He was born in Boston in 1762, the son of John Coffin, and came to the town of Quebec with his family in 1775.
In 1786, he married Marguerite, the daughter of Louis-Joseph Godefroy de Tonnancour, and settled at the seigneury of Pointe-du-Lac.
In 1795, a large portion of his properties were sold to cover an unpaid debt.
Coffin also served as colonel for the local militia and commissioner of police for Trois-Rivières.
His brother Nathaniel was a provincial surveyor and also served in the legislative assembly.