COCHRAN, John, M. D., a physician, tion as a merchant at Boston, and his was born in 1730 in Chester county, large property and improvements in Penns. His father, a farmer, came from Braintree,and accompanied the emigrants, the north of Ireland. He studied physic who at that time left the colony. He rewith Dr. Thompson of Lancaster. In moved to Rhode Island April 26, 1638, the French war, which began in 1755, and was the principal instrument in effecthe served as surgeon's mate in the hospi- ing the original settlement of that place. tal department. At the close of the war His name stands first on the covenant, he settled in Albany, and married Ger- signed by eighteen persons at Aquetneck, trude Schuyler, the only sister of gen. or Rhode Island, March 7, 1638, forming Schuyler. But he soon removed to New themselves into a body politic, to be govBrunswick. April 10, 1777, on the re- erned by the laws of the Lord Jesus commendation of Washington, he was Christ, the King of kings. It was soon appointed physician and surgeon general found necessary to have something more in the middle department; and in Oct. definite. Mr. Coddington was appointed 1781 director general of the hospitals of judge, and three elders were joined with the U. S. After the peace he removed to him. These were directed by a vote of New York, where Washington nomina- the freemen, Jan: 2, 1639, to be governed ted him the commissioner of loans. He by the general rules of the word of God, died at Palatine, Montgomery county, when no particular rule was known. But April 6, 1807, aged 76. The impressions this plan was changed March 12, 1640, in early life derived from a religious fa- when a governor, lieutenant governor, ther were never obliterated.-Thacher's and four assistants were appointed. med. biog.

CODDINGTON, William, the father of Rhode Island, was a native of Lincolnshire, England. He came to this country as an assistant, or one of the magistrates of Mass., and arrived at Salem in the Arbella June 12, 1630. He was several times rechosen to that office; but in 1637, when governor Vane, to whose interests he was attached, was superseded by Mr. Winthrop, he also was left out of the magistracy. The freemen of Boston, however, the next day chose him and Mr. Vane their deputies to the court. Mr. Coddington expressed his dissatisfaction in losing the office, which he had sustained, by sitting with the deacons at public worship, instead of placing himself as usual in the magistrates' seat, and by going to mount Wollaston on the day of the general fast to hear Mr. Wheelright. When the religious contentions ran high in 1637, he defended Mrs. Hutchinson at her trial in opposition to governor Winthrop and the ministers; he opposed the proceedings of the court against Mr. Wheelwright and others; and when he found, that his exertions were unavailing, he relinquished his advantageous situa

Mr. Coddington was chosen governor seven years successively, until the charter was obtained, and the island was incorporated with Providence plantations. In 1647 he assisted in forming the body of laws, which has been the basis of the government of Rhode Island ever since. The next year, May 16, 1648, he was elected governor; but he declined the office on account of a controversy, in which he was engaged, respecting some lands. In Sept. he made an unsuccessful attempt to procure the reception of Rhode Island into the confederacy of the united colonies. In 1651 he went to England and was commissioned governor of Aquet neck island, separate from the rest of the colony; but as the people were jealous, lest his commission should affect their laws and liberties, he resigned it. He now retired from public business; but towards the close of his life he was prevailed on to accept the chief magistracy. He was governor in the years 1674 and 1675. He died Nov. 1,1678, aged 77.

He appears to have been prudent in his administration, and active in promoting the welfare of the little commonwealth, which he had assisted in founding. While

He published a

he lived in Rhode Island, he embraced Jan. 1829, aged 59.
the sentiments of the quakers. He was
a warm advocate for liberty of con-
science. A letter, which he wrote in
1674 to the governor of New England,
is preserved in Besse's sufferings of the
quakers, 11. 265-270.-Dedic. of Cal-
lender's hist. disc.; Holmes; Winthrop;
Hutchinson, 1, 18,.

treatise on cold and warm bathing, 12mo.
1818; on medical education, 1822.

