| | Name: | Tristram Jr Coffin  | | Born: | 1632-02-01 in Brixton, Devonshire, England | Died: | 1703-02-04 in Newbury, Essex, Massachusetts | Parents: | | Partnerships: | |
| Children: | | Professions: | | Residencies: | | Philo: | | Memberships: | | Comment: |
Made freeman 29 Apr 1668. When Tristram's father left Newbury,
Tristram Jr. stayed behind. He was very active in town and
church affairs holding a number of positions in town
government. In about 1654 Tristram erected the Coffin home on
what is now High Street in Newbury. This house, one of the
oldest still standing in North America, is now owned by the
Society for the Preservation of New England Antiquities. And
may be visited by the public. The Rev. Thomas Parker first
settled Newbury in 1635 with a group of about one hundred of
his followers. The church in Newbury was led by Rev. Parker for
many years and in the 1660's great controversy arose as to its
administration and religious practices. Two factions developed
in the town and Tristram, throughout was a supporter of Rev.
Parker, signing petitions and giving testimony throughout the
period. On May 14, 1654, Tristram signed petition in defense of
Robert Pike who was accused of 'intemperate zeal and seditious
speech'. On March 7, 1663, he was appointed a fence viewer. On
May 29, 1668 Tristram was admitted as freeman. In March of
1674, Tristram, among others was appointed to lay out six acres
to be used as pasture for the future ministry. This, apparently
led to him being appointed lot layer on September 21, 1677. In
the years, 1669, 1670, 1680, and 1681 he served as a selectman
of the town. Additionally, on September 29, 1681 he was
appointed by General Court as one of three commissioners of
small claims. On March 1, 1682 Tristram was appointed 'standing
way warden to see that evry inhabitant do their part on the hye
wayes' By the year 1683, Tristram was one of the largest sheep
owners in Newbury with a herd of 55. In 1686 he was a member of
the committee that partitioned the balance of the undivided
common lands in Newbury. On November 21, 1693, having
previously been made a Deacon of the church, Tristram, with the
other two deacons were chosen as standing overseers of the poor
in Newbury and he was made Treasurer for the Poor. In 1695,
Newbury, having grown substantially was divided into two
parishes, Tristram and two others were selected to make the
geographical division. This was the beginning of the parish
divisions which would result in the break off of Newburyport
seventy years later. Remaining active in church and town
affairs until the end, on October 18, 1700 Tristram was
appointed to a committee to procure a new bell for the First
Parish Meeting House. When Tristram died in 1704 a memorial
inscribed as follows was erected in the First Church burial
ground in Newbury: To the memory of Tristram Coffin, Esq., who
having served the first church of Newbury in the office of
Deacon 20 years died Feb, 1703-4 aged 72 years. 'On earth he
pur-chas-ed a good degree, Great boldness in the faith and
liberty, And now possesses immortality.'
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