James Coggeshall

He had eleven daughters, many of them were more than ordinary height, and he was often heard pleasantly to remark that he considered himself to be more favored than most men "as he had sixty feet of girls."

1775, April 4- The Friend's (Quakers) Records of Newport, RI record the following in part: "I, James Coggeshall of Newport, Rhode Island, have in my possession one negro woman, called Meriah, who according to the laws of said colony and customs of the same, is deemed a slave and as my property; but believing it to be contrary to true Christianity, and the divine injunctions of the author thereof, to hold mankind as my property, or continue her in a state so as to be subjected to slavery after my decease, and in consideration thereof, and other causes me thereunto moving, I do for myself, my heirs, etc., manumit release and discharge the aforesaid negro from state of slavery, and hereby declare her to be henceforth a free woman; as amply and fully as if she had been born of free parents"; etc....

Siblings: Patience born 7 August 1710, Alice born 14 July 1719, Rebecca born 19 December 1721, Ruth born 25 January 1723/4, and Bathsheba born 18 June 1725.