Garraway's Coffee House

Garraway's Coffee-House.

This noted Coffee-house, situated in Change-alley, Cornhill, has a threefold celebrity: tea was first sold in England here; it was a place of great resort in the time of the South Sea Bubble; and has since been a place of great mercantile transactions. The original proprietor was Thomas Garway, tobacconist and coffee-man, the first who retailed tea, recommending for the cure of all disorders; the following is the substance of his shop bill:—"Tea in England hath been sold in the leaf for six pounds, and sometimes for ten pounds the pound weight, and in respect of its former scarceness and dearness, it hath been only used as a regalia in high treatments and entertainments, and presents made thereof to princes and grandees till the year 1651." The said Thomas Garway did purchase a quantity thereof, and first publicly sold the said tea in leaf and drink, made according to the directions of the most knowing merchants and travellers into those Eastern countries; and upon knowledge and experience of the said Garway's continued care and industry in obtaining the best tea, and making drink thereof, very many noblemen, physicians, merchants, and gentlemen of quality, have ever since sent to him for the said leaf, and daily resort to his house in Exchange-alley, aforesaid, to drink the drink thereof; and to the end that all persons of eminence and quality, gentlemen, and others, who have occasion for tea in leaf, may be supplied, these are to give notice that the said Thomas Garway hath tea to sell from "sixteen to fifty shillings per pound." (See the document entire in Ellis's Letters, series iv. 58.)

Ogilby, the compiler of the Britannia, had his standing lottery of books at Mr. Garway's Coffee-house from April 7, 1673, till wholly drawn off. And, in the Journey through England, 1722, Garraway's, Robins's, and Joe's, are described as the three celebrated Coffee-houses: in the first, the People of Quality, who have business in the City, and the most considerable and wealthy citizens, frequent. In the second the Foreign Banquiers, and often even Foreign Ministers. And in the third, the Buyers and Sellers of Stock.

Wines were sold at Garraway's in 1673, "by the candle," that is, by auction, while an inch of candle burns. In The Tatler, No. 147, we read: "Upon my coming home last night, I found a very handsome present of French wine left for me, as a taste of 216 hogsheads, which are to be put to sale at 20l. a hogshead, at Garraway's Coffee-house, in Exchange-alley," &c. The sale by candle is not, however, by candle-light, but during the day. At the commencement of the sale, when the auctioneer has read a description of the property, and the conditions on which it is to be disposed of, a piece of candle, usually an inch long, is lighted, and he who is the last bidder at the time the light goes out is declared the purchaser.

Swift, in his "Ballad on the South Sea Scheme," 1721, did not forget Garraway's:—

"There is a gulf, where thousands fell,
Here all the bold adventurers came,
A narrow sound, though deep as hell,
'Change alley is the dreadful name.

"Subscribers here by thousands float,
And jostle one another down,
Each paddling in his leaky boat,
And here they fish for gold and drown.

"Now buried in the depths below,
Now mounted up to heaven again,
They reel and stagger to and fro,
At their wits' end, like drunken men.

"Meantime secure on Garway cliffs,
A savage race, by shipwrecks fed,
Lie waiting for the founder'd skiffs,
And strip the bodies of the dead."

Dr. Radcliffe, who was a rash speculator in the South Sea Scheme, was usually planted at a table at Garraway's about Exchange time, to watch the turn of the market; and here he was seated when the footman of his powerful rival, Dr. Edward Hannes, came into Garraway's and inquired, by way of a puff, if Dr. H. was there. Dr. Radcliffe, who was surrounded with several apothecaries and chirurgeons that flocked about him, cried out, "Dr. Hannes was not there," and desired to know "who wanted him?" the fellow's reply was, "such a lord and such a lord;" but he was taken up with the dry rebuke, "No, no, friend, you are mistaken; the Doctor wants those lords." One of Radcliffe's ventures was five thousand guineas upon one South Sea project. When he was told at Garraway's that 'twas all lost, "Why," said he, "'tis but going up five thousand pair of stairs more." "This answer," says Tom Brown, "deserved a statue."

