horses, 4 tithable, and paid a tax of $1.18.

****** From 1792 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggener" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 3 black males over 16, 4 horses, 4 tithables, and paid taxes of $2.10.

****** From 1793 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Wagener" is listed with 1 white male over 21, 3 black males over 16, 4 horses, 4 tithable, and paid taxes of $1.15.

****** From 1794 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reubin Waggener" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 3 black males over 16, 5 horses, 1 stud horse, and 5 tithables.

****** From 1795 culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reubin Waggener" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 3 black males over 16, 3 black males under 16, 5 horses, 1 stud horse, and 4 tithable.

****** From 1796 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: " Reubin Waggener" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 4 black males over 16, 2 black males under 16, 5 horses, and 5 tithables.

****** From 1797 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Wagenor" is listed with 1 whote male over 16, 5 black males over 16, 1 black male under 16, 5 horses, and 6 tithables.

****** From 1798 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Wagener" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 5 black males over 16, 2 black males under 16, 3 horses, 6 tithables, and paid taxes of $2.72.

****** From 1799 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Wagener" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 5 black males over 16, 2 black males under 16, 3 horses, 6 tithables, and paid taxes of $3.44.

****** From 1800 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Wagener" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 5 black males over 16, 2 black males under 16, 5 horses, 6 tithables, 2 stud horses who earned a stud rate of $5.23, and paid taxes of $3.68.

****** From 1801 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggoner" is listed with 1 white male over 16, 6 black males over 16, 2 black males under 16, 6 horses, 7 tithables, and paid taxes of $4.24.

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Continuing the above, this next series of records also from Crystal, is the Personal Property Tax Lists of Culpeper County from 1803-1823, LDS microfilm #2024518. She noted that the microfilm was quite bleached out, and that some years were unreadable or missing altogether.

****** From 1803 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggoner" is listed with 1 white male, 7 blacks over 16, 1 black 12-16, 8 horses [no carriages, etc or stud horses] total tithables 8; tax: $4.48.

****** From 1804 Culpeper Personal Property Tax List: "Reuben Waggoner" is listed with 2 white males, 8 blacks over 16; 0 blacks 12-16; 8 horses [no carriages, etc, stud horses] total tithables 10; tax: $4.48.

This is the last entry for Reuben Waggener on theproperty tax list in Culpeper County.

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Also from Crystal Dingler:

****** "I have Reuben Waggener selling off property in Culpeper Co, VA in 1805."

****** From Culpeper County Deed Book AA, p. 196 (LDS microfilm #0030953). A deed dated October 14, 1805 between "Reuben Waggoner and Catey his wife and Leah Waggoner (formerly Leah Mitchell and widow of Reuben's brother Greensby) of the county of Culpeper," and "Philip Slaughter of the same county." Reuben and Catey Waggener, and Leah (Mitchell) Waggener sell 2 parcels of land to Philip Slaughter for $5500. The 1st parcel was 193 acres and was formerly owned by Leah's husband Jacob Mitchell and transferred under his Will to Leah in 1778, then sold by her to Reuben Waggoner in 1798 (apparently after Greensby died). The 2nd parcel was 197 acres, and was formerly owned by Greensby Waggener. It was subsequently divided among his children when he died Intestate (without a will), and then was purchased entirely by Reuben Waggener.

****** From (apparently) Madison County Records; A deed dated March 28, 1806 in which "Elliott Rucker and wife Nancy of Madison Co, VA" sells to "Reuben Waggoner of Adair..... 448 acres in Adair on Butler’s fork of Russell Creek adjoining Charles Creel on the south, Dudley north and John Anderson east, witnessed in Madison Co. VA"

It seems that this was the point which Reuben moved from Culpeper County, Virginia to Adair County, Kentucky.

****** 1806 Adair County Personal Property Tax List: Waggoner, Reuben 400 acres on Butler’s Fork 1 white male >21; 0 12-16; 6 blacks >16; 16 blacks altogether; 5 horses; plus 1 stud horse and 15 Rate of covering and season

****** In 1811 Reuben Waggener was elected as a Trustee of the town of Columbia, with John’s son Oliver G. Waggener as Clerk of the board. To serve one had to own property in town (p. 39 Burdette). In 1812 Reuben was elected President of the Board, with Oliver still in place, though he left later in the year, giving up his position, to move to Paris, Bourbon Co., KY (replaced by lawyer Isaac Caldwell) and Edmund Waggener as tax collector with Reuben Waggener as surity. By 1812 Reuben is listed a Gent. (doesn’t work for a living). (P. 43 Burdette)

****** In 1812 Reuben Waggener, President of Town Trustees for Columbia when Trustees ordered that all males over 15 are compelled to patrol from 10 pm to daylight. Formed into 7 classes or companies with a captain for each. With a fine of $1 for refusing. Alex Miller, Edward Waggoner and Reuben Waggener were all listed specifically as either Captains or in charge. Burdette, p. 47 The War of 1812 had come to Town.

