STAPLEHURST, a parish partly in the hundred of
CRANBROOKE, and partly in that of HARDEN, lathe of
SCRAY, county of KENT, 4 miles (N. byE.) from Cranbrook,
containing 1513 inhabitants. The living is a
rectory, in the archdeaconry and diocese of Canterbury,
rated in the Icing's books at £26. 5. 10., and in the
patronage of the Master and Fellows of St. John's
College, Cambridge. The church is dedicated to All
Saints. There is a place of worship for Independents.
Three schools are supported here for about £60 per
annum, arising from the united bequests of Lancelot
Bathurst, in 1539, and John Gibbon, Esq., in 1707.
A fair for cattle, corn, and hops, is held on October
llth.