David Wagener and Rebecca Supplee [192-4]

[192-4] DAVID WAGENER, b Jan. 25, 1752; d Aug. 26, 1799; s Melchior and Gertrude (Steyer) Wagener [192-2]; m Jan. 13, 1774, before Mr. Stringer of Philadelphia, REBECCA SUPPLEE, 8 Nov. 25, 1751; d Feb. 28, 1813; dau Hance and Magdaline (DeHaven) Supplee. David Wagener was

married in St. Paul’s Church, Phila. [Pa. Arch., 2nd Ser., Vol. IX, p 476.) The body of David Wagener was the first to be buried in Lake View Cemetery, Penn Yan, N. Y.

Children (10): [192-7a] | 4. Abraham, b Nov. 29, 1774; d May 21, 1853; m { 1: Mary Castner. {192-7b] } | 2. Joanna Norris Edmandson:

“David Wagner in addition to inheriting his father’s farm in Worcester became the owner of another farm across the road from where he lived. In 1901 this farm was owned by James Cassel, and was tenanted by Irwin Evans. This was one of the oldest dwellings in Worcester, and was a stone farm house, the datestone having the inscription ‘Erected in 1733 by H. S. [Hance Supplee].’

“In 1781 the farm was conveyed by Andrew and Abraham Supplee to David Waggoner. In 1788 David Waggoner conveyed the same to Anna Waggoner and removed to the Genesee country in western New York. In 1792 Anna Waggoner, then of Jerusalem, Ontario Co., N. Y., through her attorney, Barnabus Buna, sold the same in two parts. The larger part comprising 14934 acres was sold to Benjamin Weber, and the smaller part or northern corner to Mordecai Jones; this latter part was included in what was recently known as the ‘Berks and Frick’ farms.

“According to Hance Supplee who was born in 1768, a council of war was held on the Cassel farm the day before the Battle of Germantown, of which he as a boy ten years of age was an eye witness. According to his story Gen. Nathaniel Greene had his headquarters near the house of Magdalena Supple, the boy’s grandmother, with whom he lived, near the Skippack road, Washington’s army being encamped in the neighborhood. Mr. Supplee stated that on October second he saw General Washington call on General Greene and that they had a long talk by themselves. The next day Washington called again with other officers on foot and mounted, and they went into the meadow. Forming a semi-circle they faced General Washington holding their swords in front of their faces. They stayed in this position for quite a long time, after which each officer went to his command, General Greene coming into the house and going to his room. The soldiers were encamped on the surrounding hills.

“The next morning not a soldier nor officer could be seen, but sounds of guns could be heard, as the Battle of Germantown was being fought. In the afternoon the soldiers were seen coming up the Skippack road in full retreat and were in a demoralized condition. At times they would travel very slowly, seeming ready to give out; then a report would come that they were being pursued by the British, and they would again go on a full run. A trooper was riding along up the road with a foot soldier riding behind, both on one horse. When opposite to where the boy stood, the hindmost soldier dropped off, but the cavalryman rode on as if he did not notice the loss of his companion. The foot soldier was found to be dead, having been shot through the body, and he was buried in the field by the roadside on the Supplee farm. The grandmother’s horses were taken to help on the retreat. The boy was sent to bring the horses back, but they were retained until the next day when they were returned safely. .

“The boy described General Washington as a large heavy man, over six feet tall, with a dignified look, his face slightly marked with small pox. He said he heard that General Lee misbehaved himself at Monmouth and previous to that was not liked by his soldiers.

“The above narrative was told in 1844 by Hance Supplee to his grandson, Thomas R. Supplee.’”’ [Edward Matihews.|

“On October 19, 1782, Jemima Wilkinson came to the home of David Wagener where she found a eredulous and ready welcome among the Germans of that neighborhood, and Wagener became infatuated with her, she making her home at both of his farms. She and her followers lived at his expense till it is said they nearly ate him out of house and home.

“In 1797 David Wagener sold his abandoned farm in Worcester to David Styer of Whitpain.

“Abraham Wagener, the younger brother, also removed to western New York, buying land upon the present site of the village of Penn Yan, and becoming very wealthy.

