James Coffin (1756 - 1833)

Born 25 Jul 1756 in Exeter, Devon, England

Ancestors

Husband of Jean Hamilton (Walker) Coffin — married 29 Mar 1781 in Callington, Cornwall, England

Descendants

Died 12 Apr 1833 at age 76 in Linkinhorne, Cornwall, England

Problems/Questions Profile managers: Laurie Cruthers [send private message] and Alan MacDonald [send private message]

Biography

James, the son of Thomas and Anne Coffin, was christened August 22, 1756, at Saint Petrock, Exeter, Devon.^[1] His Cambridge Alumni record ^[2] follows:

"James Coffin, the son of a goldsmith, grew up in Exeter, Devon. He attended Trinity College and Sidney College, Cambridge, earning a B.A. in 1779 and an M.A. in 1782. His Cambridge University Alumni entry follows: Adm. pens. (age 18) at TRINITY, Oct. 1, 1774. S. and h. of Thomas [goldsmith], of Exeter. B. there July 25, 1756. School, Tiverton (Mr Atherton). Matric. Michs. 1774. Migrated to Sidney, Nov. 2, 1775; Scholar, 1776; B.A. 1779; M.A. 1782. Fellow of Sidney. V. of Linkinhorne, Cornwall, 1780-1833. R. of East Down, Devon, 1800-33. Died 1833." (G. Mag., 1833, II. 87.)

James served as the vicar of Linkinhorne, Cornwall , for 53 years. ^[3] During this time, he and his wife Jean became friends with Rev. John Newton, evangelical Anglican cleric, prominent abolitionist and author of "Amazing Grace." "Both Mr and Mrs Coffin were first awakened to a sense of the importance of vital religion by the perusal of some of Mr Newton's works. Under much religious concern though personally unknown to the author of these volumes they were led at once to seek counsel from him stating without reserve the new position in which they found themselves. This communication led to a correspondence and a friendship which lasted till Mr Newton's death. It is justly said that the following letters show that in his instructions to a younger clergyman becoming desirous to preach Christ and him crucified in his administrations of comfort to those who were unnecessarily cast down and in his advice upon the duties and relations of the domestic circle the writer gave equal evidence that he was taught of God and was watchfully anxious that his children should walk in the truth. And yet further that these letters will appear the more important as containing Mr Newton's matured thoughts and experience and may therefore be said to put the seal of his faith and approbation in what he had so long taught and preached. Mr Coffin who held the living of Linkinhorne in Cornwall was a faithful and affectionate preacher of the gospel and an instrument of good to many." ^[4]

"James Coffin was an intimate friend of the pious John Newton, rector of St Mary's Woolnoth London, through the instrumentality of whose works he and his wife were first awakened to a sense of the importance of vital religion. Many of Newton's excellent letters addressed to them from 1791 to 1801 were published in two editions in 1844 by their son John Newton Coffin, they are entitled Sixty eight Letters by the Rev JN to a Clergyman and his Family. J Coffin died in 1833. ^[5]He and his friend Colonel WH Horndon of Callington were some of the earliest supporters of the Bible Society in the district."^[6]

According to ‘Pedigrees and Memorials of the Family of Woodd: formerly of Shynewood, Salop, and Brize Norton, Oxfordshire, now of Conyngham Hall, Co. York, and Hampstead, Middlesex and of the Family of Jupp, of London and Wandsworth' Rev James Coffin of Linkinhorne, Cornwall, was descended from Coffin of Portledge, Devon, who held that estate from the time of the Saxons. (Michael Fraser-Allen - 7 Dec 2014)

Sources

1. ↑ "England Births and Christenings, 1538-1975," index, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/JWF7-YX5 : accessed 27 Sep 2014), James Coffin, 22 Aug 1756; citing SAINT PETROCK,EXETER,DEVON,ENGLAND, reference ; FHL microfilm 916838.
2. ↑ Ancestry.com. Cambridge University Alumni, 1261-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations Inc, 1999.Original data: Venn, J. A., comp.. Alumni Cantabrigienses. London, England: Cambridge University Press, 1922-1954
3. ↑ The John Newton Project [1]
4. ↑ Letters by the Rev. John Newton. Religious Tract Society, 1869
5. ↑ Linkinhorne Parish, Burials at St. Melor Church, Linkinhorne, 1800-1837 [2]
6. ↑ Allen, John. History of the Borough of Liskeard and Its Vicinity. Liskeard: Cash, 1856.

See also:

• Cornwall OPC Database, Land Tax, 1799, #248086.[3] Reverend James Coffin of the Vicarage paid 14£.