COFFIN, Robert S., a poet, was the son of Ebenezer Coffin, minister of Brunswick, Maine, and born about the year 1797. As his father soon removed to Newburyport, he was there apprenticed to a printer. He began to indite poetry at an early age. In the late war he was a sailor, and found himself a prisoner on board a British frigate. After the war he pursued his business as a printer at Boston, New York, and Philadelphia, sending forth also occasional pieces of poetry under the name of "the Boston Bard." In March 1826 he was

CODMAN, John, a member of the senate of Mass., died in Boston May 17, 1803, aged 48. He filled the public stations, in which he was placed, with integrity and honor. As a merchant, he sustained a character of the first respectability. Endeared to his friends by a natural disposition, which rendered him warm in his attachments, he also pos- in New York, in sickness and poverty, sessed, by the gift of divine grace, a principle of benevolence, which drew upon him the blessings of the poor. In his last moments, more anxious for the safety of others than for his own, he resigned himself to death with the fortitude, calmness, and triumph, becoming the religion which he professed.-N. Y. herald, May 25, 1803.

COFFIN, Nathaniel, M.D., a physician in Portland, was the son of Dr. Nathaniel Coffin, who came from Newburyport to Portland in 1738 and died of the palsy in Jan. 1766, aged 50, and a descendant of Tristram Coffin, who came to this country in 1642 and after living at Newbury died at Nantucket in 1681. He was born May 3, 1744. His medical studies were completed in the hospitals of London. His long life of professional services was spent in Portland, where he died Oct. 18, 1826, aged 82, By his wife, the daughter of Isaac Foster of Charlestown, he had 11 children. He was the first president of the Maine medical society. As a surgeon he was particularly skilful and eminent. As to his religion, he united 40 years before his death in the unitarian faith of Dr. Freeman of Boston, and was afterwards a member of the church of the first parish in Portland. Thacher's med. biog.

COFFIN, John Gorham, M. D., a physician in Boston, died at Brookfield in

and with the wretchedness of self re-
proach for his misconduct. He had been
in habits of intemperance. Some benev-
olent ladies and others assisted him to re-
turn to his destitute, widowed mother and
sister in Massachusetts. In Boston some
sympathy was awakened by his distresses.
After many months of extreme suffering
he died at Rowley May 7, 1827, aged
about 30, and was buried at Newbury
Old Town,as the place is contradictiously
called by the inhabitants. He was bu
ried by the side of his father, whose ex-
ample unhappily was of no benefit to the
son. His poetical pieces were collected
and published in a volume in 1826.
last production breathed the wish, that
he might die the death of the righteous.—
Spec. Amer. Poet. 11. 159.

His

COGGESHALL, John, first president of Rhode Island, was a representative of Boston in the first court in May 1634, & in various courts afterwards. His name was written Coxeall. Being exiled from Mass. in March 1638 he joined his companions in persecution at Rhode Island, and was chosen governor in 1647. Jer. Clarke succeeded him the next year. His descendants remain to the present day.-Savage's Winthrop, 1. 130.

COGSWELL, James, D. D., minister of Windham,Con., was born in Saybrook, Jan. 6, 1720. In his childhood his parents removed to Lebanon, where they

In

remained, till in their old age, he with
filial affection took them to his own house.
He was graduated at Yale college in
1742, and while a member of that institu-
tion at the time of the general revival of
religion through America, he became ex-
perimentally acquainted with the truth as
it is in Jesus. Forming the resolution
to devote his life to the service of the
Redeemer, he was ordained in 1744 pastor
of the first church in Canterbury.
1771 he was removed from this charge.
But early in the following year he was in-
stalled minister of Scotland, a parish in
the town of Windham, where he contin-
ued until Dec. 1804. The infirmities of
age now rendering him
public service, he found
the remainder of his
family of his son, Dr.
Cogswell of Hartford.
ty was now repaid him.
1807, aged 87 years.

incapable of a retreat for life in the Mason Fitch His own filial pieHe died Jan. 2, He was in early

life distinguished for his learning, and he retained it in his old age. His temper was cheerful and social, and benevolence shone in his countenance. Under heavy afflictions he was submissive, adoring the sovereignty of God. His preaching was generally plain and practical, addressed to the understandings and consciences of his hearers. On the great doctrines of the gospel, which he inculcated, he built his own hope of a blessed immortality. He published a sermón preached at the funeral of Solomon Williams, 1776, sec.edit. 1806.Panoplist, II. 581-583; Piscataqua evang. mag. III. 196.