“Joseph Supplee, son of Samuel Supplee, who was a grandson of Hance Supplee, paid a visit to the home of Abraham Wagener, his uncle, in Penn Yan in the fall of 1831, traveling the entire distance of more than two hundred and fifty miles on foot in seven days. With a companion he started from Montgomery Square, Montg. Co., Pa., on November 11, arriving at their destination on November 17. He returned in the spring on horseback. Mr. Supplee also made a trip to Niagara Falls and Buffalo and wrote an interesting account, the manuscript of which was still extant a few years ago.” [Edward Matthews.] Davip WAGENER

[From an article published in ‘The Yates County Chronicle” in the year 1870]

“David Wagener, the common ancestor of the Wagener family of Yates County, was the son of ‘Melchoir and Gertraut’ Wagener, and was born in the township of Worcester, County of Philadelphia, in the State of Pennsylvania, on the 13th day of January, 1752. (O0.S.) From a partial autobiography in his own handwriting, a copy of which has been kindly furnished to the Yates County Historical Society, it appears that his family was a good and reputable one in those parts; that he resided with his father until about seventeen years of age, and as he says, ‘was brought up as a farmer’s son, and had no more learning than to scarcely read and write the German and English languages.’ ‘About this time,’ he says, ‘also came the people called Methodists by whom I was greatly alarmed, as also many more in the neighborhood,’ and he speaks of opposition of parents and friends to his attendance upon the preaching of thoseearly and earnest disciples of John Wesley. The opposition seems to have resulted in his going to Baltimore. This was about the year 1772. ‘When I came to Philadelphia,’ he continues, ‘the way seemed not open to go to New York, but a way was opened Southward. In a few days I set out for Baltimore, and I arrived with some danger on the waters, but was preserved; found no one in my travels that was any comfort te me until I had found in the city of Baltimore some of the people called Methodists, with whom I had great satisfaction. I was in this place about three months, in which time I was made to believe it was right for me to partake of the ancient ordinance in Gospel terms, and was baptized with water by one of the aforesaid ministers. But it was no essential part with me at that time nor isit yet, after which I had also a right to the Lord’s Supper, so called, which I also carefully and as I thought faithfully observed, and partook of often; but it also was not the bread & waters of life to my soul, as many believed it to be; there was still something greater than that I looked for; and could not find by all my seeking and doing, although I rose often comforted and strengthened to go yet forwards and not rest short of the true and living way which I thought was attainable. In this place I met with many tryals, also some of my friends would have me tarry. My father enquired much where I might be, and at length heard where I was. He soon sent a message after me, with letters of invitation to me to come home and live with him, promising Liberty to me if I came. Being overprevailed by his proffers, and also the advise of my friends here, I consented to return. My particular friends here were the ministers of the aforesaid people, which were Joseph Gilmor, John Ken—, Robert Williams, John Bordman, and Robert Strawbridge, by whom I was baptised.’

In the year: 1774, he married at Philadelphia, Rebecca Supplee, daughter of Hans Supplee. Referring to this event hesays: ‘When the Lord saw that the reign was given to the lust of flesh and the pride of life he provided a companion for me of an honest, reputable family, who were also taken with the doetrine of the people called Methodists, of the name of Supplee, one of whose daughters was for me it appears, and after the acquaintance and so-called courtship of near four years, we were married together according to the custom of the Episcopal church order by one Mr. Stringer of the city; then was the common saying made manifest after having taken a wife, therefore I cannot come. The Love and Duty that should have been given to the Lord was given to a loving wife. ..............;

For some years the worthy and excellent pioneer settler of the town of Milo had been attracted by the quiet and unobstrusive piety of the Friends, then numerous and powerful in Pennsylvania, of whom he remarks: ‘I had to seek yet further again, and found the principles of the once renowned people by the living God, called Quakers, to be nearest to the Seripture truths as [had been favored to understand them.’

