This is a historical site about early London coffee Houses and Taverns and will also link to my current pub history site and also The London street directory
LONDON TRADERS, TAVERN, AND COFFEE-HOUSE TOKENS, CURRENT 1649-1672. :
Index of Tradesmens tokens.
The # prefix is the numbering of the Beaufoy collection, and B is the prefix of additional tokens listed in the Boynes collection.
B1056 Obverse. Joh . Abbott . in . fleete = A string of candles. 1/4
R. LANE . AT . Ye . BRIDGE = I . P . A. }
B1058. A variety is dated 1664. 1/2
B1059 Obverse. Samuell . Griffeth = King’s head crowned, full-face.
R. IN . FLEET . LANE = S . G. 1/2
B1060 Obverse. John . Howkins = Detrited.
R. IN . FLEET . LANE = I . S . H.
B1062 Obverse. HENRY . WATERFALL = HIS HALFE PENNY.
R. IN . FLEET . LANE = H . E . W.
#477 AT THE SHIP IN A ship, in the field.
Rev. FLEETE LANE . 1649 In the field, S. A. O.
#478 HENRY YEO. HIS HALF PENNY Three hanks of silk.
Rev. AT THE PLOUGH IN FLEET LANE A plough.
Burn describes the device on the obverse as “ Three hanks of silk,” and says
that they are apparently a charge on the Silk Throwers’ Arms.
#479 WIL : DUGDALE . MEALE-MAN HIS HALFE PENY, in field.
Rev. IN FLEET LANE NEAR Y E BRIDGE W. D. 1663.
The bridge over Fleet ditch, that continued the thoroughfare from Fleet lane,
through Harpur (now Harp) alley, into Shoe lane. Mynshul, in Essayes and
Characters of a Prison, 1618, complains that "the turnkeys, in spite, draw bloud
of the prisoner, by poisoning the master's good intention, so that hee, crossing
over the water, or walking scarce to the crosse in Cheape, from the Compter, or,
from the Fleete, so fair as to one of the cookes shops in the lane, there
drownes the vow of any promise."
Ben Jonson, in The Famous Voyage, describes Fleet ditch,
" The ever -boiling flood, whose banks upon,
Your Fleet-lane furies, and hot cooks* do dwell,"
as the vortex of disgusting nuisances. After the fire, the city authorities
in-effectually attempted, at great cost, its renovation. Swift, later, details
its compounds :
" Sweepings from butchers' stalls, dung, guts, and blood,
Drown'd puppies, stinking sprats, all drench'd in mud,
Dead cats, and turnip-tops, come tumbling down the flood."
And Gay, in the second book of his Trivia, as
"The black canal of mud,
Where common sewers sullen murmurs keep,
Whose torrents rush from Holborn's fatal steep."
On the projected clearance of Woolchurch or Stocks market, from the site of the
present Mansion-house, the Fleet ditch was arched over, "its nauseous stench to
offend no more ;" the Fleet-lane bridge vanished in these improvements, and
Stocks market, newly named Fleet market, commenced at Michaelmas, 1737, in the
centre of the whole range of Farringdon street ; where it continued till
Michaelmas, 1829.
#481 AT THE DOLPHIN A dolphin, in the field.
Rev. WITHIN TEMPLE BARE In the field, W. M. W.
The Dolphin at an earlier date would seem to have been a house of no great
reputation. At the wardmote courts of 1640 and 1641, Timothy Howe, at the
Dolphin near Temple bar, was presented for using unlawful measures. Howe appears
to have been several times under the ban of the inquest. He and others then
residing in Earn alley, were, in December, 1618, presented for keeping their
tobacco shops open all night, and having fires therein to which there were no
chimneys ; for uttering hot waters (spirituous liquors), and selling ale without
licence ; to the great disquietness, terror, and annoyance of that
neighbourhood. Howe was again, with others, presented in December, 1630, for
annoying the judges at Serjeants' inn, Chancery lane, by the smell and stench of
their tobacco.
* The banking-house of Messrs Child and Co. was, in King James the First's
reign, a public ordinary ; the sign being the Marygold,
" The marigold that goes to bed with the sun,
And with him rises weeping." Winter's Tale, act iv. sc. 3.
As an ordinary it appears to have borne a riotous character, and at the wardmote
held on St. Thomas's day, December 21st, 1619, Richard Crompton, keeping an
ordinary at the Marygold in Fleet street, was presented " for disturbing the
quiet of John Clarke, being next neighbours, late in the nights, from time to
time, by ill disorder." Messrs Child are also in possession of the original sign
a full blown marygold, exposed to a meridian sun ; and round it, the motto "
AINSI MON AME."
