Storeys of Old.

February, 1909, says - "In 1761, George Story disappears from Lanercost. His name ceases to appear in our books between the 29th January and the 5th April, 1761. This is the year in which he put up the memorial to Robert de Vallibus, otherwise de Vaux, who founded the Priory in 1169. Mr. Willis concludes that he "gave the tablet as a parting gift, on resigning the living." In a subsequent letter, dated 24th March, 1909, the same gentleman states that he found these entries under the heading of "Ordinations to Priesthood":-

2nd July, 1749, George Story, Deacon and Stipendiary Curate at Lanercost.

9th March, 1746, *George Story, Clerk, admitted and licensed to be Curate of the Priory and Parish Church of Abbey Lanercost, upon the nomination of Henry, Earl of Carlisle, impropriator; and also of the parish of Farlam, upon the nomination of Henry Smith, of Kirkhouse.

The late Master of Christ's College, Cambridge, forwarded on the 6th of March, 1909, this interesting information:-

"I have much pleasure in answering your inquiries about George Storey. According to our Admission Book, he was the son of Ralph Storey, and was born at Beanley, in Northumberland. He was M.A. of Edinburgh, and was admitted a Pensioner of Christ's College on the 5th October, 1725, aged 22. He resided here until Midsummer, 1726. One, George Story, nephew of George of Bishop Wearmouth - possibly the same man - was admitted at Gray's Inn on the 16th December, 1725. If the same, he soon changed his mind, for he was ordained Deacon at Linco'n in the June of 1726, and was licensed to Southoe and Hailweston in Hunts. I have not been able to trace him further, and if you can tell me anything more about him, I shall be grateful. I am writing a Biographical History of the College. What is the authority for his being Vicar of Lanercost? I might be able to ascertain the dates of his appointment and death. He was never a Fellow of the College, nor was any one of his name. Seven were here."

Writing again on the loth March, 1909, Dr. Peile says:-

"I thank you for your letter and its information respecting George Story, which seems to complete his history. He was ordained in June, 1726, and if we allow a year for his Curacy at Southoe and a year for Shillington, we get to 1728. He held Lanercost thirty-seven years, and died in 1765. If these figures are correct, he must have been instituted in 1728, and held it till his death. I wonder if you can tell me anything about some other Storeys - we have several - but our Admission Books are imperfect, and I have not met with them in my searches during the last fifteen years. One is a Shelly Story, matriculated in 1611, whose name attracts me, but the Christian name might be Strelly. I know nothing of him. There was a Fergus in 1652, of Northumberland. He was in orders, and petitioned the Crown in 1660 for the living of Rothbury, which he did not get. In later days there are two-George Henry, admitted in 1795, eldest son of Thomas Storey, merchant. He held the rectory of Stoke Maries, in Essex, for a time, and died at Thames Ditton, 31st October, 1833. This gentleman was a Fellow Commoner-nothing more is stated. He was a London man. The other, John Storey, was admitted in January, 1797, and was possibly a brother of George Henry; he resided only two terms. I know nothing more."

The Rev. Langdale H. Postgate, Vicar of Shillington, wrote as follows on the 6th March, 1909:-