[192-1] ABRAHAM WAGENER, M.D[E 193], b Mar. 22, 1715; d May 5, 1763; s Melchior and Anna (Jackel) Wagner [192]; m Apr. 6, 1749, by a Justice of the Peace, to MARIA KRIEBEL [E 83], b Feb. 5, 1726; d Mar. 19, 1760; dau Christoph and Maria (Heydrick) Kriebel [19]. Both Dr. Wagener and his wife Maria are buried in Methacton Cem. Dr. Wagener lived in Worcester Twp., Montg. Co. (Pa.), near Stump Hall School House [Plate G X]. No issue.
Dr. Abraham Wagener and Dr. Melchior Hiibner [FE 17] were the only two physicians in the list of immigrant Schwenkfelders. Through his mother, Anna Jackel, Dr. Wagener was a great grandson of the prominent Schwenkfelder, George Hauptman of Lauterseifen, Silesia. Dr. Wagener was one of the most learned men who came to Pennsylvania with the Schwenkfelder group. A Greek grammar deposited in the 8. H. L. contains his signature showing that he was the owner of the book at the early age of twelve years.
Abraham Wagener began writing verse before he was eighteen years of age and continued the writing of poetry up to the time of his death; more than fifty of these poems have been preserved. Of the one hundred and nineteen hymns contributed by the Schwenkfelders to the Hymn Book of 1762, thirty-four were composed by Abraham Wagener, and thirteen were included in the edition of 1869, while only twenty-three of the whole number included in the 1762 edition were retained.
Dr. Wagener seems to have been an earnest, broad-minded Christian, and was a great reader. He collected poems of John Kelpius, wrote extensive biographical notes on Spener, and wrote a beautiful letter to Muhlenberg which is quoted in the “‘Hallesche Nachrichten.”
In a volume entitled ‘‘Religious Denominations of the United States and Great Britain,’’ (1861) Dr. Wagener is listed. as a Schwenkfelder preacher. However, no evidence has been discovered to substantiate this statement. On the contrary we know that Dr. Wagener was not in accord with the strict views of George Weiss and his successor, Balthaser Hoffman, the first two Schwenkfelder ministers. He was considered an heretic, as he read a number of non-Schwenkfelder books, and no doubt influenced the various Beyer families, who were his neighbors, as well as his brother, Melchior, since they did not adhere to the Schwenkfelder doctrine and organization. Dr. Wagener was identified with the “Associated Brethren of the Skippack’’ who met at the house of Christopher Wiegner.
In addition to the many hymns contributed to the Bohemian Hymnbook, we know that Dr. Wagener wrote the following which bears the date of 1742: ‘Das kleine A. B. C. in der Schule Christi.”
Although Dr. Wagener was not in accord with the views of the Schwenkfelder ministers of his time, he seems not to have felt any animosity towards the Schwenkfelders as a whole. According to the B. H. Records in the 8. H. L., Rev. Christopher Schultz preached the funeral sermon of Dr. Abraham Wagener, his text being Luke 23:11. From the same source we also learn that Maria Wagener, wife of Dr. Abraham Wagener, who died Mar. 19, 1760, was ill but eight days before her death.
The broadmindedness of the man is shown in his will. It has been stated that the will of Dr. Abraham Wagener was the most generous and benevolent of any of the immigrant Schwenkfelders. The original will which is preserved in the records of City Hall, Phila., is written in German, in the clear handwriting of Dr. Wagener. The translation accompanying the will was made by his brother, Melchior Wagener.
That Dr. Wagener prized his books highly is shown by the detailed manner in which he disposed of them. . The bequest to the Pennsylvania Hospital of twenty pounds is even more generous than that which Benjamin Franklin, the founder, bequeathed to the same institution. In his will Dr. Wagener also bequeathed money to the poor and needy not only among the Schwenkfelders, but also among those of other denominations. The sum thus bequeathed amounted to £448. 12s. 3)4d.; and the will directed that the entire sum should be distributed within ten or twelve years, but if it seemed best, fifteen or twenty pounds might be reserved for a few years longer for cases of necessity, exclusively among the Schwenkfelders. The testator named Hans Christopher Heebner in Worcester, Melchior Kriebel or his son, David, in North Wales, Christopher Kriebel in Skippack, and Melchior Schultz, Jr., in Goshenhoppen, as the distributors of this money. And it became a source of relief to hundreds of men and women without regard to profession or creed whether English or German, white or black, free or slave. Annually for ten years these distributions went into all that region lying betweeni New Jersey on the east and the Juniata Valley on the west, Allentown and Easton on the north, and Maryland on the south, and at least one sum of forty pounds went to the relief of the Schwenkfelders in Silesia.
