Entering Harvard College at the age of seventeen, he graduated in the class of 1767, and before taking his second degree, he began to serve as Librarian.

Returning to Martha's Vineyard, he married Peggy, by whom he had three children.

About 1783, the town of Hudson, N. Y., was founded by people from Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, and Providence.

William Mayhew was either one of this party of emigrants or soon followed his townspeople to their new home.

He could not have held this office long, for he died 13 July of that year.