When Henry Howard Starkweather was born on 29 April 1826, in Preston, New London, Connecticut, United States, his father, John Starkweather, was 36 and his mother, Lydia Button, was 31. He married Sarah Maria Fox on 16 June 1856, in Colchester, New London, Connecticut, United States. They were the parents of at least 3 sons and 3 daughters. He lived in Norwich, New London, Connecticut, United States for about 10 years. He died on 28 January 1876, in Washington, District of Columbia, United States, at the age of 49, and was buried in Yantic Cemetery, Norwich, New London, Connecticut, United States.