Slaughter's Coffee House

1210. Slaughter's Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane. 'Close to Newport Street.'

Incorrect references are to be found to 'The Slaughter's' or 'The Siaughterer's Coffee House.' The house is mentioned as 'The Coffee House on the Pavement' by reason of St. Martin's Lane being a 'street with a pavement'.

1692

Established in 1692 by John Slaughter according to some writers, by Thomas Slaughter according to others. Thomas appears to be generally accepted as the original Proprietor. He died in 1740. Slaughter's house is described as 'the upper end of St. Martin's Lane on the west side, three doors from Newport Street'.

1702–14

Ashton mentions that Slaughter's superseded Old Man's Coffee House as a military meeting place. As Old Man's ended its existence by 1741 (Alexander Man having died in 1714 or 1715) it seems probable that Ashton's comment is based on fact, but is unfortunately not documented.

1720–21

MS of Southmele family refers to 'Chess players at Slaughter's'. The Overseers' Club or Monthly Society (later known as Old St. Martin's Club) established in 1721, used Slaughter's Coffee-house for some of its meetings. (McMaster—St. Martin-in-the-Fields, 1916.)

1730

A Lost-Reward Notice in my collection: Numb. 11924, March 12, 1730. LOST on Thursday the 11th of March, coming out of the Play-house in Lincoln's-Inn-Fields, a Silver-Hilted Sword, wrought Work on the Shell and Guard, new fashion'd: If offer'd to be pawn'd or sold, pray stop it, and give Notice at Slaughter's Coffee-house, S. Martin's-Lane, and you shall have One Guinea Reward, or if already pawn'd or sold, your Money again with Content. Benjamin Pyne, Beadle at Goldsmith's-Hall.

1740

Thomas Slaughter died in 1740 and was succeeded in the business by Humphrey Bailey. Cunningham and other writers quote 1760 as the year when Slaughter's adopted the name of Old Slaughter's Coffee-house. This is obviously incorrect as contemporary mention of both Old Slaughter's, and New Slaughter's, is known as early as 1742. The title of Old Slaughter's was adopted when competition appeared in a nearby house opening as New Slaughter's. It seems probable, with the death of Thomas Slaughter, a competing coffeeman, perhaps one of the staff, saw an opportunity and took it. The original house, henceforth known as Old Slaughter's was destined to exist for a hundred years more.

See Old Slaughter's Coffee House. No. 937.

270. Coffee House on the Pavement, St. Martin's Lane. Is the name given to Slaughter's Coffee House.

1742

As early as 1742, the 'Daily Advertiser' April, 13, mentions a building 'on the Pavement in st. Martin's Lane, near Charing Cross'. About the same year Slaughter's adopted the name of Old Slaughter's.

The Pavement in St. Martin's Lane appears to be an early experiment in trying to improve the condition of London's streets; as it was not until 1762, an Act for paving was passed designed to remedy the hitherto deplorable state of things.

Timbs remarks: 'for many years previous to the streets of London being completely paved, Slaughter's was called 'The Coffee-house on the Pavement', but other writers indicate much later dates.

937. Old Slaughter's Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane. No. 77 (1799),· 74–75 (1815–38); 75 (1839–43).

Originally known as Slaughter's established in 1692. See No. 1210.

Thomas Slaughter died 1740 and was succeeded by Humphrey Bailey. When New Slaughter's Coffee House opened in St. Martin's Lane, the original house adopted the title oj Old Slaughter's and so was known until the end of its days.

Great confusion between Slaughter's, Old Slaughter's, and New Slaughter's will be found in many books. Both Cunningham and Wheatley quote 1760 as the date when the title Old Slaughter's was adopted; but this is upset by newspaper advertisements of 1742 referring both to Old and New Slaughter's Coffee-houses. The change of title may have taken place earlier than 1742. It was not readily put to use and for some years the house is mentioned as Slaughter's or Old Slaughter's.

1742

The 'Daily Advertiser' 10 April 1742, announces a Benefit for Monsr: Muilment, 'At the Theatre Royal in Drury Lane, on Friday the 23rd instant' when 'will be presented a Comedy, call'd THE MERCHANT OF VENICE with Entertainments of Dancing by Monsr: Muilment, &c., and Singing by Mr. Board, as will be particularly express'd on the Bills. Tickets at Monsr: Muilment's House, next to Old Slaughter's Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane.'

1743

In 1743, a pirated edition of Hoyle's Whist, printed in Dublin, advertised itself, as 'A Short Treatise on the Game of Whist, as play'd at Court ... White's and George's Chocolate-houses, at Slaughter's, and the Crown Coffee-houses &c. &c....' In the same year Tickets for Ranelagh and Vauxhall Gardens were advertised obtainable at Slaughter's Coffee-house.

1746

The 'London Evening Post' 3–6 May, 1746, No. 2886: 'This is to inform the Publick, That I Martha Misaubin, Widow to the late Dr. John Misaubin ... have now taken in my House, in St. Martin's Lane, near Slaughter's Coffee-house, my Nephew Charles Angibaud, Surgeon, to attend to my Patients... .' The 'General Advertiser' 16 December the same year, advertises an auction sale of Jewels and Plate at the Black Swan Tavern in Bartholomew Lane, for which catalogues were"to be obtained at Old Slaughter's in St. Martin's Lane.

