The eldest child of three sons and a daughter born to William and Hannah Mayhew, of Coggeshall, Mayhew's father was a victualler and innkeeper who had formerly earned his living as a woolcomber.
[1] Second son Thomas became a cabinet maker at Coggeshall; the third brother, James, later a brandy merchant, was a partner in William's business as a wine, beer and spirit merchant in London.
[2] Mayhew was the Whig Member of Parliament (MP) for Colchester, Essex from 9 April 1831 to 1832.
He was survived by his widow and children, including son William, who administered his father's estate.
This article about a member of Parliament representing an English constituency is a stub.