STARBUCK

from Storbocke = great or grand (old Norse)

Edward Starbuck (b. 1604, Drycot, Derbyshire, England; d. 4 Feb 1690, Nantucket, MA) came from Derbyshire, England to Dover, New Hampshire. He was a Deputy for that town on 1643 and wearsman in 1644 for Cocheco Falls and River in 1653. He became a freeman and in 1659 went to Nantucket with Thomas Macy, Isaac Coleman and Joseph Coffin, having become a part owner in the Island. Edward Starbuck was born in 1605 and married Katharine Reynolds of Wales. They had the following children:

Nathaniel (b. 20 Feb 1634, Dover, NH; d. 6 Jun 1719, Nantucket, MA) md in 1662 Mary Coffin

Dorcas (b. abt 1631, Dover, NH; d. Oct 1696, Nantucket, MA) md William Gayer

Sarah (b. 1630) md in 1659 Joseph Austin

Jethro (b. 1651, Dover, NH; d. 27 May 1663, Nantucket, MA)

Abigail (b. abt 1634/1641, Norfolk, MA; d. Nantucket) md Peter Coffin

Esther (b. aft 1640, Dover, Strafford, NH) md Humphrey Varney

Susanna md Richard OTIS

Starbuck china on display at the Willard House 1916

Of these, the first three are of interest to us as our grandparents were descended from them. Nathaniel’s wife Mary Coffin(b. 20 Feb 1645, Haverhill, Mass; d. 13 Sep 1717, Nantucket) was seventeen at the time of her marriage and was eighteen when her first child Mary was born. Mary was the first white child born on the Island of Nantucket. Nathaniel and Mary had ten children. Mary Coffin Starbuck, who became known as "The Great Mary" of Nantucket, was a woman of great power and influence and early became a convert to Quakerism and her personality was so great that soon the entire population of the Island became Quakers. Town Meetings which were frequently held in her home. For several years meetings for workshops were held in the "great fore-room" of her home known as 'Parliament House' situated on what is now known as Island View farm between the Macy's and the North Head of the Hummock ponds. John Richardson an early Quaker preacher said of her " The Islanders established her a Judge among them, for a little of moment was done without her advice". She held religious meetings in her own home, being herself a preacher of power and eloquence.

She was a minister in the Society as were her children and her grandsons, Elihu COLEMAN (published one of the earliest protests against slavery) and Nathaniel Coleman, and her granddaughter, Priscilla BUNKER.

  The Starbuck and Macy Houses on Nantucket 1916
                                                (Macy house is in foreground)

The present generation (1917) of Starbucks are some of the most prominent people at Nantucket, residing in grand colonial built houses which are much admired by all who visit there. They were interested in the whaling business and about 1780 a Captain Starbuck with Captain Daniel Folger and Captain William Coffin gave up that pursuit and settled in Easton, New York (near Saratoga, in the more peaceful occupation of farming.