See Chadwell's Coffee House. No. 229.

1747

Timbs mentions, that in 1747 the principal if not the only Chess Club in London met at Slaughter's Coffee-house in St. Martin's Lane. Its leading players were Sir James Janssen, Philip Stamma (from Aleppo), Lord Godolphin, Lord Sunderland, and Lord Elibank.

1750

'Sock' the head Waiter at Old Slaughter's, is mentioned by Diprose in 'St. Clement Danes' as 'a great favourite of Fielding who gave him that nickname'; he was a natural son of James Spiller who kept the 'Spiller's Head' in Clare Market, and 'inherited his father's drollery, being a great mimic and an original wit. He was fond of punch like his father, and was apt to taste of a bowl on his way from the bar ... on one occasion when he was detected, he said he had spilled it—hence they called him Punch Spiller'.

1750–54

Abraham de Moivre (1667–1754) the great mathematician, used to attend Slaughter's Coffee House in his old age, to 'pick up a pittance by the solution of questions relative to games of chance'. de Moivre died in 1754 aged 87. (Wheatley, and D.N.B.)

1755

Thompson quotes the 'Advertiser' 14 June 1755, concerning a reply to a previous advertisement: 'Whereas, there is in this paper of Thursday, an advertisement from a single gentleman; if she will be pleased to direct a letter to T.B. to be left at Old Slaughter's Coffee-house upon the pavement of St. Martin's Lane, a Gentleman of TRUTH HONOUR AND FORTUNE will wait upon her betwixt 7 and 9 o'clock on Thursday evening or at what ever other time she shall please to appoint, when she may depend upon her name, reasons and everything relating to her being kept in secret as the grave.' (Love, Marriage & Romance of Old London—Thompson.)

1756–57

Florence Hensey, the French Spy, frequented Old Slaughter's Coffee House St. Martin's Lane. See Montpellier Coffee House. No. 1831.

1753–69

Old Slaughter'S Coffee-house is perhaps best remembered by the concentration of artists who favoured the house before the foundation of the Royal Academy of Arts in 1768. The artistic world in London about the middle of the eighteenth century, mostly congregated in and around St. Martin's Lane and the streets of Soho. Hogarth, who established the Society of Incorporated Artists and whose first exhibition was held on 21 April 1760, in the Adelphi house of the Society of Arts, was a constant visitor to Old Slaughter's prior to his death in 1764. Roubiliac, the sculptor, had his studio 'on the west side of st. Martin's Lane, opposite Old Slaughter's Coffee-house' and with him lodged Nathaniel Smith, the engraver and the father of J. T. Smith, Keeper of the Prints & Drawings in the British Museum. It was in consequence of a bet made at Old Slaughter's, that Roubiliac introduced Smith 'to the famous Parry' in order to play draughts with him. Antonio Zucchi, the artist; Luke Sullivan, the engraver; Gravelot, the well-known book-illustrator; Moser, the keeper of the St. Martin's Lane Academy, and many others concerned in art, fore-gathered at Old Slaughter's.

1763

Mortimer's directory 1763, contains an interesting reference to Mary Slaughter. 'Modeller of Portraits in Wax. At Mr. Slaughter's.' The mention here of Mr. Slaughter is puzzling, and the relationship of Mary is unknown to me.

Charles Angibaud 'Proprietor of the Pectoral Lozenges of Blois ...' advertises from St. Martin's Lane 'between the two Slaughter's Coffee Houses'. (See entry under date 1746.)

1763

James Boswell, records in his 'London Journal' under date 22 March, 1763: ' ... I went with Erskine and breakfasted at Slaughter's Coffee-house, and then we walked to Holborn, which did me good. We then came to Douglas's and saw from his windows the procession of the heralds and all the other pageants up Pall Mall in their way to the City to proclaim the Peace... .' (F.A. Pottle, Heinemann, 1950.)

1765

Oliver Goldsmith (1728–74) writing of Various Clubs, remarks: 'If a man be passionate he may vent his rage among the old orators at Slaughter's Coffee-house and damn the nation because it keeps him from starving.' (Wheatley—Old & New London, 1891.)

1775

In 1775, Nathaniel Hone the painter, exhibited 'in a great room on the west side nearly opposite Old Slaughter's Coffee House' his celebrated and controversial picture 'Conjuror', regarded as an obvious attack on Sir Joshua Reynolds. The picture had previously been removed from the Academy as it contained an indecent caricature. According to the D.N.B., Hone opened the exhibition in· St. Martin's Lane to re-establish his character. The following notice appeared in several contemporary newspapers: 'Exhibition, St. Martin's Lane. Mr. Hone's Exhibition of the Conjuror, and one hundred other pictures and designs, all by his own hands, may be seen every day (Sunday excepted), opposite Old Slaughter's Coffee-house, the upper end of St. Martin's Lane, from ten in the morning till seven in the evening. Admittance one shilling. Catalogues, with Mr. Hone's Apology to the public, gratis. May 9th. 1775.'

