13 Facts About Samuel Maclay

Samuel Maclay was an American politician from Union County, Pennsylvania.

Samuel Maclay served in the state legislature and represented Pennsylvania in both the US House and the United States Senate.

Samuel Maclay was born in Lurgan Township in the Province of Pennsylvania at Maclay's Mill and served in the Revolutionary War.

Samuel Maclay came to the Buffalo Valley in Union County in 1769, then in Cumberland and Berks Counties, to perform some of the first surveys, along with and under the supervision of brother William, in "the new purchase" of land made by the Penn Family pursuant to the Treaty at Fort Stanwix in 1768.

Samuel Maclay became an associate judge of Franklin County, Pennsylvania and served between 1792 and 1795.

Samuel Maclay served as a member of the lower house of the State legislature in 1797 and was a member of the Pennsylvania State Senate from 1798 to 1802 and served as speaker from 1801 to 1802.

Samuel Maclay was elected to the United States Senate as a Democratic-Republican by the Pennsylvania legislature and began service in 1803.

Samuel Maclay opposed the nomination of James Madison to the presidency by the Democratic-Republicans.

Samuel Maclay doubted how committed Madison was to the party, considering him a late convert, and backed George Clinton instead.

Furthermore, Samuel Maclay was an opponent of the Embargo Act which had been passed during President Jefferson's second term.

Samuel Maclay served in the Senate from March 4,1803, until his resignation on January 4,1809.

Samuel Maclay retired to Buffalo Township, Pennsylvania, where he died, at age 70.

Samuel Maclay was interred in the Driesbach Church Cemetery in Union County.