A BRIEF HISTORY OF WAGENER ESTATE B&B AND AREA
ln the year 1790 David and Rebecca Wagener followed their hearts and traveled north along the Sullivan
Trail leaving their home in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania with their destination being what is now
called the Finger Lakes Region of upstate New York. They were part of a religious group called Universal
Friend that sought to settle this vast mostly uninhabited land. We would be remiss if we failed to
mention the significance of this religious movement. lt was the convictions of this movement that
brought approximately 25 families to settle this area. Many of the families also came from
Massachusetts. The leader of this group was a young woman named Jemima Wilkinson. She in fact sent
out a party of her followers to look for a place where they could settle and practice their religious
beliefs. When the search party had found this rich fertile land bountiful with water supplies they
prepared for Jemima to follow. Jemima proclaimed that she was the second coming and had many of
her followers convinced that she could walk on water. lt is said that while Jemima spoke to her flock
along the shoreline of Keuka Lake and as she was about to attempt to walk on water; she proclaimed
a
nonbeliever to be in the midst and would not do so. At the time of their arrival to this region there were
few settlers, and several American lndian Tribes; primarily the Seneca's inhabited the area. Historical
documents mention that wolves and bears still roamed the forests at that time. David and Rebecca
acquired a large land mass which included most of what is Penn Yan today. David established a saw mill
which was initially his primary business cutting logs and milling lumber to build homes, barns, and
businesses for the new settlers. He also milled the lumber to build his own home and it is said he moved
the original beams and lumber to this site in 1794 to build this structure which is now our home and
Wagener Estate Bed and Breakfast- David and his eldest children were quite the entrepreneurs and
became involved in paper mill and gristmill businesses as well. Several mills of many types were built
along the Keuka Outlet. A 6 plus mile natural waterway connecting Keuka Lake to Seneca Lake; the only
two naturally connected Finger Lakes. There is a 300' drop in elevation from Keuka to Seneca which
made it ideal for water wheels to power the many mills that dotted the landscape. The outlet is just
several hundred yards from this home and it was comrnon for David to walk the shoreline to inspect his
dams and mill structures. lt was in early 1799 that David fell into the ice cold water, and although
rescued; he died later that year from complications from pneumonia. David was buried next to the
home in what is now the Lake View Cemetery. There is a stone tablet in the ground which reads "Ihis
toblet is ploced here in memory of David Wagener-That this and luture generotions may know he
free burial place - And his body was the first one interred here". Prior to David's
death he was planning to establish a formal village. He in fact named the first street Wagener Street. He
also became a partner of a large grist mill in 1797 which was later named Birkett's Mill. David's eldest
daughter married one of his business partners reaffirming the partnership. Birkett's Mill still operates as
one of the largest buckwheat flour mills in the world and still employs about 40 people. The mill is
downtown on Main Street adjacent to the Keuka Outlet. Their products can be purchased locally from
the company store on Main Street and in local grocery stores under the Puritan Pride label. David is the
original founder of the Village of Penn Yan; however his eldest son Abraham is given most of the credit
for moving forward with most of the local development and his leadership. When David passed on
gave this land lor
a
\ugust 24,7199 at 47 years of age his vast holdings were divided between two of his son's Abraham and
Ielchior. Abraham got most of the land mass and the original saw mill operation along with the family
romestead, while Melchior inherited a new grist mill operation along with a lot of water frontage. lt was
lavid's wishes that his wife Rebecca would stay in the homestead and that Abraham and Melchior
yould take care of her. Rebecca in fact did stay in this home until her death on February 28, 1813 at the
ge of 63 years, 3 months, 3 days. The original log house was added to over time to its present state. ln
.853 Abraham's oldest son Charles was bequeathed the family homestead along with 600 acres. We
rold the original abstract some of it handwritten by Abraham also known as Squire Wagener. The
bstract shows how all the parcels were extracted from the original land mass over time. The Wagener's
for the Yates County Courthouse and Village offices. Melchior sold most of his
roldings and moved to Pulteney. Abraham had already moved from the village and built a home on the
dge of the bluff overlooking the lake. Abraham who was given the majority of credit for being the
,lso donated the land
ather of Penn Yan was the first Mayor, and he was also appointed by US Congress as the first
,ostmaster of Penn Yan- Abraham Wagener was also one of the original signing members of a group of
ocal leaders who presented a petition to the state legislature to have a new county carved out
of
)ntario and Steuben Counties- The group succeeded in gaining independence and was voted on and
rpproved by the state legislature in February 1823 and additional towns from Steuben in January 1826
into law by Governor Joseph Yates, hence the county was named after a Governor who at
he time had never stepped foot in the area. Of course there was much opposition from Ontario and
iteuben County leaders and even some residents that did not want to be part of a new county. There
rnd signed
to whether Dresden; on the shores of Seneca Lake or Penn Yan; the larger of
he villages would be the new county seat. Controversy was no stranger to the area since there was
nuch debate in the naming of Penn Yan. After much discussion and public comment the unique name
)enn Yan was derived from Pennsylvania Yankee for the two groups of settlers that came to the area in
.790. The weathervane on top of the Village offices was commissioned to reflect the logo that can be
yas also much debate as
een on village vehicles and signs. A Pennsylvanian shaking hands with a Yankee is the image portrayed.
rbraham Wagener was also quite interested in raising apples. He developed his own variety of apples
The Wagener Apple" from trees he acquired and grafted from a gentleman named George Wheeler
vho brought the seedlings from the Boston area. The trees would've been some of the first domestic
rpple trees in the region. The remaining apple trees on our property are Wagener Apple Trees, a few
lmost 200 years old. lt should also be noted that upon David Wagener's arrival to this wilderness he
friend to the Native American lndians, and that although undocumented it
hat David helped to draft treaties between early settlers and the native lndian tribes.
yas known as a
is
thought
tL994 our home known as the Charles Wagener House was placed on both the National and State
tegister of Historic Places recognizing its significance in American culture and history. A framed
locument in respect to this bestowment is on display in the foyer of our home.