Carved in oak, but painted and gilded in part, it is over the door in the front
office, and may be readily scanned by any person whose business with the house
may draw him thither.
Among the, memorable banking accounts at Messrs Child's, in the olden time, may
be particularized that of Madame Eleandr Gwynne. The world have yet much to
learn respecting this extraordinary individual, who certainly on her outset in
life sold oranges from a basket borne on the arm, in the pit of Drury lane
theatre. Charles the Second died February 6th, 1685 ; and he is said, almost in
extremis, if not really his last words, to have enjoined on his successor, " let
not poor Nelly starve." If such was really his injunction, the commiseration
would seem to have been ill placed ; Nelly, who refused all titles of honour for
herself, was anything but poor; in the closing of her banking account in
January, 1688, the executors of her will, Lawrence Hyde, earl of Rochester ;
Henry Sidney, afterwards earl of Eomney ; Sir Eobert Sawyer ; and Thomas
Herbert, earl of Pembroke, collector of the justly distinguished cabinet of
coins recently dispersed, severally attest its settlement by their signatures ;
and as one of the items appear 14,443 ounces of plate.
#482 THE KINGS HEAD TAVERN King Henry the Eighth.
Rev. AT CHANCERY LANE END In field, T. A. K.
#483 WILLIAM HART . CHANCEREY In field, HIS HALFE PENY.
Rev. LANE END IN FLEET STREET King Henry the Eighth, full faced, W. M. K.
By an error of the die-sinker, the letter K is punched on the reverse, instead
of H, for the name of Hart, the issuer.
The King's Head tavern stood at the west corner of Chancery lane, as tradition
states, on or near the site of a mansion that had been the residence of Sir John
Oldcastle, summoned to parliament as Baron Cobham, and who died in 1417. The
King's Head tavern is asserted, from some old papers, to have been erected in
the reign of King Edward the Sixth ; the sign was, however, that of the burly
reformer his father. Queen Elizabeth, in her fourth year, was entertained by the
students of the Temple, and on that or an ensuing occasion of a visit to the
city authorities, a species of masque was presented to Her Majesty on her
entering the city ; and, from some cords across the street, adjusted from the
King's Head tavern to the opposite side, several cherubs descended, and
proifered for her acceptance a crown of gold and laurels, with several
complimentary loyal verses. Those presented by a fourth cherub were the
following quatrain :
" Virtue shall witness of her worthiness,
And fame shall registrare her princelie deeds ;
The worlde shall still praie for her happyness,
From whom our peace and quietude proceeds*.
Here was no vague prophecy ; for, as Henry Kirke White most eloquently expresses
it, ...
' ' Virtue blooms,
Even in the wreck of life, and mounts the skies ;"
thus it is, the princely glories of " good Queen Bess's" days continue as fresh
in the pages of history as ever, and the brightness of their halo is of
unsurpassed effulgence ; and yet these lines seem but written as now, and in
praise of our own monarch.
Like many of the large houses which were taverns at this period, the tavern or
wine-rooms appear to have been on the first-floor. Richard Marriott, for whom,
while residing in St. Dunstan's churchyard, Fleet street, in 1653, the rare
first
edition of Isaac Walton's Compleat Angler was printed by Thomas Maxey, announced by advertisements, in 1665, that his publications were ' ' to bee sold
at
his shopp in Fleet street, under the King's Head taverne." How long it continued under that denomination is doubtful ; the house was demolished in May,
1799, to widen the entrance into Chancery lane.
* The quatrain here quoted are lines in George Peele's pageant, represented on
the inauguration-day of Sir Wolstan Dixie, Oct. 29th, 1585, of which no other
copy is known than that in the Corporation Library, Guildhall.
There are several prints of the old house at the west corner of Chancery lane ;
but none approach in fidelity that from a drawing by William Capon. That by
William Alexander, in Bagster's edition of Walton, 1815, 8vo, is interesting, as
showing the old wine-room on the first floor to have been lastly a reading-room
;
an inscribed board to that effect being placed at the window.
484 AT THE KINGS HEAD Henry the Eighth, full faced.
Rev. IN FLEET STREETE In the field, L. W : H. M.
At the Kings Head in Fleet street, Initials. And Henry the Eighth, full faced
James Farr in Fleet street. 1666. His Half Penny. And An arched rainbow based on clouds.
B1075. Obverse. FITZIEFERY . MILINER = N . A . F.
R. IN . FLEET . STREET = 1656.
#490 FITZ . JEFERY . MILINER N. A. F., in field.
Rev. IN FLEET STREET In the field, 1656.
Master Nicholas subsequently pursued his trade as a milliner at the sign of the
Sunflower, in the Strand, whence he also issued a token, q.v. (No. 2972).—[B.]
