John's Coffee House

635 Johns Coffee-house Cornhill, Swithins or Swithens Alley near the Royal Exchange 1661–1838 as No. 86 Cornhill; 1839–40 No. 87 Cornhill.

635. John's Coffee House, Cornhill. Variously described as Swithin's, or Swithen's Alley near the Royal Exchange. No. 87 Cornhi!! (1767).

1661

The earliest reference that may indicate the founder of this coffee-house is the name of John Painter in Cornhill, which appears in a list of names of persons to be found at various coffee-houses. The list is in the State Papers Dom. Vol. XLVII, 118, in the P.R.O., endorsed 'Mr. Muddiman's Office with a pencilled date "1661" and given in full in "Penny Universities'" (Ellis 1956.)

John Aubrey (Brief Lives, c. 1680) mentions: 'The first Coffe howse in London was in St. Michael's Alley in Cornhill ... sett up by one Bowman.... Jonathan Paynter ... was the first apprentice to the Trade, Viz, to Bowman... .' Thus it is known that Jonathan Paynter was the 'first apprentice' to Bowman's established in 1652.

In 1666, the Royal Exchange and nearby buildings, as well as Bowman's in St. Michael's Alley all perished in the Fire. The Exchange was rebuilt by about 1671; the merchants were able to return to the inner quadrangle during September 1669 and in 1671 the shop-keepers moved in. (Reddaway—The Rebuilding of London.) Jonathan Paynter the 'first apprentice' presumably without employment after the Fire, turns up where one might expect to find him—in a coffee-house.

1677

Bromfield, a quack, who lodged in Plow-yard in Fetter Lane and travelled about the country, published a letter dated Chichester the '19th of the 11th month, 1677' relating to a cure effected by taking Bromfield's Pills. 'Bromfield's Pills' he says 'could be had from Mr. John Painter, at his house called John's Coffee-house, above the Royal Exchange in Corn-hil. ...' (Thompson—Quacks of Old London.) This, I believe identifies Jonathan Paynter, Bowman's first apprentice after 1652, with John Painter in Muddiman's list 1661 (which may prove to be later), and Mr. John Painter the Proprietor of John's Coffee House 'above the Royal Exchange' 1677. The expression 'above the Royal Exchange' indicates beyond, not upstairs.

1690

Wright & Fayle in their History of Lloyd's mention that 'John's Coffee-house in Cornhill' came into business from 1690 onwards.

1702–14

Ashton lists 'John's Coffee House, Swithin's Alley' with a query 'same as Jack's' and he gives Jack's Coffee-House as 'Sweeting's Alley by the Exchange.' Sweeting's Alley is commonly referred to as Swithin's, or Swithen's Alley.

1705

According to de Castro MS in Guildhall Library, John's Coffee House Swithin's Alley is mentioned in 'Daily Courant' 27 Feb. 1705—which I have not examined.

1708

'Daily Courant' 15 Jan. 1708, advertises: The first Angelick Tincture for Coughs which began to be exposed to sale Oct. 10, 1704 and for more than one whole year escap'd unprejudiced by counterfeits. It is a great and unparall'd medicine.... This excellent secret (now vastly improv'd) is no where to be had save at John's Coffee House in Swithins Alley by the Royal Exchange.

1710

In 1710 the 'Evening Post' No. 69, 19–21 Jan. advertises that the paper is sold at John's Coffee-house in Swithen's Alley near the Royal Exchange.

1711

'Daily Courant' 22 Nov. 1711, No. 3155: Lost ... a green Vellum Letter-Case ... Whoever brings it to John Shipton's Coffee-house in Swithin's Alley near the Exchange, shall have 10s. Reward.

In 1705, John Shipton's Coffee House was in Exchange Alley and the notice in the 'Daily Courant' 22 Nov. 1711 appears to be an indication that he removed himself from Exchange Alley to John's Coffee-house in Swithin's Alley and became its Proprietor. He may have kept the two houses for a time. In any case John Painter fades from the scene and John Shipton takes his place.

1719–20

In the 'bubble' days of 1719–20, John's Coffee-house advertises a project to attract investors: '£2,000,000 for erecting salt-pans in Holy Island.' (Malcolm—Manners & Customs.)

1720

'Daily Courant' 19 Aug. 1720, mentioned in de Castro MS Guildhall Library.

1727

A Lost-Reward Notice in my collection: Numb. 11581, August 7, 1727. LOST on Saturday the 5th instant, a Pocket-Book, containing a Bill of Exchange drawn from Leghorn, dated the 16th of May 1727, at Usance, by Mess. Benjamin Lambert Charron and Comp. to the Order of Mr. Christian Colebrandt, for Five hundred and forty Dollars, upon Sir John Lambert of London 115 l.

The Person in whose Possession the same is, upon delivering the said Pocket Book with the above mention'd Bill to the Bar of John Shipston's Coffee-house in Swithen's Alley by the Royal Exchange, shall have One Guinea Reward, and no Questions ask'd; or if offer'd in Payment, Discount, or otherwise, you are desired to stop it, and give Notice as above, and you shall have the fame Reward. N.B. Payment is stopt.—John Bodington, Beadle at Goldsmiths-Hall. Another item from my collection: Lost-Reward Notice Numb. 11614 dated November 14, 1727. LOST this Morning, between the Hours of 10 and 12, between the Bank and Eaft-India Houfe in Fenchurch-ftreet, a Bank Bill, No. C. 40, dated this day, payable to Mr. Robert Brooke for 179 l. 2s. 8d. Whoever brings the faid Bank Bill to John's Coffee-houfe in Cornhill, shall have Twenty Guineas Reward, and no Questions ask'd, Payment being stopt at the Bank.-John Bodington, Beadle, at Goldsmiths Hall.