As a Coffee-house, and one of the oldest class, which has withstood, by the well-acquired fame of its proprietors, the ravages of time, and the changes that economy and new generations produce, none can be compared to Garraway's. This name must be familiar with most people in and out of the City; and, notwithstanding our disposition to make allowance for the want of knowledge some of our neighbours of the West-end profess in relation to men and things east of Temple Bar, it must be supposed that the noble personage who said, when asked by a merchant to pay him a visit in one of these places, "that he willingly would, if his friend could tell him where to change horses," had forgotten this establishment, which fostered so great a quantity of dishonoured paper, when in other City coffee-houses it had gone begging at 1s. and 2s. in the pound.¹

Garraway's has long been famous as a sandwich and drinking room, for sherry, pale ale, and punch. Tea and coffee are still served. It is said that the sandwich-maker is occupied two hours in cutting and arranging the sandwiches before the day's consumption commences. The sale-room is an old fashioned first-floor apartment, with a small rostrum for the seller, and a few commonly grained settles for the buyers. Here sales of drugs, mahogany, and timber are periodically held. Twenty or thirty property and other sales sometimes take place in a day. The walls and windows of the lower room are covered with sale placards, which are unsentimental evidences of the mutability of human affairs.

"In 1840 and 1841, when the tea speculation was at its height, and prices were fluctuating 6d. and 8d. per pound, on the arrival of every mail, Garraway's was frequented every night by a host of the smaller fry of dealers, when there was more excitement than ever occurred on 'Change when the most important intelligence arrived. Champagne and anchovy toasts were the order of the night; and every one came, ate and drank, and went, as he pleased without the least question concerning the score, yet the bills were discharged; and this plan continued for several months."—The City.

Here, likewise, we find this redeeming picture:—"The members of the little coterie, who take the dark corner under the clock, have for years visited this house; they number two or three old, steady merchants, a solicitor, and a gentleman who almost devotes the whole of his time and talents to philanthropic objects,—for instance, the getting up of a Ball for Shipwrecked Mariners and their families; or the organization of a Dinner for the benefit of the Distressed Needlewomen of the Metropolis; they are a very quiet party, and enjoy the privilege of their séance, uninterrupted by visitors."

We may here mention a tavern of the South Sea time, where the "Globe permits" fraud was very successful. These were nothing more than square pieces of card on which was a wax seal of the sign of the Globe Tavern, situated in the neighbourhood of Change-alley, with the inscription, "Sail-cloth Permits." The possessors enjoyed no other advantage from them than permission to subscribe at some future time to a new sail-cloth manufactory projected by one who was known to be a man of fortune, but who was afterwards involved in the peculation and punishment of the South Sea Directors. These Permits sold for as much as sixty guineas in the Alley.

---

¹ The City, 2nd edition.

433. Garraway's Coffee House, Exchange Alley Cornhill. No. 4 (1769); No. 3 (1832).

The origin of this house is obscured by lack of contemporary mention, and greatly confused by a mass of undocumented writing. For instance Welch's History (1896) dates Thomas Garraway 'tobacconist & coffeeman' selling tea in 1600. Sundry writers place Garraway's Coffee-house in Exchange Alley before the Fire of 1666; but no contemporary evidence is forth-coming to support even this.

There is however evidence that Garraway lived with his family in Sweeting's Rents from 1657–58 until 1669 or 1670, when he removed to Exchange Alley on the south side of Cornhill. Garraway may in fact have had a coffee-house in Sweeting's Rents from 1657 to about 1670, making due allowance for his displacement caused by the Fire.

The house was established by Thomas Garraway, given as Garway in early records, and as Garroway, Garraway or Garryway in later ones. Other spellings include Garrowaye and Garriway.

