Matthew Mayhew

Matthew Mayhew

Governor of Martha’s Vineyard and Nantucket Island

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/150339224/matthew-mayhew

Governor Mayhew was the eldest son of Thomas Mayhew, Jr. (died at sea in 1657). Title "Governor" listed in various early records, e.g., The Encyclopaedia Britannica: A Dictionary of Arts, Sciences, Literature and General Information, Volume 29, Hugh Chisholm, [Cambridge] University Press, 1905, page 105.

Matthew attended Harvard College, but dropped. Then, returned to Martha's Vineyard to assist his grandfather Governor Thomas Mayhew. In 1681/2, Matthew succeeded his grandfather in civil and military honors. His missionary work was taken by his younger brother John Mayhew. But Matthew occasionally preached to the Indians.

"March 25,1682: Governor for Life Thomas Mayhew died, and his position of control over Martha’s Vineyard and Adjacent Islands passed to his grandson Matthew Mayhew. The grandson, an astute observer, would forsake titles such as “Governor for Life” and get himself appointed Chief Magistrate — a position in which he would be able to exercise nearly as total an authority as had his grandfather without nearly so much of a hassle."

Matthew and his grandfather were made Lord of Manor of Martha's Vineyard.

"He became a very important man in the politics of the Island and took his grandfathers' place when he died. (Governor Thomas Mayhew) He represented the Island, in NY before Gov. Lovelace, in respect to submitting to the jurisdiction of the Duke of York over the Island. He was the first secretary of the General Court of the Island held in 1672, and one of the assistants to the Governor. He also held at different time the office of Register of deeds (1672) , High Sheriff (1683), Judge of Probate (1697), Register of Probate (1685), besides continuous service in the office of Justice of the King's Bench. Upon the death of the aged governor, he was commissioned "in the stead of that worthy Person Mr. Thomas Mayhew his (grand) father Late Deceased to the chief supplying the Defect by another of the Name. "While not specifically designating him as governor, his functions were identical, and he is termed in the Provincial Records as "Chief Magistrate" of the Island.

Sources:

1. Charles Edward Banks, M.D., "Annals of Edgartown--History of Martha's Vineyard, Volume II," pp 79-84.
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matthew_Mayhew
3. William Thomas Davis, "Bench and Bar of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Volume 2, Boston History Company, 1895," page 362.
4. EMORY WASHBURN, JUDICIAL HISTORY, 1840, page 377.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Dec 10 2016, 19:16:51 UTC