William Malcolm

Brigadier General, Continental Army

William Malcolm was born on 23 January 1745 in Glenrothes, Scotland. He moved to the U.S. when he was in his twenties, settled in New York City, became a successful import/export merchant, and served in the New York Assembly in 1774.

Having been active in the militia, he served in New York's military and the Continental Army throughout the Revolution, including assignments as Deputy Adjutant General of the Northern Department under Horatio Gates and Commander of a Regiment in which his second in command was Aaron Burr. Malcolm took part in the Battles of Long Island, White Plains, Trenton and Princeton, was with the Army during the 1777-1778 winter at Valley Forge, and commanded Continental forces in upstate New York.

Near the end of the Revolution, he was appointed Commander of the Militia in New York, Kings and Richmond Counties with the rank of Brigadier General. In 1785 he served on New York City's Board of Aldermen, and he served in the New York Provincial Congress in 1786-87, where he advocated adoption of the U.S. Constitution.

As head of the militia in and around New York City, Malcolm commanded George Washington's escort when Washington took the oath of office as the first President.

Malcolm was a leader of New York City's Masons, a member of the Saint Andrew's Society and the Saint Nicholas Society, and a founder of New York City's Chamber of Commerce.

Death and Burial

Brigadier General William Malcolm died on 1 September 1791 in New York, NY. He is buried at Brick Presbyterian Church Cemetery in Manhattan, NY.