East out of Houndsditch at 147, and north through Back Gravel Lane to Harrow Alley (P.O. Directory). In Portsoken Ward.
First mention: O. and M. 1677.
In 1677 and until the end of the 18th century it covered a much wider area than it does at the present time. The northern portion communicating with New Street (Hand Alley) and Middlesex Street was demolished for the erection of the extensive warehouses of the East India Company now occupied by the Port of London Authority.
It has been further curtailed by the Metropolitan Railway extensions in later years.
A Dictionary of London. Henry A Harben. 1918.