History · 1066–Present

960 Years of Movement

From Hastings to New England. The documented movement of our families across two continents, from the Norman Conquest to the present day.

1066

Portledge, Devon, England

The Coffin Family

The Coffin family holds land at the time of the Norman Conquest. Battle of Hastings.

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~1200–1600

Portledge, Devon

14 Generations of Coffins

Continuous documented residence at Portledge Manor. Over 400 years at one estate.

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1605

Brixton, Devon, England

Tristram Coffin

Born in Brixton, Devon. The man who would purchase Nantucket.

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1609

Brixham, Devon, England

Tristram Coffin

Alternate birthplace record. South Devon fishing port.

1620

Plymouth, Massachusetts

Four Mayflower Ancestors

Mayflower arrives. Degory Priest, Richard Warren, Francis Cooke, George Soule aboard.

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1627

Sandwich, Massachusetts

William Swift I

First Swift in America. His descendants settle Falmouth and serve in every war through WWII.

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1640

Malden/Woburn, Massachusetts

James Green

Settles north of Boston. Ancestor for Society of the Cincinnati claim. PID LTVK-5Z4.

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1642

Salisbury, Massachusetts

Tristram Coffin

Arrives from England. Operates a ferry across the Merrimack River and runs a tavern.

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~1645

Newbury, Massachusetts

Tristram Coffin

Moves south. Still looking for the right opportunity.

~1650

Haverhill, Massachusetts

Tristram Coffin

Moves again. Restless organizer. The right opportunity is thirty miles offshore.

1659

Nantucket Island

Tristram Coffin

Purchases the island for 30 pounds and two beaver hats. Nine original purchasers settle.

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1676

Nantucket

Nantucket Families

Shore whaling begins at Quidnet and Siasconset. The Wampanoag teach the settlers.

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1706

Boston, Massachusetts

Benjamin Franklin

Born to Abiah Folger of Nantucket. First cousin 11x removed. Future $100 bill.

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1712

Nantucket

Christopher Hussey

Kills the first sperm whale. Deep-ocean whaling begins. The island that lit the world.

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~1745

Falmouth, Massachusetts

Solomon Swift

Born in Falmouth. Revolutionary War service confirmed. SAR eligible.

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1775

Boston / Charlestown

William Green / John Coffin

Liberty Tree cut down. Battle of Bunker Hill: Green wounded, Coffin lands British troops.

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1777–1781

Saratoga → Yorktown

Capt. Francis Green

Serves with Vose’s 1st Massachusetts through Saratoga, Valley Forge, Monmouth, Newport, Yorktown.

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1793

Nantucket

Lucretia Coffin Mott

Born on Nantucket. Father: Coffin. Mother: Folger. Future $10 bill.

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~1836

Falmouth, Massachusetts

Leroy E. Swift

Born in Falmouth. Future Navy Captain, Civil War. Portrait survives in daguerreotype case.

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1839

Fall River, Massachusetts

Richmond C. Winter

Born in Fall River. Died New Bedford, 1912. The vital data card that anchors the photo collection.

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1869

New Bedford area

Le Roy Warren Swift

“Papa.” Born to Leroy E. Swift and Rachel Warren. Named for his mother.

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~1900s

New Bedford / Waquoit, Falmouth

Winter-Swift Family

The homestead. Summers at Waquoit. Carriage rides from Woods Hole. The bridge at Childs River.

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Present

Rhode Island / Massachusetts

The Archive

Tiverton, Rhode Island. The research continues. longfamilyarchive.com.

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