Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838

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Epithet: Captain of the Suffolk

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000001032.0x000281

Sir Pulteney Malcolm was born February 20, 1768, to George Malcolm and his wife Margaret (née Pasley) at Burnfoot, Langholm, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. In 1778, he joined the Royal Navy as a midshipman at the age of ten, aboard a ship captained by his uncle, Thomas Pasley. During his time as midshipman, Malcolm saw action at Porto Prayo, and travelled to the West Indies. Promoted to lieutenant in 1783, Malcolm spent time at the Jamaica Station under Bartholomew Rowley, where he assisted in capturing the frigate Inconstante . Malcolm served as commander of the Jack Tar, and then as post-captain at various posts in the North Sea and the East Indies.

During the Napoleonic Wars, Malcolm served with Lord Nelson in the Mediterranean in 1805, assisting in the blockade of Toulon, and participating in the pursuit of the French fleet to the West Indies in 1805. Though he missed the Battle of Trafalgar, shortly afterwards Malcolm captured the Spanish vessel El Reyo, and returned to the West Indies, where he fought in the Battle of St. Domingo in 1806. In 1812, Malcolm was captain in the Channel fleet under Lord Keith, who was the uncle of his wife, Clementina. The next year, Malcolm was promoted to rear-admiral, and in 1814, with the Royal Oak as his flagship, Malcolm sailed to North America. During the War of 1812, Malcolm served under Sir Alexander Cochrane and Sir George Cockburn, and participated in the attack on Washington, D.C., the Battle of Baltimore, and the Battle of New Orleans.

At the end of the war, Malcolm returned to Europe, where he provided naval support in the North Sea for the Duke of Wellington. After Napoleon’s exile to St. Helena, Malcolm became commander-in-chief of the St. Helena station from 1816 to 1817, where he guarded Napoleon and maintained a blockade of the island. In 1821, he was promoted to vice admiral, and served as commander-in-chief of the Mediterranean from 1828-1831, and again from 1833-34. In 1837, Malcolm was promoted to Admiral of the Blue.

In 1809, Malcolm married Clementina Elphinstone, with whom he had two sons, George (who predeceased him) and William. Malcolm died July 20, 1838.

From the guide to the Pulteney Malcolm papers, Malcolm, Pulteney papers, 1812-1837, 1814-1817, (William L. Clements Library, University of Michigan)

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
referencedIn Edward E. Ayer Manuscript Collection (Newberry Library). Account of the English expedition of Capts. Cooke and Malcolm against the Spanish fleet in the Philippines, [185-?]. Newberry Library
referencedIn War of 1812 mss., 1776-1879 Lilly Library (Indiana University, Bloomington)
creatorOf Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838. St. Helena. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838. [Chart of landing place at Saint helena]. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Lewis, A. Ascension. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838. [Map of Chesapeake Bay region]. William L. Clements Library
referencedIn LETTERS from Vice Adml. P. Rainier to Lord Wellesley, 22 Dec. 1800-9 June, 1802; with enclosures;-Letters to Lord Wellesley from various Naval Officers on the Indian station, viz. Capt. Will. Waller, of the Albatross; Capt. Pulteney Malcolm, of the ... British Library
creatorOf Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838. Patuxent River. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Hindmarsh, John, Sir, 1785-1860. Letter : Adelaide, to Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm [manuscript]. Libraries Australia
creatorOf Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838. Pulteney Malcolm papers, 1812-1837, bulk 1814-1817. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838. A plan of the square for the buildings at Ascension the officers houses to stand near the tents the senior officer on the present spot. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Davis. A chart of Falmouth Bay and the anchorage at Tristan d'Acunha / by Mr. Davis, master H.M.S. Falmouth. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Malcolm, Pulteney, Sir, 1768-1838. Sketch of the entrenched position of the American forces near Baltimore on the 13th Septr. 1814. William L. Clements Library
creatorOf Pulteney Malcolm papers 1812-1837 1814-1817 Malcolm, Pulteney papers William L. Clements Library
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Davis. person
associatedWith Great Britain. Royal Navy. corporateBody
associatedWith Hindmarsh, John, Sir, 1785-1860. person
associatedWith Lewis, A. person
associatedWith Napoleon I, Emperor of the French, 1769-1821 person
associatedWith Newcastle (Ship) corporateBody
associatedWith Newcastle (Ship) corporateBody
associatedWith Royal Oak (Ship) corporateBody
associatedWith Royal Oak (Ship) corporateBody
associatedWith Tartarus (Ship) corporateBody
associatedWith Tartarus (Ship) corporateBody
Place Name Admin Code Country
Chesapeake Bay Region (Md. and Va.)
United States
India, Asia
Mobile (Ala.)
Fort McHenry (Baltimore, Md.)
Bordeaux (France)
Maryland
Patuxent River (Md.)
Mobile (Ala.)
United States
Bordeaux (France)
Ascension Island (Atlantic Ocean)
Maryland
Delaware Bay (Del. and N.J.)
Great Britain
Saint Helena
Maryland
Mobile Bay (Ala.)
France
Saint Helena.
Delaware
Great Britain
Saint Helena
Washington (D.C.)
United States
United States
Baltimore (Md.)
France
Saint Helena
Fort McHenry (Baltimore, Md.)
Mobile Bay (Ala.)
United States
Subject
Baltimore, Battle of, Baltimore, Md., 1814
Brun Guide
Malcolm Maps
Manuscript maps
Maps shelf
Napoleonic Wars, 1800-1815
New Orleans, Battle of, New Orleans, La., 1815
Occupation
Activity

Person

Birth 1768-02-20

Death 1838-07-20

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