Early Inns and Taverns through tradesmens tokens - West Smithfield and Smithfield bars
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.
WEST SMITHFIELD.
#1009 THO. ALLDRIDGE AT THE CATORN Wheel of martyrdom. [= A Catherine-wheel. ]
Rev. WHEEL IN WEST SMITHFIELD HIS HALFE PENNY. T. M. A.
In the ancient primstaffs or almanacks, in accordance with a prevailing
superstitious belief, against those days that were reputed ominous, or
ill-fated, was set the mark of a wheel allegorically to express them ; and the
Romish church, amid- the many fictions created to delude the minds of their
devotees, adopted a story of St. Catharine of Alexandria, who never existed, and
induced a popularity to her name, by preferring her to the honour of martyrdom
on the wheel.
Flecknoe, in his Enigmatical Characters, 1658, asserts that the Catherine Wheel
was changed in the Commonwealth period into " the Cat and Wheel," from a hatred
to Romanism, and the absurdities of that church.
#1010 ANTILOP.WEST SMITHFEILD In the field, THO. HATTON.
Rev. BIBIS VINUM SALVTA ANTILOP HIS HALFE PENY. 1664.
“ Upon the 11th Instant there was Printed, and Published a convenient way for
Travellers to pass with a Messenger betwixt London and Holly-head weekly ; and
to all other Towns, and Places upon Chester Rode, and to have change of Horses
every day according to the purport of the said Printed Paper : and such as are
desirous to travel That way, if they repayre to the Antilope in West-Smithfield,
and the Post-houses at St. Albans, Brick-hill, Daventry, Coventry, Litchfield,
Stone , Namptwich, or Chester ; or at several other Stages erected for that
purpose, they may be furnish’d according to the Tenor of the said Paper, and
have good Diet, and Lodging provided for them.”—The Lntelligencer, No. 12,
November 16, 1663, p. 93 et al.
The ancients drank not only in honour of the gods but also in honour of their
emperors, their friends, and their mistresses, and doubtless their favourite
animals ; possibly the antelope among others. The Greeks, before drinking,
saluted those of the party in some appropriate term indicative of the most
friendly solicitude : " may you live long," " to your health, my companion," and
other similar expressions. The Romans observed the like custom, and in their
modes of salutation were in no way behind the Greeks ; their " Propino tibi
salutem," " Bene te," and " Bene amicam," were among the most common. The early
Christians drank healths in honour of the angels, the apostles, and the martyrs.
The Scots, in less civilized times, presented to their bishops, at the time of
nomination and election, the great cup of St. Magnus ; and when the aspirant for
episcopal honours drank off the contents in one draught, the people were
transported with joy, and clapped their hands in full assurance that his
episcopate could not but be happy. The custom of pledging or drinking healths
may be traced to the remotest ages.
#1011 JAMES BYARD AT THE 3 Three sugar-loaves, in field.
Rev. IN SMITHFIELD. 1666 HIS HALF PENT. I. E. B.
#1012 AT THE HARTS HORNS IN WEST Sultan Amurath's head. [A Turk’s
head. ]
Rev. SMITHFEILD . THE COFFEEHOUS C. M. C. 1/2 TOKEN. 1664.
An advertisement; in the newspaper entitled Mercunus Politicus, June 24th, 1658,
announced that, on and after the 28th, all persons having occasion to travel
from London to Manchester and Warrington, or any other town upon the road, could
have a good and able single horse, or more, furnished, at three-pence a mile,
without charge of a guide, by applying to Mr. CHKISTOPHEB CHARTERIS, at the sign
of the Hart's Horns, in West Smithfield. Charteris was evidently the issuer of
this token.
See also Mercurius Publicus, August 29—September 5, 1661, p. 553 which contains
the following :
“ Lost at Badlingham .... near Newmarket , out of the Pasture of Lawrence
Bryante, the 30 th. of Augzist last, one bright bay stone-Horse .... If any
(one) can give notice to the said Bryant , or to Christopher Charteris at the
Harts-horn in West Smithfield, London , they shall be well rewarded.”
William Bryant issued two tokens ( q.v .) at Newmarket, Suffolk.
“ To Harts Horns we carouse it
As Minerva doth infuse it.”
Latine:
“Vi Minervae
Bibimus ad Cornua Cervi.”
Barnabee's Journal , p. 75.