The millinery business formerly, as evinced by the tokens, was conducted by men,
who imported (as was presumed, from Milan,) fashions and elegancies for females.
Hotspur (1st pt. Hen. IV., act iii. sc. 1.) contemptuously describes the king's
messenger as " perfumed like a milliner."
" No milliner can so fit his customer."
#486 JOHN SECOL AT S. DVNSTANS In the field, I. P. S.
Rev. CHVRCH . FLEET . STREETE The same initials.
John Seacole's name is inscribed in the list of licensed victuallers, in the
wardmote returns of 1649 and 1650. He was possibly dead in 1651, as his name
appears not in that year. " The widow Seacole" is mentioned in that of December
1652, but not afterwards.
#487 ROB : MARKHAM AT THE Seven stars, in field, AGAINST.
Rev. ST. DVNSTONS CHVRCH . FLET STRET R. E. M. 1D
Very different in type to the penny issued by Robert Markham, in 1672, engraved
in Snelling's View of the Copper Coinage, 1766, pi. v. fig. 7.
#488 THE HERCULES PILLERS Hercules grasping two pillars.
Rev. IN FLEET STREETE I. M. S., in the field.
Ed Oldham at Ye Hercules Pillers in Fleet Street, his halfpenny
The date of this piece is early ; as subsequently Edward Old ham issued an undated token " at ye Hercules pillers, in Fleet street." Oldham is named in the wardmote returns of licensed victuallers from 1657 to 1659 ; and among the free cooks from 1660 to 1680. The Hercules Pillars tavern was in repute among the bon-vivants of this period. Pepys frequently mentions it in his Diary, as a house to which he and his friends resorted. It stood on the site of the house now 27 in Fleet street. Hercules Pillars alley is still, de facto, opposite to Clifford's-inn passage, but without name. With the extinction of the tavern, the title of the neighbouring inlet of tenements seems also to have been forgotten
Robert Cole at the In Hercules Pillers in Fleet street, 1666, his halfpenny
B1072. Obverse. Robert. Cole . at. the = A man firing a cannon. His 1/2
R. In . Hercules . Pillars . in . Fleet. Street .1666. 1/2
#489 THOMAS TISBURY OLE In the field, T. T. in monogram.
Rev. MAN IN FLET STREETE 1653, in the field.
B1100. Obverse. THOMAS . Tisbery . Oyl = A lion passant.
R. MAN . IN . fleet . street = A monogram. ^
Thomas Tisberry, oilman, was presented at the wardmote court, on St. Thomas's
day, December 21st, 1664, "for selling his goods by light weight;" certain
weights being particularized as not according to the standard of weights settled
by the lord mayor.
#491 AT THE CASTLE TAVERN A castle, in the field.
Rev. AT FLEET CONDUIT In the field, D. S. G.
" The Newe Conduit in Fleet street," according to the Chronicle of London,
compiled in the reign of King Henry the Sixth, was begun in 1439, but not
completed till 1471, in the mayoralty of Sir William Edwards. It stood in the
main street, a little westward of Shoe lane end ; and by the fire in September,
1666, was wholly destroyed.
The Castle tavern was one of high repute. The Clockmakers Company, from their
establishment in 1631, having no hall, held their meetings at some tavern in the
city. Their last meeting before the fire was held August 20th, at the Castle
tavern, in Fleet street, and the first meeting after, on October 8th, 1666, at
the Crown tavern in Smithfield*.
After the fire, the Castle tavern was rebuilt ; and in October, 1735, the
obituary of that month records the death of Sir John Tash, knight, alderman of
Walbrook ward, who formerly kept the Castle tavern in Fleet street, and was one
of the most considerable wine merchants in London ; he was then in the sixty
first year of his age, and commonly reported to be worth two hundred thousand
pounds.
#492 LEWIS WILLSON AT Ye The sun in rays, in the field.
Rev. TAVERNE IN FLEET STREET HIS HALFE PENY.
The name of Lewis Wilson is among the licensed vintners in the wardmote returns
for 1661 to 1665 inclusive. As it is not in the lists of 1666, was the Sun
tavern within range of the great fire that year, and not the late tavern of that
sign by Shire lane at Temple bar ?
This tavern was used as head-quarters by Freemasons in Queen Anne’s reign.
#493 WILLIAM HEALEY AT THE Boar's head, in the field.
Rev. IN FLEET STREET . 1668 HIS HALFE PENNY. W. M. H.
William Hayley was no doubt the same person who appears in the wardmote returns
of licensed victuallers for the years 1664 and 1665. The Boar's Head, situated
between Water lane (now Water street) and the Bolt-in-Tun inn, was destroyed in
the great fire of the following year. On its being rebuilded, Hayley resumed
business, issued his token, and his name again appears in the wardmote returns
from 1669 to 1680. He served the offices of constable and scavenger in 1674. The
Boar's Head is still there.