COKE, Thomas, LL.D, a methodist bishop in the U. S., was born in Wales in 1747, and educated at Oxford. At the university he was a deist. He afterwards was a curate in Somersetshire. By reading Witherspoon on regeneration he was convinced, that he needed a new heart. His first interview with Mr. Wesley was in 1776; he became his assistant in 1780. In Sept. 1784 he sailed for New York, and communicated in America the new plan of government and discipline, which Mr. W. had drawn, and which still binds the great body of Methodists. In 1786 he established missions in the West Indies. In the subsequent year he repeatedly visited the U. S.; for the last time in 1804. He sailed for Ceylon with six preachers Dec. 31, 1913, but died suddenly on his passsge May 3, 1814, aged 66 years,being in the morning found dead in his cabin. On his passage he wrote several sermons in Portuguese, that his

COGSWELL, Mason Fitch, M. D., a physician, was graduated at Yale college in 1780, and, after studying physic, settled at Hartford. In 1812 he was chosen president of the Connecticut medical society, and held the office ten years. He died Dec. 1850, aged 69. As a physician he was distinguished, and as a surgeon he had few equals. Dr. Cogswell first formed the design of an establishment for the education of the deaf & dumb in this country.usefulness might be increased in Asia. His sympathy for them had been awakened by the unfortunate condition of his own daughter. The Asylum for the

His pious zeal may well shame the slothfulness of christians, if such they can be called; who do nothing for the diffusion

of the gospel in the world. He published in his patent is called Coldingham, or a hist. of the West Indies; a commentary Coldenham, he retired with his family on the scriptures.-Chr. Visitant. about the year 1755. There he underCOLDEN, Cadwallader, a physician, took to clear and cultivate a small part of botanist, and astronomer, was the son of the tract as a farm, and his attention was Rev. Alex. Colden of Dunse in Scotland, divided between agricultural and philoand was born Feb. 17, 1688. After hav-sophical pursuits, and the duties of his ing received a liberal education under the office of surveyor general, The spot, immediate inspection of his father, he went which he had selected for his retirement, to the university of Edinburgh, where, in was entirely inland, and the grounds 1705, he completed his course of academi- were rough. At the time, he chose cal studies. He then applied himself to it for a residence, it was solitary, uncultimedicine, and mathematics, and was emi-vated, and the country around it absonently distinguished by his-proficiency in lutely a wilderness, without roads, or both. Allured by the fame of William with such only, as were almost impassaPenn's colony, he came over to this coun- ble. It was besides frontier to the Intry about the year 1708; and, having dians, who committed frequent barbaripractised physic for some years with con- ties. Yet no entreaties of his friends, siderable reputation, he returned to Eng- when they thought him in danger from land, which he found greatly distracted in his savage neighbors, could entice him consequence of the troubles of 1715. from his favorite home. He chose rather While in London he was introduced to Dr. to guard and fortify his house; and amidst 'Halley, who was so well pleased with a dangers, which would have disturbed the paper on animal secretions, written in minds of most men, he appears to have that early part of Mr. Colden's life, that been occupied without any interruption he read it before the royal society, the no- in the pursuit of knowledge. tice of which it greatly attracted. At this time he formed an acquaintance with some of the most distinguished literary characters of England, with whom he afterwards corresponded, giving them curious and useful intelligence respecting a part of the world, then but little known. Governor Hunter of New York con-spicuous by the firmness of his conduct in ceived so favorable an opinion of Mr. Colden after a short acquaintance, that he became his warm friend, and offered his patronage, if he would remove to New York. In 1719 he therefore settled in that city. He was the first, who filled the office of surveyor general in the colo-George, which was then standing on batny. He received also the appointment of master in chancery. In 1720, on the arrival of governor Burnet, he was honored with a seat in the king's council of the province. He afterwards rose to the head of this board, and in that station succeeded to the administration of the govern-multitude, consisting of several thousand ment in 1760. He had previously ob- people, assembled under leaders, who tained a patent for a tract of land about were afterwards conspicuous revolutionanine miles from Newburgh on Hud- ry characters, and determined to make son's river; and to this place, which the lieutenant governor deliver up the.