1728

Numb. 11677. July 12, 1728 [also in my possession].

LOST or Mislaid the 1st Instant, a Gold Repeating Watch, chased, with a Gold Hook and Chain and Swivels with the Hall Mark, a Shagreen Case with Gold Studs; Paul Dupin, the Maker, and Dupin upon the Dial Plate, London. If offer'd to be pawn'd or sold, you are desired to stop it; or whoever will bring it to Mr. Michael Garnault Jeweller, at John's Coffee-House, Swithin's Alley, near the Royal Exchange, or Mr. John Bilton, Hosier at the Flower de Luce, in Russel-Street, Covent Garden, shall receive Twenty Guineas Reward, and no Questions Ask'd.—Benjamin Pyne, Beadle, at Goldsmiths- Hall.

1736

John's Coffee House is given in Kent's directory 1736, as the address used by John Werry, Insurer.

1744

'General Advertiser' 27 March, 1744, listed by de Castro. Not seen. John's Coffee House is marked on the Plan of the Cornhill Fire, March 1748; combined with 'Brocksone Books.' It stands at the south-east corner of Swithin's Alley fronting to Cornhill; marked 'these houses were greatly scorched'. The fire raged on the south side of Cornhill; John's stood on the north side.

1753–96

John's Coffee House, Cornhill, is regularly listed in the London directories from 1753 to 1796, when the title is altered to John's and Turkey Coffee House. In 1767, listed as No. 87, Cornhill. The house was obviously popular and well patronised by a variety of traders, who used John's as their business address.

1759–67

In 1759, Jonas Hanway, Merchant, Strand, is listed at John's and remains until 1767. Jonas Hanway was one of the founders of the Marine Society in 1756, at 54 Bishopsgate Street, with Fowler Walker and Sir John Fielding. Traders listed at John's, usually described as Merchants, include Henry Raper, London Assurance Director & Merchant, and Richard Sheldon, Royal Exchange Assurance Director. Turkey Merchants, a Stave Merchant, Attornies, Brokers, Sworn Brokers, Russian Merchants, Italian Merchants, &c. &c. indicate the diverse character of the business centred in John's.

1760–95

Mention of John's Coffee House is to be found throughout the second half of the century in contemporary press, directories, and sundry MSS, and there is little doubt the house occupied an important place in the business and social life of the city.

1796–1822

A change of title, or rather an addition, is noted in 1796 directories, when the house is listed as John's and Turkey Coffee House, Cornhill. This remained until 1822, when a further addition was made. The house may have included a preponderance of Turkey Merchants among its patrons.

1798

Thomas Tree is Proprietor in 1798; the house is described as 'frequented by merchants, shipbrokers, owners and commanders of ships; brokers of merchandize and others concerned in the trade to and from Turkey, the Streights &c., and from Lisbon and Hambro' in particular'.

1799

Listed in Lowndes' directory as John's & Turkey Coffee House, 87, Cornhill.

1801–03

In 1801–03 described as 'frequented by merchants, brokers, &c. Dinners dressed and beds procured'.

1805–11

In 1805–07 the Proprietor is listed as Terry; in 1809–11 as Thos. Terry.

1811

'The Times' 28 May, 1811, gives notice that subscriptions will be taken at Lloyd's, John's, and Tom's Coffee-houses "FUND for the RELIEF of the unfortunate Sufferers in Portugal who have been plundered and treated by the French Armies with the most unexampled and savage barbarity...."'

1822

The house is listed in 1822 as John's, Turkey and Mediterranean Coffee House, Cornhill.

1822–38

In 1822–24 the Proprietor is T.L. Terry; in 1826–1834 as T. Terry, and in 1838 as Edith Terry but the title reverts to John's Coffee House, 86 Cornhill. No. 86, may be a directory error, unless a removal or extension was made.

1838

In January 1838, the Royal Exchange nearby was burnt down. The author of 'The City' a small anonymous book published in Oct. 1845 makes the following comment: 'Another 'coffee-house existed prior to the destruction of the Royal Exchange, called John's and the Mediterranean; but when the fire occurred the premises were burnt, and as it was not a very prosperous concern, no attempt was made to restore it. The subscription room to this house was small, and the principal frequenters were a few of the Gibraltar merchants and persons connected with the fruit trade; but, as it bore no high position for intelligence, the place was not known to many.' This was written about seven years after the fire and appears a trifle faulty. It is moreover very doubtful if rebuilding or restoration on any permanent scale would have been permitted.

1839–40

The Post Office directory 1839, gives John's Coffee House, Mrs. Edith Terry, 87, Cornhill, and Pigot's 1840 as John's, Turkey and Mediterranean Coffee House, Edith Terry, 87, Cornhill. But Edith Terry's house was not destined to long remain, as Sweeting's Alley was cleared away in preparing the site for the new Royal Exchange. It is now covered by the paved area east of the Exchange, fronting Royal Exchange buildings erected in 1846. The Bishopsgate Institute has a print by Bartolozzi, and A.E.W. Mason's book 'The Royal Exchange' reproduces a print of the second Royal Exchange that clearly shows John's Coffee House on the corner of Sweeting's Alley and Cornhill. No. 87 is shewn on Horwood's map.