#1013 AT THE CROWN TAVERN An arched crown, in field.
Rev. IN WEST SMITHFIELD In the field, I. A. C.
In the rare broadside, entitled " The Dagonizing of Bartholomew Faire," by the
saintly Sir Thomas Adams, lord mayor, 1647, it is recorded
" Entring through Duck lane, at the Crowne,
The soveraigne Cit began to frowne,
As it abated his renowne,
The paint did so o'ertop him.
Downe with these Dagons, then quoth he,
They outbrave my dayes regality,
For 'a pride and partiality,
Jove crop him.
The Crown tavern was situated in what was then termed Smithfield rounds, and was
held on the first floor. The minutes of the Clockmakers Company show that,
having previously held their meetings at the Castle tavern in Fleet street,
destroyed in the great conflagration, they assembled for the first time after
the fire, October 8th, 1666, at the Crown tavern, Smithfield. Henry Eversden, a
publisher of religious books, had his shop on the ground-floor ; one of his
imprints describes it as being "under the Crown, next Duck lane in West
Smithfield, 1670." Another, to Camfield's Comprehensive Rule of Righteousness,
printed in 1671, states the book to have been " printed for H. Eversden/ under
the Crown tavern in West Smithfield."
Here, among the many projects created in 1720 by the South Sea scheme, was
suggested an " Insurance office for horses dying natural deaths, stolen, or
disabled." The purpose had some plausibility; and a rival adventure followed, at
Robin's in Exchange alley, the capital to be subscribed 2,000,000?.
Another, to Camfield’s “Comprehensive Rule of Righteousness,” printed in 1671,
states the book to have been “printed for H. Eversden, under the Crown
Tavern in West Smithfield.”
Here, among the many projects created in 1720 by the South Sea scheme, was
suggested an “ Insurance office for horses dying natural deaths, stolen, or
disabled.”
The purpose had some plausibility ; and a rival adventure followed, at Robin’s
in Exchange Alley, the capital to be subscribed £2,000,000.—[B.]
“ Stollen or strayed on the 18 or 19 Instant, from Newington-Green near
Islington, Middlesex , a dark Iron Grey Gelding, .... also a bright Sorrel
Gelding . . .
Whoever shall give notice of them .... to Captain Clark at the Crown Tavern in
West-Smithfield .... shall be well rewarded for his peins.” — The Newes, No. 48,
June 22, 1665, p. 483.
#1014 AT THE GEORGE INN St. George slaying the dragon.
Rev. IN WEST SMITHFIELD In the field, T. D. H.
Between the initials, on the reverse, is a figure and ball, referring to the
game of Pell Mell.
The following advertisement, which appeared in the Mercurius Publicus, No. 12,
March 19-26, 1663, p. 189, gives the name of the issuer of this token, Hebb :
“A black Mare about fifteen hands high . . . . ; stolen out of Sir Thomas Caves
Grounds at Stanford in Northamptonshire , on Monday the 16 of March. Give
notice to the said Sir Tho. Cave, or to Mr. Hebb at the George in Smithfield,
and the Informer shall be well rewarded.”
B2857. Obverse. Samuell . Graves . in = St. George and the Dragon.
R. WESTSMITHFEILD . 1657 = S . I . G. 1/4
The Mercurius Publicus , No. 16, April 17-24, 1662, p. 249, contains the
following advertisement:
“The 15 of April 1662. in the night time, was lost out of the grounds of John
Rotherham of Chipping-Barnet in the County of Hartford , one bright bay Gelding
about ten years old, near 15 hand high ; he hath saddle spots, and hath been
lately docked, so that his tail is very sore : .... If any can bring tidings of
him to the said John Rotherham , or leave word with Mr. Samuel Graves near the
harts horns in Smithfield, they shall be well rewarded for their pains.”
#1015 RIG. HARPER AT THE HARP A harp, in the field.
Rev. IN WEST SMITHFIELD In the field, R. A. H. 1/4
Harping on his name appears to have been the incentive to the device of his
sign.
#1016 JOHN MERIEFIELD AT Y Object in field indistinct, IN.
Rev. WEST SMITHFIELD. 1669 HIS HALFE PENY. I. M. M.
#1017 RICHARD PEMBLE IN Frying-pan ; ironmonger's sign. [A frying-pan.
