Wasn't he of the famous Coffin family from Nantucket? Along with the Folger family who went on to become coffee magnates (makes me wonder about Starbucks since the Starbuck family was also one of the founding families of Nantucket and Ben Franklin was descended from the Folgers, I believe).

The incident that served as a model for Moby Dick, was that of the Essex when it was rammed by a whale. The vessel sank and the survivors floated in whaleboats for weeks until they were starving. They drew lots to see who would be cannibalized in order to save the others. The lucky guy was Owen Coffin, the captain's nephew. He was only 15 and the captain offered to take his place but Owen said no. He had drawn the short straw and was willing to die to save the others. So they shot him in the head and ate him and were rescued a short time later. No charges were every filed against any of the men because it was an acceptable emergency practice in Nantucket. But Owen's mother never again looked at nor spoke to the captain. Owen Coffin was also the name Felix Papalardi dedicated "Nantucket Sleighride" to.

On Nantucket today are all kinds of plaques commemorating the this or that Coffin or the Coffin School or whatever. Quite a family.