Jamaica Coffee House

Jamaica Coffee House

In St. Michael's Alley on the east side, next the Church Tower, 1863.

Built over the south cloister and part of the churchyard and on the site of the old Quest House, erected 1674 after the Fire (Overall, p. 289, and End. Ch. St. Michael's Cornhill parish, 1903, p. 2).

Here too [St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill] is the Jamaica Coffee-house, formerly a noted subscription-house for merchants and captains engaged in the West India trade.

[On the establishment of coffeehouses in London see St. Michael's Alley, Cornhill (Ed.)]

618. Jamaica Coffee House, St. Michael's Alley, No. 12 (1767); No. 11 (1799).

At times referred to as Cornhill in sundry directories.

The building which housed the Jamaica Coffee-house stood on the east side of St. Michael's Alley, adjoining the church property; it was in fact built on part of the glebe land of St. Michael, Cornhill. Harben's Dictionary of London (1918) says the Jamaica Coffee-house was 'built over the south cloister and part of the churchyard and on the site of the old Quest House erected in 1674, after the Fire'.

No contemporary evidence is yet forth-coming to support sundry writers in stating the Jamaica Coffee-house was in existence before the Fire of 1666. The fire destroyed the entire Alley and the church of St. Michael, and with it went the first coffee-house established in London in 1652, by Christopher Bowman under the name and sign of Pasqua Rosee. It is known from a Token issued by Stephen Hayward and Geo. Backler, they jointly occupied 'the Ould Coffee House in St. Michell's Ally formerly Bomans' after the Fire, and their occupancy 'at the end of the second precinct of St. Michael's Cornhill' in 1668 is confirmed by the parish records investigated by the late Dr. Kenneth Rogers in his research at Guildhall Library. It is yet unknown when the Hayward-Backler Coffee-house ended its existence and unfortunately their Token is undated. However the dates can be narrowed between 1668 and 1672 when the issue of such Tokens were no longer permitted.

The church of St. Michael was rebuilt by Chr. Wren in 1672 and it seems probable that the coffee-house of Hayward and Backler was a temporary structure on the site of Pasqua Rosee's or Bowman's 'Ould Coffee House', and came to an end on the rebuilding of the church in 1672, or two years later when the Quest House was erected.

A Schedule of Deeds is mentioned by de Castro in his MS in Guildhall Library: 18 April 1719—Counterpart of lease by Samuel Baker, rector, to William Langmore of a messuage whereon stood the Quest House, now called the Virginia Coffee House in St. Michael's Alley; and 29 Nov. 1765—Lease by Isaac Ackerman to Francis Ellis of ground whereon stood the Quest House now the Jamaica Coffee House, formerly the Virginia Coffee House. The Virginia was still in St. Michael's Alley in 1732.

Although everything points to the Jamaica Coffee-house, St. Michael's Alley coming into existence between 1674 and 1680, early contemporary mention is usually to 'Jamaica' without indication of its site, or to 'Jamaica, Cornhill'; but no mention of St. Michael's Alley.

The name 'Jamaica' is likely to have been adopted and linked with events in the Island of Jamaica, as throughout its life, the Jamaica Coffee House attracted people interested in the trade and plantations of the island. Until 1661, Jamaica was governed by a military authority; in the succeeding years was infested with buccaneers until 1670; by the Treaty of Madrid, the British title to it was recognised. The Royal Africa Company was formed in 1672 with a monopoly of the Slave Trade, and from this time, Jamaica was one of the greatest slave-marts of the world. Sugar, indigo, and cacao industry was by then well established there.

From the above-mentioned lease of 1719 the Virginia Coffee House occupied the site of the Quest House, later occupied by the Jamaica; but long before 1719 there is contemporary mention of both coffee-houses. The possible solution is that both coffee-houses were in the same building simultaneously and the Jamaica eventually took over the portion formerly used by the Virginia. Alternatively, the Jamaica was first established in nearby Cornhill. More information is needed to settle this point. Meantime a rough estimate of the date the Jamaica was established, say from 1674 to 1680, may not prove far wrong.

1680–81

According to Wright & Fayle's History of Lloyd's, a newspaper advertisement of 1681 (probably Smiths Protestant Intelligence, March, 1680–81) mentions 'a ship about to sail for Carolina, in which freight or a passage could be engaged at the Jamaica Coffee-house'.