From Christopher Heebner’s account we learn that this money (each of the four trustees dispensed about eighty-nine pounds together with some books) was distributed over a large area, covering places in Northampton, Lancaster, York, Berks, and Cumberland Counties in Pa., and also in New York. It was given to poor persons who had been unfortunate through accidents or fires, and also for the establishment of schools and churches. Amongst the recipients of this fund we find the names of Christoph Schubert, Abraham Schubert, Melchior Krauss, Barbara Reinwald and Rosina Wiegnerin. [S. H. L.]
The will also provided that in the first year after the decease of the testator, ten pounds of this fund was to be expended for Bibles, New Testaments and Psalm books, German and English; Schwenkfelder, Lutheran and Reformed Hymn Books; and that these should be distributed to poor children and adults. Moreover, twenty pounds of the same fund was devised to the Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia towards carrying on the charitable design of the said institution. ' An instance of especial need in 1768 led to the establishment of the Schwenkfelder Charity Fund as we know it today. The first entry in the accounts of this fund was made on March 21, 1774, when £4. 11s. 8d. was received as the balance of money previously accumulated, either by Sabbath contributions or otherwise, for charitable purposes; and from 1774 to 1778 inclusive, the Wagener bequest annually yielded specific amounts to the fund.
The Wagener bequest is a unique example of broadminded, Christian charity in the Colonial History of Pennsylvania, and in a peculiar way emphasizes the spirit of fraternity which Schwenckfeld contended must pervade the community of Christian believers.
The original will is in German in the handwriting of Dr. Wagener. It was translated into English by Melchior Wagener. The appraisers were Jacob Umstat and Abraham Heiderich. The appraisement amounted to 1376 pounds, 14 shillings, and the increase at the sale of the estate was 138 pounds, 11 shillings, and 6 pence; the balance for distribution was 1345 pounds, 16 shillings, and 11 pence.
Mr. George Sheppard of Penn Yan, N. Y., has in his possession the Account Book of Dr. Abraham Wagener, which he used while practicing medicine in Worcester, Pa. That Dr. Wagener’s practice extended beyond the confines of his native township is shown by the following receipt which appears in ‘‘Heckler’s History of Lower Salford Township’:
“Receipt:—
To Doctors Wagner and Mayers for mede £0-2-3, 1763, the 21st day of March.
Paid by the Overseer of the Poor of L. Salford.’ WILL OF ABRAHAM WAGENER “In the Name of God, Amen.”
“The Sixth Day of March in the Year of our Lord 1762 I Abraham Wagener of Worcester in the County of Philadelphia Medic. Practicus being in a middle State of Health in my Body, but of a Sound Mind and Memory, Thanks be given unto God therefore calling unto mind the Mortality of my Body and the uncertainty of the Time of Death do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. That is to say principally and first of all I give and recomend my Soul into the Hands of God that gave it; and for my Body I recomend it to the Earth (to be buried in a christian like Manner at the discretion of my Executors) until the time of resurrection of it. And as touching such worldly Estate yherewith it hath pleased God to bless me in this Life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following Manner & orm. :
“Imprimis. It is my Will, and I do order that in the first place all my just Debts and funeral charges be paid and satisfied.