And now, in year 1782, there came from Rhode Island to Philadelphia, with a retinue of Friends, an illustrious lady, Jemima Wilkinson, ‘The Public Universal Friend,’ who soon afterwards became the pionéer leader, whose mission it was to open the wilderness which then covered the soil of Yates County, and lead in the conversion of its forest-clad hills and valleys, threaded only by the Indian trail, into abodes of comfort and plenty. Concerning this visit David Wagener writes as follows:

‘In the year 1782, ye 19th of ye 8th mo., came to my house in Worcester, The Public Universal Friend, accompanied by Thomas Hathaway, William Potter and his son Arnold and daughter, also William Turpin and Sarah Brown, from New England, Rhode Island State, all as entire strangers in this part of the world. They appeared as a people that feared God and worked Righteousness, and had the living Gospel of Jesus Christ among them, to deliver to the inhabitants of the world.’ This appears to have been the first visit of the Friend to Philadelphia. ‘The said Universal Friend tarried three days at my house, and had two public meetings at the Bethel meeting house. A great concourse of people attended; the power of the Gospel was effectual to the conversion of all that heard. .......... , He says but a few followed, that his love towards the Friend was great, and ‘after the end of those days continuing with us, the Friend returned towards New England again and I accompanied them to Bethelehem and East-town, near on to fifty miles north from my house.’

The effect of the Friend’s discourses on his mind was decided and powerful. Referring to them hesays: ‘When I heard the Gospel’s Trump sound, I knew it was the true sound, and that it was with great power from on high, even to the convincing and converting of souls that heard and obeyed the counsel delivered.’

In 1784 the Friend again visited Philadelphia, the record being as follows: ‘In the 8th mo., 1784 had knowledge of the Universal Friend and Ab’m Dayton, Eliz’s Holmes, Arnold Potter and Sarah Brown being in the city. Went down to see and hear them with renewed satisfaction. After a few days the Friend and all came to my house and had public meetings at my house and several other places and multitudes of hearers attended, truly such as never was known amongst us, but also many hearers, but very few doers. At this time I had opportunity of conversing and improving my much . respected Friend, of whom I had heard the truth and the whole counsel of the Lord declared.’

Here the autobiographical sketch of the early life of David Wagener, written by himself at Worcester in or about the year 1787, closes, and this part of his history cannot be more feelingly supplemented than in the following authentic letter from the Friend. The almost apostolic solemnity and fervent piety of this letter with the sinking of self and the exaltation of the love, power and majesty of the Deity, are of themselves sufficient to dissipate a host of calumnies and falsehoods with which ignorance or prejudiced bigotry have sought to cover the life and memory of the Friend.” “South Kingston, ye 17th of ye 9th mo. 1787

“The Universal Friend to David Wagener sendeth greeting:

“This comes with my love to thee and thy family. O do, dear soul, haste, Escape for thy Life; up! get thee out of this place for the Lord will destroy it; tarry not in all the plains of Sodom for there is no place there for soul to sit down to rest in. Never take up satisfied with anything short of that inward living and eternal substance, Christ within, the hope of glory. Pictures of Bread won’t satisfy the hungering soul; nothing but that Living Bread that has come down from Heaven can ever satisfy a soul that doth truly hunger and thirst after Righteousness. I don’t feel to be changed nor altered, but feel that same Love to Souls that are desiring to do well that I ever did; and so I intreat of thee for thy Soul’s sake to lay aside every weight and the sin that serves so easily to beset thee and run with patience the race set before thee, looking to Jesus, who is the author of faith, and if thou art faithful, will be the finisher of they Salvation I expect ~—_—— will be the bearer of this. I send her in my name and stead; b receive her as thou would me, for whatsoever is done unto her, I shall look upon it done unto me. I have just received thy money fro the Boulting Cloth, and have sent it to thee. My love to thy wife and family and Anna, and all friends, and do well for one soul that thee may not lose thy reward, and watch and pray that thee enter not into temptation, saith the Universal Friend to David Wagener.” [Further biographical account of David Wagener, vid. [192-7a]).] LETTER OF DavID WAGENER TO THE SCHWENKFELDER SOCIETY “Worcester, 21 of Dec., 1788’ “Dear Soul: This Morning before the Break of Day as I lay on my bed and my mind was before the Lord the God of heaven and Earth, thee and they Bretheren Came before the view of my Mind [and the pure princibles that was held forth by the faithfull Caspr Swenkfeld through whome the Lord taught Some of your forefathers the way to Life and Glory and do now enjoy the fruits of their Labour] and the remembrance of the works and faith of your forefathers, I was induced to write to you. Yea I Say Nessesity is laid upon me to write to you to put you in remembrance of the works of the Lord thro your Faithfull once in their day and time of Vissitation from on high who faithfully bore the reprotchfull persecution of the enemys of the Lord and his people in their Day, and of which Some of you are yet living witness this day and have endevoured to follow on in the way of holiness, untill you have become Rich and full, and Conformed yourselves to the Customs this wiked Generation with whom the God of heaven is offended in the highest

