Page 62 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016

Jack's Cotiee House
Old Corn Exchange, Mark Lane

(1761 - 1840)
Jack's Coffee House first appears in the directories for 1761, in use as the
business address of John and Peter Lefevre, Malt distillers of Bromley.
The Com Exchange, later known as the Old Exchange, Mark Lane was
built in 1747 and after several alterations and enlargements, the whole
was re-built in 1881. The new Com Exchange was built in 1827.A
contemporary report states that "in the upper part of the Old Exchange
....was an apartment known as "Jack's Coffee House" the assembly for
London and country millers who examine their purchases etc. after the
market is over". In 1813 James Smith is recorded as the keeper of the
"Com Exchange Coffee House" but a directory shows Wm. Carter, Wine
Merchant, listed at Jacks Coffee House along with 9 Com Factors. It is
not known if these represent two separate establishments, thought
unlikely, or is a corruption of the address of Jack's. By 1819 only Jack's is
listed but the Carter family are running things. Proprietors are: William
Carter to 1827; Catherine Carter to 1832; Elizabeth Carter in 1833/4; and
finally C Carter. The Post Office directory for 1839 lists two coffee
houses: Jacks Coffee House with Mrs. Catherine Carter as proprietor; and
Com Exchange & Jack's Coffee House under C. Carter. The following
year only one entry is made, under the proprietorship of Mrs. Catherine
Carter, of Jack's Coffee House and Tavern. Whether there were two
distinct coffee houses operating remains unclear.

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A letter written on at the Bank on 5th February 1800 addressed to Francis
Cobb Junr. Esq and delivered to him by hand via Mr Osborn at Jack's
Coffee Hovse. The letter refers to payments in respect of investments in
Govt. Consols. Interestingly the filing note dates the correspondence to
1801not1800.