Margaret Clap facts for kids

Margaret Clap (who passed away around 1726), also known as Mother Clap, ran a popular coffee house in Holborn, Middlesex, near the City of London. This was between 1724 and 1726. Her coffee house was a special gathering place for men in the early 18th century.

At that time, certain social activities were against the law in England. Despite this, many private social gatherings took place, especially in big cities. Places like Mother Clap's coffee house became important social spots where men from all walks of life could meet and spend time together. Margaret Clap played a big role in this community. She was also involved in legal challenges after her place was shut down.

Mother Clap's Coffee House

Margaret Clap's coffee house was a well-known spot for a particular social group in London. It was very popular during the two years it was open, from 1724 to 1726. Many people in the community knew about it.

Mother Clap was known for taking good care of her customers. She made sure her coffee house was a welcoming place for the men who visited. It was said that she had "beds in every room of the house" and often hosted "thirty or forty of such Kind of Chaps every Night, but more especially on Sunday Nights." This suggests it was a lively and busy place.

Margaret Clap was usually present at her coffee house. She would only leave to go across the street to a local tavern to buy drinks for her customers. This makes it seem like the coffee house might have been in her own home. It appeared she cared more about her customers' happiness than just making money. Her actions later, when her business faced problems, showed how loyal she was to the people who visited her coffee house.

The 1726 Raid

In February 1726, Margaret Clap's coffee house was raided by the police. About 40 people who were inside were arrested. The coffee house had been watched for two years by a group called the Society for the Reformation of Manners.

It seems the surveillance started because some people who had been part of the community decided to tell the authorities. For example, a man named Mark Patridge was reported by someone he knew. He then became an informant for the police. He would lead policemen into these gathering places, introducing them as his "husband" so they could investigate more closely. This led to the raid on Mother Clap's coffee house.