Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

London Coffee House

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 14, 2010

1. London Coffee House Marker

Inscription. Scene of political and commercial activity in the colonial period, the London Coffee House opened here in 1754. It served as a place to inspect Black slaves recently arrived from Africa and to bid for their purchase at auction.

Erected 1991 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Colonial Era • Government & Politics • Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1754.

Location. 39° 56.971′ N, 75° 8.531′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker is at the intersection of South Front Street and Market Street, on the left when traveling west on South Front Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4 South Front Street, Philadelphia PA 19147, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tamanend (within shouting distance of this marker); Philip Syng, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); Robert Aitken (1734-1802) (within shouting distance of this marker); Penn's View Hotel (within shouting distance of this marker);

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A National Historic Site in Journalism (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Benjamin Franklin (about 400 feet away); Lorenzo L. Langstroth (about 600 feet away); The Potato Blight - Its Origin (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. These are markers at the locations of Merchant Exchanges throughout the years. Today the Philadelphia Exchange is in Center City at 19th and Market Streets.

Also see . . .
1. Philadelphia's Merchants Moved from Coffee House to Tavern to This “Temple of Commerce”. Excerpt: “The London Coffee House was situated at the once busy corner of Front and High Streets hard on the city’s docks. Here schooner-owners would advertise their inventory of goods over schooners of ale. Lots of lots of real estate were offered over pots and pots of coffee. This establishment was also the venue for vendues—public auctions of sundry merchandise.

Adding to the animated scene was a twice-weekly market selling grains and meats from the hinterlands. It was operated out of sheds on High Street across from the coffee house. at high noon on market days monetary showdowns would occur when rivals tried to outbid each other during a large horse auction.” (Submitted on January 1, 2012.)

2. Buying a Slave in Pennsylvania

Photographed By J. J. Prats, May 14, 2010

2. London Coffee House Marker

The No. 33 bus is turning from Market Street, and just one more turn away from its destination at Penns Landing.

. Article by George F. Nagle. Excerpt: “A popular location for the public sale of slaves in Philadelphia was the London Coffee House. Slaves sold by public auction at this location were less likely to be newly arrived Africans, but Blacks already owned by local slaveholders. Persons wishing to purchase a slave would watch the local newspaper for published notices of sales, and either bid in person or designate someone to act as an agent and bid on their behalf.

“The following advertisement is unusual in that fourteen slaves are up for auction. Most public slave sales at this location involved one or two slaves at one time; this event no doubt drew a large crowd for its novelty: ‘ TO BE SOLD, On Saturday the 27th Instant, at the London Coffee House, Twelve or Fourteen valuable Negroes, consisting of young Men, Women, Boys and Girls; they have all had the Small Pox, can talk English, and are seasoned to the Country. The Sale to begin at Twelve o’Clock.’ (The Pennsylvania Gazette, July 18, 1765)” (Submitted on January 1, 2012.)

Additional keywords. Human trafficking

Credits. This page was last revised on April 19, 2024. It was originally submitted on January 1, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 869 times since then and 84 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 1, 2012, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.