Page 83 - Ian Marshall - London Coffe Houses - Standing Display January 2016
P. 83
Navy Coffee House
4 Newcastle Street, Strand
(1796 - 1833)
The Navy Office was moved from Crutched Friars in 1786 to Somerset
House and Newcastle Street on the other side of the Strand was close by.
The street was named after John Holles, Duke of Newcastle, who died in
1711. The upper part was formerly known as Magpie Alley but after a
fire in 1781 it was extended to the Strand; the name ofNewcastle Street
was given to the whole.
In 1803 it advertised as providing "Excellent wines, good dinners and
beds". Proprietors included: Maurice (1805); George Morris (1809); and
Nathaniel Groves (1822-24).
A letter written on 30th July 1807 by John
Clarke at Welton Place addressed to Edmund
Burton at The Navy Coffee House where it
arrived the next day. The letter relates that
"having detected that idle and good for
nothing fellow John Stanton fishing on
Drayton reservoir, upon being captured was
brought to Welton Place"! ! The letter asks Mr
Burton if he agrees that he should be
prosecuted. The letter goes on to refer to
Martha Baker ofBraunston, of notorious
character. It appears that the writer may be a
local magistrate. The letter was charged at 2/-.