Degree, in so much that yea are Deemed Honourable in their Sight and amongst them your Religious Performances are of little Value or Weight amongst the wicked People that the Enemy of all Good is not the least offended with you but is at perfect peace with you, and you do not precieve these things and dont Consider that they which live in the favour of the Lord and walk in his ways faithfully in this Day and Generation do suffer like persecution as well as your fathers in their Day and Generation, Therefore lift up your head, and look about you and See If there be a people in this Day time that Suffer like reproatchfull persecution, and know what the Lord is about for to do on the Earth, Be assured that the Lord is About to gather a people to himself in our Day and Generation a peculiar people that will Serve him in the beauty of Holiness, yea the Promised People amongst whom He will Manifest himself and be their God and Dwell with them even on this Earth and they Shall be his people and he will be their God and reign with them a 1000d years, Be asurd Dear Souls the fullnis of the time is Come, the Prophisies of the Lord are Surely fulfilling [we do know it] of the Great and terible Judgments of God, whose wrath is full and he will avenge himself of his adversaries and Make an Utter end of Sin and Unrighteousness on the whole face of the Earth, and bring in and Establish an Undesturbed Righteousnes on the face of the Whole Earth the Great Work is begun and going on the Universal World and few their be that have eves to See or Ears to hear or a heart to Understand and know the Great and Strange Work of the Lord that he will do in our Day Altho a man declare it unto them as the Lord Spake by his Servants to the Prophets, Now Dear Souls the Lord is willing to reclaim you again and Manifest himself amongst you as in old time amongst your fathers, but on no other terms at all no new way no New Gosple nor on no other Condition but by Repentance and faith in Jesus Christ who is Still the Saviour of his people as aforetime, and as the Lord hath Set his Hand the second time to recover his people Israel, I do desire that you Should know it, and not let the day of Vissitation pass away unknown to you and you be left on the barren Mountain to perish and Die the Eternal Death wilst you may live the eternal life and rejoice in God with the lamb and the Saints who will get the victory, know also that you must Sease from your own works and lay aside the order and work of Man in the transgressing Nature and become renewed in heart and Mind or else there can be no room in the Heart for the work of the Lord know of of a truth that the Lord will teatch his People himself in this Day and that by his Spirit within the Heart and how my My Friends Can the Lord teatch us if we will not put away the teatching of one another according to Human Learning know yet not the letter killeth but the Spirit maketh alive. I fear Greatly it hath been the Case too much with your present Generation, they have the letteral Gosple, and Nothing of the Power of God and the Opperation of his Spirit upon your Souls and have need to enquire for the word of the Lord which Came to the Fathers of Old which caused them to fear and tremble greatly in the Presents of the Lord and under the Operative power of the Spirit of God who know that the Gosple of Jesus Christ was the power of God unto Salvation to them that obed it and it is the Same to me this Day and O that it were to you also and to all people Sure I am they would Sease from their own works or Performances and wait on and for the Lord to Speak pray or Sing and would only Move in his the Lord’ time and then their worship would be excepted being according to his Holy Order in Spirit and in the truth, Once more I Say lift up your head, look about and See, If yea may See and know the times and the Great Destruction that Determined on the whole race of man that resteth in Sin and wickednes And that there’s a High Way Cast up for the tranformed once to walk in and make their escape out of the overthro of the wicked and that there’s a place provided on Earth for the Righteous to hide themselves a little Season untill these Calamities be overpast, I have much to Say but little time to convey to your Idea the Mercies of which I have been favoured with from on high, and If they Should be Idle tales to you because they come from So mean an Instrument, I shall be escused having done My Errand, farewell Saith your Friend in the truth David Wagener To The Swenkfeld Society.” (Copied from a Manuscript furnished by Mrs. Carrie BE. White [192-155].) JEMIMA WILKINSON.