1657–58

The late Dr. Kenneth Rogers, from his research in the Guildhall Library, traced the Garraway family in the parish records of St. Bartholomew-Exchange from 1657–58 until 1668,and from the assessments for poor rate and the hearth-tax lists was able to identify Garraway's house in Sweeting's Rents. The result of his research was first given in 'The Banker' October, 1928. The MS registers of St. Bartholomew record the baptism of Philip, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Garraway in 1657–58,

1658–59

and in the parish list of assessments 1658–59, the name of Thomas Garraway always appears in the same position as in the hearth-tax list, shortly before that of Will Dawes and the successive vinters at the Antwerp Tavern—Tho. Blagrave 1662–63 and Robert Davey afterwards.

1658

Dr. Rogers associates Garraway with the undated and unidentified Token: THE. SULTANES . A. COFFEE. HOVSE. IN . SWEETINGS . RENTS. CORNHILL., which Burn considers was only issued after the Fire, 1666. Burn appears to be in error, as this same house advertised in the 'Mercurius Politicus' 23–30 September 1658, that 'TEE' was 'sold at the Sultaness-head, a COPHEE-HOUSE in SWEETINGS RENTS by the Royal Exchange ... '

1666–68

After the Fire 1666, the parish records of St. Bartholomew Exchange for 1667 record the baptism of Susanne, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Garraway, and in the 1668 hearth-list for the Upper Precinct of St. Bartholomew, Thomas Garraway is assessed on 6 hearths. In the same year is recorded the baptism of Henry, son of Thomas and Elizabeth Garraway.

1669–70

The Royal Exchange rebuilt after the Fire, was opened 8 September 1669. I find no contemporary mention of Garraway's in 1669, notwithstanding that MacKay in his book on Hudson's Bay Company mentions the first fur sales in Garraway's Coffee House in this year; but this date is not confirmed by the Hudson's Bay Record Society.

1670–74

Dr. Rogers suggests that Garraway removed to Exchange Alley in 1670. This would take him out of the parish of St. Bartholomew and into the parish of st. Mary Woolnoth; where in fact Garraway is mentioned in the registers for 1672 and 1674.

1671

The earliest surviving Minute Book (24 Oct. 1671 to 22 July 1674) of Hudson's Bay Company, records a Committee on 14 November 1671 at Sr. Robert Viners, when it was Ordered: 'That Mr. Rastell take care to putt up publick bills upon the Exchange tomorrow morneing for Sale of the 3000 weight of beaver coates and skins at Mr. Garraway's Coffeehouse upon tuesday the 5 Xber at two a clocke afternoon ...' and I am indebted to the Archivist of Hudson's Bay Company for the information that the sale of beaver arranged for 5 December, 1671, was postponed until 24 January, 1672, and 'the sale was not a success, for out of approximately 2700–3000 lbs. of beaver exposed for sale, only 769 lbs. were sold'.

1671–74

The confusion concerning the early years of Garraway's coffee-house, appears to derive from an advertisement issued by him from Exchange Alley probably in the early 1670s, wherein he mentions: 'Tea in England hath been sold in the leaf for six pounds, and sometimes ten pounds the pound weight, and in respect of its former scarceness and dearness, it hath been only used as a regalia in high treatments and entertainments, and presents made thereof to princes and grandees till the year 1657. The said Thomas Garway did purchase a quantity thereof, and first publicly sold the said tea in leaf and drink ... and upon knowledge and experience of the said Garway's continued care and industry in obtaining the best tea, and making drink thereof, very many noblemen, physicians, merchants, and gentlemen of quality, have ever since sent to him for the said leaf, and daily resort to his house in Exchange-alley ....' It should be noted that this advertisement does not place Garway or Garraway in Exchange alley, prior to the Fire of 1666.

1672–74

The parish registers of St. Mary Woolnoth, 1672, record: 'Dyed Susan Smith, servant to Mr. Garraway' and in the hearth-tax list 1674, Thomas Garraway is assessed on 16 hearths in Langbourn Ward, In the same year 'Elizabeth Graunt, at Mr. Garrowaye's' is recorded buried on 5th April.
     Not only does Dr. Rogers associate Thomas Garraway with the Sultanes Coffee-house in Sweeting's Rents before the Fire, but he further suggests that Garraway moved 'perhaps to the coffee-house formerly known as "The Great Turk, or Morat ye Great'" which ended its existence in Exchange-alley with the Fire.

