The life of Elijah Coffin; with a reminiscence

Introduction

It is proper to remark that the following memoir has "been committed to the press, in accordance with the wishes of Elijah Coffin's immediate family, tja-at each one of its members might have in their own possession, the record penned by the hand of a tenderly, affectionate and beloved husband and father.

There is but little of editoral matter inserted into the Journal, excepting explanatory notes. The work of the compiler has chiefly been to arrange the material, and gather up such portions of information as furnish the interesting particulars of the life of the subject, and which in the minds of those who were the recipients of his tender sympathy and affection, can not fail to awaken pleasant recollections.

The present volume begins with a sketch of the early life of Elijah Coffin written from his own recollections and included in the autobiography, which is followed by the extracts from his diary, and the whole are submitted precisely as he left them without abridgment. It would be a, great source of gratification to his survivors, had his memoranda began at an earlier date, giving a recital of the various incidents of his life throughout . the period of youth and early manhood, but in the examination of his journal and papers, it is found that he was not in the practice of keeping a daily record, previous to the fiftieth year of his age.

It will be observed that but few extracts are introduced from his large private correspondence which he maintained many years with valued friends, both in England and America. It would undoubtedly prove both interesting and instructive, to have had selections from his letters inserted in the following pages, but no copies having been preserved with his private papers, excepting those relative to business, or on important subjects, it was deemed best, in preparing the present volume, to omit to group together the widely scattered material, which might be obtained from numerous sources, as it probably would not present any new fea-

IV INTRODUCTION.

tares in his Christian character, and would swell the volume to a larger size than is intended. ^

The publications of Elijah Coffin, to which frequent allusion is made in the following pages, are before the public, and have met with much acceptance ; many testimonies having been already rendered to their value and usefulness.

His memoranda are chiefly the events of the day, or recital of domestic incidents, portraying his domestic feelings, which, perhaps, possess but little of interest to others than his own family. They are occasionally interwoven by an expression of his sentiments on the various matters which came under his observation, together with the religious state of his mind; and as a whole give ample evidence of the purity of the life of one who lived in accordance with the Apostle Paul's injunction to the saints, "That they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate ; laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

Cincinnati, Eleventh-month 1862. M. C. J.

OOISTTEISTTS.

Chapter I

Early Life — Revolutionary War — Visit to the West — Marriage — Removal to Indiana 9

CHAPTER IT.

Journal — Visits to Monthly Meetings — First- day Schools — Visit to .Baltimore — Cholera — Indiana Yearly Meeting , 23

Chapter VI

Passage of Nebraska Bill — Journey to Eastern Cities — Yearly Meeting at Newport, R. I. — Return Home — Indiana Yearly Meeting — Visit to the West— N. C. Hoag and Wm. Hobbs — Prayer — Visit to

North Carolina 117

\ CHAPTER Vir.

Return Home — Religious Exercises — Indiana Yearly Meeting — War in Kansas.... 142

VI CONTENTS.

Chapter VIII

Indiana Bible Association of Friends— New Year — Visit to Kansas — Western Yearly Meeting — Indiana Yearly Meeting 154

Chapter IX

Reading Circles — Death of John Allen — Western and Indiana Yearly Meetings — Sabbath Schools — Visit to Washington and Eastern Cities — New York and New England Yearly Meetings — Journey to Iowa — Indiana Yearly Meeting — Visit to North Carolina Yearly Meeting... 172

Chapter X

Visit to North Carolina, Continued — Mammoth Cave — Secession of South Carolina — Capture of Fort Sumpter — Visit to Kansas — Shawnee Mission — Close of Journal — Memoranda — Visit to the Sea Shore — Declining Health — Indiana Yearly Meeting — Sabbath School Conference at Cincinnati — Conclusion 227

CHAPTER XI. Last Days and Decease 264

REMINISCENCES.

LIFE OF ELIJAH COFFIN.

Chapter I

Early Life — Revolutionary War — Visit to the West — Marriage — Removal

to Indiana.

