History
History behind the Jamaica Wine House
When the Jamaica Wine House was established in 1869 it had already been open to the public for over 200 years. Formerly the site was London’s first coffee house and widely used as a business address, so much so that “The Jamaica, London” was sufficient to ensure the safe arrival of documents and letters.
The actual date on which it started trading is not recorded but it was built on the site of Pasqua Rose’s coffee house where “the virtue of the drink coffee was first publicly made and sold in England”. Pasqua was brought to this country for the express purpose of brewing morning coffee for Daniel Edwards, a wealthy merchant. He then, in 1652, set his former servant up in St Michael’s Alley, where “under his own head” Pasqua began preparing it and purveying to a wider public.
Along the Church, St Michael’s Alley was destroyed by The Great Fire of London and soon after Pasqua fled the country. The new Jamaica was established on the same site sometime between 1674 and 1680. A newspaper advertisement in 1681 mentions “a ship about to sail for Carolina, in which freight or a passage may be engaged at the Jamaica coffee house”.
But it was those with growing interests in Jamaica and the British West Indies who formed it’s growing clientele. By 1750 a contemporary report describes it as “having been used for 60 years past as the place at which letters should be left for Jamaica”. The popularity and prestige of the house can be measures by the wide variety of traders who listed it as their business address in the directories of 1750-1799.
These traders included West India merchants, ship insurance brokers, owners and commanders of trading ships and also brokers and dealers in produce of the West Indies, including rum and brandy merchants (“The best rum is obtained here” remarks Roaches handbook in 1793). Even the Duke of Wellington sent a letter here to a Captain Barclay, thanking him for a gift of a turtle of which he enjoyed as company and then as soup.
In the transition from simple coffee houses and business exchange, The Jamaica, like many others, gradually developed into a tavern. This was largely due to the increased popularity of a new exotic brew – tea. Many coffee houses sank or were converted into private members clubs.
In 1869 it began trading as the Jamaica Wine House as it is known today.
The Jamaica Wine House, also known as "The Jampot," is one of London's historic and renowned establishments with a rich history closely associated with coffee. Located in the heart of the city in Cornhill, it has played a significant role in the history of coffeehouses in London and has a connection to the development of the coffee trade.
Early History
The Jamaica Wine House traces its origins back to the late 17th century. It was originally established as a coffeehouse in 1652 by a man named Pasqua Rosee. At that time, coffeehouses were emerging as popular meeting places for London's intellectuals, merchants, and business people. These establishments served as hubs for discussions, debates, and networking.
Coffee and Trade
Coffee was a relatively new and exotic beverage in London during the 17th century. Pasqua Rosee is often credited with introducing coffee to the city, and his coffeehouse became first places where Londoners could taste this new beverage. Coffeehouses like the Jamaica Wine House played a crucial role in fostering trade connections, as merchants gathered there to discuss business deals and exchange information.
The Name "Jamaica Wine House"
The Jamaica Wine House, also known as "Jamaica Inn," or 'The Jampot' is one of London's historic pubs and is located in the City of London. It is believed to have gotten its name from its association with the trade of Caribbean goods, particularly rum and sugar, during the 18th century, and its links to the East India Trading Company.
Jamaican products like rum and sugar were imported into London and were often stored in warehouses in the area. The Jamaica Wine House likely gained its name because it was a place where Jamaican goods, including rum and wine, were sold and traded.
The building itself has a long history, and it has been a pub since the 19th century. It's now known as a popular pub and restaurant in the heart of London's financial district, and its historical ties to Jamaica and the trade of Jamaican goods continue to be a part of its identity. The building is listed as a grade 2 listed building and is built from Sandstone on the exterior.
Historical Significance
The Jamaica Wine House, like many other coffeehouses of its time, was not only a place to enjoy coffee but also a center for intellectual exchange. It became known for hosting lively debates and discussions on various topics, including politics, literature, and science. Some of the most influential ideas of the time were born and debated in London's coffeehouses, and the Jamaica Wine House played its part in this intellectual ferment.
Later Transformations
Over the centuries, the Jamaica Wine House has undergone several transformations. It has served as a coffeehouse, tavern, and pub, adapting to changing tastes and times. Despite these changes, its historic significance as one of London's oldest coffeehouses remains.
Today, the Jamaica Wine House continues to operate as a pub in the heart of London's financial district. While its focus has shifted from coffee to alcoholic beverages, it stands as a symbol of the rich history of coffeehouses in London and their role in shaping the city's culture, trade, and intellectual life during the 17th century.