Johann Henrich Wagner: The Chronicle of an 18th Century German Pioneer

Walk through history in the footsteps of Johann Henrich Wagner, a.k.a Henry Wagner, a.k.a Henry Waggoner of Russell County, an early 18th century German pioneer. In 1742, Johann Henrich Wagner (later identified as Henry Waggoner of Russell County, Virginia), disembarked in Philadelphia with his step-father Theobald Nabinger, where they were caught up in fast-moving events that impacted them and their German and Swiss community. Henry's adventures took him through the French and Indian War, Dunmores War, the Lost State of Franklin, and the American Revolution. Of wider interest, Henry's Chronicle is a wellspring of information that can be viewed as a case study for understanding the pioneer life of a newly arrived German in Colonial America. The American wilderness was not for the faint-hearted. Henry met the economic, social, and political challenges on the frontier and sprang to the defence of his community on more than one occasion. He made his own bold choices of where and when to go, and where and when to fight, or not, as the case may be. He has not been idealized, and despite his human faults, the reader will find "flesh and blood on the bones" rather than just a name and dates on paper. Included are children Henry (Jr/II), Michael, John, Jacob, and Savina (with John Newland), and also the allied families of Schwab, Conradi, Nabinger (Novinger), Boessohr (Bashore), and Mueller. There are hundreds of collateral families documented from Kusel, Nohelden, and Wolfersweiler, Germany; Bethel and Lebanon Townships, and Jonestown, Pennsylvania; Fincastle, Montgomery, and Russell Counties, Virginia; Washington and Sullivan Counties, Tennessee; Pulaski County, Kentucky; and Lawrence County, Indiana. Perhaps you will find your family within the pages of this book. Your effort, diligence, and research have resulted in a truly amazing story. "Well Done." - CDR James M. Novinger USNR

Author: Margaret Dent Wagner
Publisher: Wordzworth Publishing
Published: 03/31/2021
Pages: 676
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 2.42lbs
Size: 9.21h x 6.14w x 1.44d
ISBN: 9781783241842

About the Author
Wagner, Margaret Dent: - Born in Wahington, D.C., Margaret Dent Wagner, B.A. received her degree in English from Mercer University, Macon, Georgia. Years later while caring for her British husband suffering from Alzheimer's, Margaret began a self-project to solve the mystery of her German heritage. This required working backward through time starting with the 1930 Tennessee census and eventually ending in 1691 Germany, the earliest documented date found thus far for this Wagner family. Presented in the form of a Chronicle, Margaret has enabled the reader to walk in Henry's footsteps as he traveled through time as an 18th century German pioneer in Colonial America. The historic journey of Johann Henrich Wagner, a.k.a Henry Wagner, a.k.a Henry Waggoner who died in Russell, Virginia, was long buried in archives in Germany, the British Colonies (the now states) of Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina, the State of Franklin, the Territory South of the River Ohio, and the state of Tennessee. With each new documented discovery, Margaret put another piece of the puzzle in place. Although there was no idea of a book in the beginning, Margaret's project grew like Topsy in tandem with her diligent research done to solve the mystery of where her Wagner family originated. It was only over time it became apparent that a book based soundly on fact was in the making. Henry's adventurous journey through American history alongside his German and Swiss compatriots became not only a facinating story to tell, but also one which would serve as a a rich source of information for others of German descent. After all, Henry, and those like him, were history. Margaret, now widowed, has one grown daughter and one grand daughter.Novinger, James M.: - CDR James M. Novinger USNR (Ret) was born in central Pennsylvania from generations of Pennsylvania German and Scots-Irish stock. He graduated from Millersville University of Pennsylvania in 1976, earning a B.A. with a major in Earth Science (Geology). A career U.S. Navy officer, Jim retired from the Navy after 22 years and began working in his second professional field, that of environmental protection. This time, for over 20 years with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. His serious interest in family history was first awakened by conversations with older family members as they reminisced about their lives. Ultimately, his cousin, James G. Novinger's family tree book, Dewalt Novinger's Legacy provided the catalyst for Jim to become a full-fledged history nerd. He believes that, while as important as such trees are, they really serve as a skeleton upon which hang the stories, events, experiences, and behaviors that truly shape family history. Jim's passion is the detective work necessary in family history. To track down the origin of a family oral tradition and, in the process, correct the inevitable embellishments. Jim and his wife Judy have three adult children, eight grandchildren and currently reside in coastal Delaware, USA.

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