John Malcolm was born in Boston, Massachusetts on 20 May 1723. A mariner and merchant, in 1771 Malcolm was appointed as a customs comptroller at Currituck, North Carolina. As a royal officer, Malcom supported the crown during the War of Regulation and served as an aide de camp for Governor William Tryon. Prior to the Battle of Alamance, he and the Sherriff of Orange, Thomas Hart, delivered a letter to the Regulators ordering them to lay down their arms and surrender. Following the war, in 1772 Malcolm was removed from his customs appointment following accusations of impropriety. Upon returning to New England, Malcolm was tarred and feathered by Patriots twice due to his support of the unpopular Tea Act. Malcolm died in England on 23 November 1788.