1672–73

From 1672, contemporary mention of Garraway's, Exchange-alley is more frequent. In February 1672–73, property in St. James's Square was sold at Garraway's. In 1673, wines were advertised for sale here 'by the candle'. In 1673, John Ogilby, the compiler of "Britannia" (first published in 1676) in order to help its publication, had his standing lottery of books 'at Mr. Garway's Coffee-house from 7 April, 1673, till wholly drawn off' and thus advertised in the 'London Gazette.'

1674

The 'London Gazette', No. 865, March 2-5, 1674 announces: 'The new invention for Sheathing Ships against the Worm &c. with Lead and Lacker, having been experienced for these three years with good success and approbation, if any Builder, Merchant or others, desire to make use thereof, or would be further satisfied therein let them repair to the person employed by the undertakers in the management of this work, viz. to Mr. Thomas Rastel at the Jerkers office in the Custome House, or to the said Mr. Thomas Rastel, or Mr. Francis Dracot, every Tuesday and Thursday, from Twelve to One a Clock at Mr. Garraway's Coffee House and afterwards the same days in the West India Walk upon the Exchange ....' This Thomas Rastel appears in Hudson's Bay Company records as early as 10 May, 1669. On 7 Nov. 1671, a Committee 'ordered That Mr. Rastel doe forthwith give an account to this Committee. ... of the whole charge of Setteing out the Shippes and Stocks of the Adventurers this last voyage to Hudson Bay ....' (Hudson's Bay Record Society.)

1675–76

Newspapers of 1675–76 carry advertisements of the sales of ships by public auction at Garraway's.

1679

The parish registers of St. Mary Woolnoth 1679, record: 'Dyed Francis Partridge, man servant to Thomas Garway.' In the same year, Garraway's Coffee-house appears in Dangerfield's list of suspect houses. The life of Thomas Dangerfield 'the informer and false witness' is written in the D.N.B., and in many books dealing with the alleged Popish Plot.
     The 'Domestic Intelligencer' 1679, informs the public that 'Mr. Garraway master of the famous Coffee-house near the Royal Exchange, hath store of good Cherry wine; and 'tis said that the Black Cherry, and other wild cherries do yield good and wholesome Aquavitaes and Brandies.'

1680

'Smith's Current Intelligence' No. 17, 6–10 April, 1680, mentions Garraway's Coffee-house 'behind the Grasshopper' in connexion with a letter sent by the penny post to John Smith 'and though there was a penny paid to Mrs. Garroway at the delivery of same, yet the messenger that brought it to him demanded two pence more, and would not part with it till he had received a penny. This we think fit to publish ... of the exaction of this pretended Penny Post.' This letter must have been handled by the newly established Penny Post set up at Lime Street early in 1680 by William Dockwra and Robert Murray.

1681

In 1681, a Pamphlet mentions that all the coffee-houses around the Royal Exchange, except Garraway's were 'Whiggified hereabouts.'

1682

In 1682, subscriptions to Robert Murray's proposed Corporation Credit, or Bank of Credit, were taken in at 'Garroway's near the Exchange'.

1688

The Ellis Correspondence under date 23 June 1688, mentions that 'Among the policies of Assurance which appear at the Exchange there is one of no ordinary nature: which is that Esq. Neale, who hath for some time been the suitor to the rich Welsh Widow Floyd offers as many guineas as people will take to ensure thirty for each one, in case he marry the said widow. He hath already laid out as much as will bring him in 10 to 12000 guineas: he intends to make it 30000, and then to present it to the lady in case she marry him; and anyone that will accept of guineas on that condition, may find as many as he pleases at Garraways Coffee House'. (Letters of John Ellis, 1686–1688, Birch Collection, British Museum.)