]
Rev. WEST SMITHFEILDE In the field, R. E. P. 1/4
#1018 THE NEW QUEENES HEAD Bust of Queen Elizabeth.
Rev, IN WEST SMITHFIELD G. A. P., in the field.
A rival house to another " QUEENE HEAD TAVERN," in West Smithfield, whence was
issued a token with the initials, I. T. M.
#1019 JOHN SAWYER AT YE NAGS A still, in the field.
Rev. HEAD IN SMITHFEILDE In field, a nag's head. 1/4
A distiller of spirits, or vendor of hot waters.
#1020 CHARLES WHITE AT YE RED Lion rampant, in field.
Rev. LION IN WEST SMITHFIELD HIS HALFE PENY. C. M. W.
#1021 THO. WHITE AT YE BLACKMORES Negro head; HIS OB.
Rev. HEAD IN WEST SMITHFIELD In field, T. E. W.
Thomas White at Ye Blackamores Head in West Smithfield. Initials T E W. And a Negro head; His obolus.
This token is particularly interesting, from the fact that the issuer calls it
his Obolus.
“If any one hath been robbed of or otherwise lost a Silver Tankard markt T. M.
S. and eight Silver spoons, and a parcel of womens wearing linnen, a black
Scarfe with silver Claspe, let him come to Mr. Thomas White at the Blackamores-head
in Smithjield , and there he may hear tidings of them.”—The Kingdom's
Intelligencer , No. 41, October 6-13, 1662, p. 675.
Negroes, men of black complexions, short black woolley hair, and by religion
pagans, were some time known in Europe as a second or inferior race, by the
appellation of black-a-moors, or black Moors, to distinguish them from the
Moors, men of tawny complexions, long black hair, and by religion Mahomedans.
Thus the two divisions of Africa, on the north and south of the Senegal, are
respectively called Mauritia, or the country of the Moors, and Nigritia, the
country of the blacks. The race of negroes, black men with woolley hair, have,
to all European knowledge, been subject at all times as slaves or menials to
their long-haired brethren the Moors. The Black -a-moor, or the Negro's Head,
indicate one and the same sign.
#1022 WALTER WILLEC . In the field, HIS HALFE PENY.
Rev. WEST SMITHFEILD The Tallow-chandlers' arms, in the field.
#
B2840. Obverse. Simon . Berry . in . 1664 = The Bakers’ Arms.
R. WEST . SMITHFEILD = S . E . B.
B2841. Obverse. FRANCIS . BLECHLEY . AT . THE = A goat.
R. (GOAT ?) . IN . WEST . SMITH . FEILD = HIS HALF PENY. 1666.
B2842. Obverse. JOSEPH . BROOKES . IN . THE = A Crown.
R. ROVNDS . IN . SMITHFEILD = HIS HALF PENY.
In Smithfield Rounds, “ Being near the Sign of Honours Fountain , the Crown ,
the Representation of which Royal Diadem, I thought no Vintner would presume
to distinguish his House by, unless he had Wine in his Cellar fit to bless the
Lips
of Princes .... The Jolly Master .... conducted us into a large stately
Room ; where, at first entrance, I discern’d the Master Strokes of the Fam’d
Fuller s Pencil, the whole Room being Painted with that commanding Hand, that
they begot Reverence in the Spectators, towards the awful Shadows. The Drawer
return’d with a Quart of such inspiring Juice that we thought ourselves
Translated
into one of the Houses of the Heavens, and were there drinking Immortal Nectar,
amongst Gods and Goddesses.London Spy,” 3rd edition, 1718, part ii., p. 116.
B2843. Obverse. lionell . bvfkine . at . the = Three roses on one stalk.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFEILD . l666 = NEER CLOTH FAIRE GATE. b
B2844. A variety reads 1669 and clothe.
B2845. Obverse. Francis . bvrton . at . y e . black = A bear with a chain.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFEILD . l668 = HIS HALFE PENNY. F . C . B.
B2849. Obverse. confectioner . at . y e = A stag’s head full-faced.
R. WEST . SMITHFEILD = W . I . C. 1/4
B2850. Obverse. ROBERT . CONAWAY . IN = A Still.
R. WEST . SMITHFEILD = R . E . C. 1/4
B2851. Obverse. Richard . Cvnstable . in = A heart.
R. WEST . SMITH . FEILD . 1667= HIS HALFE PENNY. R . E . C.
B2852. Obverse. Rich . Constable . in = A heart.
