STOCKS, a wooden machine to put the legs of offenders in, for securing disorderly persons, and by way of punishment in divers cases, ordained by statute, &c.
STOCKTON upon Tees, a handsome town in the county of Durham, about 16 miles south of the city of Durham. It is now a port of considerable trade; though, at the restoration, it was a despicable village, the best house in which could hardly boast of any thing better than clay-walls and a thatched roof. About 40 years ago it sent out in one year 75 vessels for the port of London; and the trade is much increased since.