1692

In 1692, the name of Thomas Garraway in the Poll Tax list of Langbourn Ward, is replaced by 'Jeremy Stoakes Coffee House, 11s. wife, 3 children, 3 men and 2 mayds, 9s.—£1-0-0.' It is not known when Thomas Garraway died, or left the business. Elizabeth Garraway his wife is mentioned 1657–68, and the earliest reference to 'Mrs. Garroway' is in 1680.

1694

In 1694, subscriptions to John Briscoe's Land Bank were to be taken in at Garraway's Coffee House.

1702

Tickets were to be had at Garraway's for 'monthly entertainment of Divine Musick ... at Stationer's Hall ... first Monday in every month, excepting the Lent season, and ... July, August and September ... during 1702.'

1703

 

In the following year is advertised the sale of 'true Spanish roll'd Tobacco ... these are therefore to inform the World, that Jeremiah Stoaks at Garraway's Coffee House in Exchange Alley bought the whole Parcel that was brought into England, as by Prize taken by Her Majesty's Fleet at Vigo .... ' Probably a connexion here with Sir George Rooke who returned from his successful raid on Vigo in November, 1702.

1709–10

Garraway's is mentioned in the 'Tatler', 1709–10.

1711

Various writers confuse the early years of the Sun Fire Office with Garraway's Coffee-house in Exchange Alley; but Relton, quoting the 'British Mercury' and Dickson in 'The Sun Insurance Office 1710–1960' clearly establish Mrs. Alice Garway as the landlady of two rooms in Sweeting's Rents, occupied by the Sun from March 1711. Later mention of 'Mr. Garraway' in connexion with the lease' in Sweeting'S Rents in 1722, may therefore not concern the family of Thomas and Elizabeth Garraway.

1713

In 1713, a Mr. Brooke, a supplier of wines to coffee-houses &c., advertised that 'full proposals may be had at Garraway's Coffeehouse'. Mr. Brooke it seems was a man of enterprise; a former partner in Brooke & Hellier who had several branch establishments in London, and 'even brought wine by road from Bristol and one year paid as much as &25,000 custom duties' had come to grief in 1712. Brooke afterwards set up in business himself. It was Brooke & Hellier who bought the Houblon stock of wines after the death of Sir John Houblon.

1715

The unsavoury condition of the Stocks Market, where meat, fish, fruit, vegetables and herbs were sold, gave rise to considerable concern in the early years of the 18th century. A vestry meeting of the parish of St. Mary Woolchurch Haw on 25th August 1715, decided to petition the Corporation and 'several of our parish visited at Garraway's Coffee House' when 'complaint was made that carts stood in the streets all night and inhabitants could not "pass to and from their own houses with safety on foot for many hours together"; that the middle man sold in the markets, not the farmers and "all the ground in the Market is lett out by the foot to fforestallers"; that vegetable refuse was left in such heaps in the streets "that Coaches and Carts are in danger of being overturned."' (Perks—History of the Mansion House, 1922). A pamphleteer of the time draws attention to the muck-heap at the back of the Royal Exchange 'which had been untouched for a year, except by additions' and to 'muck-heaps in certain minor streets which were becoming little hills'. (Burke—The Streets of London.)

1719–20

Garraway's is mentioned in 1719, in connexion with subscriptions to the proposed London Assurance. Contemporary papers draw attention to various so-called 'bubble' schemes advertised from Garraway's during 1719 and 1720. These include: '£1,200,000 for buying and building ships to let for freight; £2,000,000 for importing walnut-trees from Virginia; and £2,000,000 for a snuff manufactory.'

1728

'The Craftsman' No. 91, 30 March, 1728, publishes a letter from Garraway's regarding 'a gross and infamous fraud in a Customhouse officer' who 'put some prohibited goods on board a ship with design to make a discovery and intitle himself to a Forfeiture of the Ship and Cargo.'

