Brief guide to manuscripts collections| William L. Clements Library The University of Michigan Wayne family Papers |
Anthony Wayne was the son of a wealthy Chester County, Pa., tanner. Educated privately, he spent a year surveying land in Nova Scotia before returning to his father's estate, 'Waynesboro.' On the eve of the Revolutionary War Wayne was a member of the colonial house of representatives and active in local committees of safety. In 1776 Congress appointed him colonel in the 4th Pennsylvania Battalion. Wayne served in the Canadian expedition, commanded at Ticonderoga, and the following year saw action at Brandywine, Germantown, and Monmouth. At Stony Point he won one of the most impressive victories of the war. His ability as a leader was tested with the mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line in January, 1781, which he successfully settled. Wayne joined Lafayette in the spring of 1781 and served under Steuben in the Yorktown campaign. Throughout his Revolutionary War service Wayne distinguished himself both as an administrator and a field commander. He left the army in 1783 with the rank of major general.
The next year Wayne was elected to the Pennsylvania Assembly. However, he moved to Georgia to settle land granted him by that state as compensation for his war service. In 1791 he returned to military service as commander in chief of the army in the Old Northwest. His well planned and executed campaign against the Indians culminated in victory at the battle of Fallen Timbers, August, 1794, and the Indians' surrender at Greenville a year later. Wayne died at Erie, Pennsylvania, while on return from his post at Detroit.
Isaac Wayne, Anthony's son, was born at 'Waynesboro,' graduated from Dickinson College, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1795. He was active in Pennsylvania politics throughout his life, sitting first in the state house of representatives, 1799-1801, 1806, and in the state senate, 1810. He was the unsuccessful Federalist candidate for governor in 1814 but served as United States senator, 1823-1825.
William Wayne inherited 'Waynesboro' in 1854. He served in the Civil War as a captain in the 97th Pennsylvania Infantry.
Papers of Anthony Wayne, United States Army officer, Revolutionary War hero; his son Isaac Wayne, Pennsylvania politician; and their descendants.
This collection contains approximately 1,000 items relating to Anthony Wayne's career. Almost all of it is post-revolutionary correspondence concerning his estate in Georgia and his service as commander in chief, 1791-1795. Included among the papers are a number of land surveys and other documents relating to Wayne property in Chester County, Pa. There are approximately 1,500 items relating to Isaac Wayne, most of them dealing with Pennsylvania politics. About 200 items relate to William Wayne, including 25 letters concerning his Civil War service.
Gift of McGregor Fund and Orin June and purchased, 1958, 1959, and 1976
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