Background
Charles Macalester was the son of Charles and Isabella (MacQuarrie) Macalester. He was born on April 5, 1765, at Campbeltown, Argyllshire, Scotland.
Charles Macalester was the son of Charles and Isabella (MacQuarrie) Macalester. He was born on April 5, 1765, at Campbeltown, Argyllshire, Scotland.
Macalester attended the schools of his native town and received a thorough grounding in the fundamentals.
At an early age Macalester went to sea as a foremast hand. Before he was twenty-one, he came to America, settling in Philadelphia, and was naturalized in 1786, soon after reaching his majority. He continued to follow the sea, however, and for the next eighteen years commanded merchant vessels sailing from the port of Philadelphia. Usually, he also acted as supercargo and in this capacity achieved a considerable reputation as a trader. With an increase in his fortune, he became owner of the vessel in which he sailed.
In the late years of the century, when privateers were seriously hindering commerce, he armed one of his vessels, the George Barclay, with twenty guns and manned it with a hundred seamen, and, thus equipped, made voyages with a rapidity and safety which further enhanced his reputation. Shortly after 1800, he designed a vessel, the Fanny, which was constructed for him by one of the ablest of the Philadelphia ship-builders, and proved to be the fastest merchant vessel of the day. Her first voyage, from Philadelphia to Cowes in the Isle of Wight, was accomplished in seventeen days, which was then a record.
In 1804, Macalester retired from the sea but continued in the shipping trade, with headquarters in Philadelphia. His vessels sailed to China, India, and the Dutch East Indies, as well as to European ports.
In 1825, he planned to retire from all business, but was persuaded to accept the presidency of the Insurance Company of the State of Pennsylvania, which was then in financial difficulties. In two years, he had restored the organization to a profitable basis, but he continued as president until he died. He was also a director of the Bank of North America.
Macalester was an ardent Presbyterian and a founder of the Mariner's Church of Philadelphia and of the Marine Bible Society.
Macalester was a promoter and vice-president (1813 - 1825) of the St. Andrew's Society.
Charles was married to Ann Sampson, and they had a number of children, among them Charles Macalester.