Mary (Polly) Penrose Wayne

Mary “Polly” Wayne, wife of Gen. Anthony Wayne, and her sister, Margaret Penrose, lie together marked by two flat altar tombs at the southeast corner of the church. They were daughters of Bartholomew and Mary Penrose of the prominent Philadelphia family. Polly was a friend of General Anthony Wayne’s sister, Ann. Gen. Wayne and Polly were married in 1766 at Christ Church in Philadelphia. The couple moved into the family homestead, Waynesborough, a Georgian style country manor house, built by Captain Anthony Wayne in about 1745. Polly managed their household and farm during her husband’s military service. She is credited with preserving Waynesborough during searches conducted by British troops in September 1777.

”Polly” Wayne has been honored as a “Lady Patriot” by both the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and the Sons of the American Revolution (SAR). Consequently, there are two flags at her tombstone which lie outside of the chancel window of the Church.

Churchyard
Ancient Yard
Lot 005W
Grave 8

Two flags honor the grave of General Wayne’s wife, “Polly.”

The Wayne homestead, Waynesborough, is in Paoli off Route 252.