General Post — Inland Office — Receiving houses — Coffee Houses           This system of coffee houses being used as receiving houses for letters was to last for well over 100 years, as is shown by this example sent from Carmarthen in Wales, to London 27th November 1780.      The General Post received and despatched mail between London and other parts of the United Kingdom. There were daily posts to Kent and Essex; every other day to other parts of England and Scotland; and weekly to Wales and Ireland. It was impossible at this time to POST a letter in London for DELIVERY in London. This could only be done privately. The '4' written on shows the rate charged for a single letter more than 80 miles — Carmarthen was 218 miles from London.       The letter carriers from the General Post Office collected the letters from the Receiving houses and took them back to the head office for sorting and despatch. They obviously delivered to the Coffee Houses, as can be seen from the address on this letter.

click here for details	Edmund Chalmer Esqr Solicitor to the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty Grecian Coffee House Temple Bar London.
click here for details	Honoured Sir, When I received the favor of your Letter I went to the Vendor of my first intended purchase, who is very desirous the same should be compleated, came with me to Carmarthen to talk with his Lawyer — Mr. Thomas Howell About sending you the Two fines(*) you mentioned, which Mr. Howell promised to send by the last post, and also promised to the Seller in my prefence, to defray all expences which the Governors have been at about the former Deeds and that he had wrote to you promifing so to do, or that he will give it under his hand in another form whenever required. I am (Worthy sir) Your most Obedt. hble Servant David Edmond Minister of Eglwyd Vair Llantave November 27th, 1780. Note: (*) Fine in this case meant the final payment made when a property changes hands.
The Coffee Houses were meeting places for men, and certain houses were popular with particular groups of men — either because of political beliefs, trade connections, or locality — much like the present-day 'local' pub. They were places where the customers were able to buy refreshments (not only coffee), and to read the newspapers, and to put in and collect letters. The Grecian Coffee House, being situated in Temple Bar, was popular with lawyers from the local Inns of Temple.
click here for details.	This letter is addressed to :- T. C. Banks Trevor Sqre Knightsbridge. This letter is an example nearly 50 years later, showing that the Coffee Houses were still being used as meeting places. The 3 was charged as Knightsbridge was in the Country area of the Twopenny Post, under the Westminster Office, and the two datestamps show it was dealt with at that office at 8 am and taken out for delivery from the head office at 10 in the morning — a good service!
click here for details	The letter was posted in the Twopenny Post Receiving house at Coleman Street. This is the first letter we have seen where the writer has put his address like this. City, 17th Oct 1828 Dear Sir I shall be most happy to meet you on Monday Next say at 3 o'Clock at the Guildhall Coffee House, when I will get Mr Hungate to attend with me Excuse haste yours truly Tho. B. Watts
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