R. WEST . SMITHFEILD = R . F . C. 1/4
“A Gray Mare of a sad colour 14 handfulls high, 5 years old marked with the
letter C. on the near buttock, Stoln out of a stable near Marleborough in the
County of Wilts the first of March instant, he that gives notice of her to Mr.
Richard Constable at the Golden Hart in Smith-field , or to Jeremy Sloper Grocer
in Marleborough shall have ample satisfaction.”— Mercurius Publicus , No. 9,
February 27—March 6, 1661, p. 137.
Jeremiah Sloper issued a token at Marlborough, q.v.
B2853. Obverse. the . whit . hart . tavern = A hart trippant.
R. IN . WEST . SMITH . FEILD = R . I . D. 1/4
The following advertisement gives the name of the issuer of this token :
“A Black Mare aged five years or there abouts .... Stoln .... If any
person shall give notice of the said Mare .... unto Mr. Richard Darmar Vintner
at the White Hart in Smithfield, he shall have 20s. for his pains.”—The Kingdom
s
Intelligencer , No. 11, March 10-17, 1661, p. 164.
B2854. Obverse. FREEMAN . FANN . AT . Y E . PVRSE=A purse.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFEILD = HIS HALF PENY. 1669.
“If any person can bring word of her [“a dark brown thorow paced Mare”]
. ... to Mr. Coppocks at the signe of the Purse in West Smithfield, they shall
be well rewarded for their pains.”— Mercurius Publicus , No. 29, July 16-23,
1663,
p. 465.
B2855. Obverse. Robert . Fletcher . his . halfe . penny (in four lines).
R. Smithfeild . Rounds . 1666 (in four lines).
B2856. Obverse. Samuell . Graves . at . the = The Tallowchandlers’ Arms.
R. IN. WEST. SMITHFIELD = HIS HALF PENY. 1669.
B2860. Obverse. THEO . HOTHERSALE A Stag.
R. IN . SMITHFEILD = T . E . H. 1/4
B2862. Obverse. Euodias . Inman . his . halfe . Peny (in four lines).
R. In . Smithfeild . Rounds . Gouldsmith (in four lines).
B2863. Obverse. Edward . Izatt . at . ye = A greyhound.
R. IN . SMITHFEILD . 1668 = HIS HALFE PENY. E . I . I.
B2864. Obverse. ATT . THE . ROSE . INN . IN = R . E . M.
R. WEST . SMITHFEILD = A rose. 1/4
The following advertisement gives the name of the issuer of this token—viz.,
Robert Markland :
“ Francis Roe, a swarthy Fellow, with short crisp hayre like a Blackaniore ; on
the 26 th of November, stole from Francis Scampton of Hinckley Com. Leicester ;
beside Linnen and other things 3 Suits of Clothes .... If any man can give
Information either of the Person or Goods .... to Mr. Robert Markland at the
Rose in West-Smithfield, he shall be well rewarded for his peyns.”—The Nezves,
No. 14, December 3, 1663, p. no.
B2865. Obverse. THE . QUEENE . HEAD . TAVERN = Bust of Queen Elizabeth.
R. IN . WESTSMITHFEILD = I . T . M. 1/4
B2866. Obverse. JAMES . MARCH . HIS . HALF . PENY = A dolphin.
R. at . the . in . west . smithfeild = A negro’s head.
B2868. Obverse. JOHN . MILES . AT . YE . TAVERN = A Swan.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFIELD . 1669 = HIS HALFE PENY.
B2869. Obverse. Tymothy . Newbey = A dolphin.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFEILD = T . A . N. 1/4
B2870. Obverse. the . new . Queenes . Head = Head of Queen Elizabeth.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFIELD = G . A . P.
B2872. Obverse. John . Philipson . ironmong er = A hand holding a sceptre and
crown.
R. IN . SMITHFEILD . ROVND . 1667 = HIS HALFEPENY. I . I . P.
B2873. Obverse. JOHN . REEVE . IN = HIS HALFE PENY.
R. west . smithfield = A bull and a still.
B2874. Obverse. THE . BLACKE . BULL . 57 = A bull.
R. WEST . SMITHFIELD = I . S. 1/4
B2875. Obverse. YE . Coach . & . Horses . at = A coach and horses, with driver
and postilion.