1777

'Slaughter's' was frequented by John Hunter the famous surgeon, and Charles Hutton, mathematician, both members of a club whose meetings were held at the coffee-house. Here, Hunter related his share in the grim business of trying to restore life to Dr. Dodd, hanged at Tyburn on 27th June 1777, for having forged Lord Chesterfield's signature. According to sundry accounts, Dodd's body was conveyed to an undertakers where after giving it a warm bath, John Hunter in spite of his long-sustained efforts, was unable to bring the corpse back to life. (Note—This incident may concern the other Slaughter's Coffee-house; only 'Slaughter's' is mentioned in the several accounts so far noted.)

1796–1840

From 1796 to 1840, Old Slaughter's Coffee House is regularly listed in the London directories. In 1797, listed in use for meetings of the masonic Lodge of Felicity. The directories for 1799, give Old Slaughter's as No. 77, and New Slaughter's as No. 81, St. Martin's Lane.

1803

In 1803, Old Slaughter's is described as 'A very respectable house, and much frequented by gentlemen in that neighbourhood. Good dinners, wines, and beds.'

1808

Benjamin R. Haydon, the artist, in the early days of his career was accustomed to dine with Wilkie at Old Slaughter's. His Autobiography says: 'This period of our lives was one of great happiness: painting all day, then dining at the Old Slaughter's Chop-house, then going to the Academy until eight, to fill up the evening....'

1809–11

Holden's directory 1809–11, gives John Reid as Proprietor of Old Slaughter's Coffee-House & Hotel:

1814

other directories from 1814 to 1840, revert to the description of Coffee House.

1815

In 1815, Old Slaughter's is listed as Nos. 74 and 75, but whether this indicates a removal from No. 77, at some date after 1799, is not clear. The Epicure's Almanac, 1715, refers to the 'Coffee House on the Pavement'.

1821

Even as late as 1821, the house is still referred to as 'Slaughter's'. Macmichael in 'Charing Cross' quotes the St. Martin's Scrapbook: 'Fentum's Grand Masquerade took place at the New Museodeum Rooms in St. Martin's Lane, opposite Slaughter's Coffee-house.'

1822–24

1822–24 directories give W. G. Reid & Co. Proprietors of Old Slaughter's.

In 1822, Richard Martin (1754-1834) known as 'Humanity Martin' succeeded in carrying into law an Act 'to prevent the cruel and improper treatment of cattle' and in 1824 was one of the founders of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, at the inaugural meeting held in Old Slaughter's Coffee House.

1826–27

The Proprietor listed in 1826–27 directories is given as W.W.G. Reid. About this time, F.W. Fairholt made an original sketch of 'Old Slaughter's Coffee House' now in Guildhall Library. Timbs disputes the title of a picture entitled 'A Conversation over a Bowl of Punch at Old Slaughter's Coffee House in St. Martin's Lane', sold in 1827 for 150 guineas, by Stewart, Wheatley and Allard, Piccadilly, attributed to Hogarth. The figures were said to be portraits of the painter, Dr. Monsey, and the landlord, Old Slaughter. J.T. Smith says it was painted by Highmore, for Nathaniel Oldham and 'it is neither a scene at Old Slaughter's nor are the portraits rightly described in the sale catalogue, but a scene at Oldham's house at Ealing, with an old school-master, a farmer, the artist Highmore, and Oldham himself'.

1828

A letter in my collection dated Elgin 3 August 1828, addressed to 'Lieut-Colonel Branden Old Slaughter's Coffee House London' in which the writer trusts 'this letter will find you comfortably settled at Old Slaughter's'.

1833–38

Directories of 1833–38 list Old Slaughter's Coffee House, 74–75, St. Martin's Lane, Reid & Co. Proprietors. Letters in my possession dated 1837 and 1838 are addressed to 'Old Slaughter's Hotel'. A change of Proprietorship is noted in 1839–1840 directories—Reid & Tipping, No. 75, St. Martin's Lane.

1841–43

'Slaughter's Coffee House, St. Martin's Lane' 'A water-colour Drawing by T.H. Shepherd, 1841. Taken down 1843.' Figures in the Creed Collection Item No. 45. Portfolio XVIII. A pencil drawing of 'Old Slaughter's as it was just before being pulled down in May 1843, by Edward Spencer Junr., bears the date May 31, 1742. This date, 1742, is interesting and denotes that either the artist or the British Museum authorities date Old Slaughter's some 20 years earlier than mentioned by Cunningham, and others.

Historians comment that the house was taken down in 1843–44 'when Cranbourn Street was cut through that section of the town to make a thoroughfare between Coventry Street and Piccadilly'. Thus after a life of 151 years in St. Martin's Lane, Slaughter's Coffee House came to its end.

See Slaughter's Coffee House. No. 1210.
The Coffee House on the Pavement. No. 270.
New Slaughter's Coffee House. No. 903.
Young Slaughter's Coffee House. No. 1581.