Problems in Tétange

In the meantime, the Wagener siblings tried to get their hands in the inheritance of their brother because they counted on his certain death. His mother must have reported this to him in Breslau. Her letter, which arrives in Breslau on the 18th of October 1807, is answered by Pierre Wagener on the same day. He writes:

Today, dated the 18^th of November (date discrepancy!) 1807. Dearly loved mother, sister, brother, and brother-in-law. I greet you all most happily and let you know that I am still in good health and hope the same of you. On the 18^th of November, I have received your letter with great happiness, that is why I have assumed that you are still fresh and healthy. You have written to me about my money, how you should do it. I do not want you to lend it to my brother or sister. Collect it all together, because it is better to lend it to friends than to siblings. They think me to be lost, but it isn't true. I you mean to lend it to unknown people where you think there is no risk, because you are in charge of everything, then you may do so. And it isn't necessary that my mother should be obligated to lend money to others. I am actually in need o money, but send nothing, because nothing arrives. I do not have much news to report. We hope to get to France soon, because peace in made with the Russians and the Prussians^[64] , so that I could pay my compliments to you. Dominicus Wilhelm of Tétange, you do not need to reply to me, until I write to him. So, do as I tell you in my letter. Peter Wagener of Tétange, 1807.^[65]

What it was that Pierre Wagener communicated to Dominique Wilhelm, couldn't be found out anymore because that part f the letter was missing. The only certainty is that the Wagener siblings, with Wilhelm's agreement, sold their parental home, including the barn and stalls, to their sister Catharina Wagener for the price of 750F. Catharina Wagener had to pay 150F to each of her family members. We do not know about the mother's destiny. We estimate that she left the village of Tétange during the following years because she didn't die in her home village. Her death records could be found at neither the church nor the town archives.

To what extent Dominique Wilhelm was involved in this dispute can't be clarified exactly at this time. A time-yellowed register from the archive of the Laux-Kihn family, however, shows that he kept very detailed records of Pierre Wagener's money. (66). The uncompleted register was started by Wilhelm in the year 1807 and consists of 9 pages. Here, we publish those pages that give us information about the management of Pierre Wagener's money:

Page 4

From Pierre Wagener's invoice and what he has received from Mathias Schmitz of Leudelange from the rent of his inherited lands and house:

1. The first time, receipt of 25 Louis d'Or from Mathias Schmitz of Leudelange.
2. Still the remainder, receipt of 29 Louis d'Or. His initial loan amount was 54 Louis d'Or.
3. Interest from Leudelange, 2 years worth, receipt of 29 Louis d'Or, complete sum.
4. From the auction, what was passed on by Jean Grimeler, receipt of the auction amount minus the auction fees. And what was bought by Berna,(read: Bernard Wagener, the brother of Pierre) and Nilles have bought, totals:
5. Catharina Wagener has bought the house and yard. I have sold his share, with his full authorization which is given in the deed of Monderig. Toward the deed he is still owed 150 Livres, and from a promisory note he is still owed, which is not detailed; 54 Livres.

 This interesting page gives information about the particular sum that Frédéric Melchior paid to Pierre Wagener to become his replacement. It is estimated that Melchior didn't have the full sum to pay off Pierre Wagener. It appears that he borrowed it from Mathias Schmitz from Leudelange. In the beginning, the sum amounted to 54 Louis d'Or. In addition to that, there was interest for 3 years, as Wilhelm writes, amounted to 29 Louis d'Or. The entire sum received by Pierre Wagener was 83 Louis d'Or.

Page 5

From Jean Nilles I have received interest: 9 Livres, and from Bera: 12 Livres toward the money that they have borrowed. Today, the 20th of April, there is a total of: 317 Kronen, 2 Livres, 50 Cents.

From the promissory note of Catharina Wagener, I have received 9 Kronen, and have returned the receipt to him. Paid 12 Sols from the last letter. Also, I have received from Jean Nilles and Bernard Wagener toward the interest for Pierre Wagener: 29 loads of stones, every load at 5 Stüber.

As can be concluded from this page of the register, Wilhelm did lend money to Pierre Wagener's siblings. At the time, he couldn't have realized that it was against Wagener's wishes.

Page 6

From what I have paid out from Pierre Wagener's money, and what I have borrowed out and what Catharina Wagener still has to pay toward the house and yard to the mother...

1. I have given to him myself when he was here for a.......and to buy clothing how he bought the clothing: 19 Kronen. Also given to him at that time: 2 Kronen. Whereas, when he left, given to him: 15 Kronen. Whereas, a sheet of stamps, and pocket change: 1 Livre, 80 Cents. Whereas, have sent to him 6 Kronen, 4 Pies, 3 Stüber to clear the fees for sending the money and the letter: 6 Kronen, 2 Livres, 25 Cents. Also, have received a letter from Landersy, have receipt for 60 Cents.
2. Whereas, have sent additional 4 Kronen, cleared the letter and the money; 21 Livres, 16 Cents. Have received 12 Sols for 1 letter: 60 Cents. Also, have given to him as he was here and ready to depart: 3 Kronen. Whereas, have given to his mother when he was here to buy shoes for his departure: 1 Krone. Whereas, as he returned to his regiment, paid and gave to him 4 Kronen and 1 Krone for the power of attorney which he gave to me: 5 Kronen.

Page 7

Whereas, I have sent to him an additional 10 Pies to Strasbourg when he was there, and cleared.....Whereas, I have sold to him my linen layer for 3 Pies as he departed. Whereas, paid 1 Livre for 3 letters. Whereas, have sent another additional 4 Kronen to Schlesingen and cleared 33 Sols and paid the letter from the 30th March 1808: 10 Sols.

Page 8

About what I have taken in of Pierre Wagener's money and what is still outstanding. Also, gave 20 Kronen toward Kurzenacker, which I have in writing from his sister. Whereas, the letter about the parcel of land cost 5 Livres. The control from the parcel cost something which I paid. To his mother, Margretha Gimmeler, I have borrowed 10 Kronen from the payment of the Ruhen?, and 9 Kronen of this money, 3 of which I still owe her. She still owes me a remainder of 16 Kronen.

Whereas, borrowed to his brother-in-law in one sum on the 1st of April 1805 or of the 13th year, 16 Kronen, and lent him 11 Kronen on the 8th of April. I have a contract about both sums from Mr. Motgé (Motté) from the 8th of April 1806 for the 1st payment. Whereas, to the same, I have lent 12 Kronen in the year 1807 on the 1st of May, about which I have a promisory note. Whereas, I have borrowed 16 Kronen to Berna Wagener on the 1st of April 1805 or the 13th year. To the same, I have borrowed another 11 Kronen on the 8th of April 1806. About both sums I have contract from Mr. Moté, as above. Whereas, I have borrowed to his brother-in-law from Peppange...1808, about which Mr. Schanuss from Hellange made a contract on the same day, have borrowed 18 Kronen.

Page 9

What I still need to collect from Catharina Wagener, from the house and garden toward which she still owes: 34 Kronen.

9 Kronen were paid toward this, and from the 9 Kronen, I have lent to his mother Margartha Grimmeler. Now she owes me a total of 19 Kronen.

After this, the register closes with a total of 220 Kronen, 86 Cents. We can see that Wilhelm took the management of Wagener's wealth very seriously.

[64] Peace treaty of Tilsitt.
[65] Laux Archiv.
[66] Laux Archiv Filenumber U1.