“2. J will and do order that the Value of my whole Estate of Moveables and Unmoveables as Land, Buildings, ‘Cattle, Household Goods, Books, Mediciens, Money ready and lendeth out etc. (except what in this my last Will and Testament and in my Codicil is given and bequeathed to some named Persons) shall be brought all together in one Account or Sum and afterwards divided in three equal parts: and then, I give and bequeath unto my full Brother Melchior Wagener and to his Heirs, two third paris of the said Estate, and one third part that is the third third part of my said Estate I give and bequeath unto poor Folks, and this in ready current lawful money, which my Executors or my Brother Melchior or his Heirs or Executors or Administrators or Assigns with my other Executor shall take or raise from my Estate and give it for to be distributed to the Poor in such Manner as shall follow here below. therefore all my said Estate must be taxed through faithfull Mans and an Inventary made, and my Executors shall have full Power and authority to get the Money lendeth out from my Debtors, and to sell the Plantation and other Things.
“Further I will and order that all the said Money of the Value of the third part of my Estate bequeathed to the poor, shall be distributed in the following Manner as 1. I will that my Executors first within a short Time after my Decease (as soon as can be) shall give Twenty Pounds of the said Money unto four faithful Mans, as 1. John Christopher Htibner in Worcester. 2. Melchior Kribel or his Son David in Northwalis. 3. Christopher Kribel at Shipach and 4. Melchior Scholtz junior in Coshehope. and these all I do pray herewith to be so kindy and to distribute this Money within a Years time after my decease unto poor and needy Folks, and this both amongst our and other Folks of any Sort of Religion or Persuasion, where they think it will be good and needful.
“2. 4 will that my Executors shall buy in the same said first Year for Ten pound Books; as Bibles, new Testaments and Psalm-Books Dutch and English, Item Hymn-Books of ours and of the Lutherian and of the Reformed, and shall give them to the said 4 Mans who shall distribute them unto poor Folks for Children and grown Folks according to their good Opinion. 3. And whereas I give and bequeath to the Contributors to the Pennsylvania Hospital the Sum of Twenty Pounds ready Money to be paid to their Treasurer for the Time being, and applied towards carrying on the charitable Design of the said Hospital therefore I will that my Executors shall pay this Money from the same Money bequeathed to the poor likewise within the first year after my Decease. 4. I will further that my Executors or my, Brother Melchior or his Heirs or Executors or Administrators or Assigns with my other Executor shall give all the Rest of the said Money bequeathed to the poor unto them above mentioned four Mans, every Year so many Pound, according to the Quantity of the Sum, that all the Summary be distributed in about ten or twelve Years after my Decease but if the said Mens do find it good They may keep in the last year Fifteen or Twenty Pound some few Years longer for Necesity, and this most for our Folks.
“3. I give and bestow to such Debters for Medicine, that can not pay very well, all their Debts for Medicine in my Books and I will that none Debt at all shall be charged or demanded in any Way of any Body that oweth me for Medicin, but if they that can pay well, will give it willingly, then my Brother or his Heirs or the Executors shall take it and add it all to the Money I bequeathed to the Poor.
“A, I give and bequeath unto the Sister and Brethren of my beloved and deceased Wife Mary as to Anna Dresher and George and Christopher Kribel and their Heirs all them Books which I have got of my said Wife and not given back to them yet, the Specification of them is tobe seen in my Codicil, Item I give unto them some Beds, Item some Cloaths and Linnen Goods as my Codicil will shew.