The following brief sketch of the birth, parentage and early life of Elijah Coffin, is taken from his Autobiography, written from his own recollections :

It is an interesting exercise to recur to the scenes and actions of one's past life, and to those of individuals with whom we have been intimately connected, and who may have been instrumental for good or for evil, in directing the course of our conduct, and of forming and establishing our future character. Such a review is interesting, because we may see in our past conduct and conversation many things to condemn, and for which we sincerely repent, with a prayer that the best help may be afforded by the mercy and free grace of G-od through our Lord Jesus Christ, to reform and amend, to cease to do evil, and to learn to do well j also, that we may take courage from the peace and enjoyment which have flowed into our minds, and the blessings which, in various ways, may have attended us, from withstanding temptations, and performing the things required of us.

From the experience of years, a good lesson of instruction may be drawn, which, if heeded, might be greatly valuable to the young.

Moved by these considerations, the following sketch of my dear and honored parents, and of my early life, is penned.

My father, Bethuel Coffin, son of William and Priscilla Coffin, was born on the island of Nantucket, on the 6th day of the Second- 2 (9)

month, 1756. My mother's name was Hannah Dicks, daughter of Nathan and Mary Dicks, and she was born in the neighborhood of New Garden, in North Carolina, on the 16th day of the Sixth-month, 1757.

My grandfather, William Coffin, was son of Samuel and Miriam Coffin ; and my grandmother Coffin's maiden name was Paddock. Samuel Coffin was son of John and Deborah Coffin, and married Miriam Gardner. John Coffin was son of Tristram Coffin, and married Deborah Austin. Tristram Coffin came to the island of Nantucket in the year 1660, from Salisbury, in Massachusetts.

The island of Nantucket being small, and its soil not very productive, a large number of people could not be supported thereupon ; and to procure a livelihood a considerable proportion of the males went to sea, by which they became acquainted with a maritime life, and many of them brave, enterprising seamen. The whale fishery was pursued for the profits it afforded ; and the talents and enterprise of the Nantucket men, enabled them to pursue it to advantage, insomuch that that branch of business was carried on more extensively, I believe, from that place, for a considerable time, than any other upon this continent.

My father went to sea two voyages (the vessel being in pursuit of whales), when quite young; one of them into the Gulf of the St. Lawrence, and the other along the Labrador shore, and into Davis' Straits, as far north as latitude 62° 10'. I well remember to have heard him say that the sun was out of sight in the latter place ; in the summer, only about four hours in the twenty-four, viz. : from ten o'clock P. M. to two o'clock a. m., and that upon the deck of the ship, the twilight was sufficient to enable them to read at midnight. After these voyages, he served a while in an apprenticeship to the business of boat-building.

The population of the island still increasing, many of the citizens turned their attention to other parts, and were induced to remove and settle elsewhere, with a view to better their condition as to providing for their children, etc. Awhile before the Revolutionary War, a considerable colony of Friends removed and settled at New Garden, in Guilford county, North Carolina, which was then a newly-settled country. My grandfather Coffin was one of the number that thus removed. His removal took place, I believe, in the year 1773. He had ten children, eight sons and two daughters ;

but some of them being grown up and married did not remove at first, but afterward. My father was then about seventeen years old.

My father's marriage took place on the 1st day of the Fifth-month, 1776, in the twenty-first year of his age, with Hannah Dicks, and they settled in the same neighborhood.

The Revolutionary War was then in progress, and it was not long after this until the citizens of that part of the country felt, in various ways, the cruelty and horrors of such a conflict. The force and efficiency of the colonial laws, which had, of course, been sustained by the power of the British government, were weakened and abated, and rendered almost inoperative for the suppression and punishment of some sorts of crimes. The asperity and hatred which existed between two parties called Whigs and Tories, the first of which were the revolutionists, and the last the loyalists, to the British sovereign, may be named as two of the principal causes which gave latitude to many outrages and murders ; and the general unsettlement which existed in political affairs was taken advantage of by ruffians and robbers, who committed many depredations.

