RATCLIFFE, a hamlet in the parish of STEPNEY,
Tower division of the hundred of OSSULSTONE, county
of MIDDLESEX, 1 mile (E.) from London, containing
6973 inhabitants. The present name appears to be a
corruption of Redcliff, an appellation derived from the
red cliff, or bank of the river Thames, which flows
southward of the parish. In Camden's time this was a
village inhabited principally by seafaring men, but it
is now much increased in size and population. " The
Highway," a broad street formerly planted on each side
with elm-trees, now consists of lines of houses, and
extends to Limehouse. For a particular account of
this place see the article on STEPNEY.