Jerusalem Coffee House

Jerusalem Coffee House

In Cowper's Court, Cornhill. For merchants trading to the East Indies, China and Australia. Taken down 1879 and rebuilt.

626 Jerusalem Coffee House Fleece Passage Cornhill, later known as Cowpers Court c1730–1892 when known as the “Jerusalem Shipping Exchange” removed to Billiter Street. See No. 627.

626. Jerusalem Coffee House, Fleece Passage, Cornhill, later known as Cowper's Court. Fleece Passage on the south side of Comhi!! was entered between the present-day Nos. 32 and 33 Cornhill. Fleece Yard had an entrance from Birchin Lane. The Jerusalem Coffee-house adjoined the Fleece Tavern which stood at the end of Fleece Passage. Is listed as Cowper's Court in 1765; as No. 3, Cowper's Court in 1767 when houses were numbered, and thereafter until 1892, either as Cornhill, or Cowper's Court, variously mentioned as Cowper, or Cooper's Court.

1702–14[?]

The establishment and early history of the Jerusalem Coffee-house is obscured by conflicting, confusing, and undocumented writings. Notwithstanding sundry accounts that date the Jerusalem, firstly in Bishopsgate Street in 1625 (some 27 years before the first coffee-house in London is known), and in Cowper's Court in 1689 and 1697 (long before Cowper's Court was so-named), I have yet to find contemporary mention in support of the Jerusalem being in existence, prior to 1730s. It is true the Jerusalem 'near Garraway's' is listed in Ashton's list of coffee-houses 1702–14, but this was compiled in 1897 and no documentation is given. The Jerusalem is not mentioned by Strype, 1720, although he refers to Jonathan's and Garraway's, and others nearby; nor does the Jerusalem appear in the London directories consulted, 1734 to 1745. More information is needed to determine the date the Jerusalem was established.

1715[?]

H. C. Shelley's 'Inns & Taverns of Old London' (1909) says: 'In a private letter of July 30th, 1715, is an account of an exciting incident which had its origin in the Jerusalem coffee-house. At the time England was in a state of commotion over the Jacobite insurrection....' A Captain Montague had entered the Jerusalem coffee-house and 'of a sudden struck a gentleman then drawing his sword Montague "ran out through the alley cross Cornhill ... and at the South entrance of the Exchange said he had come to proclaim James the third King of England.... '" The same incident is quoted by later writers without documentation. It would be interesting to trace this 'private letter' to confirm the date 1715 to fit the Old Pretender, or by chance 1745, the Young Pretender.

1735

'London Evening Post' 29-31 May, 1735, No. 1175, advertises: To be Lett, In Exchange Alley.... The shop on the Right Hand of the Passage going into the Jerusalem Coffee-house, and Offices next to Baker's Coffee-house... .' (British Museum.)

1748

Jefferys Plan of the Cornhill Fire dated March 25th 1748, shews the 'Jerusalem Coffeehouse' with the name 'Worgan' situated at the end of 'Fleece Passage' with a back entrance into Exchange Alley. Contemporary reports of the fire mention the Jerusalem was consumed. At the time of the fire, Cowper's Court was not so-named. It may have acquired the name on the rebuilding which was put in hand without delay. In later directories, Fleece Passage is replaced by Cowper's Court.

1754

'Public Advertiser' No. 6028, 21 Feb. 1754 (British Museum): 'To be sold by Auction.... A large substantial well-built Brick House, the Corner of Greek Street, Soho.... Printed Particulars of the Premises will be delivered gratis at the house, at the Jerusalem Coffee-house in Cornhill....'

1760

A letter in my possession, dated 17 April, 1760, relates: 'I shall be glad to treat with you about these houses in Oxon, if you'll appoint a time and place, I am at the Oxford Armes in Warwick Lane & shall be at the Jerusalem Coffee Houfe between one & two Clock today & shall dine at the Cock behind the Change where I shall be glad to see you....'

1765–96

From 1765 to 1796, the Jerusalem Coffee House is regularly listed in the London directories as Cowper's Court;

1767

as No. 3 Cowper's Court in 1767, or as Cornhill. The house is listed in use as a business address by a variety of traders under the description of Merchants, South Sea Director, Stock Brokers, &c.

1768

In 1768, Charles Raymond Esqr., of Ilford, Director of Sun Fire Office is listed here. In December the same year, William Hickey, at a Masquerade at the Opera house 'was laid hold of by a Minerva' whom he 'at once discovered to be Fanny Hartford' in the company of the Duke of Grafton, and 'she desired me to stick close to her'. Which he did and next night accompanied her to Covent Garden play house. 'The following morning she took me in her carriage to the India house, and Jerusalem Coffee house' to see Captain Waddell of the Plassey concerning a passage to India. (Memoirs of William Hickey, I, 129–130.)

1773

'London Evening Post' 4–7 Sep. 1773. (de Castro MS.)