When the armies came into the country, families also frequently suffered by the depredations of some of the soldiery. I remember to have heard my father relate the following incident: He and my mother were awakened one night by a knocking at the door, whereupon he, rising, opened the door, when two men, armed and in the habit of soldiers, entered. I believe father and mother had then their second child, and the youngest was in bed with them, and mother was a witness to what passed. Father invited the soldiers (for such they appeared to be) to the fire, and kindly offered them seats; at the same time opening the fire, and desiring them to warm themselves. Very soon he stepped out after more wood, which one of the men observing, followed him. My father had taken up the wood, and was about returning, when he observed the soldier after him. The soldier ordered him to stop, or he would " blow a ball through him," but my father went quietly forward without appearing to regard his command, and was suffered to enter into the house without the execution of the threat. He laid the wood upon Jthe fire, and treated the men kindly. After staying awhile, without seeming to be able to execute their designs, they departed without doing any mischief, but went to the house of a neighbor and committed robbery. I believe my dear father ever looked upon his preservation and protection from evil, as a kind interposition of Divine Providence in his favor. At another time, a soldier stole and carried off some of my mother's clothing, which she afterward recovered through the officers of his company.

The battle of Guilford occurred in the Third-month, 1781, near Martinsville, which at that time and for a considerable time afterward, was the county seat. The action was commenced between scouting or advance parties, about the Cross-Roads, a little to the north of New Garden meeting-house, about five miles west of Martinsville, and several were killed and some wounded there. The main engagement was three or more miles eastward of this, and about one mile west of Martinsville. My father's residence was two or three miles from the battle-ground. The incessant cracking of the musketry and roar of the cannons, were therefore plainly heard by the family. It has been uniformly spoken of, as a day of great solemnity and awfulness. A hired man in my father's family was recognized by some soldiers as a deserter, and forced off into the army, and returned to my father's no more. During the progress of the battle, a soldier came in great haste to my mother at the dwelling, having two of his fingers shot off and bleeding, which she kindly dressed for him as well as she could, and he then hastened back to the conflict. My father went to the ground on the next morning, and was an eye-witness of the dreadful carnage of the day before, and rendered some assistance in burying the dead bodies which were lying upon the ground. A house near the Cross-Koads was made a hospital for the wounded, and New Garden meeting-house another. The neighbors went frequently and assisted in nursing the wounded, many of whom died of their wounds ; and those who died at the meeting-house were interred in the grave-yard there. I well remember a large grave, crosswise, in which it was said five were laid.

After the battle of Guilford, the scenes of turmoil and war in that part gradually passed away, and quietness ensued; and the order of law was soon established and the independent government of the State, peace being concluded in 1783.

My father and mother now had an increasing family. The following are the names of my brothers and sisters, with the dates of their births annexed ; also the names of the persons they married ;

Nathan, born Fifth-mo. 2, 1778, lived but a short time.

Elisha, " Eleventh-mo. 27, 1779, married Maja M'Cuistion.

Zacharias, " Fourth-mo. 5, 1782, " Phebe Starbuck.

Paul, « Third-mo. 23, 1784, « Elizb. W. Moody.

Kebekah, " Second-mo. 27, 1786, " Robert White.

Hannah, " Fifth-mo. 15, 1788, " Thomas Symons.

Mary, " Eleventh-mo. 18, 1792, " Micah Newby.

Bethuel, " Eighth-mo. 20, 1795, died Seventh-mo. 2, 1799.

Elijah, " Eleventh-mo. 17, 1798, married Naomi Hiatt.

It had been my grandfather Coffin's prospect, that his youngest son, my uncle Abijah, should remain witb him upon the farm at New Garden, owned and occupied by the former, and minister to his wants in his declining years. But my uncle being taken away by death, arrangements were afterward made for my father and his family to remove to the premises, and occupy one part of the dwelling, which had been prepared for two families, and become the care-takers of my grandfather and grandmother in their old age. I can not tell in what year this removal took place, as it was before my remembrance ; yet, after I was born, so I conclude it might be about the year 1800.