****** 2 November 1812 Adair County Court order book. Reuben Waggener renewed bond as Tavern Keeper with Wm. Caldwell Scy. License granted.

****** 1817 Adair County Personal Property Tax List; "Waggoner, Reuben," lots of land; 1 white male >21; 5 blacks >16; 11 blacks total; 7 cattle

****** "Reuben Waggener" seems to have been the builder of the old home on the side of Lot 49 next to Fortue Street which housed the library for several years and where the First National Bank drive-in was in the 1950’s when Burdette wrote. P. 25. When Reuben died, he mentioned a town lot in his Will as going to his wife for her lifetime. Burdette further says that "In 1810 Reuben purchased the land and probably built the house at once. This must be where he ran the tavern. In 1816 he sold it to the Pittman Brothers."

****** Then in 1818 I have Catherine Waggener with 550 acres on Butler's Fork with no white male over 21; 7 slaves over 16; 10 slaves in all; and 8 horses with value of $8377 and with Rucker as the original grantee. Andrew Waggener is listed next to her with 70 acres on Butler's Fork and again Rucker is the original grantee. Reuben died early in 1818 or late in 1817.

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From the 1810 Federal Census of Columbia, Adair County, Kentucky; from ancestry.com, image 1# of 1:

Reuben Waggoner; 2 males under 10 years, 1 male 16-25 years, 1 male 45 years and older; 2 females 10-15 years, 1 female 26-44 years, 1 female 45 years and older; 7 slaves

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From "A Book of Garetts (1600-1960)" by Hester Elizabeth Garrett, from 1963:

****** Record from Adair Co., Kentucky, Deed Book B, Pg. 181. November 29, 1808. Reubin Waggener of Adair County grants Power of Attorney to Philip Slaughter of Culpepper County, Virginia, to attend his business affairs there.

****** Record from Adair Co., Kentucky, Will Book C, Pg. The Will of Reuben Waggener dated June 23, 1809 lists: wife Caty, sons, Andrew, & Edmund, son-in-law, John Ingram, son-in-law Simeon Creel, daughters Polly Waggener, Malinda, son Franklin, son Greenby. Executors: Charles Creel, John Ingram, Simeon Creel. Witnesses: John Tom Salter, Washington Crawley, Samuel Crawley. Proved April 6, 1818.

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From Sue Littell:

The Will of Reuben Waggener

In the name of God Amen, the 23rd day of June one thousand eight hundred and nine, I Ruben Waggener of County of Adair and state of Kentucky, being weak in body, but of sound and perfect memory thanks to God, but calling to mind the mortality of the body and knowing that is appointed one for all men to die do constitute and appoint this my last Will and Testament in words and firm following....... I give and bequeath to my dearly beloved wife Caty Waggener the tract of land whereon I now live, after ninety two acres are taken of, adjoining to the place called Majors and Bradfords, to make three hundred acres to be hereafter disposed of which the home tract contains three hundred and twenty-five acres, and all the stock of every kind excepting a stud colt which is to be kept and when sold to purchase a horse beast for Andrew and one for Edmund, so soon as the Colt becomes..... lable together with the frame and farmer .... household and kitchen furniture together with the following negroes named Daniel, Hunter, Judith, Griffey, and Sarah, to be at her disposal during her life, and my property at Columbia and all other money among to the state after my just debts be paid, and reserves of two hundred dollars to be kept by my executers for plantation expenses, and the balance to be equally divided amongst the legatees, so as to bring their portions equal, and as the legatees come to age or acting for themselves, that what of said estate be spaced to let them have and charge them with the amount, and after the decease of my beloved wife, that all persons and moveable (?) property to be divided or sold as the case may be, to make their portions equal.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son in law John Ingram, a negro woman named Rachel at $300, and a negro boy named Job at $233.33, and three hundred and fifty acres of land lying on the north fork of Big Creek, Saunders survey at $312.50 and sundries given previous $202.75.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son in law Simeon Creel a negro woman named Fanny at $216.68, and a negro named Jimmy $233.33, one hundred and eighteen acres of land, part of Elliot's Survey at $118 and a negro girl named Mona (?) $191.67, sundries given previous $82.58.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Andrew Waggener the half of three hundred acres of land known by the name of Majors and Bradfords and ninety-two acres taken from the home survey to be divided equal in quality and quantity between Andrew and Edmund at $750 and a negro boy names Bill at $266,66.

