The Domesday Survey recorded eight mills in this area, and as windmills came later, these must have been tidal water mills on the River Lea and so they are among the earliest known tide mills in England. In medieval times the site was known as Three Mills. They provided flour for the bakers of Stratford-atte-Bow, who supplied bread to the City of London. In 1588, one of the two remaining mills was described as a gunpowder mill.

In 1728, Three Mills was bought by Peter Lefevre, a Huguenot, who entered into partnership with Daniel Bisson and several others. The mills operated in conjunction with a distillery and the company had its own carpenters, coopers and operated a large piggery fed on waste products. They also continued to mill for other purposes including supply to the Royal Navy Victualling Office.

The House Mill was built in 1776 by Daniel Bisson, on the site of an earlier mill and between two houses occupied by the miller and his family, hence its name. The Clock Mill opposite was rebuilt in 1817. There was also a third mill, a windmill, which survived until about 1840. The House Mill continued to operate until 1941 and the Clock Mill until 1952.