Farming had been my father's business, by which he had obtained a support for his family ; but in addition to this, which he still carried on, I remember that he entered upon two other enterprises. One was merchandise, which he pursued for a few years, while he could have the use of some capital belonging to my grandfather, which was called in after the decease of the latter. Another was the building of a small grist-mill, on a little stream which passed through his farm, which was a convenience to the neighborhood for awhile, but not being profitable, was suffered to go down.

My grandmother, Priscilla Coffin, died, I think, in 1803; and my grandfather, William Coffin, soon after, in the same year, or in the forepart of the next year. He was born in Nantucket, in 1720, and was about eighty-three years of age when he died. She was born in 1722, and was about eighty-one at her death. They were both valuable elders in the religious Society of Friends, and were highly esteemed and honored as useful and leading members m society and in the community. Being solid, religious^ venerable persons, of good and weighty judgment, they were placed to occupy the head of the meeting at New Garden, for a considerable time, in the latter part of their lives. And having finished their course, they were gathered to their fathers in a good old age.

As before mentioned, they had a large family of children, whose names are as follows, all born at Nantucket :

Deborah married Gardner, Micajah Terrell. First marriage at Nantucket, second in North Carolina.

William married Esther Hunt, Elizabeth Vestal. Married in North Carolina, settled in New Garden.

Samuel married Mary Duana, Mary Macy. Settled in North Carolina.

Barnabas married Phebe Marshall. Settled in North Carolina.

Matthew married Hannah Mendenhall, Hannah Macy. Settled in North Carolina. Both marriages there.

Bethuel married Hannah Dicks, Catharine Macy. Settled in North Carolina.

Levi married Prudence Williams. Settled in North Carolina.

Abijah married Elizabeth Robinson. Neither lived long.

Priscilla married Asa Hunt. Died soon after.

My father was left in the sole occupancy of a large farm ? with his little stock of merchandise and a mill to manage. Bufe a division of my grandfather's effects among the heirs now became proper. He, therefore, brought his store to a close, and, after a few years, sold off a part of the land, including the ancient residence and large orchard of apple trees; and, after a full adjustment was made, settled in a dwelling-house which had been built by my oldest brother, on another part of the land. To this he removed with his family, Seventh-month 25, 1810, in my twelfth year. I can well remember that at this time my mind was much interested in the affairs of the family.

My grandfather's and my father's house had long been a place of resort and entertainment of many Friends who came to the neighborhood, either to attend religious meetings or as travelers for the promotion of the Truth. I think my oldest brothers and sisters well remember some interesting and instructive opportunities which occurred during such visits.

I was in the practice of attending Friends' meetings at New

Garden, and my mind was frequently interested therein, particularly in the Yearly Meeting. I can remember how my heart was reached and affected, while quite a hoy, by the touching and powerful ministry of Friends who published the gospel. My uncle Barnabas was clerk to the Yearly Meeting for a considerable time.

In 1811, my sister Hannah was married to Thomas Symons, and they removed to Indiana to settle. My brother Paul was also married not far from this time ; my brothers Zacharias and Elisha and sister Rebecca had been married before; so that now there were none but my sister Mary and myself left at home with our parents.

My dear parents were very kind and indulgent to me, and brought me up to industry and application to our business of farming, by which I was disciplined in mind to a diligent attention to lawful and proper business ; yet I was permitted to have a great deal of liberty in my associations with others ; and was frequently in company which, at that age of vivacity and youthful activity, was hurtful to me, and the injurious effects of which were not soon eradicated. I well remember that after giving up to spend the afternoon of a First-day, in play and recreation with my cousins and others, a sad night of bitterness followed ; and yet such was my desire after such company, that I frequently fell into error of this kind, by giving way to the levity of my disposition, and to too much light conduct and conversation.

