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St George Hanover Square pub history index
"The Old Chelsea Bun Shop", is where the original recipe for the Chelsea Bun, which became a particular favourite of King George II, who apparently would visit personally. Technically the road is in Pimlico, however they clearly had some savvy in regard to marketing and decided that a "Chelsea bun" was a better selling tag than "Pimlico bun" ! This road was later renamed to Pimlico Road; the early address being at 40 Grosvenor row. ***
In the 1810 John Lockie description of London, it mentions "Shire Lane, Chelsea, extends from behind the Bun house towards Sloane Street".
In 1857, 40 Grosvenor row is on the north side, and a few doors from the Union street junction. It disappears from directories about this time.
A listing of historical London public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in St George Hanover Square; and includes such areas of London as Knightsbridge, Mayfair and Pimlico.
The Old Chelsea Bun Shop, Grosvenor Row in 1810
Kindly provided by Colleen
Residents at this address.
1805/Richard Hand, Royal Bunn House, Grosvenor row, Chelsea/../../Holdens
Directory
1811/Richard Hand, Royal Bunhouse, 10 Grosvenor row, Chelsea/../../Holdens
Directory
Old Bun House, Chelsea - 19 April 1824 - Star (London) newspaper:
John Kirby and Robert Kirby charged with uttering counterfeit coin.
Mr Edward Chapman, proprietor of the Chelsea Bun House, Chelsea, stated that
on Friday last (Good Friday), the prisoner Robert went to his shop, and
purchased three buns, and in payment tendered a half crown, which upon
inspection, turned out to be bad.
The prisoner stated he had taken it from the landlord of the Three Crowns.
He took it .. to get a good one. Instead of taking the road to the Three
Crowns, he went the reverse way. He followed prisoner, but lost sight of
him.
In the meantime the other prisoner (John) went into the shop and purchased
some buns, gave half a crown in payment, and received change.
The prisoner John had left the shop, and the two prisoners joined company.
At that moment the shopwoman came out of the shop having discovered she had
taken a bad half crown.
The Constable of Chelsea happening to pass at the time, and took the two
prisoners into custody. Both prisoners had an assortment of coins, some
good, and some bad. Sarah Martin, shopwoman, identified the prisoner John.
Morning Advertiser 7th May 1832 refers to Chapmans Bun house, Chelsea where
auction details can be viewed.
Morning Advertiser 16th June 1836, and advertisement apply to Mr Chapman, Bun
house, Chelsea.
In 1831 and 1833, there is an Edward Chapman listed in Grosvenor row. By 1836,
Grosvenor row seems to be numbered correctly; and Edw Chapman is listed as a
confectioner at 39 Grosvenor row.
In the 1832 directory, B Digby is a baker, and is to be found at 16 Royal
Hospital row, with the General Elliott at 17, Sbowshoes at 21 and Royal Hospital
at 23. He is also listed at this address in 1835 and by 1838 still at the same
address, the Duke of York is also listed nearby. I have these all listed in
Chelsea. By 1840, Thomas Main is now the baker listed at this address, whereas
an E J Digby is at Grosvenor row, and the Old Bun House is named.
24th July 1831, Isabella Emma Digby (born June 29 1831) is baptised to
Benjamin Joseph Digby & Isabella Digby, a Baker of Royal Hospital row
3rd Aug 1834, Louisa Jemima Digby (born July 13 1834) is baptised to
Benjamin Joseph Digby & Isabella Digby, a Baker of Royal Hospital row
1840/E J Digby, The Old Bun house, 40 Grosvenor row, Pimlico/../../Robsons Directory
1841/Benjamin Digby/Baker/37/../Census
1841/Isabella Digby/../38/Middlesex/Census
1841/Isabella Digby/../9/Middlesex/Census
1841/Louisa Digby/../6/Middlesex/Census
1841/Benjamin Digby/../2/Middlesex/Census
1841/James Phillips/Baker/21/../Census
1841/Mark Watts/Errand Boy/14/../Census
1841/Elizabeth Webb/Female Servant/18/../Census
1842/B J Digby, Old Bun house, 40 Grosvenor row, Pimlico/../../Robsons Directory
1843/Benjamin Joseph Digby/old bun house, 40 Grosvenor row, Pimlico/../../Post
Office Directory *
1851/Benjamin Digby/Pastry cook/46/Surrey/Census
1851/Isabella Digby/Wife/47/St James, Middlesex/Census
1851/Isabella Digby/Daughter, Governess/19/Middlesex/Census
1851/Louisa J Digby/Daughter/16/Middlesex/Census
1851/Benjamin Digby/Son/12/St Georges, Middlesex/Census
1851/John Heythorpe/Journeyman Baker/51/Deptford, Kent/Census
1853/Benjamin Joseph Digby, confectioner, 40 Grosvenor row, Pimlico/../../Post
Office Directory
1857/Benjamin Joseph Digby, confectioner, 40 Grosvenor row, Pimlico/../../Post
Office Directory
1858/Benjamin Joseph Digby, confectioner, 40 Grosvenor row, Pimlico/../../Post
Office Directory
*** Provided By Len Williams
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