STAPLETON, a parish in ESKDALE ward, county of
CUMBERLAND, comprising the townships of Belbank,
Solport, Stapleton, and Trough, and containing 1127
inhabitants, of which number, 487 are in the township
of Stapleton, 10 miles (B. N. B.) from Longtown. The
living is a discharged rectory, in the archdeaconry and
diocese of Carlisle, ratedin the king's books at£ 1.8. llf.,
endowed with £200 royal bounty, and £600 parliamentary
grant, and in the patronage of the Earl of Carlisle
for one turn, and Sir J. R. G. Graham, Bart., for two.
The church is dedicated to St. Mary. The river Line,
which is here  crossed by a bridge, runs through the
parish, and on its northern bank are the ruins of Shank
castle. Limestone abounds here, and a colliery has been
lately opened in the vicinity. A small school is endowed
with £2 per annum.