I can well remember also that the company and conversation of many persons of mature age, with whom I frequently associated in the work of our farm, was far from being profitable or exemplary; so that my mind was employed on subjects of an injurious tendency. I have now to be thankful to the great and good Preserver that I was kept out of any great sin, or from the commission of any crime very disreputable or scandalous ; and although I remember, with sorrow and shame, many froward and perverse things in my behavior, yet I was considered, by some who knew me, as a pretty good boy. My dear father did much to instruct me as to obedience to the Spirit of Divine Grace upon my mind as my rule and guide, and was well pleased with my ready advancement in learning, when opportunity offered for me to go to school. But our schools were then far short of being what they are at present, in regard to the facilities and qualifications of teachers, etc. ;

and as my services were much needed at home, my opportunities of school were limited.

The turn of my father's mind was decidedly pious; and I believe it afforded much pleasure to him, and to my dear mother, who was a very orderly woman, to witness what was pious and orderly in their children. Their attendance of religious meetings was very regular, and we were encouraged to go also. I believe they both desired to encourage us, by precept and example, in the ways of righteousness. My father was upright and honorable in his dealing; careful to comply with his contracts; to give good weight and measure ; and not to involve himself in business beyond his ability to manage. He took an active part in the proceedings of our religious society, and appeared to be much interested in the company and society of religious persons.

From the year 1811 to 1814 or '15, our country was at war with England, many incidents of which I well remember ; particularly do I remember the general public rejoicing which took place when peace was made.

In 1816, our friend Jeremiah Hubbard was employed as teacher, to occupy a school-house which had been newly built at New Garden. I had become acquainted with him, having attended his school at Deep River a few weeks previously to his coming to New Garden ; and now I was employed, for a short time, as assistant teacher in his school.

During this service, I was seized with a violent sickness, which, for awhile, threatened to terminate my life. After a protracted season of excruciating suffering at one time, caused by the disease and medicines, I lost all consciousness of my being. I remember to have awakened, as it were, from this condition, finding my father and mother gently bathing my extremities with vinegar, which refreshed me ; and I shall never forget the kind and tender softness with which they administered the soothing hand, all in silence. My feelings of mind were extraordinary. I felt as innocent and sweet as a child, and happy as a person free from every impurity and every uneasiness. These sweet feelings were entirely free from any excitement ; and whether they were allowed me on account of my real condition, or whether they were graciously afforded to give me a foretaste of that Happy condition in which those find themselves who stand in perfect acceptance in the Divine sight, I am not now about to say. But it seems to me yet, on •thinking of it, that my feeling of peace and innocency was complete. I had no more pain or bodily suffering on account of that sickness, but gradually recovered usual health. My heart is tender. and the tear starts in my eye now, as that happy scene is brought before me.

This year may be noted as about the time when the first acquaintance and intimacy between me and Naomi Hiatt, the daughter of Benajah and Elizabeth Hiatt, first took rise; and that intimacy of feeling was never broken off, but continued until our marriage, in 1820."

.- I was employed, I think, in the fall of 1817, to teach a school, which was my first effort in that business. The school was lively, and quite large enough as to numbers, and appeared to give satisfaction.

In the spring of 1818, I undertook a school at New Garden for three months, which was prosecuted until near the close of the time, when, having an opportunity of the company of my friend Samuel Nixon, I set off with him on a journey to the western country, with the approbation of my father, having in view my own improvement and the prospect in future of emigration. We traveled together, passing through the western part of North Carolina and a part of Virginia, across the mountains, through Tennessee, Kentucky, into Indiana, crossing the Ohio at New Albany. We stopped a few days among relations and acquaintances near Salem, and I then proceeded to Whitewater alone, and Samuel Nixon came on soon afterward.

