The Morpeth Arms, Millbank & its link to the black leader of London Chartism, William Cuffay
On Thursday 3rd October I had occasion to visit the Morpeth Arms, a Youngs pub at the Vauxhall Bridge Rd end of Millbank. I’m not unfamiliar with the place, as I used to work just over the river on the Albert Embankment.
The occasion was an informal gathering of senior (in all senses) union activists to mark the recent deaths of two CWU officials, Andy Kerr and Bill McClory.
The Morpeth Arms is a Grade Two listed building constructed in 1845. It was designed as place for prison officers at the Millbank prison to take refreshments. The prison which was open from 1816 to 1890 is now the location of Tate Britain and the Chelsea College of Art and Design.
From the later 1840s to 1853 it was used a holding prison for those sentenced to transportation to Australia. One of those who passed through it was the black leader of London Chartism William Cuffay who was sentenced to be transported in September 1848 for his alleged role in an armed rising in central London in August 1848.
Prisoners were meant to be held at Millbank for three months and then despatched on the sea voyage to Australia. In fact that did not happen to Cuffay- why does not seem clear. He was transferred to Wakefield prison and was not transported to Tasmania until July 1849.
Cuffay (1788-1870) continued to be a political activist in Hobart until his death
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