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In the 1770-1780 Masonic Lodges listing, the Half Moon, Cheapside is the meeting place of a masonic Lodge, and apparently constituted in December 2nd 1736; and the Half Moon is also listed in the earlier listings of 1730-32 and 1736-39, plus latterly of 1740-55.
Later the New London Tavern, Cheapside and latterly the building is at 140 Cheapside.
On a map, Eastcheap is immediately east of St Pauls, and you can make out
Number 9 is Half Moon Alley, Cheapside - in 1746 - see Rocques map
A listing of historical London public houses, Taverns, Inns, Beer Houses and Hotels in St Mary Colehurch parish, City of London.
There are two early tokens #318 and #319 for the Half Moon, Cheapside - the first is dated 1658, the second is not dated, but to Edward Attwood :
#Token 318 Obverse : AT THE HALFE MOON A half-moon, in the field.
Reverse. IN THE CORTE . 1658 In the field, S. A. M.
#Token 319 Obverse : EDWARD ATTWOOD A half-moon, in the field.
Reverse IN CHEAPSIDE In the field, E. I. A.
The Half-moon tavern was on the north side of Cheapside, abutting westward on Gutter lane, having a way by the court from Cheapside into Gutter lane. After the fire it was rebuilt, retaining the appellation of the Half-moon tavern.
Elias Ashmole, in his Diary, March 11th, 1682, notices his presiding at the Half-moon tavern, in Cheapside, at a noble dinner prepared at the charge of some newly accepted masons: "I was the senior fellow among them, it being thirty-five years ago since I was admitted."
During a long series of years the Half-moon tavern maintained a distinguished notoriety, and is historically recorded as the scene of many public city events. As the property of the Saddlers Company it was leased by them to taverners till 1817, when Mr. Butler, chemist, became lessee of the premises, "heretofore the Half-moon tavern, but lately known as the New London tavern."
A fire destroyed the whole in February, 1821, when the house now 140 Cheapside was rebuilt on the site. Half-moon passage, leading from Cheapside to the tavern, is now named Cooper's
Residents at this address.
The Globe Lodge meets at the Half Moon, Cheapside, London in 1723, and again in 1726
1794/Lewis Lewis, wine and brandy merchant, 140 Cheapside/../../Wakefields Directory
In 1810, John Lockie describes this as "London Tavern (New), Cheapside, behind 140, about nine or ten doors on the Left from St Pauls church yard."
1811/Lewis & Son, New London tavern, Cheapside/../../Holdens Directory
1811/Lewis & Son, wine merchants, Gutter lane, Cheapside/../../Holdens Directory
While researching James (Jas) Fortey a wealthy Corn Factor from London I came across the attached sale of Masonic material that gives a bit of detail about Masonic meetings at the Tavern *
"Bro. Jas. Fortey, who was charged one guinea for initiation and two shillings and sixpence for annual quit rent. It is signed by Jas. Firth, Most Noble Grand, and dated 22nd January 1812. Lodge met at New London Tavern, Cheapside"
The Ship Inn in Millbank was run by James's father, John Fortey until his death in 1793 and then by his widow Mary Fortey until at least 1800 when Jeremy Bentham made a compulsory purchase order in relation to a new National penitentiary - Millbank prison. *
Sun (London). 27 February 1821
Dreadful Fire in Gutter Lane - Anout five o'clock yesterday evening, an alarming fire broke out in the extensive premises of Messrs J and C Butler, wholesale chymists and druggists, in Gutter lane (formerly the New London Tavern), Cheapside, which for a considerable time threatened total destruction to the surrounding warehouses. The progress of the devouring element was greatly accelerated by the inflammable nature of the stock, and the flames reached the warehouses of Mr Gardner, a trimming manufacturer, on one side, and those of Messrs Jackson and Co engravers, on the other. By this time the appearance was dreadful, and fears were entertained for the Church in Foster lane, as the flames had already communicated to Saddlers Hall, which we understood suffered considerably; but by the vigilant exertions of the inhabitants, assisted by the Churchwardens, the flames were prevented from penetrating the sacred fabric.
About six o'clock, a tremendous crash was occasioned by the falling of the roofs of the premises of Messrs Butler and Co, and it was rumoured that two firemen were buried in the ruins, but we were not able to ascertain whether the report was correct. The various fire engines speedily arrived, and not withstanding the alacrity of the firemen, the premises in which the conflagration commenced, which extend from Gutter lane nearly into Foster lane, were entirely consumed; and the houses of Mr Gardner, and Messrs Jackson and Co in Gutter lane, and six houses in Cheapside, whose back premises extend as far as the side of those of Messrs Butler and Co, were greatly damaged .
1822/../New London Tavern, Cheapside/../../History of Yorkshire Directory
New Times (London). 15 October 1822
At a Meeting of the Livery & Friends of Mr Lewis Lewis, held at the Queens Arms Tavern, Newgate street, on Monday 14th October 1822 John Crowder Esq, Deputy in the Chair.
It was Resolved Unanimously.
That it was the opinion of this Meeting that Mr Lewis Lewis having been a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Vintners 37 years, and proprietor of the New London Tavern, Cheapside, 30 years - having filled the Ward and Parochial Offices and likewise during 15 years, the office of Common Councilman (an office which he only retired from its consequence of losses in business) - having also enjoyed the esteem and approbation of his Constituents, as appears by the following Resolution unanimously passed on his resignation: this meeting deem him in every respect amply qualified to fill the office of Bridgemaster, vacant by the death of Mr Thodey, and most earnestly recommend him to the notice of his fellow citizens, particularly requesting the favour of their Votes and Interest in his behalf
(Signed) John Crowder.
Farringdon Within.
At a Wardmote held the 22nd of December 1817,
"Resolved Unanimously,
"That the warmest Thanks of this Wardmote be given to Lewis Lewis, late one of the Representatives of this ward in the Court of Common Council, for his long and faithful service, at once displaying purity of intention and inflexible decision, and that, in his retirement from public life, he may long enjoy the conscious satisfaction which its remembrance must ever impart".
New Times (London). 07 February 1823
Building Ground, Cheapside - To be Let, by the Worshipful Company of Saddlers, on a Building Lease for sixty one years, a valuable plot of ground near Cheapside, being the scite of the New London Tavern, peculiarly eligible for the erection of Dwelling houses, with Warehouses in the Silk or Linen Trade, having entrances from Cheapside and from Gutter lane. For particulars inquire at the Clerks Office, No 140 Cheapside, where a Plan of the Ground may be seen.
* Provided by John Evans
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