1729–31

Lost-Reward Notices issued by the Beadle at Goldsmiths-Hall 1729–31, name Garraway's as the house where Rewards could be claimed for Lost and returned items, mostly bank-notes, jewellry, &c.

1742

A Sale of Rum at Garraway's is advertised in the 'Daily Post' 2 Feb. 1742, and during the 1740s the house is described as the scene of some fantastic wagers.

1745

The uneasiness caused by the Scots success at Prestonpans in 1745, attracted crowds to the Bank of England to demand cash for notes; the expedient of paying in small silver failed to cope with the threatened disaster, had not the principal merchants, bankers, &c., 'to the number of 1,140 signed a declaration at Garraway's Coffee House on September 26, pledging themselves to accept Bank Notes for all amounts due to them ...' (Acres—Bank of England from Within.) During the rebellion a Subscription opened at Garraway's for the benefit of soldiers, produced £19,500.

1746

'London Courant' 11 Nov. 1746, announces: For Sale by the Candle at Garraway's Coffee House in Exchange Alley on Wednesday 19 instant at four o'clock precisely, a Parcel of Polished Diamonds. Catalogues will be delivered by Moses Alvarenger, broker.

1748

The fire in Cornhill in March, 1748, burnt Garraway's. The site of the house is shewn on the Plan of the Fire, with the name of 'Wilson': on one side is 'Kings Ins. Off.' and 'Holme Ins. Off.' on the other, and the property backs on to the Crown Alehouse. A report of the fire is to be found in the 'Gentleman's Magazine', March, 1748.

1752

The immediate steps taken by the Court of Common Council 'to permit as many non-freemen in the building business, to be employed in rebuilding ... as to them shall seem necessary: any law to the contrary notwithstanding' not only resulted in Garraway's Coffee-house being listed in Baldwin's directory, 1752, as the address used by Sir John Barnard, Knt. and Alderman; but exposes the dilatory methods of our own times in dealing with similar problems. Although I find no contemporary mention of Garraway's house between 1748 and 1752; Fielding's 'Amelia' (Dedication date Dec. 2. 1751) mentions Garraways.

1752–1840

From 1752 to 1840, Garraway's Coffee-house is regularly listed in the London directories; to 1799 in use as the business address of a great variety of traders, described as merchants, brokers, stockbrokers, exchange-brokers, &c., as well as sundry Bank directors, Aldermen, South Sea directors, &c. From 1754 to 1763 as the address of John, later Sir John Torriano, the Master of the Merchant Taylors Company in 1757.

1760–99

Sales by the Candle, and Auction Sales, are constantly advertised over these years to take place at Garraway's, covering a variety of commodities such as sugar, coffee, indigo, timber, textiles, spices, 'damaged rice' and other salvaged-goods. In addition, ships and shipping material, as well as properties. The full story of Garraway's needs a book to itself; the anecdotes, incidents, its frequenters, its sales, &c. &c., mentioned in a host of contemporary advertisements, directories, letters and miscellaneous documents and writings are too voluminous for this book of reference and render it necessary to curtail the remaining hundred years of its history.

1761

The 'Public Advertiser' 1 Jan. 1761, carries the following: '... a tall young gentleman ... was narrowly observed and much approved of by a certain young lady at the last ridotto .... if his heart is entirely disengaged, that if he will apply to A.B. at Garraway's Coffee-house ... he may be directed to have an interview with the young lady, which may prove greatly to his advantage ....'

1765

On 30 January 1765, 300 pieces of 'English cambric' sold here by auction realised 13/6d per yard.

1767–72

When houses were numbered in 1767, Kents directory lists Garraway's as No.4 Exchange Alley. In 1772, newspapers advertise State Lottery Tickets at Garraway's.

1780

'Morning Chronicle' 19 May 1780, announces: At Garraway's Coffee House in Exchange Alley in about ten days to be sold £35,000 Indigo. Catalogues will be timely delivered by Osvald Godwin & Soles, sworn brokers.

