William was born in Kittery, Maine. He was educated in a public school, but couldn’t embrace all his learning. He soon quit school and went on a merchant vessel he did commercial business on the sea. By 1759 he still was in the trade business with his brother. In early years he entered into the controversy between Americans and British.
Since he entered the controversy at an early age he was elected to offices needing trust and responsibility. He represented a town called Portsmouth in the Continental congress.