"A book entitled Abstracts of the Minutes of the Court of Pleas and Quarter Sessnions: Rowan County, North Carolina 1775-1789, Vol. III by Jo Linn White contains an important declaration made by Heinrich [Aegenter] concerning the Revolutionary war which was then in full swing. It states that on August 5, 1778, Henry Agner was among those who neglected or refused to appear before the justices in their respective districts on the day then advertised to take the Oath of Allegiance to this state are now admitted to take the Oath & have Certificate they paid for so certifying. The requirement to take the "Oath of Allegiance" was a carefully recorded historical event ongoing throughout the American Colonies. Those who refused to take the Oath were labeled traitors and Tories. By taking the Oath, Henrik in effect pledged his life and property to the American Revolution, making all he valued subject to confiscation [by the British] in the event of a British victory. Since Heinrik was not able to appear in person to take the Oath, he submitted to a legal Certificate proving he took the Oath. Failing to do so would have subjected him and his family to loss of property and possibly prison. All research to date shows that the Agender Pennsylvania line would have been strongly pro-Revolutionary. Being of Swiss/Gernam ancestry they would not have sided with the British. However, because of their Luteran heritage, the taking of Oaths may have been a significant problem. This could help explain why Heinrik did not immediately take the Oath but paid to be certified."