CUSTOM HOUSE

Custom House: translation

   On the south side of Lower Thames Street. In Tower Ward (P.O Directory).

   Erected on this site 1814-17. Architect, David Laing, original centre taken down and present front erected, 1828. Architect, Rob. Smirke.

   -The original Custom House further east, was on the site of the house erected by John Churchman in 1382, 6 Rich. II., on the key called "Wool wharf," between tenement of Paule Salisberie east and the lane called the watergate west, the King granting that the tronage of wools should be kept in this house and a counting place for customers, etc. (S. 137, and Cal. P.R. Rich. II. 1381-5, p. 149).

   Burnt in the Fire and rebuilt by Wren, burnt again 1714-15 and rebuilt (Strype, 1755, I. 389). Another fire occurred in 1814, when the new building was erected on the present site (See above).

   The present building occupies the site of a number of wharves and keys, etc.: Bear Key Stairs ; Bear Quay ; Crown Key ; Dice Key ; Horners Key.

   See Custom House and Wool Quay.

Custom House: translation

Custom House ˈCustom House also Customs House noun [countable]

a building, usually in a port, that was used in the past as the offices for the government officials who dealt with documents relating to the export of goods into and out of a country

Custom House UK US noun [C] (also Customs House) GOVERNMENT, TAX, TRANSPORT

► a government building at a port where, in the past, the papers for goods leaving or entering a country were checked and taxes were paid

Custom house: translation

A house or shop which beggars used to visit in hope of alms; these became their customary or usual stopping places.