Storeys of Old.

The "History of St. James's Square and the Foundation of the West End of London," a work of detailed nature, and ably written by Arthur Irwin Dasent (London, 1895), contains allusions to the above Abraham Story on pages 11, 20, 21 and 23. Included is the "Rent Roll of Henry Jermyn, Earl of St. Albans, 1676 (Add. MSS. British Museum, No. 22,063). The Rent Roll is arranged in conformity with modern numbering of houses within the square, beginning at the south-east corner.

On page 20, among the names of tenants and dates of their leases, it appears that "Abraham Storey holdeth by assurance, dated the 2nd April, 1675, the fee simple and inheritance of a piece of ground on the north side of the piazza fifty foot in front, since built [on], yearly rent reserved £15 8s. 4d."

Again - "Abraham Storey holdeth by assurance, dated the 14th day of January, 1674 (now Sir Peter Apsley's) the fee and inheritance of a piece of ground on the west side of the said piazza forty-four feet in front, since built [on], rent reserved £13 11s. 4d." (p. 21).

In the original Rent Roll the entries are made haphazard, says Mr. Dasent.

Another note states that "Abraham Storey's house represents in the Rent Roll No. 6 of the present day (Marquis of Bristol's), he erecting a house here for John Hervey, of Ickworth, Treasurer and Receiver General to Katherine of Braganza, at a cost of £5,100."

In "Memorials of St. James's Palace," by Edgar Sheppard, M.A., Sub-dean of Chapel Royal, &c. (Longmans, 1894), there are no allusions to the Storeys and Storeysgate. Nor is there anything on the subject in "London in the Jacobite Times," by Dr. Doran, F.S.A. (Rd. Bentley and Son), 2 vols. (1877), "Antiquities of Westminster," by John Thomas Smith, London (T. Bentley, June 9th, 1807), nor yet in Ward, Lock & Co.'s "Guide to London."

Mr. W. F. Prideaux, of Kingsland, Shrewsbury, says in a review of the "History of St. James's Square" (N. & Q., 8v. S. IX., 1879), by Mr. Dasent, "Abraham Story, or one of the same family, is commemorated in 'Storey's Gate.' The real Eponymous of the gate was probably William Storey, whose house was situated at the backside of Prince's Court, and had a passage alongside which led into the park. William Storey and his deceased brother had been keepers and feeders of the King's birds and beasts in St. James's Park ever since the restoration, at £20 salary per annum. Arrears of payment were asked for, the same being said to amount to £511 0s. 11d. The Lords of the Treasury ordered £200 to be paid in full satisfaction from 31st March, 1687, to 30th September, 1694. (Letter Book, June 7th, 1695).

William Storey's brother was named Edward Storey. See also "London Past and Present," vol. II, p. 292. Edward Storey appears to have been in charge of the Decoy. Wheatley, in his "Round about Piccadilly and Pall Mall," p. 265, gives, on the authority of "Cunningham's Handbook of London," details of the expenses he incurred in fixing wires and poles for enclosing the ducks.