BISHOPTON, a parish in the south-western division of STOCKTON ward, county palatine of DURHAM, comprising the townships of Bishopton, East and West Newbiggins, and Little Stainton, and containing 453 inhabitants, of which number, 365 are in the township of Bishopton, 6 miles (W. by N.) from Stockton. The living is a discharged vicarage, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Durham, rated in the king's books at £4. 5. 10., endowed with £200 private benefaction, and £200 royal bounty, and in the patronage of the Master and Brethren of Sherburn Hospital. The church is dedicated to St. Peter. A parochial school, with a house for the master, was built a few years ago, by subscription, and is partly supported by a small annuity. In a field at the eastern extremity 'of the village there are vestiges of an intrenchment, which is supposed to have been part of the fortifications that guarded the mansion of the faithful Roger de Conyers, from whom William de St. Barbara, elect bishop of Durham, received powerful assistance in his struggle against Comyn, the usurper of the see, about the middle of the twelfth century, and at this secure retreat received the homage of those of his vassals who returned to their duty.