CONTRIBUTED

Editor’s note: This story has been updated to remove quotations attributed to Carolynn Stouder, who was not interviewed for this story.

FORT WAYNE — The city of Fort Wayne has a rich history, one that includes connections to the American Revolutionary War. Visitors will get the chance to meet yet another prominent figure of the times, Mary Penrose Wayne, on July 16.

After a citywide search, the General “Mad” Anthony Wayne Organization, Inc. recently announced that a Mary “Polly” Penrose Wayne re-enactor has been selected.

According to its recent announcement, Carolynn Stouder of Fort Wayne will serve as Mary Penrose Wayne, wife of General “Mad” Anthony Wayne (re-enactor David Rousculp of New Haven).

Stouder has been in theater her whole adult life. She studied at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York City and Indiana University in Bloomington. She now acts professionally across the country in films, commercials, and staged productions, “but I will always prioritize projects close to my heart and home,” she said in an email.

Thus, when they announced the auditions for a re-enactor to try out for the role of Mary Penrose Wayne, she joined in for the opportunity to represent this woman in history.

The introduction of Mary Penrose Wayne will take place at 3 p.m. July 16 at Freimann Square, coinciding with the annual General “Mad” Anthony Wayne Day. The couple will arrive at Freimann Square in a horse-drawn carriage.

Gen. “Mad” Anthony Wayne is recognized for his leadership during the Revolutionary War on July 16 every year, after Fort Wayne City Council voted in 2019 to name a day in his honor.

Wayne was known for leading the Continental Army, especially the attack at the Battle of Stony Point on July 16, 1779.

As the wife of a soldier, and a very important one, his wife’s life would not have been easy.

In the 1700s women had a different role in family life, following their husbands, raising their children, and holding down the homestead while their husbands fought in the war.

Penrose was originally born in Pennsylvania and had two children with Gen. Wayne. Despite a marriage of 17 years, she had to be brave during the war as well as her husband.

She was known to be mild in nature and very much a homebody, but actively supported her husband in his occupation. She died at age of 44 years old.

While many reenactors have their costumes custom made, Stouder was lucky to order a ready-made dress that fit perfectly.

Many pieces of her costume were ordered online from various companies that reproduce period costumes.

For example, her shoes/boots were ordered through a company in Detroit as well as her parasol and gloves.