Page 79 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016
P. 79
Millington's Coffee House
Queen's Head Coffee House
Gray's Inn, 23 High Holborn
1763-1824
There is little information on this Coffee House which may well be same
as the Queen's Head Coffee House which is first recorded in 1763 and in
17979 was being used for masonic meetings. It was described in 1803 as
"frequented by professional gentlemen. A well-dressed dinner every day
at half-past four and five o'clock, with good wines and beds". Its
proprietor in 1809 is given as Richard Millington and this may well
indicate that the business changed its name (and when he ceased to own it
in 1813 references in directories ended albeit the use of the name
persisted). By 1822 its proprietor was William Pardy and it was again
being used for masonic meetings. ·
,
A letter written in Dalham near Newmarket on 3Oth April 1819 by J.
Hicks addressed to the Rev. Bashenshaw at Millington's Hotel, Gray's Inn
Fields, Holbom which accepts the offer of £23,000 made by Mr. Randal
saying "I shall be ready to close for that sum" - an enormous amount in
1819. The letter goes on to discuss related land sales. A black
NEWMARKET 62 mileage mark (SK279 - early use) and red circular
London afternoon datestamp with table stamp E showing 1st May.