1776

3 May, 1776 Samuel Curwen 'Dined at Jerusalem Tavern'.

1776–77

Hickey, towards the end of 1776, describes the Jerusalem Coffee House as 'being the general resort of all those who had anything to do with India'. In January, 1777, he records a visit to the Jerusalem where he met Captain Arthur and arranged his passage to India by the Seahorse: 'Captain Arthur's purser thereupon told me I must forthwith send one hundred guineas for a seat at the Captain's table, which was double what I had paid to Captain Waddell in the year 1768.' (Memoirs of William Hickey, II, 97–98.

1780

According to the Minute Book of the Society of East India Commanders, its Meetings were held at the Jerusalem Coffee House from 5th January 1780 until 1828. Previously held at Queen's Arms Tavern, St. Paul's Church-yard, December 1773 to October 1775, and at the Antwerp Tavern, October 1775 to 5th January 1780. (Baltic Exchange Records.)

1780

The 'Public Advertiser' 1 May, 1780, advertises: 'Life Annuities. Such as may wish to sink any sum from £300 upwards will receive further information by applying to Mr. Furtado at the Jerusalem Coffee House in Cowper Court near the Royal Exchange, any day from eleven to three.'

1781

William Hickey: 'Upon going to the India House to make enquiries about a passage, and afterwards for the same purpose to the Jerusalem coffee house, I had the mortification to find that as three of His Majesty's regiments were that season going out for the further security of the Company's possessions [East India Company] the whole accomodation of their ships was exclusively kept for the officers ... and that it would ... be impossible for me to obtain a passage.' (Memoirs of William Hickey, II, 357.)

1796–98

In 1796, the title of the house is listed in directories as the Jerusalem and East India Coffee House; similarly in 1798, when Messrs: Karr and Harper are given as Proprietors. The house is described: 'Frequented by gentlemen who are, or have been in the service of the honourable East India Company and by the managing owners of ships employed in their service; also by the merchants, policy and insurance brokers concerned with the East India trade, and to this coffee-house and Lloyd's are transmitted the earliest accounts of the departure, arrival, and loss of ships in the company's service and of all important events that happen.'

1799

Lowndes' directory 1799 gives: 'East India Coffee House—see Jerusalem.' In the same year, Browne's Law List mentions 'Jerusalem & East India—Cooper's Court Cornhill'.

1801–03

In 1803 edition 'Picture of London' is listed 'Jerusalem and East India Coffee House ... frequented by merchants and gentlemen concerned in the East India Company's service. Tontine Office. Fitted up in an elegant stile for the use of the subscribers.'

1805–11

In Holden's directory 1805–11, the title reverts to Jerusalem Coffee House. Proprietor—Harper. In 1809–11, given as Alex Harper, Wine Merchant. John Nachbar, Wholesale Seedsman of Old Brentford, gave his address as the Jerusalem. In 1810–11, in his report on underwriting, Julius Angerstein mentions: 'there were still a number of underwriters who wrote policies at the Jamaica and Jerusalem Coffee-houses ... or at their own counting-house ...' (Wright & Fayle—History of Lloyd's.)

1813–34

Alexander Harper is Proprietor in 1813; 1822–29 Harper & Bell, and 1833–34, W. Harper & Company. In 1819–22, the Jerusalem & East India Coffee House is listed 'open only to subscribers, but information relating to East India Shipping and Captains, may be daily obtained at the Bar'.

1824

'Morning Herald' 1 May 1824, advertises 'for Calcutta direct' passages in 'the fast-sailing Teak ship Claudine' chartered by the Hon. East India Company, apply to Jerusalem Coffee-house.

1838

1838 directories list Horatio Hardy, Proprietor of Jerusalem Coffee House. On 10th January 1838, the Royal Exchange was destroyed by fire; by midnight, Lloyd's Coffee-house, Captains' Room and Underwriters Rooms were 'all one body of flame'. The morning London papers, 11th January, carried the following notice: 'Fire at Lloyd's. Harper & Hardy, Jerusalem Coffee-House, take this early opportunity of offering accommodation to subscribers to Lloyd's in their Coffee-Room. Also a large room for the Underwriters where every possible assistance will be afforded to prevent interruption of business. The room will be ready by nine o'clock. H. & H. have arranged with the Post Office for all letters directed to Lloyd's to be left at their house.'

The Committee of Lloyd's held a meeting there, but finding the premises too cramped, adjourned to the office of London Assurance, Birchin Lane. According to Wright & Fayle, the proprietors of the Jerusalem declined payment from Lloyd's for their services.

1839–40

H. C. Hardy is given as Proprietor of the Jerusalem in the 1839–40 directories. A letter in my collection, dated 16 May, 1839, Maitland, N.S.W., throws some light on the Jerusalem: '... as your cousin ... I think it worth a pound per annum, which is my subscription at the Jerusalem Coffee House—as a seafaring man—(they charge more for any landsman) to enable you to go into the Room to read the papers & to send out letters—Alexander Miller the deputy to that grand pompous bit of mud Horatio Hardy will give any shipping news you may require ... and as they are not to suppose I have quitted the sea I think it would be well to continue—if any objection I pray you subscribe in your own name & put it against my account ... (direct our letters through Mess. Edwards & Hunter of Fort St. Sydney) as we are 120 from any post office....' (Francis Halked to Alfred Caswell, Banker, London.)