1781

Advertised to be sold at Garraway's on 1st Nov. 1781: 'The Lease and Trade of the Shakespeare Tavern and Jubilee Gardens, adjoining the New Road, Islington, formerly called Dobney's Bowling-green ...' (Pinks—Clerkenwell, p. 752).

1796

The growing importance of Garraway's as an auction mart is brought to light by the number of press advertisements. In 'The Times' 9 Nov. 1796, no less than eleven sales of properties are advertised for early dates. The items include property in Holywell Street; property in Little Wild Street; a Renters share in the Theatre Royal Drury Lane; leasehold estates on the north side of Gloucester-street leading to Hoxton Town; a freehold' in High Street Windsor; a family house at No. 47 Chancery Lane; an Exchequer Annuity; and other leaseholds and freeholds.

1798

Directories for 1798 give William Holden [? Howell] as the Proprietor of Garraway's, described as 'frequented by merchants, exchange, policy, and ship brokers in general; but in particular by 1800–03 the prominent auctioneers and brokers in merchandise', A somewhat similar description appears in the opening years of the new century, adding: 'There are commodious rooms for the sale of estates, ships, barges, and other commodities. Dinners dressed in the afternoon, and beds made up.' Timbs gives an interesting description of the saleroom at Garraway's. In 1804, the lease of the Swan Inn, Clapham Road, was sold here by auction.

1809–11

Traders using the house as an address appear in the directories, as merchants, drug-brokers, Turkey merchants, ship agents, and one J. Galagan described as 'Irish Provision Merchant'.

1810

W. Howell, for '20 years Master of Garraway's' died in 1810, aged 56. His portrait is listed in Evan's Catalogue, No. 17395.

1811

The volume and variety of sales advertised from Garraway's indicate the growth and scope of the auction business; now sufficiently large to attract competition in the form of the 'New Auction Mart' opened in 1810 'near the Bank'. This house too, had its coffee-house, but notwithstanding the competition, Garraway's continued to flourish. The 'Star' 20 Feb. 1811, announces no less than seven sales at Garraway's ranging from Freehold estates; a Policy of Assurance for £3,000; a Capital Plantation in the Island of Grenada & the negroes on the Plantation amounting to about 100; Government Tontine Annuities, 1789, and first-class & Irish Tontine of 1775 and so on. 'The Times' 28 May 1811, advertises at Garraway's sales of 16 Freehold properties in Oxfordshire, Warwickshire; growing grass crops at Bush Hill Edmonton; Genteel dwelling-house Ham Common; Leasehold estate No. 149, Strand; and a Freehold in Rathbone Place of 28 houses which included the Percy Coffee House. The same paper advertises five auction sales at the Auction Mart.

1813

On 12 May, 1813, the Mansion House, Ingoldsthorpe Hall, Norfolk, is auctioned at Garraway's 'at noon in one lot'.
     Directories for 1813 list Benson & Miles, Wine & Brandy merchants as Proprietors of Garraway's; similarly in 1822–24. On 30 April 1824, 1822–28 Mr. Thomas Benson died, aged 45. In 1828, a Churchwardens' Account in Guildhall Library, dated 20 May mentions 'to Widow Benson & Co., Garraway's Coffee-house'.

1823–26

In 1823, The King's Arms Chelsea together with adjoining premises known as the Rising Sun Brewery, and other properties, were offered in 21 Lots at Garraway's, for sale by Mr. Henry Wilson of Hatton Garden. In 1826, Peele's Coffee House, Fleet Street, is sold under' the hammer at Garraway's.

1832–34

The Proprietor in 1832 is listed as Benson & Co. No. 3, Change Alley; changed in 1833–34 to Anna Benson & Co. In the same years, Advertisements for the 'Guardian & Public Ledger' are taken in at Garraway's. Meetings of the Wardmote, Langbourn Ward, held here on several occasions in 1833 and later dates.

