Page 63 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016

Jamaica Coffee House
12, St Michael's Alley,

Cornhill
(1680-1850)
A famous coffee house located on the site of the first coffee house in
London, the Pasqua Rosee, which perished in the Great Fire of 1666.
When re-built it became the Virginia Coffee House but by 1680 it was
known as the Jamaica. This coffee house played an important role in the
distribution of mail overseas, particularly to the West Indies, having
excellent links with the captains of the sailing ships. Advertisements were
placed advising people of impending departures and directing people
wanting passage or freight to make their way to the coffee house.

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The Jamaica CoOee House, c. 1811.

A contemporary drawing circa 1811.

A letter written in Lisbon, Portugal on 23rd December 1760
which has an indistinct Bishop Mark of 6th March (?). The
letter was answered on 7th April. It was charged 8d reflecting
the ship letter rate of 5d and Dover to London charge of 3d.