Born in Burlington, New Jersey, he was the son to Mary Francis and William Coxe.
As a gesture to his wife, he made a will leaving her an estate in Pennsylvania and New York on January 15, 1822.
The illustrated book provided information about 200 fruits, including apples, cherries, peaches, pears, and plums.
He was a founding member and secretary of the Pennsylvania Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery in Philadelphia around 1787.
William was a member and delegate of the New Jersey Society for Promoting the Abolition of Slavery.