The year 1678 saw a coach on the road between the important seaport of Hull and the city of York, probably in connection with the York stage between that and London; but our only knowledge of its existence at so early a date is—to put it in rather an Irish way—a reference to its having been taken off. Ralph Thoresby, the Yorkshire antiquary, is our authority. In his diary he notes that he landed at Hull in November of that year, and that the stage-coach was already over for the winter. This Hull and York coach we may suppose to have been in connection with a York and London stage already existing—that original vehicle, started in 1658 and alluded to in 1673, which was to perform the journey in four days, the fare 40s. The first detailed account of the “York Old Coach,” as it came to be known, is found in an old advertisement broadside discovered some years since at the back of an old drawer at the “Black Swan,” in York. It is dated 1706, and is evidently an announcement of the coach resuming its season after one of its annual hibernations:—
YORK Four Days
Stage-Coach.
Begins on Friday the 12th of April 1706.
ALL that are desirous to pass from London to York, or from York to London, or any other Place on that Road, Let them Repair to the Black Swan in Holbourn in London, and to the Black Swan in Coney street in York.
At both which Places, they may be received in a Stage Coach every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, which performs the whole journey in Four Days, (if God permits.) And sets forth at Five in the Morning.
And returns from York to Stamford in two days, and from Stamford, by Huntington to London in two days more. And the like Stages on their return.
Allowing each Passenger 14l. weight, and all above 3d. a Pound.
| Performed By | {Benjamin Kingman, |
| {Henry Harrison, | |
| {Walter Baynes, |
Also this gives Notice that Newcastle Stage Coach, sets out from York, every Monday, and Friday, and from Newcastle every Monday, and Friday.