R. SMITHFEILDE . PENS . 58 = P . E . S. 1/4
B2877. Obverse. KATHREN . SELLAM = Three tuns.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFEILD = K . S. 1/4
B2878. Obverse. James . Sherley . at . the . kings = The King’s Arms.
R. ARMES . IN . WEST . SMITHFEILD = HIS HALFE PENNY.
B2879. Obverse. Thomas . Taylor . at . the = A coach and horses, with driver.
R. IN . WEST . SMITHFEILD . 67 = HIS HALFE PENNY. T . A . T.
B2880. Obverse. JEFFEREY . THOMAS . GROCER = HIS HALF PENY.
R. OVER . AGAINST . Y E . SHIPPENS = IN SMITH FEILD.
B2881. Obverse. John . Warren . grocer = An anchor.
R. AT . SMITHFEILD . PENS . 58 = I . W. 1/4
B2882. Obverse. THO : WATSON . GROCER . UPPON . YE . PAVED . STONS (in six
lines).
R. IN . SMITHFEILD.NEARE . COW . LANE . J (in six lines).
SMITHFIELD BARS.
Smithfield bars are the city boundaries on the north side of Smithfield, leading
to Cow cross. The sign is still there.
#1023 JOHN BOND AT YE BULLS A bulls head; I. M. B.
Rev. HEAD AT SMITHFIELD BARS HIS HALFE PENY.
#1024 ROBERT CURTIS 1669 In the field, HIS HALF PENY.
Rev. AT SMITHFIELD BARRS R. C., in the field.
#1025 JEFFERY THOMAS GROCER In field, HIS HALF PENY.
Rev. OVER AGAINST YE SHIP PENS IN SMITH FEILD.
" The Sheep pens' at this period so called, occupied the space west of
Smithfield bars, at the upper end of Chick lane and Cow lane.
#1026 JOHN WARREN GROCER Anchor and cable, in the field.
Rev. AT SMITHFEILD PENS. [16]55 Infield, I. W.
B2886. Obverse. Cumfit . Maker . at = An angel.
R. SMITHFEILD . BARS = T . H . B. 1/4
B2887. Obverse. John . Baker . butcher = Two poleaxes crossed. I . K . B.
R. IN . SMITHFIELD . BARRS = HIS HALF PENY. 1669.
B2889. Obverse. Joseph . Collins . at . the . 3 = Three sugar-loaves.
R. WITHOUT . SMITHFIELD . BARS = HIS HALF PENY.
B2890. Obverse. Francis . Clipsham . at . the = A bunch of grapes.
R. WITHOUT . SMITHFEILD . BARRS = HIS HALFE PENNY.
B2892. Obverse. Thomas . Fell . at . ye . angell = An angel and T . I . F.
R. AT . SMITH . FEILD . BARRS . 67 = HIS HALFE PENNY.
B2893. Obverse. GODFREY . FOLIAMBE . AT . Y E . GOLDEN = An angel.
R. CONFECTIONR . AT . SMIT . FEILD . BARS — HIS HALFE PENNY. 1666. 9
B2894. Obverse. Robert . Pitt . WITHOUT . smith = Three tuns.
R. FEILD . BARRS . HIS . HALF . PENY = R . E . P.
B2895. Obverse. Richard . Richmond . at . ye = An Indian holding an arrow.
R. WITHOUT . SMITHFEILD . BARRS = HIS HALFE PENNY. 1667.
B2896. Obverse. SALOMON . SIBLEY = A Cage.
R. WITHOUT . SMITHFIELD . BARR S = S . K . S. 1/4
B2897. Obverse. SALOMON . SIBLEY . WITHOV = A Cage.
R. SMITHFEILD . BARRS = S . K . S. 1/4
This token is slightly smaller than the preceding.
B2898. Obverse. Tho . Stream . grocer = A boar’s head.
R. SMITHFEILD . BARRS = T . M . S. 1/4
“ A Brown Bay Mare about Fifteen hand high, having no white remarkable, except a
few saddle Spots .... was stollen from Cratfield in Siiffolk on Tuesday night
being the 28. of May 1661. Whosoever can give notice to ... . Mr. Tho. Stream at
the Bores-head in Sniithfield shall be rewarded to their full satisfaction.”
—The Kingdom’s Intelligencer, No. 22, May 27—-June 3, 1661, p. 345.
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showing old and non-copyright scripts which can be used for research (copied).