Born in Halesowen [map], Worcester, UK in 1765, William was part of the large family headed by parents Thomas Bird and Sarah Smith. His siblings were Mary, Jesse, Eleanor, Matthew, Agnes Chandler, Betty and James.
On 10 March, 1765 William married Ann Harris, and they soon established a sizeable family of their own; with children Sarah, Joseph, Thomas, Susanna, Hannah, Elizabeth and William Jnr.