Page:Appletons' Cyclopædia of American Biography (1900, volume 4).djvu/195

Rh was graduated at Columbia in 1804, and spent some time in England with his father, who was one of the rich merchants of New York. In 1811 he took orders in the Protestant Episcopal church, and became rector of St. James's church, Hyde Park, N. Y. In 1817 he was appointed professor of moral philosophy, rhetoi'ic, and belles-lettres (to which was afterward added the evidences of Chris- tianity) in Columbia, the duties of which office he discharged for nearly half a century. Dr. Mc- Vickar was superintendent of the Society for pro- moting religion and learning in New York, and from 1856 onward labored diligently toward secur- ing a training-school for that diocese. The i-esult was the establishment of St. Stephen's college, An- nandale. From 1844 till 1862 he was chaplain to the U. S. forces at Fort Columbus, Governor's isl- and, N. Y. In 1864 he retired from active duty in the college, and was honored with the title of emeritus professor. Columbia gave him the de- grees of A. M. in 1818 and S. T. D. in 1825. Be- sides numerous occasional essays and addresses, etc., he published " Narrative of the Life of Dr. Samuel Bard " (1822) ; " First Lessons in Political Economy " (New York, 1825) ; " Memoir of the Rev. Edmund D. Griffin,'' appended to the " Re- mains " of the latter (1831) ; " Early Years of Bishop Hobart " (1834) ; and " Professional Years of Bishop Hobart" (1836).— His son, William Augustus, clergyman, b. in New York city, 24 April, 1827 : d. there, 24 Sept.. 1877, was graduated at Columbia in 1846, studied in the General theological semi- nary of New York, and became rector of St. Bar- nabas, Irvington, N. Y., and subsequently of the American chapel in Nice, France. Columbia gave him the degree of S. T. D. in 1870, and in 1876 he was made rector of Christ church. New York. He was the author of the " Life of John McVickar," his father, in which there is an interesting account of Mr. McVickar's visit to Sir Walter Scott at Ab- botsford in 1830 (New York, 1872).

McVICKER, James Hubert, theatrical manager, b. in New York city, 14 Feb., 1822; d. in Chicago, 7 March, 1896. He engaged in work in Haverstraw, N. Y., and in 1837 removed to St. Louis, Mo., where he learned the printer's trade, employing his leisure in study. He first appeared in St. Charles theatre, New Orleans, in 1843, and in 1845 became principal comedian in Rice's theatre, Chi- cago, remaining there until 1852, when he made a tour through the country, appearing in Yankee characters. In 1857 he built McVicker's theatre in Chicago, Ill., which was rebuilt after the fire of 1871, and remodelled in 1887, and which he had managed most successfully for two score years. — His daughter, Mary Frances, married Edwin Booth on 7 June, 1869, and died 13 Nov., 1881.

McWHORTER, Alexander, clergyman, b. in Newcastle, Del., 26 July, 1734; d. in Newark, N. J., 20 July, 1807. His parents, who were of Scotch descent, removed to this country from Ireland in 1730, and settled in Newcastle, where his father, formerly a linen-merchant, became a farmer and an active member of the Presbyterian church. The son was graduated at Pi-inceton in 1757, studied theology with William Tennent, was licensed to preach in 1758, and in the following year became pastor of a church in Newark, N. J. In 1764 he was appointed by the synod of New York and Philadelphia to amission in North Carolina, where his friends were settled, returning to Newark in 1766 after a visit to Boston. In 1775 he was sent by congress to western North Carolina to persuade the royalists to imite with the patriot cause, and in 1776 he visited the American army in its camp opposite Trenton, to confer with regard to measures for protecting the state, and was present at the passage of the Delaware and the surprise of the Hessians. In 1778, at the solicitation of Gen. Henry Knox, he acted as chaplain of Knox's artil- lery brigade. In 1779 he accepted a pastorate and the presidency of Charlotte academy in Mecklen- burg county, N. C, from which place he was com- pelled to flee before the approach of Cornwallis's army, losing his library and other possessions. He was recalled to Newark in 1781. where he remained until his death. In 1788 he aided in forming the constitution of the Presbyterian church of the United States, and was a trustee of the general assembly. He was also a trustee of Princeton col- lege for thirty-five years, and took an active part in soliciting funds in New England for rebuilding the college after the fire of 1802. Yale gave him the degree of D. D. in 1776. He published a " Cen- tury Sermon " describing the settlement and prog- ress of Newark (1800). and a collection of sermons (2 vols., Newark. 1803). — His grandson, Alexander, clergyman, b. in Newark, N. J., 1 Jan., 1822 ; d. in New Haven, Conn., 28 June. 1880, was gradu- ated at Yale in 1842, studied three years m the theological department there, and was licensed to preach in 1844. In 1859-'60 he was professor of metaphysics and English literature in Troy university. He received deacon's orders in the Protestant Episcopal church in 1863. He was a profound Hebrew scholar, and, in addition to magazine articles upon metaphysics and theology, was the author of " Yahveh Christ, or the Memorial Name," with an introductorv letter by Nathaniel W. Taylor, D. D. (Boston, 1857). The object of this work is to prove that the Hebrew word Jeho- vah should be Yahveh, denoting Christ.

McWILLIE, William, governor of Mississippi, b. near Libertv Hill, Kershaw district, S. C, 17 Nov., 1795 ; d. "in Kirkwood, Miss., 3 March, 1869. He was preparing for college when the regiment commanded by his father, Col. Adam IMcWillie, was ordered to Haddrell's point during the war of 1812. He became adjutant, and served until the close of the campaign, when he entered South Carolina college, and was graduated there in 1817. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1818, and practised with success in Camden, and was elected president of a bank in that city in 1836. From 1836 till 1840 he served successively in each branch of the South Carolina legislature. In 1845 he removed to Mississippi, where he had established a plantation ten years before. He was elected to congress as a Democrat, serving from 3 Dec, 1849, till 3 March, 1851, and in 1858 became governor of Mississippi, which office he held until 1860. Al- though advanced in years, he took an active part in the political agitations of the secession period.

MACY, Josiah, sea-captain, b. in Nantucket, Mass., 25 Feb., 1785 : d. in Rye, N. Y., 15 May, 1872. He received a common-school education, and was brought up to a seafaring life. While yet a young man he was one of the best known among the Nantucket sea-captains. In 1812 he brought to New York in the " Prudence," of which he was joint-owner, the first news of the declaration of war between the United States and Great Britain. In 1828 he joined his son, William IL, in the commission business in New York city, which was henceforth his residence until he retired to a country life at Rye, Westchester co., N. Y. — His son, William H., banker, b. in Nantucket, Mass., 4 Nov., 1805 : d. in New York city, 19 May, 1887, received a common-school education, and at the age of eighteen went to New York city and en-