Westward of the Boar's Head is the Bolt-in-Tun inn, the rebus of the family name
of Bolton ; and the device being an arrow or bolt piercing the bung of a tun. It
is an inn of earlier date than generally supposed : the ' '' Hospidwm vocatum l&
Boltenton" is mentioned as a boundary, in a license of alienation to the Friars
Carmelites of London, of certain premises in the parish of St. Dunstan, Fleet
street, enrolled on the Patent Roll, 1443, 21 Hen. VI., p. 2, m. 24.
#494 WILLIAM HALSTED AT THE Grocers Company arms.
Rev. IN FLEET STREET . HIS 1/2 PENNY Monogram.
#B1073. Obverse. Tho . Cordin . at . the . white = The Grocers’ Arms.
R. HART . IN . FLEET . STREET = HIS HALF PENY. 1/2
“Mr. Barnebied Antipestilential Powder which he received from the Author
of it, Dr. Whitaker, to be burnt into a Fume, being already approved upon tryal
by several attestations to be of singular effect; is to be sold by . . . Mr.
Cordwin ,
next door to Hinde-Court, Fleet-street.” — The Intelligencer , No. 61, August 7,
1665, p. 686.
#495 10. HARWARD AT 3 NUNS Three nuns, in the field.
Rev. IN FLEET STREETE In the field, I. H.
B1064. Obverse. John . Ashton . 1664 = Three kings crowned.
R. IN . FLEET . STREETE = I . L . A.
“ A Lordship with very fair Buildings, and 200 acres of Land, Medow, Pasture,
and Wood-grounds within it self, besides other Lands and Tenements, all at the
rent of 230/. per annum, with a Court Leet and Court Baron, Fines at will of
Lord ; 30 miles from London , a good road, and an excellent good aire, which is
now
to be sold. You may hear further at the signe of the three Kings, in Fleetstreet
,
London." — Mercurius Publicus , No. 26, June 26 to July 3, 1662, p. 425.
B1065. Obverse. at . Ye . Three . Hats = Three hats.
R. AT . FLEET . CONDVIT = E . B.
B1066. Obverse. A bear with chain passant, F . E . B.
R. TAVERNE . IN . FLEET . STREET = 1665.
B1067. Obverse. THO . BACKHOVSE = A lion.
R. IN . FLEET . STREET = T . B. 1/4
B1068. Obverse. JOHN . BRYAN . IN . FLEET = A bull’s head.
R. STREET . HIS . HALFE . PENNY = I . I . B. 1667. 1/2
B1069. Obverse. John . Bryan . at . the = A bull’s head.
R. IN . FLEET . STREET . 1656 = 1 . M . B. 1/4
B1070. Obverse. AT . THE . SHVGE . LOFE . IN = A Sugar-loaf.
R. RAM . ALLEY . IN . FLET . STRET = M . A . C.
B1071. Obverse. Will . Cartwright = A dragon.
R. IN . FLEETE . STREETE = W . E . C.
Brush Collins, in March, 1775, delivered for several evenings in the great room
a satirical, inimical, and analytical lecture on the elements of modern oratory.
In the following year, a Pandemonium club was held here ; and, according to a
notice in the writer's possession, the first meeting was to be on Monday, the
4th of November, 1776. These devils were lawyers, who were about commencing
term, to the annoyance of many a hitherto happy bon-vivant.
Will Paggett at the Mitre in Fleet street. Initials W E P.And a Mitre.
Will Paggett at the Mitre in Fleet street. Initials W E P.And a Mitre.
#496 WILL. WARDE AT THE UNICORNE In the field, 1D
Rev. IN NEW FLEETE STREETE Unicorn, in the field.
Large brass. " New Fleet street," apparently the new buildings eastward of
Fetter lane, after theravages of the fire in September, 1666. Warde issued
before the fire, a half-penny token; he was resident in 1666, in Green's rents,
Fleet bridge.
The frequency of the unicorn as a sign has induced some persons to conjecture
that it had been assumed on the accession of King James the Sixth of Scotland,
and that the Tudor dragon had given place to the Scottish unicorn ; that however
is not the fact ; on the tokens the animal is represented gradiens, and never
heraldically with collar or chain.
B1105. Obverse. THOMAS . GREENE . AT . THE = BARLY BROTH. 1664.
R. BARLY . BROTH . FLEETE . YARD = T . M . G.
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As ever I am appreciative of the archive.org site and google books for
showing old and non-copyright scripts which can be used for research (copied).