Manuscript Group 352 MACLAY FAMILY PAPERS 1788-1933
2 cubic feet
Charles Maclay (b. 1703 - d. 1753) and his descendants played a prominent role
in the development of Pennsylvania as a province and a state. Charles Maclay and
his brother John (b.1707 - d. 1758) sailed from Belfast, Ireland on May 30, 1734,
and settled in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Charles moved his family to Lurgan
Township, Franklin County in 1742. Two of Maclay's sons, William (b. 1737 - d.
1804) and Samuel (b. 1741 - d. 1811), held numerous state offices and served in
both the state and national legislatures. His son John (b. 1734 - d.1804) served
as a member of the Provincial Conference held at Carpenter's Hall in June, 1776
and served three terms in the Pennsylvania Legislature. Almost all of the material
in this collection deals with John's descendents. Another son, Charles (b. 1739
- d. 1834), eschewed the life of politics and concentrated on developing his farm
near the family homestead. Although he married in 1762, he left no heirs.
The papers consist of family correspondence, 1788-1933; legal papers, 1794-1914;
genealogical material, 1824 and undated; account books, 1812-1887; political memorabilia,
ca. 1800-1930; and miscellaneous material, 1788-[ca. 1910]. The bulk of the correspondence
pertains to David Maclay (b. 1762 - d. 1839) and his son Charles Templeton Maclay
(b. 1812 - d. 1888). Likewise, all but two volumes of the account books belong
to David and Charles Templeton Maclay. Charles Templeton Maclay's diaries,1831-73,
and journals of visits to patients, 1840-58, are also included. There are materials
in the collection relating to the Pomeroy family, who became affiliated to the
Maclay family through the marriage of Charles Templeton Maclay's son, David Maclay,
M.D. (b. 1852 - d. 1908) to Mary Pomeroy in 1878. In addition, there is a microfilm
copy of The Maclays of Lurgan: Being a Biographical Sketch of the Descendants
of Charles and John Maclay Who Came to America in the Year 1734 (Brooklyn,
N.Y.) by Edgar S. Maclay, 1889. (2 reels)
Correspondence, 1788-1933. (10 folders) {#352m.1}
Bill of Sale, 1773. (1 item) {#352m.2}
Bonds, 1811, 1812. (2 items) {#352m.3}
Certificates of Admission to Practice Law, 1830. (1 item) {#352.4}
Deeds, 1795-1849. (6 items) {#352m.5}
Land Drafts, 1800-1914. (7 items) {#352m.6}
Letter of Administration, 1839. (1 item) {#352m.7}