The story of the career of Jemima Wilkinson is one of the interesting phases connected with the history of the David Wagener Family. So many stories are current concerning the life and activities of this remarkable woman that it is difficult to determine the exact status of her actions or her influence upon the communities in which she dwelt. Various biographies of Jemima Wilkinson, the ‘‘Universal Friend,” and the society which she formed are to be found in the libraries. So many diverse stories are told by these biographers that it is difficult at this time to conclude how much is fanciful and how much is real fact. Perhaps the most reliable account is to be found in ‘Memoirs of the Wilkinson Family,’ by Rev. Israel Wilkinson, 1869, though other accounts will be found in Cleveland’s “History of Yates County, N. Y.,” and “Jemima Wilkinson” by Hudson.

Jemima Wilkinson, daughter of Jeremiah and Elizabeth (Whipple) Wilkinson was born Nov. 29, 1752,in Cumberland, R.I., and died July 1, 1819, in Jerusalem, Yates County, N. Y. Jemima was the eighth of twelve children, and was always noted for her singular characteristics. When she was about eighteen years of age a religious excitement in Providence County, R. I., caused by the preaching of the distinguished George Whitfield, made a serious impression upon the mind of Jemima. She seemed to have been transformed into a serious, plain contemplative recluse. Casting aside her fine apparel and secluding herself from her gay companions, and public and private parties, she spent her time in attending religious meetings and sought the company of those who were seriously inclined. About 1775 a fever broke out in the town of Cumberland and attacked the Wilkinson family. Jemima exerted herself to help care for the sick; by constant exposure she was brought under the terrible influence of the disease and for a long time her life was despaired of. One night suddenly about twelve o’clock she rose from her bed and demanded her clothes, having been in a trance for half an hour, lying motionless and apparently breathless. This sudden recovery surprised her attendants, but as she had previously pretended to see visions and had recounted to others the wonderful revelations that had been made to

her, they were not alarmed. But now she claimed she had died and had been raised from the dead, that her carnal existence was ended and that henceforth her life was to be spiritual and divine; that she was no longer “Jemima Wilkinson,” but had been re-animated by the spirit and power of Jesus Christ, and had become a friend of all mankind and was hereafter to be known as the “Universal Friend.” She now claimed to be endowed with power of prophecy and of performing miracles. Having secured her clothing she immediately got up, knelt by her bedside and prayed, and from that time forward went about in as good health as she usually enjoyed, only somewhat feeble and emaciated as a result of what she had undergone.

Hudson says, she feigned sickness and then told a long absurd story about foolish tricks she played on her watchers. The fact is, that her recovery was sudden, and that she had been very ill. The Sabbath following, against the remonstrances of her friends, she went to church and at the close of the services addressed the congregation under a shade tree in the churchyard. From this time forward she began holding meetings, studying the Bible, and quoting it with great ease. The fame of her eloquence spreading to other towns, she was invited to go abroad and preach. She made cireuits throughout New England and various stories are current regarding her assertions that she was able to perform miracles. Wherever she went she made proselytes; very frequently they were men of influence and high standing in society. In 1780 at Kingston, R. I., it is stated that Judge Potter became an enthusiastie and devoted follower, and that he built a large addition to his already spacious mansion, containing fourteen rooms and bedrooms. Her influence controlled his entire household, including the servants and the income of his great estate. She made his home her headquarters for about six years. Itis stated that Judge Potter was her principal agent in procuring land for her in the state of New York, where she later built a Friends’ settlement. In the summer of 1782 she went to Philadelphia attended by afew followers. Abraham Supplee, a Methodist preacher and brother of the wife of David Wagener, lived in Worcester, Montgomery County, Pa.; having heard Jemima preach in the city of Phila. a number of times, he invited her and her companions to his house in Worcester. She accepted his invitation and it is stated that she sometimes had an audience of two thousand people to hear her preach. David Wagener attended these meetings and became interested in her discourses; a disagreement taking place between Abraham Supplee and the “Universal Friend,’ David Wagener invited her to his house, and he and his wife became devoted friends and followers.

