A GRANDSON OF GENERAL SCHUYLER

Death of Captain Malcolm

William Schuyler Malcolm, a highly respected and well known citizen of Oswego since 1825, died at his residence in this city this morning at the age of eighty years. He had been in feeble health for some time so that his death has not taken those who knew him greatly by surprise.

He was born in what is now the city of Utica, Feb. 23d, 1810, and removed to Oswego with his mother and stepfather, the late Major James Cochrane, 1825. Capt. Malcolm was educated for a civil engineer but preferring a nautical life he, at the age of nineteen, went to sea and visited various parts of the old world and the West Indies. Subsequently he became interested in the lake commerce, and sailed as captain many different crafts, both steam and sail vessels, of some of which he was either part or sole owner. Among the vessels he commanded were the steamer Oswego, the propeller Chicago, and the steamer United States. He was United States deputy marshal during the memorable excitement known as the "Patriot War" of 1838-39, and from his intimate knowledge of the channel and passages of the St. Lawrence rendered the United States government important services in its effort to preserve the neutrality law.

During years later in his history Capt. Malcolm became a vessel owner, and subsequently was interested in contracts with the government in the improvement of some of the lake harbors. For several years past he has led a retired life in Oswego, universally respected for his integrity and amiability of character. He was elected one of the fist alderman of the city of Oswego in 1848, was appointed an assistant United States engineer in 1854, which position he held until 1869. He was a prominent member of Christ Episcopal church for many years before his death, holding the position of warden, vestryman, etc.

On both sides Captain Malcolm was descended from a long line of distinguished patriotic ancestry. His grandfather was General William Malcolm, a distinguished officer of the revolution. His father, a lawyer, was the private secretary of President John Adams, and married Catherine, the youngest daughter of Gen. Philip Schuyler, the distinguished soldier, who was the real conqueror of Gen. Burgoyne. After the war he was one the first United States senators from the state of New York, so that our deceased fellow citizen was the grandson of that distinguished soldier, patriot and statesman. His father having died while the subject of this sketch was but four years of age, his mother afterwards married Major James Cochrane, once a state senator, a member of congress, and a son of Surgeon General Cochrane of the middle department of the revolutionary war; and an intimate friend of General Washington. Major Cochrane was made postmaster of Oswego by President William Henry Harrison soon after the commencement of his administration.

The arrangements for the funeral of Capt. Malcolm will be announced hereafter.

_______________________________

NY State Death Record:

Name William S. Malcolm

Death Date 27 Feb 1890

Death Place Oswego, New York, USA

Certificate Number 9452