1702–14

Ashton is somewhat confusing; he lists the Jamaica, Cornhill 'by the Ship and Turtle' and elsewhere he mentions 'by the Ship and Castle'

1703

but he does contribute the following advertisement: 'A Child about 6 Years Old being led away by a Fat Squat Wench, on Monday, being the 13th instant at five of the Clock in the Evening, from Brook Street in Ratcliffe to Golden Lane without Cripplegate, being robbed of a Gold Chain marked A.H. and a Silver Thimble and Purse. Whoever can discover the Wench, so as to be taken, shall have a Guinea Reward, or if Pawn'd or Sold their Money again at Thos. Townsend's at the Jamaica Coffee House in Cornhill.'

1719

See Counterpart of lease 18 April, 1719, quoted above.

1728

The 'Daily Journal' 8 Aug. 1728, advertises: 'Ran away from her master at Blackheath a negro woman, aged about 25 years, pretty fat (went by the name of Caelia) and is indented by the name of Caelia Edlyne and has several years to serve. She has a cross, the mark of her country, on one cheek just under her eye and walks lame being a little inclined to the dropsy. She washes irons clear-starches and remarkably darns well. Whoever secures her and gives notice at the bar of the Jamaica Coffee House so that she be brought to justice shall have two guineas reward, but whoever entertains her shall be prosecuted with the uttermost rigour.' ('The Baltic Exchange', 1927.—J. Findlay.)

1734

'Daily Journal' 15 Jan. 1734 announces: 'The Freighters of the ship Lignenea Captain Thomas Toll from Jamaica, are desir'd to meet at the Jamaica Coffee House in St. Michael's Alley Cornhill on Wednesday next the 16th at eleven o'clock in order to adjust what damages may be received.' (de Castro MS.)

1748

The Jamaica is shewn on the Plan of the Cornhill fire March, 1748, as damaged. A contemporary newspaper remarks the Jamaica 'was but little damaged'. The coffee-house site occupies most of the east side of the Alley and adjoins St. Michael's church.

1749–1898

From 1749 to 1898 the Jamaica, St. Michael's Alley, is listed in the London directories &c., with sundry variations of title.

1750

In 1750, a notice in the press mentions the Jamaica Coffee-house 'having been used for 60 years past as the place at which letters should be left for Jamaica, and similarly many letters were received there'.

1750–99

The popularity of the Jamaica and to its being a well patronised house, is evident from the wide variety of traders using the house as a business address, listed in the directories from 1750 to 1799. These include merchants, brokers, ship and insurance brokers, coal-merchants, callico printers, rope line and net makers, rum and brandy merchants, &c. &c.

1761

'The Public Ledger' 22 Sep. 1761, advertises—Proposals for Printing & Subscription An Exact Survey of the Island of Jamaica—in four maps—by William Wallace and James Simpson. A book for Subscriptions is opened at the Jamaica Coffee-house in St. Michael's Alley Cornhill.

1762–75

Original letters in my collection, some from Antigua, are mostly addressed to 'Jamaica Coffee-house London'.

1765

29 Nov. 1765—Lease by Isaac Ackerman to Francis Ellis of ground whereon stood the Quest House now the Jamaica Coffee House formerly the Virginia Coffee House is mentioned in a Schedule of Deeds in Guildhall Library.

1767

1767 directories list the Jamaica Coffee house as No. 12, St. Michael's Alley.

1775

In 1775, William Hickey called on Messrs: Nesbitt's, eminent merchants in Bishopsgate Street to procure 'a passage to the West Indies in one of their ships'. Mr. Arnold Nesbitt gave him a letter to Captain Paul Surman, Commander of the ship New Shoreham, at the Jamaica Coffee House: 'the passage money to be paid previous to embarking was thirty guineas, for which he should supply a table during the voyage.' The New Shoreham 'a very fine vessel, between three and four hundred tons burthen, elegantly fitted up ... lined throughout the after part with mahogany'. (Memoirs of William Hickey, I, 332–337.)

1793

Roaches handbook 1793 says 'The Jamaica is a coffee-house where one sees nothing but aquatic captains in the trade of that island' and 'the best rum is obtained there'.

1798

Philip Grubb is listed as Proprietor in 1798, the house is described in the Universal British Directory as 'Frequented by West India merchants in general; policy and ship-insurance brokers, owners & commanders of ships trading to the West Indies & Leeward Islands and also brokers and dealers in the produce of those places.'

1799

Lowndes directory 1799, lists the Jamaica as No. 11, St. Michael's Alley.

1801–03

In 1803 described as 'Frequented by West India merchants &c.

1805–24

Dinners dressed, and beds made up or procured'. From 1805 to 1824, and possibly later, the Proprietor is listed either as 'Grubb' or 'Philip Grubb'. In 1809 at No. 3 St. Michael's Alley was the New Register Office of Shipping.

