Dionis Stevens "Pub Owner of Coffin's Ordinary"

Dionis Stevens (4 March 1610–1684) was associated with Coffin's Ordinary in Newbury, where she reportedly ran the establishment and was known for brewing beer. She later died in Nantucket, Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Dionis Stevens was born on 4 March 1610 in England. She was the wife of Tristram.

According to family-tree notes, after the family moved to Newbury, Tristram received licenses in 1644 and again in 1647 to keep an ordinary, sell wine, and operate a ferry. Dionis reportedly ran the public house, known as Coffin's Ordinary. Brewing beer was described in the notes as a common occupation for women at the time.

In 1653, Dionis was charged with violating a 1645 law that limited the price of beer to two pence per quart. The case was reportedly dismissed after she showed that her beer contained more malt than was usual and therefore should be sold at a proportionately higher price. Family-tree notes state that the establishment became known as the place where the best beer was sold.

Dionis Stevens died in 1684 in Nantucket, Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Historical context

Coffin's Ordinary was described as an ordinary, a public establishment providing food, drink, and lodging or hospitality. The supplied notes indicate that its operations included the sale of wine and beer and were connected with a ferry license in Newbury. They also describe a 1645 regulation setting a maximum price for beer and Dionis's 1653 case concerning the greater malt content of her beer.

Sources & research

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