 He became a prominent figure in Chester County and served in the Pennsylvania legislature from 1774 to 1780.He married Mary Penrose in 1766 and they had two children.Their daughter Margretta was born in 1770 and their son Isaac Wayne was born in 1772 and later became a Representative from Pennsylvania.<ref>Anthony and Mary (Penrose) Wayne Family Bible</ref>

Wayne raised a militia unit in 1775 and became colonel of the 4th Pennsylvania Regiment in 1776.