1810–12

Julius Angerstein in his 1810 Report on Underwriting at Lloyd's, states 'there were still a number of under-writers who wrote policies at the Jamaica and Jerusalem coffee-houses ....'

1811–12

Wright & Fayle in their History of Lloyd's mention the rapid growth in the number of Lloyd's Agents from 1811, and the wide support accorded to the agency system 'led almost insensibly into the assumption of responsibilities for those at sea' and early in 1812, a Notice was sent to the Jamaica Coffee House urging Masters to report to Lloyd's Agents 'for the purpose of getting the latest intelligence and facilitating applications by the Agents for convoy'.

1819–22

From 1819 to 1822 listed in 'Picture of London' as the Jamaica, Hayti and Madeira Coffee House. An omnibus title, short-lived, evidently adopted to satisfy some of the customers of the house. The title does not appear on letters in my possession, which are addressed simply as 'Jamaica Coffee-house'.

1825

'The Times' 23 July, 1825 carries an advertisement‐'To Wine Merchants and Others—To be disposed of, a Capital Business in the Wine Trade, with excellent counting house, warehouse, and extensive vaults situate in the best part of the city; and a good stock of choice wines. For further particulars ... direct postpaid to XYZ Jamaica Coffee-house.'

1826–38

In 1826 the Proprietor is changed from Grubb to Joseph Davis, who still appears in 1838 directories as Jos. Davis.

1840

An interesting letter in my collection is worthy of note: Dated from Walmer Castle Sept. 17, 1840 to Captain Barclay, Jamaica Coffee House London—'The Duke of Wellington presents his compts. to Capt. Barclay. He has received Capt. Barclays note of the 16th and is much obliged to him and to Lord Keane. The Turtle therein mentioned has not yet reached Walmer Castle—The Duke will write to Cap. Barclay when it will be brought here. P.S. The Duke of Wellington has great pleasure in informing Capn. Barclay that since the above was written the Turtle has been brought here, for which the Duke again thanks him for his gift.'

1844

When Lloyd's moved into the newly built Royal Exchange in 1844 (to replace the one destroyed by fire in 1838), the post of 'Master' was abolished; the Bar of the Subscribers' Room at Lloyd's was leased, first to Mr. Warriner of the 'George & Vulture' and afterwards 'to Mr. H. Mabey of the Jamaica Coffee-house' who carried on the business merely as catering contractors. (Wright & Fayle). I am unable to trace whether Mr. Mabey continued his connexion with the Jamaica.

1845

An interesting description of the Jamaica is given in 'The City' a small book by an anonymous author published October 1845: ' ... The proprietors and managers ... pride themselves upon the accuracy and full extent of their West India intelligence ... the number of subscribers varies from two hundred and fifty to three hundred and fifty, the parties being the merchants engaged in commerce with Madeira and the West India, who assemble together for business purposes before going to their several counting-houses in the morning, or after leaving 'Change in the afternoon. The subscription room ... is exceedingly commodious; and the supply of papers and shipping-lists published in the localities it represents, is numerous and well selected. It is the best place, above all others, to ascertain any information relative to the mail packets on the West Indies station, or the merchant-vessels making these voyages ....'

1849–50

The house is listed in 1849–50 as the Jamaica and Madeira Coffee House. Annual subscription three guineas. As with other coffeehouses, the Jamaica at this time was at the stage of transition from the old style coffee-house, to that of a business exchange.

1869

'Jamaica Wine House. Established 1869' is to be seen today on the existing house standing on the site of the earlier coffee-houses in St. Michael's Alley.

1884

The Jamaica Coffee House figures in the list of Parochial Charities of St. Michael Cornhill, listed in 'City Churches' (Clarke 1898): The church estate produces £2,920 per annum, viz. (i) Jamaica Coffeehouse 60 years lease from Midsummer, 1864, £1,300 afterwards reduced to £1,000 per annum: this £1,000 is subject to charges amounting to £56-13-4 of which £45 is paid to the rector 'the property being built on part of the glebe land'.

1898

In 1898 mention is made to the 'Jamaica Wine Shop'.

1952–63

In 1952, three hundred years after the establishment of the first coffee-house in St. Michael's Alley, the Lord Mayor unveiled a Tablet placed on the wall of the Jamaica Tavern, to mark the site of the house of Pasqua Rosee. Now, in 1963, the Jamaica is still to be found in St. Michael's Alley on a coffee-house site of some 309 years, broken only by the fire of London in 1666.

See Virginia Coffee House. No. 1468.