the oldest portion of the house was built by wayne's grandfather, captain w.m. wayne, in 1724. captain wayne's son enlarged the house in 1765 and a wing was added in 1812. it was here that anthony wayne was born, and it was his home for all but the last five years of his life. wayne continued his father's farm and tannery, and became involved in the patriot cause early in the american revolution. he distinguished himself as a military leader in the american revolutionary war for his brash and sometimes risky maneuvers, winning him the moniker "mad" anthony. he died in what is now erie, pennsylvania, while leading troops in the aftermath of the northwest indian war.