William Malcolm

William Malcolm was born in Glenrothes, Scotland on January 23, 1745 and was a member of the Clan Malcolm. He was the third son of Richard Malcolm, Baronet of Balbedie and Innertiel in the county of Fife, Scotland. When he came to America in 1763, he brought a number of family portraits and valuable plates.

In 1763, he moved to New York City as agent of a Glasgow firm of which he was a partner, and established himself as an import/export merchant. His business was in Queen Street, now known as Pearl Street. The same year he joined the Society of St. Andrew and was its secretary from 1765 to 1766, treasurer and secretary in 1772 until 1774, one of the managers in 1784, and vice president in 1785 until 1787.

Malcolm was married twice. His first wife was Abigail Tingley, whom he married in 1765, and who died in 1770. His second wife was Sarah Ayscough, the daughter of Richard Ayscough and Catharine Bayard, whom he married on February 5, 1772. Together, they were the parents of

Malcolm grew wealthy, and as his influence increased he took part in politics and government, including serving as a member of the New York Assembly in 1774.

In 1777, Malcolm was appointed to command a regiment. Called Malcolm's Additional Continental Regiment, he raised the organization and used his own funds to pay and equip it. He commanded as Colonel, with Aaron Burr as second in command and Lieutenant Colonel, though Burr was often the de facto commander as the result of Malcolm's detached assignments as Deputy Adjutant General or for other duties. Malcolm took part in the battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton and Princeton. He was with the Army during the 1777-1778 winter at Valley Forge, and he later commanded Continental forces in upstate New York.

In 1784, and again in 1787, he was elected to the New York Provincial Congress where he supported Alexander Hamilton in his motion to restore the elective franchise to the Tories and he favored the United States Constitution. In 1785, he served on New York City's Board of Aldermen.

William Malcolm died in New York City on September 1, 1791. He was buried in Manhattan's Brick Presbyterian Church Cemetery.