Joshua Coffin facts for kids

Joshua Coffin (born October 12, 1792 – died June 24, 1864) was an American historian and a strong supporter of ending slavery. People who worked to end slavery were called abolitionists.

Early Life and Education

Joshua Coffin was born in Newbury, Massachusetts, on October 12, 1792. His parents were Joseph and Judith Coffin. He grew up in the historic Coffin House.

He went to Dartmouth College and finished his studies in 1817. After college, he became a teacher. One of his famous students was the poet John Greenleaf Whittier. Whittier even wrote a poem for Joshua Coffin called "To My Old School-Master."

Fighting Against Slavery

Joshua Coffin cared deeply about ending slavery. He was one of the people who helped start the New England Anti-Slavery Society in 1832. This group worked to stop slavery in the United States. He was also the first recording secretary for the society.

From 1834 to 1837, Coffin helped manage the American Anti-Slavery Society. This shows how dedicated he was to the cause of freedom for all people.

His Writings

Besides his work against slavery, Joshua Coffin was also a historian. He wrote a book called The History of Ancient Newbury, which was published in Boston in 1845. This book shared the history of his hometown.

He also wrote about the family histories of the Woodman, Little, and Toppan families. He published many articles in magazines too. He did much of his writing from a small study in his ancestral home, the Coffin House.

Later Life and Death

Joshua Coffin was married twice and had five children. He passed away on June 24, 1864, in Newbury, Massachusetts. He is buried at the Newbury First Parish Burying Ground.