been published (New York, 1878-82), and "The America's Cup," giving an account of the interna- tional yachting contests (New York, 1885). He has also published a " History of American Yacht- ing " in the monthly magazine " Outing," which was issued in book-form (New York, 188(5).
COFFIN, Timothy Gardiner, lawyer, b. in Nan-
tucket, Mass., 1 Nov., 1788 ; d. in New Bedford,
Mass., 19 Sept., 1854. He early engaged in a sea-
faring life, but, receiving severe injuries from a
fall, turned his attention to the law. He was
graduated at Brown in 1813, was admitted to the
Bristol bar in 181G, and obtained the foremost rank
in the profession, trying his intellectual strength
against such opponents as Webster and Choate.
He was judge advocate of Massachusetts militia
under Gen. Lincoln. As a nisi prius lawyer he
had few equals.
COFFIN, Tristram, colonist, b. in Brixton,
Devonshire, England, in 1605; d. in Nantucket.
Mass., in 1081. He is considered the ancestor of
all the persons bearing this name in the United
States. In 1642 he came to America with his wife
and a number of relatives and lived in Haverhill,
Mass., and in 1059 took up his residence in Nan-
tucket, of which colony he was the founder and
the first chief magistrate. The character of Tris-
tram, his wisdom in civilizing the Indians, and
his numerous descendants, entitle him to mention,
especially as Judith, daughter of his son Stephen,
was the grandmother of Benjamin Franklin. His
life was published by Allen Coffin (Nantucket,
1881). — John, loyalist, b. in Boston, Mass., in 1756 : d. in Kings county, N. B., in 1888. He was de-
scended from Tristraan through James and Will-
iam, who, born in Nantucket, settled in Boston
about 1730. He was educated at the Boston Latin-
school, and, for his services in the battle of Bunker
Hill, was appointed ensign on the field by Gage.
He raised 400 men in New York, who became
known as the Orange rangers, and commanded
them at the battles of Long Island and German-
town. He exchanged into the New York volun-
teers in 1778, and took part at San Lucie and Bry-
ar's Creek in 1779, at Camden in 1780, and in 1781
at Hampton, Hobkirk's Hill, and Eutaw Springs.
In all these -engagements Coffin's cavalry is men-
tioned with praise, and his daring, judgment, and
estimable character as a cavalry officer are highly
commended. Cornwallis sent him a handsome
sword in acknowledgment of his services, enclos-
ing his commission as major, thanking him for his
carriage and conduct on many occasions, and es-
pecially giving him acknowledgment for distin-
guishing himself at Eutaw. The promotion he
had earned was deferred by his feeling obliged to
report the want of firmness in battle of a scion of
the royal house. He settled at his manor of Al-
wington. New Bmnswick, and became prominent in
developing that province. When the occasion came
he resumed his military rank, and was appointed
major-general. At his death he was the senior
general in the British army. All of his branch of
the name were refugee loyalists. Notwithstanding
his choice of sides in the revolution, he never lost
his interest in the " old thirteen," and he remem-
bered that he was " Boston-born " from first to
last. One of his many sayings was, " I would give
more for one pork-barrel made in Massachusetts
than for all that have been made in New Bruns-
wick since its settlement." — His uncle, John, con-
structed a fortress at Quebec in 1775, and its first
volley killed Montgomery and his two aides. This
event and the sacking of Montreal are said to have
«aved the Canadas to the crown. — His brother, Sir
Isaac, Bart., naval officer, b. in Boston, 16 May,
1759; d. in Cheltenham, England, 4 Aug., 1839.
In 1773 he was appointed midshipman on board
the "Gaspe." After active and faithful service,
at the age of eighteen he was appointed lieutenant,
and at the age of twenty-two captain of the
" Shrewsbury." He took part in Rodney's victory,
12 April, 1782, and in many other engagements
along the Atlantic coast and in the West Indies,
acquitting himself with credit both in the war of
independence and in that with France. He was
appointed admiral in 1802 and created a baronet in
1804 for his long and faithful services. After his
retirement from active service he married Eliza-
beth, daughter of William Greenly, of Titley Court,
Gloucestershire. In 1818 he was returned to par-
liament for Ilchester, Devonshire, and took an act-
ive part in the debates on naval affairs and kindred
subjects. He never forgot that he was an Ameri-
can by birth, and was untiring in his efforts to pro-
mote the interests of his native land. Racers sent
over by him to improve our breed, fish to multiply
in our waters, plants and trees for our garden and
orchards, maps and new inventions for merchant
and naval marine, nautical schools, and the Coffin
academy at Nantucket, were but a few of his bene-
factions. He was a man of the world, of elegant
manners and graceful ways, and a very pleasant
companion, and at the same time in his fondness
for frolic and in his happy temperament a brilliant
instance of the traditional commodores of the Brit-
ish navy. When the reform bill was in jeopardy
in 1832, the king placed his name at the head of
his list of new peers as Earl of Magdalen to carry
the bill through the lords. It would have been an
empty honor, as Sir Isaac had no lineal heir to in-
herit. See his life, by Thomas Coffin Amory (Boston,
1886). — His cousin. Sir Thomas Aston, loyalist, b.
in Boston, Mass., 31 March, 1754; d. in London,
31 May, 1810, was graduated at Harvard in 1772,
and at one period of the revolution private secre-
tary to Sir Guy Carleton. He was made a baronet,
19 May, 1804, and in the same year secretary and
comptroller of accounts of Lower Canada. He was
also at one time commissary-general in the British
army. — Another cousin, Nathaniel, physician, b.
in Portland, Me., 3 May, 1744; d. there, 18 Oct.,
1826, was the son of Dr. Nathaniel Coffin, who went
from Newburyport to Falmouth (now Portland) in
1738. He studied medicine with his father, and
in London at Guy's and St. Thomas's hospitals un-
der Akenside, Hunter, and McKenzie. On his re-
turn he began his profession, and within a year, on
the death of his father, succeeded to his extensive
business. In 1775, when Capt. Mowatt was about
to destroy the town (then called Falmouth), Dr.
Coffin with two others visited his ship and en-
deavored to persuade him, inisuccessfuily, however,
to abandon the project. He became specially emi-
nent as a surgeon, and for many years tlischarged the
duties of hospital surgeon for marine patients in his
district. Bowdoin conferred on him the honorary
degree of M. D. in 1821, and he was the first presi-
dent of the Maine medical society.
COFFIN, William Anderson, painter, b. in Alleghany City, Pa., 31 Jan., 1855. He was graduated at Yale in 1874, and remained in the United States for three years, preparing to become an artist. In October, 1877, he went to Paris and spent four months as a student with Jacquesson de la Chevraise, and three years with Leon Bonnat. Returning to America in 1880, he remained nearly a year and then went again to Paris. In October, 1882, he opened a studio in New York. He exhibited two pictures in the Paris salon of 1879. two
