Page 75 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016

London Coffee House
24, Ludgate Hill
(1731 - 1867)

There are 5 London Coffee Houses but this one variously located at 24 Ludgate Hill, 24
Ludgate Street and "next to St Martin's Church" and started life as the London Punch
House under the proprietorship of James Ashley in 1731 and Mr. Ashley remained until
1755 or possibly 1763. It seems that the house changed its name on the departure of James
Ashley and nothing records its existence until 1771 when its old name re-appears. It is in
use for masonic lodge meetings. James Boswell records in 1772 that "I went to my Club at
the London Coffee House.....the Club is composed principally of Physicians, dissenting
Clergy, and Masters of academies". The house stood within the Rules of Fleet Prison and
was used to lock up disagreeing juries from the Old Bailey for the night. The Prison,
destroyed by the Great Fire was re-built and again destroyed by riots in 1780 and again re-
built to be bought by the Corporation in 1844 for redevelopment. In 1793 London Coffee
House is described as "a large and superb mansion with a profusion of attendants, first rate
cooks, the best ofwaiters, the smartest of chambermaids, hair dressers, porters and shoe
blacks". In 1798 it is again described: "These premises are perhaps the most elegant and
extensive of any that come under the denomination of a coffeehouse in the three
kingdoms". 1805 records a change in proprietorship from Rowley & Leach, to Leach & Co
and in 1811 to Leech & Dallimore and, by 1826, to Leech & Buttel. In 1830 Equitable Life
held its Court meetings at the London Coffee House. In 1851 George Peabody, the great
philanthropist, gave a dinner there to Americans connected with the Great Exhibition and
several years later he gave half a million pounds for the relief ofthe poor ofLondon. The
Coffee House was closed in 1867 and the building demolished in 1872.

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A letter written at the London Coffee House on 15th August 1840 by
A.L.Lobach addressed to Messrs. Frederick Huth & Co at 10 Moorgate
Street. The letter thanks for the letters of instruction and credit and also
for "the sale of the doubloons". The letter also advises that the shipment
of spices from Tabasco are being made by way of the United States. The
letter was charged at 2d.