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The Bounty armourer, also known as 'Josiah', Coleman was 5 feet 6 inches tall, with fair complexion, gray hair, strong made, and had a heart tattooed on one of his arms. His was truly a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. He was a highly experienced naval veteran, the equivalent of a high-level petty officer, with a spotless military and personal record. From what little is know of him, it appears that he was a true 'straight arrow'.

He took no active part in the mutiny, but was ordered to remain on the Bounty due to the need for carpenters and armorers. Choosing to remain on Tahiti in the hope of rescue and return to England, he moved in with a group of Tahitians at Matavai Bay.

He was one of the four mutineers who voluntarily came on board the 'Pandora' immediately after it docked to report the mutiny to Capt. Edwards. To their somewhat naive surprise, they were immediately placed in irons. However, along with Coleman and Norman, he was soon released and put to work on board the ship, manning the pumps. Upon his return to England, he was tried and acquitted.