William Starbuck was born on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts, on December 29, 1748 the son of Edward Starbuck and Damaris Worth Starbuck who were married November 7, 1742. His mother was the daughter of William Worth and Mary (Butler) Worth. He was the brother of Paul Starbuck, Matthew Starbuck, Mary Starbuck, and Edward Starbuck. William was a Quaker and came from a fairly wealthy family who was involved in the whaling business on Nantucket Island for five generations. Some sources state that William had been a sailor for eight years when he lived on Nantucket. It is reported that many of the inhabitants of Nantucket Island left and moved elsewhere because of over population due to the fact that the island could not support all the people. In the book The History of Guilford County, North Carolina, U.S.A., to 1980, A.D. It states that in 1771 a large migration of Quakers from Nantucket Island arrived over the next five years that included the Worth's, Coffins, Macy's and Starbucks. They had heard in letters from other Quakers that had already moved that North Carolina had fertile land. It is stated that William left Nantucket in November 1772 and arrived in New Garden, Guilford County, North Carolina in January 1773. However, one source states he moved to New Garden, North Carolina October 26, 1772 having been received into membership on certificate from the Nantucket Monthly Meeting with this certificate dated January 20, 1772. He married Jane Taylor, daughter of Thomas Taylor and Mary Stuart/Stewart Taylor in Greensboro, North Carolina on May 1, 1776. This union produced eleven children all born in North Carolina.
In the book Starbuck's All, William reputedly had met George Washington by saying I am William Starbuck, Captain of the Nantucket Whaler, and this is my son Edward.

Williams wife Jane Taylor Starbuck died July 31, 1834, and William died October 26, 1837. They are both buried in the Dover, Friends Meeting Cemetery which was less than a mile from where they lived near the Reedy Fork River. Two of their daughters are also buried there Rhoda Starbuck Gurley, and Sally Starbuck Dwiggins.
Note that there is a 19 year age difference between their first born son, Edward and his youngest sister Lydia.

1. Edward Starbuck, b. May 17, 1777
2. Mary Starbuck, b. Oct 8, 1778
3. Abigail Starbuck, b. July 24, 1778
4. Phebe Starbuck, b. Mar. 8, 1782
5. Rhoda Starbuck, b. Feb. 14, 1784
6. Demaris Starbuck, b. Jan 1, 1786
7. William Starbuck, b. Mar. 7, 1788
8. Jane Starbuck, b. Apr. 17, 1790
9. Ann Starbuck, b. Aug 23, 1792
10. Sally Starbuck, b. August 4, 1794
11. Lydia Starbuck, b. October 18, 1796

Sources and References:
Book Starbucks All 1635-1985 by James Carlton Starbuck
Will of William Starbuck, Probated 1837, Book B, Page 576, Guilford County, North Carolina Records
William Starbuck Estate Record
Quaker History, the History of Guilford County, North Carolina. U.S.A., to 1980, A.D. By Blackwell P. Robinson of U.N.C. -G (to 1890) and Alexander R. Stoesen of Guilford College (from 1890)