John Mickle Whitall (November 4, 1800 – June 6, 1877) was a prominent US sea captain, businessman and philanthropist in New Jersey and Pennsylvania involved in the spice and silk trade, glass-making, and missionary work.

On his third voyage, in 1819, from Liverpool to Canton, China, the ship's captain asked him to help make a nautical observation, and after performing this duty well, he was taught navigation.

At Calcutta, due to his good performance and ill health of one of the ship's officers, he was promoted to Second Mate and gained the respect of the ordinary sailors by treating them well.

The young captain decided to forbid the sailors on board from using profane language, and this worked to his advantage when dealing with men older and more experienced.

He made two more very profitable but anxious voyages as captain of the New Jersey carrying ginseng to Canton, returning with silk and tea.

With his savings from his life at sea, in 1829 Whitall entered into the dry goods business in Center City Philadelphia.

They were married at a Friends Meeting in Woodbury, New Jersey on November 5, 1830, and lived with his parents in Cemnter City Philadelphia but soon after found another residence nearby.

He went into partnership for five years but found the dry goods business meager for his needs because he was accustomed to dealing with men on board ship and a little more excitement.

The company rapidly expanded, developing new industrial processes, refining the recipes for glass, and discovering more efficient ways to cast bottles.

During the next several years the glass business prospered and Whitall and his brother built a new storehouse at 4th and Race Streets in Philadelphia.

Another summer residence, a farm complete with hay fields, orchard, and lake, was purchased in 1864 in Haddon Township, New Jersey, enjoyed by the whole family.