Staplehurst (All Saints)

STAPLEHURST (All Saints), a parish, in the union of Maidstone, partly in the hundred of Cranbrooke, and partly in that of Marden, Lower division of the lathe of Scray, W. division of Kent, 4 miles (N. by E.) from Cranbrooke; containing 1591 inhabitants. It comprises 5737 acres, and is situated on the South-Eastern railway, which has a station here, 12 miles from the Tonbridge station, and 14 from that of Ashford. A fair for cattle, corn, and hops, is held on October 11th. The living is a rectory, valued in the king's books at £26. 5. 10., and in the gift of St. John's College, Cambridge: the tithes have been commuted for £1199. 15., and the glebe comprises one acre. There is a place of worship for Independents. Two schools are supported for about £60 per annum, arising from the bequests of Lancelot Bathurst in 1539, and John Gibson, Esq., in 1707.