Years in parentheses are years of service as a Director of The Bank of Delaware County and/or The Delaware County National Bank

Robert McCay (November 2,1871-86), son of Robert and Mary (Delaplaine) McCay, was born in Chester township (near Cartertown), December 15, 1815. He read law and was admitted to the Bar of Delaware County, February 22, 1847. At the October election, 1850, Thomas H. Speakman was nominated by the Whigs for District Attorney (just created an elective office), and Robert McCay was the Democratic nominee. On presenting himself to qualify at March Court, 1851, Mr. Speakman was met by a remonstrance, setting forth that Speakman was not a resident, and, therefore, disqualified to hold office, and that Robert McCay was elected, the vote cast for Speakman being illegal. At the May Court, 1851, it was ordered that "in consequence of the inability of Thomas H. Speakman, Esq., to serve the office of District Attorney, Robert McCay, Jr., Esq., be appointed to discharge the duties of the office for the remainder of the year." At the August Court, McCay conducted the prosecutions in behalf of the Commonwealth, creditably, but not with satisfaction to himself. Declaring that he was not a person who could make a success in practice of the law, on November 24, 1851, when the Court convened, McCay resigned the office of District Attorney, and Judge Chapman appointed Hon. Edward Darlington to the vacancy.

The last time McCay appeared in the capacity of a lawyer was on November 26, 1851, when, at a meeting of the Bar, he seconded the resolution offered by Hon. John M. Broomall, expressing the regret of the profession that Judge Chapman, on the first of the new year, would cease to be the President Judge of the Courts of Delaware county. Shortly afterward, Robert McCay entered into partnership with his brother, William McCay, in the brick business in Philadelphia, in which occupation he acquired a large fortune, which at his death, November 17, 1896, aged 80 years, descended to collateral heirs. For several terms Robert McCay was a member of Common Council of the City of Philadelphia.

[Obituary]