William Macomb

Who was William Macomb?

William Macomb was a merchant and political figure of Upper Canada.

He was born in Ireland around 1751 and came to North America with his family in 1755. With his brother, Alexander, he became a major landowner and merchant in New York and Michigan; the brothers were the first owners of Grosse Ile, Michigan when it was deeded on July 6, 1776 from the Potawatomi Indians. William married Sarah Dring; she survived him, as did several children, including John W., Anne, Catherine, William, Sarah, Jane, David B., and Eliza. All of these children except John W. Macomb were minors at the time of the fire which destroyed Detroit in June 1805, according to land board records.