 Wayne was one of four children born to Isaac Wayne, who had immigrated to Easttown Township, Chester County, Pennsylvania, from Ireland, and Elizabeth Iddings Wayne.He was part of a Protestant Anglo-Irish family; his grandfather was a veteran of the Battle of the Boyne.<ref></ref> Wayne was born on January 1, 1745, on his family's Waynesborough estate.<ref>Nelson, 5–6</ref> He was educated as a surveyor at his uncle's private academy in Philadelphia as well as at the College of Philadelphia, although he did not earn a degree.In 1765, Benjamin Franklin sent him and some associates to work for a year surveying land granted in Nova Scotia, and he assisted with starting a settlement the following year at The Township of Monckton.<ref>Labaree, 345-50</ref> In 1767, he returned to work in his father's tannery while continuing work as a surveyor.