 Malcolm was a son of William Malcolm and served as Adam's secretary during his presidency.Through this marriage, he was the brother-in-law (and cousins) of Angelica Schuyler (1756–1814) and John Barker Church (1748–1818); Elizabeth Schuyler (1757–1854) and Alexander Hamilton (1755/7–1804); and Margarita "Peggy" Schuyler (1758–1801) and Stephen Van Rensselaer III (1764–1839), 9th Patroon of Rensselaerswyck.Together, Catherine and James were said to have had one child.