My Genealogy Hound

BENJAMIN J. COFFIN, a prominent resident of Sherman, who at first became well known as a gallant soldier, and later, through his business abilities, was born at Nantucket, Massachusetts, on July 30, 1821, and is a son of John G. and Rebecca (Joy) Coffin. The Coffin family is of English extraction and the American branch are all descended from Tristam Coffin, who landed from the mother country about 1642. His first residence was at Salem, Massachusetts, but during the persecutions he removed to Nantucket, where he might enjoy his Quaker religion without being molested. Tristam Coffin was remote from our subject nine generations. He married Dionus Stevens. The great-grandfather of our subject was James Coffin, who entered the world at Nautucket, lived there, served as justice of the peace and a member of the General Assembly of Massachusetts, and died in the town of his birth. His son, Samuel Coffin, was born at the same place and learned tailoring. The latter’s wife was Eunice Folger, and belonged to the same family as Ex-Secretary of the Treasury, Folger. They had six children. The maternal grandfather, Obed Joy, was of English descent, although born in the town of Nantucket, and his father’s name was Moses Joy. Obed Joy was a skillful mariner and followed the sea throughout his life. He married Ann Cartwright and reared seven children. John G. Coffin was born at the town of Nantucket in 1797. While yet young he went to sea and followed it all his life. He rose to the dignity of a master and died while on a voyage. His remains were interred at Tombos, South America.

Captain Coffin was a member of the Presbyterian church and married Rebecca Joy, who was born October 29, 1798, and is still living (1891), and enjoying good health. They had three children — subject, and two daughters: Keziah J. now lives at Nantucket with her mother on the old homestead; and Mary A., who married George Simpson, now dead, and she, too, is living with her mother.

Benjamin J. Coffin was educated in the common schools of his native town, and as they ranked with the average of their day, the extent of his instruction may be imagined. When he left home he went to New York city and Brooklyn and learned sash and blind making. In March, 1843, he united in marriage with Elizabeth G. Paddock, a daughter of George Paddock, a Bay State mariner. He was master of a vessel and while at New Orleans was attacked with yellow fever and died. Mr. and Mrs. Coffin have been blessed with two children: John G., who married Adaline Miller, now lives in Westfield, where he owns and operates a saw-mill — he has five children: George, Ruth, Elizabeth A., Mary and Lucretia; and Rebecca, now the wife of A. Jerome Peck, a gents’ furnisher and clothing dealer at Sherman — they have a daughter Louise.

Benjamin J. Coffin first worked at carpentering in Sherman and Westfield up to 1860, and then went to the oil regions of Pennsylvania and lived at Rouseville for one year, but in July, 1861, he returned to Sherman and recruited Company E, 9th regiment, New York Cavalry, and they were mustered out of service in October, 1864. Mr. Coffin was captain of his company for two years and eight months. After leaving the army he returned to the oil regions and engaged as a superintendent for two or three years, and then came back to Sherman, where, soon after, he was elected justice of the peace on the Republican ticket, and he has been re-elected at every election since. This is complimentary to the gentleman’s integrity and personal popularity. In addition to his office of trust he does a large business in conveyancing and settling up estates, most of that work in this community coming to him. He has been supervisor of his town for eight years — first in 1856, and for the last seven years has served consecutively. Benjamin J. Coffin is a member of Sheldon Post, No. 295, G. A. R., and also belongs to the Equitable Aid Union.