1845

The Jerusalem figures in the case of John Tawell, who murdered Sarah Hart at Salt-hill on January 1st, 1845. Tawell left Slough by railway that evening and his description was sent by the Electric Telegraph to Paddington, with instructions to the police to watch for his arrival. The police followed him in an omnibus to the Bank, thence to the Jerusalem Coffee-house, thence to the Leopard Coffee-house in the Borough, thence to Cannon-street where he was arrested. At his trial, it transpired that Tawell, a returned transport, was in the habit of calling at the Jerusalem for information of the state of his property he had in Sydney; the evidence given by Randall, waiter at the sandwich-bar at the Jerusalem, helped in the conviction.

Tawell's arrest, due to the use of the Electric Telegraph, then laid from Paddington to Slough Station, Great Western Railway, was an event of some importance, as it demonstrated the efficiency of the new medium of communication. It transpired, that an inventor named Ronalds had in 1823, taken out a patent for an electric telegraph and proved its feasibility through 8 miles of wire. In reply to the question: —'Why has no serious trial yet been made?' The reply of the government is worth noting: 'Telegraphs of any kind were wholly unnecessary, and none other than the semaphores then in use would ever be adopted.' (Timbs—Romance of London.)

1845

In 1845, The East India & China Association, had their offices in the upper part of the Jerusalem's premises. Mr. Stikeman was then Secretary.

An interesting description of the Jerusalem, appears in 'The City' published anonymously in Oct. 1845. The house is run by 'the leading proprietor, Mr. Horatio Hardy, and his great Factotum, Mr. Miller' and exclusively devoted to the interests of the merchants and others engaged in the trade of China, India, and Australia. Well furnished with files of the principal papers of Canton, Hong-Kong, Macao, Penang, Singapore, Calcutta, Bombay, Madras, Sydney, Hobart Town, Launceston, Adelaide and Port Phillip; also prices current, besides shipping lists and papers from such places at St. Helena, Cape of Good Hope, &c., where ships call.

Lieut. Waghorn frequented the Jerusalem. It was by his exertions and plans the overland route to accelerate mails to India was first adopted. As early as 1839—40 merchants had subscribed a considerable sum and presented it to Mr. Waghorn, to enable him to push his plans at home, and in India. In 1845, says the writer, 'Waghorn has now started an Agency for the conveyance of parcels overland ... and he is well supported by the majority of merchants ... Waghorn is rather an eccentric man, and though excitable, is undoubtedly a honest British seaman ... the only remuneration Waghorn is understood ever to have received from government ... in promoting and directing the route of the overland mail, was the concession of the title of "Lieut. R.N." for which he sought several years before it was allowed.'

1845–50

In 1845, the Jerusalem numbered between 300 and 400 subscribers. Cunningham has little to say on the Jerusalem:' A subscription house for merchants and others trading to the East Indies, China and Australia.' Since the first mention of subscribers here at the beginning of the century, the Jerusalem Coffee-house had developed on these lines. The subscribers would have used part of the premises not open to the general public; the casual customer would be confined to the coffee-room &c. The fire at the Royal Exchange in 1838, and subsequent demolition of coffee-houses in Sweeting's Alley & Rents, undoubtedly benefited coffee-houses in Exchange Alley such as the Jerusalem. The growing demand for larger and better accomodation probably led to the rebuilding of the Jerusalem in 1879. In December 1889, a brochure published by 'The Jerusalem Limited' advertises 'THE JERUSALEM Subscription Room and Exchange— Established over 200 years—COWPER'S COURT (32–33) CORNHILL' sets-out the facilities offered and terms of membership governed by subscription. The Secretary & Manager is Mr. H. McDowell.

1890–92

The Jerusalem, no longer a coffee-house, was now an exchange for the conduct of shipping and mercantile business. In addition to the Far-eastern and Indian trades, the house now catered for those interested in American and West Indies trading; in fact for those previously centred in the old Jamaica Coffee-house, which since 1869 had become a Wine House. Lloyd's had long since returned to the Royal Exchange as a highly organised insurance market; The Baltic Company at South Sea House, Threadneedle Street, had out- grown its premises and searching for larger and better accommodation which synchronised with similar efforts on the part offrequenters of the Jerusalem, led to the formation of the London Shipping Exchange.

1892

The 'Daily Graphic' 15 March, 1892, carries an illustration entitled 'The Removal of the "Jerusalem Shipping Exchange" to Billiter Street. The same issue contains a brief history of the Jerusalem Coffee House; hardly factual, but interesting as an example of journalistic licence. According to the writer, not only was the Jerusalem twice destroyed by fire, once in 1666, and again in 1748, but the 'East India Company took its origin within Jerusalem's walls.' (For those interested in East India Company refer to 'John Company' by Sir William Foster, 1926.)