Various stories are told concerning the career of Jemima Wilkinson while she remained at Wagener’s house. Space forbids rehearsing more than one or two or these tales as told by Hudson. He states that Jemima Wilkinson arrived in Worcester in December, 1787; that she was followed by officers to search for stolen property, part of which was found. She fled by night with Wagener’s horse and wagon, reaching Bushkill Creek, seventy miles away, where she was overtaken the next morning.

During the last residence of Jemima in Worcester, she and her household subsisted entirely upon David Wagener’s means, and he became involved in debt. ‘‘His property was dissipated, his business deranged, and he himself was loaded with debts which he could not discharge without sacrificing his real estate which consisted of three very large and valuable farms in a high state of cultivation and capable of yielding a handsome revenue. After striving for three years to redeem his shattered fortune he at length sank under the pressure of his embarrassments. He disposed of all his property, and with the little pittance that remained after paying his debts, followed Jemima to the Land of Promise, ‘Jerusalem,’ this being the name of the place where she settled, near the head of the West Branch of Crooked Lake, about twelve miles west of Seneca Lake.

“During the last sixteen years of Jemima’s life she was involved in a continuous series of litigations and died July 1, 1819. She at one time had a domestic named Anna Styer, who sometime after joining the society became partially deranged and committed suicide. Her friend, Mr. Wagener, was probably one of the most obedient and devoted disciples in her whole train.” [ Hudson.]

In 1798 David Wagener, disposed of his property in Worcester and settled in Yates County, N. Y., and became a member of the New Jerusalem colony founded by Jemima. One story current is that David Wagener himself drove with his family and Jemima Wilkinson from Worcester to what is now Penn Yan, N. Y., in his carriage. An old carriage is still exhibited (1920) in Penn Yan which is called the “Jemima Wilkinson carriage,” owned and preserved by G. H. Remer. Itis stated that this is the carriage in which Mr. Wagener drove Jemima to New York. Tradition also states that when Wagener started from Worcester he went out in his orchard, cut a branch from an apple tree to use as a whip when driving his horses; and that when he arrived in New York, he stuck this stick in the ground, which grew into an apple tree from which was developed the Wagener apple. Impossible as this story is, the fact is that the Wagener apple was propagated by his son, Abraham Wagener. For the history of the Wagener apple, see ‘Apples of New York,” pages 354-356, a publication of the New York State Agricultural Society.

In this lake country Jemima Wilkinson and her followers founded New Jerusalem, the Land of Promise, where she proposed establishing an asylum for the oppressed where they could worship God under their own ‘“‘vine and fig tree’’ with no one to molest them or make them afraid. Followers from New England and Pennsylvania congregated at this place and later established the town of Penn Yan.

Although it is stated that Jemima ruined Mr. Wagener, Judge Potter and other wealthy men, the fact that they followed her to New Jerusalem, where they became the first men of the county in wealth, influence, and respectability, does not bear out these statements. Here a log house was first built for her; later on a large gable-roofed house was erected which was said to be the first frame house built in western New York, and which was still standing in recent years. It is stated that fourteen thousand acres were purchased for the colony at twenty-five cents an acre. Troubles arising, law suits followed, and the latter part of her life was devoted to defending these law suits, and the colony disintegrated.

Although Jemima had her maids of honor, or her ‘‘two witnesses” as she called them, she gave the names of ancient prophets to some of her followers. In our day she probably would be called a spiritualist or a clairvoyant, and there is no doubt that she wielded a tremendous influence over the groups of people with whom she came in contact. Her will disposed of her property by giving it, both real estate and personal, to the friends who remained faithful to her, and not to the descendants of those who first gave it to her or enabled her to acquire this property, much to the dissatisfaction and disgust of these same descendants.