‘Further I constitute make or ordain my Brother Melchior Wagener and Christopher Dresher in Towamson my Brother in Law to be my Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and Codicil And I do hereby utterly disannul all and every other former Testaments Wills Legacies and Executors by me in anyways before this time named willed and bequeathed, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my Last Will and Testament
“In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the Day and Year as above written. Abraham Wagener” (seal) “Signed, Sealed, Published and Declared by the said Abraham Wagener as his last Willand Testament in the presence of us the Subscribers Abraham Jackel (affirmed) Andrw Beyer (affirmed) Executors affirmed May 16, 1763” “CODICIL TO MY LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT”
“J Abraham Wagener of Worcester in the County of Philadelphia Medic. Practicus, b this Sixth Day of March in the Year of our Lord 1762 make and publish this my Codicil to my Last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say)
“1. Whereas in and by my Last Will and Testament I have given to the Sister and Brethren of my beloved Wife Mary as to Anna Dresher, George and Christopher Kribel and their Heirs some Books, Item some Beds, Cloaths and linnen Goods I do hereby further declaire
“1. of the Books, that the Books which they shall have are the following as
“2. of the Beds, will ich dasz Sie dieselben haben sollen, wellche mein gel. Eheweib zu mir gebracht hat und zwar also wie sie alsdem noch im Stande seyn werden, wenn ich sterbe. 3. Of the Cloaths, diejenigen was Sie getragen hat, und ich ihnen (den Geschwistern) nicht schon gegeben oder sonst verkauft oder weggeschickt habe, sondern was als denn noch da seyn wird und 4 von der W4sche und leiner Gerdthe, das Jenige, was Sie nem]. mein geliebtes Eheweib zu mir gebracht hat, und ich ihnen (ihrn Geschwistern) nicht schon zuriick gegeben haben, sondern was noch davon da ist, welches die Anna Dresherin. Item, Meine Muhme die Witfrau Beerin oder die Anna Maria Jackelin, oder sonst Jemand, noch wohl kennen werden, weil ich es selbst nicht weiss (2d of the Beds I will that they shall have them which my beloved Wife hath brought to me and so and in such Order as they will be at the time of my Decease. 3d of the Cloaths, the same which she has wore and which I have not yet given back to the Sister and Brothers or otherways sold or bestow’d away, but such what then will be left which Anna Dresher Item my Ant the Widow Beyer or Anna Mary Yakelin, or some other Body will know yet, as 1 dont know it myself.)
“3. I will and bequeath unto my first Cousin, George Yakel des Sil Gottfried Arnolds Evangelien—Postilla, wie auch Johann Arnds Christenthum des Kleinere, und ein neues Gesangbuch von den unsrigen, (3d 1 give and bequeath unto my first Cousin George Yeakel the Sel. Godfrey Arnolds Evangelia Postilla as also Johan Arnts.Christendom— the least—and a new Hymn Book of ours.), and I will that the Mens who shall distribute the Money Bequeathed to the Poor shall have care for him and help him with the said Money if he hath need of it but soon after my Decease he shall have ten pound ready Money of my whole Estate.
“4, I give and bequeath unto my Maid Servant Christina Worin if she will be in my Service yet when I die, 1 D. Joh Jac Rambacks Evangelien Postilla und Johann Arnds Christenthum das grosse so in Philadelphia gedruckt ist. Item also over her belonging Hire yet five Pound current lawfull Money, and if she hath been above five Years in my Service then so many Pound ready Money as many Years she hath been in my Service.
“3. I give and bequeath also unto Rosina Wiegnerin, if she is in my Service yet when I die. 1. Christian Hoburghs Postilla, and a-new Hymn Book of ours, and over her belonging Hire yet five pound current lawful Money, and if she hath been above five years in my Service, then So many Pound ready Money, as many Years she hath been in my Service.
“6. I give and bequeath unto N Bauer, the old Cooper in Worcester, Joh Anastasii Freylinghausen Evangelien Postill.
“7. I give and bequeath unto the Rev. Mr. H. M. Muhlenberg in Provid. Philad. a Book, called D. Pauli Antonii Collegium Antitheticum, gedruckt zu Halle 1732 in quarto, it hath been his Book before.
“And whereas I have in my Last Will and Testament ordered 4 Mens to distribute the Money bequeathed to the Poor I do hereby further declaire that my Will is if any of them should die before all the money is distributed that either any of his Heirs or Executors or another fit might come or be chosen in his Place.
“And lastly it is my Desire that this present Codicil be annexed to and made Part of my Last Will and Testament to all Intents and Purposes. In Witness whereof I have hereunto put my Hand and Seal the Day and Year as above written.
“Signed, Sealed, Published
and Declaired by the said Abraham Wagener"
Abraham Wagener as his :
Codicil to his Last Will and : (Seal)
Testament in the presence
of us the Subscribers.
Abraham Jackel (affirmed)
Andrew Beyer (affirmed) Executors affirmed May 16, 1763”” [City Hall, Phila., Pa—Will Book M, p 523, No. 296.]
Parents’ family: [192] Anna (Jackel) Wagner and Melchior Wagner