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Any photos not otherwise credited are from the personal collection of Frank Passic, Albion Historian.
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Morning Star, January 10, 2025, pg. 7 One thing about being an historian is I that get to read some fascinating obituaries of the past. Obituaries nowadays are often "missing" information such as a burial site, full names of descendants, maiden names, etc., mostly because of modern-day security and privacy reasons. Occasionally however, I will come across an obituary that stands out from among the rest, which describes in detail a unique story about a persons life. Such is the case with the obituary of Thomas E. Coffin (1838-1899 Findagrave #10068794), who is buried in Riverside Cemetery in Albion, Block 93, Lot 7, Grave 1. He is one of only two Coffins buried in Riverside. I previously wrote about Thomas in the May 23, 2021 edition of this publication, and focused on his involvement in the Civil War (Each year in May I feature an Albion Civil War veteran in this column.). I had little information about his past history before the War. Upon recently reading the www.findagrave.com listing of his father, ship Captain Alexander Hall Coffin (1808-1854), I discovered some incredible information about Thomas and his family. Quoted there are excerpts from a 230-page book about Thomas Coffin entitled "The Captive Boy in Terra del Fuego," by Mrs. P. A. Hanaford (New York: Carlton & Porter, 1867; Editorial note, current spelling is "Tierra del Fuego"). The sub-title reads, "In Being an Authentic Narrative of the Loss of the Ship Manchester and the Adventure of the sole White Survivor." Mrs. Hanaford was a former school teacher of Thomas, who narrated his story to her. Go to Alexander Coffin's Findagrave listing (#274164215) to read excerpts from the book. This week I am reproducing his obituary from the Albion Recorder, November 23, 1899, pg. 4. to wet your appetite. Thomas Coffin's obituary reads in part as follows: "Thomas Edward Coffin was born June 16, 1838 on the Island of Nantucket. While in his 16th year he accompanied his father [Captain Alexander Hall Coffin] and mother [Eliza Worth Coffin 1812-1854 Findagrave #27481133] on a voyage, bound for San Francisco, California. On the 28th day of August, 1854, the ship the Manchester, was wrecked near Cape Horn [at the bottom of South America]. All on board were lost except the Captain, two seamen and the Captains son [Thomas] (the subject of this sketch). His mother went down with the ship." "His father some months later was murdered, in the presence of his son, by the native Fuegians. After many months of suffering, Thomas E. escaped on board a Chilian Brigg of War in the Straits of Magellan, and was eventually restored to his friends and the surviving members of the family." "He enlisted June 1861, as a private soldier in the 21st Regiment Illinois Volunteer Infantry. April 7, 1864, he married Laura A. Aldrich at Adrian, Michigan. In 1890 he came to Albion to educate his children. Here he spent the remaining nine years of his life, greatly enjoying for the greater part of these years the advantages of the religious, literary, and social life of Albion." Regarding his Civil War service, the 21st Regiment was from Arcola, Douglas County, Illinois. This outfit saw action in the Siege of Corinth, the Battles of Perryville, Stones River, Chickamauga, and others. One of the notable commanders of the 21st was Ulysses S. Grant. Thomas Coffin was discharged on May 23, 1863, and on June 30, 1863, was granted a pension as an invalid, having been wounded during the War. He moved to Lenawee County where his wife was from, and worked there as a carpenter. His obituary in the Recorder concludes, "Two years ago he suffered a slight stroke of paralysis. Since then, his decline has been rapid. Something over a year ago he lost the use of speech, though helpless and speechless, he was neither morose nor peevish. The native kindliness and sweetness of his disposition was ever clearly manifested. He especially clung to his wife who devoted all her time and strength to him. He peacefully fell asleep in Jesus early Monday morning, November 20, 1899, aged 61 years, 5 months, 4 days. The wife with five children survive to mourn his memory. One son, the youngest, Mell, passed to the Spirit world some nine years ago." From our Historical Notebook this week we present an elderly photograph of Thomas E. Coffin, and an illustration from the book "The Captive Boy in Terra del Fuega," page 110 showing Thomas "Escaping the Savages" as the caption reads. The entire book is available for reading online. I encourage our readers to access this book and read about Thomas Coffin's incredible experiences there at the bottom of South America when he was 16 years old.  Thomas E. Coffin (1838-1899)
 An illustration from the book "The Captive Boy in Terra del Fuega," page 110
All text copyright, 2025 © all rights reserved Frank Passic
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