I spent a few weeks with my brother and sister Syrnons, who resided near where Milford meeting-house now is, during which time various visiting and exploring excursions were made, which were interesting to me. One. not the least so, was a trip through the native wild woods, on our horses, about forty miles to the northwest, during which we fell in with the native Indians, and staid the night with an Indian woman in her hut, in a village of Delawares, on "White Kiver. We were out several days, and enjoyed good health. My friend Samuel Nixon and I remained together, and returned through the State of Ohio, by the way of Chillicothe and G-allipolis, where we crossed the Ohio Biver; thence up the Kanawha, by the salt works, and so on, up New Biver, until we fell into the same road upon the mountains upon which we had gone out. 1 was absent from home about three months, and returned in improved health, greatly interested with the journey. After which I again engaged in teaching school at New Garden.

On the 2d day of the Second-month, 1820, I was joined in marriage. This engagement was felt by us to be truly a solemn one ; and I may believe was entered into with solemn and prayerful feelings by both of us. After many years of experience, thought and observation, I am fully persuaded that marriage is a divine ordinance ; a state designed for man in the creation by the Creator himself, and, therefore, when rightly entered into, will contribute greatly to his comfort and happiness in this present life ; a state in which the parties, by obedience to duty, will be enabled to fulfill more perfectly the designs of their creation.

We settled upon a farm near New Garden meeting-house ; and I carried on the business of the farm, in a small way, and was at times also engaged in a school.

My dear and honored mother departed this life on the 10th day of the Tenth-month, 1820.

In the First-month, 1821, our first child was born. Below is a statement of our children:

Miriam Allinson, born First-month 9, 1821. Charles Fisher, born Fourth-month 3, 1823. William Hiatt, born Ninth-month 26, 1825.

Eliphalet, born Eighth-month 25, 1828; died Fifth-month 5, 1831.

Caroline Elizabeth, born Sixth-month 20, 1831. Mary, born Seventh-month 15, 1834.

Hannah Amelia, born First-month 16, 1838.

In the fall of 1822., I was appointed clerk of the Yearly Meeting of Friends in North Carolina, and my friend Zimri Stuart was appointed assistant. On looking back, it now excites my wonder that two persons so young, and, as to myself, so much wanting in religious experience, should have been put into a station of so much importance. We were both ready writers, and quick and active minded, and I may believe well intended for good ; and I also believe and have no doubt that we were helped and blessed by the Head of the Church, unworthy and inexperienced as I was, to do the service to a good degree of satisfaction to Friends.

I can now remember, with feelings of shame and sorrow, some instances of giving way to light conduct, inconsistent with my profession, and with the stations which I was called upon to fill, and unbecoming to that gravity, sobriety and weight which do belong to the true Christian character. It is probable that my weakness in that respect, was not extensively known among Friends ; and that some who did know something of it, were disposed to exercise much charity of feeling toward me.

I have ever esteemed highly Christian cheerfulness, and a pleasant friendly course of conduct among those with whom we associate ; and this is the more to be valued, as being the effect of true Christian love in our hearts toward our fellow-men. But at an early age, upon serious reflection, I was sensible of going too far in giving way to lightness in conduct and words, and had some concern to improve in this respect. The following verses were composed upon arriving at my twentieth year of age, Eleventh-mo. 17, 1818.

In looking back, 1 see that I

Have been remiss in many ways, I pray that I may hence apply

My heart more to virtue's sway.

The jovial scenes of fleeting things,

Light as the air, and vainer yet, Have carried hours upon their wings,

And days whose loss I now regret.

Through all the wanderings of my youth,

My mind has been to walk the way, To fear the Lord, and love the Truth,

And not with willful heart to stray.

My Saviour's love has followed through

And shown me, by his Spirit true, Compassion for my sins and faults,

And drawn my mind his grace to view.

The following are some reflections written in the fortyfourth year of his age, upon a review of the foregoing

verses :

1. I wish to commemorate God's mercy, through Jesus Christ, in the gift of his Son, for man's salvation; for there is no other name given under heaven, by which we can be saved; and through him, salvation is opened to all.