STAPLEFORD, a parish in the hundred of HERTFORD, and county of HERTFORD, 3 miles (N. by W.) from Hertford, containing 212 inhabitants. The living is a rectory, in the archdeaconry of Huntingdon, and diocese of Lincoln, rated in the king's books at £8. 8. 6., and in the patronage of Samuel Smith, Esq. The church is dedicated to St. Mary. The river Bean runs through the parish, and there is a large watercourse, called the New Cut, made at the expense of S. Smith, Esq., to diminish the violence of the floods.