1835–37

The Belvidere Tavern, Pentonville, was sold by auction at Garraway's 29 June, 1835 and 'a valuable copyhold in Gray's-Inn-lane, near King's Cross, Battle-bridge' on 14 September, 1837.

1838–39

The directories for 1838–39 list Garraway's at No. 3 Change Alley. Proprietors–Funge & Bland, and a year later as Funge & Company. In 1839, a public auction sale of Wool is advertised at Garraway's.

1840–41

The house is described by Timbs as one of excited activity during the time of great speculation in Tea, 1840–41.

1844–60

Garraway's was well known to Charles Dickens, as also the George and Vulture Tavern in nearby George Yard; the latter in connexion with The Pickwick Papers which he completed in 1837. Garraway's Coffee House, Dickens introduced into 'Martin Chuzzlewitt' 1844, 'Christmas Stories' 1852, 'Little Dorrit' 1857, and 'The Uncommercial Traveller' 1860. But perhaps the house is best remembered by the highly descriptive letter headed 'Garraway's, twelve o'clock' 'Dear Mrs. B., Chops and Tomato Sauce, Yours Pickwick.'

1845–46

Garraway's is fully described in an article in 'The City' published by an anonymous author in October 1845. Auction sales of Properties continue to be advertised here during 1845–46.

1854

The war in the Crimea is probably reflected by 'A Public Sale of Russian Prizes' advertised to take place at Garraway's 11 July, 1854, by Churchill & Sims, Brokers to the Admiralty.

1855–60

Timbs remarks in 'Curiosities of London' (1855) that Garraway's at No. 3 Change Alley 'has a Crypt of the 14th and 16th century architecture' which he describes as 'ecclesiastical in character' with 'a piscine ... now used as the coffee-house wine-cellar'. Dickens in 1860 remarks on this in 'The Uncommercial Traveller': 'There is an old monastery-cript under Garraway's (I have been in it among the port wine), and perhaps Garraway's, taking pity on the mouldy men who wait in its public room, all their lives, gives them cool house room down there on Sundays.'

1864

White Conduit House, Pentonville, is advertised to be sold here on 24 May, 1864. (Pinks—Clerkenwell. p. 539.)

1866

Wheatley says Garraway's was finally closed August 11, 1866, but a Notice put out by Funge & Reynolds, Wine Merchants, announces that Garraway's 'will be finally closed on Wednesday 25th instant' and the copy of this in Guildhall Library bears in penscript the date 'August 1866'. This date may indicate the end of Garraway's as a Coffee House although the name was retained by the next occupants and is still mentioned in 1872.

1872

Stapleton in 'London Lanes' (1930) mentions that the freehold of the Cock & Woolpack Tavern in Finch Lane 'was sold in 1872 at Garraway's for £20,000', and Dawe's '11, 1ronmonger Lane' (1952): 'the Ironmonger Lane property was put for public auction at Garraway's Coffee House in October 1872'.

1873

Welch (1896) remarks on 'another old City landmark was about to be removed [1873] viz: Garraway's Coffee House, Change Alley, Cornhill, which was required for a firm of bankers'.
     Thornbury (1897) says Garraway's 'is now pulled down' and gives an illustration 'From a Sketch taken shortly before its demolition' which unfortunately is undated. The same view of Garraway's appears in various books; but Ellis in 'Penny Universities' (1956) gives an illustration of a drawing seemingly taken from the same source, but with the caption 'Garraway's prior to demolition, 1846'. This date is puzzling.
     Hilton Price in 'The Signs of Old Lombard Street' (1902) remarks that since 1703 'the business of the "Grasshopper" has been conducted by the Martin's, who have recently taken in the famous old coffee house known as Garraway's ...' and Rogers in 'Old London' (1935) refers to Garraway's 'in Exchange Alley, behind No. 68, Lombard Street, and for long its site has formed part of the premises of Martin's Bank—all rebuilt 1928–30 ...' Welch (1896) illustrates 'Back of Martin's Bank on the site of Garraway's—designed by Norman Shaw.'