Item. I give and bequeath to my son Edmund Waggener the balance of the land as ....(?) with Andrew at $750 and a negro boy named Nelson (?) $233.44.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Polly Waggener a negro woman named Rosy and a girl named Mary at $1133.33.

Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Malinda a negro boy named Ambrose and another named Harry at $633.33.

Item, I give and bequeath to my son Greensby Waggener three hundred and twenty-five acres of land, part of a survey granted to Ellis & Rucker to be possessed (?) of the same after the decease of his mother, but in case of marriage before said decease of one hundred acres to be laid off adjoining William Dudley to improve and possessed of the whole of the land at $650 and I do hereby constitute and appoint my loving wife Caty Waggener my executrix and my trusty friends Charles Creel, John Ingram, and Simeon Creel, my executors to see this my last will and testament carried into full execution, agreeable to the intent and meaning of the same, and I do hereby utterly revoke and disavow all and every former wills and testaments whatsoever, in testamony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written. Signed sealed and acknowledged in present of

John Tom Slater
Washington Crawley Ruben Waggener (Seal)
Sam Crawley

(Sue Littell says she found a hand written transcription of this will in the family files of the Adair County Library. I have transcribed the hand written transcription into the above. I have added the commas to make it a little easier to read.)

Notes for CATHERINE COLEMAN:
There are a number of records mentioning Catherine, which I have included with the notes of her husband Reuben Waggener. Reuben died early in 1818 in Adair County, Kentucky. I have listed below, the records of Catherine that are after his death.

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From Crystal Dingler:

****** 1818 Adair County Personal Property Tax List: "Waggoner, Catherine," 324 acres Butler’s Fork;
0 white male >21; 7 blacks >16; 10 blacks total; 8 cattle; value $ 8,327

****** 1819 Adair County Personal Property Tax List; "Waggoner, Catherine" 333 acres Butler’s Fork; 0 white males >21; 5 blacks >16; 7 blacks total; 5 cattle; value $5,743

****** 1820 Adair County Personal Property Tax List; "Waggoner, Catherine," 333 acres Butler’s Fork 0 white male >21; 5 blacks >16; 7 blacks total; 4 cattle; value; $ 5743

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From the 1820 Federal Census of Adair County, Kentucky, page 58; found at ancestry.com:

Catherine Waggener; 1 male 10-15 years (Greensby), 1 male 16-25 years, 1 female 10-15 years, 1 female 16-25 years, 1 female over 45 years (Catherine); 2 persons engaged in agriculture; 2 male slaves under 14 years, 1 male slave 45 years or older; 1 female slave under 14 years, 1 female slave 14-25 years, 2 female slaves 45 years or older

Catherine is listed very close to John Waggener, nephew to her deceased husband.

Children of REUBEN WAGGENER and CATHERINE COLEMAN are:

32.	i.	EDMUND M.⁴ WAGGENER, b. 1781; d. April 03, 1848, Adair Co., Kentucky.
33.	ii.	ANDREW WAGGENER, b. Abt. 1785, Culpeper Co., Virginia; d. May 18, 1868, Cass Co., Illinois.
34.	iii.	MATILDA WAGGENER, b. 1786; d. Unknown.
35.	iv.	MARY "POLLY" WAGGENER, b. Abt. 1788; d. Unknown.
	v.	ELIZABETH WAGGENER, d. Unknown; m. JOHN INGRAM, December 21, 1802, Culpeper Co., Virginia; d. Unknown.

Notes for ELIZABETH WAGGENER:
From the Marriages of Culpeper County, Virginia, 1781-1815; compiled and published by Catherine Lindsay Knorr, 1954:

****** 21 December 1802. John Lingram and Betsey Waggoner. Minister William Mason, Baptist. P. 64

36.	vi.		MALINDA WAGGENER, b. Abt. 1794; d. November 1835.
	vii.		BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAGGENER, b. Abt. 1803; d. November 1836, Adair Co., Kentucky; m. JULIA ANN ALLEN, October 17, 1826; d. Unknown.

Notes for BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WAGGENER:
From Crystal Dingler:

****** 1826 Adair County Personal Property Tax List; "Waggener, Ben F.," no land outside town; plus tavern and town lot; 1 white male >21; 4 blacks >16; 4 total blacks; 3 horses Value $4000.00

****** 17 May 1826 From Carol Moody: Benjamin Franklin Waggener married Juliza Ann Allen, dau of James Allen. Attest Sinclair Stapp and Joseph Burton, 17. May 1826.

viii.

GREENSBY WAGGENER, b. Abt. 1807; d. Abt. 1837.

Notes for GREENSBY WAGGENER:
From Crystal Dingler:

****** 1822 a fire company organized in Columbia, including Greensby Waggener, Alex Miller, William Minter and most of the men then living in Columbia. Burdette. P. 38.

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