Alexander Mcwhorter, an American clergyman, born in Newcastle co., Del., July 15, 1734, died in Newark, N. J., July 20, 1807. In 1756 he entered the junior class in the college of New Jersey, then at Newark, but removed the next year to Princeton, where he graduated shortly after. He studied theology with William Tennent, was licensed to preach by the presbytery of New Brunswick in 1758, and in the following year was installed pastor of the church in Newark, which office he retained with some interruption for nearly half a century. In 1764 he was appointed by the synod of New York and Philadelphia to amission in North Carolina, where his friends were settled, and where he was invited to settle, but declined; and after visiting Boston, he returned to Newark in 1766. In 1775 he was sent by congress to western North Carolina to persuade the numerous royalists there to adopt the patriot cause. In 1776 he visited the army encamped opposite Trenton, and was present at the passage of the Delaware and the surprise of the Hessians. In 1778 he became chaplain of Knox's artillery brigade.

In 1779 he accepted a pastorate and the presidency of Charlotte academy, in Mecklenburg co., N. C.; but the place being captured by Cornwallis, he lost his library and furniture, and was recalled and in 1781 reinstalled at Newark. In 1788 he was prominent in forming the constitution of the Presbyterian church of the United States. Dr. McWhorter was for 35 years a trustee of the college of New Jersey; and after the burning of the college buildings in 1802, the collection of funds for a new edifice was chiefly due to his influence and personal solicitations in New England. In 1800 he published a century sermon, describing the settlement and progress of the town of Newark, and in 1803 a collection of sermons in 2 vols. 8vo.