In 1761 he was appointed lieutenant governor of New York, and he held this commission during the remainder of his life, being repeatedly at the head of the government in consequence of the death or absence of several governors. His political character was rendered very con

the violent commotions, which preceded, the late revolution. He possessed the supreme authority, when the paper, to be distributed in New York under the British stamp act, arrived; and it was put under his care in the fortification, called fort

tery point. The attempt of the British parliament to raise a revenue by taxing the colonies had, in every stage, excited a spirit of indignation and resentment, which had long before this risen above the control of government. At length a

aged 72.

to the climate, and left a long course of diurnal observations on the thermometer, barometer,and winds. He cultivated an acquaintance with the natives of the country,& often entertained his correspondents with observations on their customs and manners. He wrote also a history of the prevalent diseases of the climate; and if he was not the first to recommend the cooling regimen in the cure of fevers,

stamp paper to be destroyed. Mr. Colden Colden, died at Coldenham, March, 1826, had received intimation of their design, and prepared to defend with fidelity the Mr. Colden early began to notice the trust, which had devolved upon him. plants in America, classing and distinThe fort was surrounded, on the eve-guishing them according to the custom ning of Feb.15, 1766, by a vast concourse of botany, then in use. He was attentive of people, who threatened to massacre him and his adherents, if the paper was not delivered to them; and though the engineers within assured him that the place was untenable, and a terrified family implored him to regard his safety, he yet preserved a firmness of mind, and succeeded finally in securing the papers on board a British man of war, then in the port. The populace, in the mean time, unwilling to proceed to extremities, grat- he was one of its earliest and warmified their resentment by burning his effi- est advocates, and he opposed with gy, and destroying his carriages under great earnestness the shutting up in warm his view. His administration is rendered and confined rooms of patients in the memorable, amongst other things,by sev- small pox. Though he quitted the praceral charters of incorporation for useful tice of medicine at an early day; yet he and benevolent purposes. The corpora- never lost sight of his favorite study,being tion for the relief of distressed seamen, ever ready to give his assistance, to his called the marine society; that of the neighborhood, and to those, who, from chamber of commerce; and one for the his reputation for knowledge and experelief of widows and children of clergymen rience, applied to him from more distant will transmit his name with honor to pos- quarters. His principal attention, after terity. After the return of Mr. Tryon, the year 1760, was directed from philothe governor, in 1775, he was relieved sophical to political matters; yet he mainfrom the cares of government. He then tained with great punctuality his literary retired to a seat on Long Island, where a correspondence, particularly with Linnærecollection of his former studies and a us, Gronovius of Leyden,,Dr. Pottersfield few select friends, ever welcomed by a and Dr. Whittle of Edinburgh, and Mr. social and hospitable disposition, cheered Peter Collinson, who was a most useful him in his last days. He died Sept. 28, and affectionate friend, and to whom Mr. 1776, aged 88, a few hours before New Colden, though he never saw him, owed York was wrapped in flames, which laid an introduction to many of the most disnear one fourth part of the city in ashes. tinguished literary characters of Europe, He complained neither of pain of body nor He was the correspondent of Dr. Frankanguish of mind, except on account of the lin, and they regularly communicated to political troubles, which he had long pre- each other their philosophical & physical dicted, and which he then saw over-discoveries, particularly on electricity, whelming the country. His wife, Alice which at that time began to excite the atChristie, daughter of the minister of tention of philosophers. In their letters Kelso in Scotland, died in 1762. His are to be observed the first dawnings of son, Alexander, who succeeded him as many of those discoveries, which Dr. surveyor general and was also postmaster, Franklin has communicated to the world, died Dec.1774, aged 58. His son, David, and which have excited so much astonishalso surveyor general, a physician and ment, and contributed so much to human man of letters, died in England July happiness. . Of the American philosophi1784, aged 51. His grandson, Thomas cal society he first suggested the plan. It