Good morning.
I have been doing some research into my 4 x G Grandfather Eliphalet Hill (previously a topic conversation here owing to his unusual name, none the wiser still)!
He is noted as a deceased Coffee Roaster on my 3 x Great-Grandparents (Ann Hill & Henry Weaver) marriage record in 1859, and all of the family were located in Shoreditch/Mile End/Whitechapel/Spitalfields, essentially in all directions directly off Brick Lane.
On Eliphaltet's birth record from 1805, his parents are John & Mary Hill. I have recently discovered a probate record from 1832, belonging to a John Hill from Shoreditch who was a Coffee House Keeper at 189 Church Street, Shoreditch (now Fournier Street). I have lost my Ancestry subscription and access to the records, but from memory, the address on Eliphalet's birth record (or some other record) tally with what is in John Hill's will.
I wondered if anyone had any knowledge or records of coffee houses in the area at this time? This John Hill appears to have been pretty wealthy, leaving lots of cash and items I think to a sister & brother, but no mention of a wife or children. I think that Eliphalet and family must have lived in relative poverty as they are found in the slum district of Flower & Dean St on 1841 census, which makes me wonder if the names and occupations are a coincidence?
Coffee House Keeper and Coffee Roaster seem to be unusual-ish jobs at the time, in a small area, with the same (albeit) highly common surname. Just wondered if anyone had any knowledge/opinions on the above? Grateful, as always.
