76 NOTES ON THE RECTORS OF STAVELEY. 
‘Durham, July 20, 1750. 
“My Dear 
“JT got well, but pritty much weary, to this Place, on 
Wednesday in the Afternoon, and shall be glad to hear my two 
Dear Fellow Travellers and Willy Brailsford had a safe Return to 
Staley on Monday, and found my Dear Girls and Niece all well 
too.—I found this Place very full of fine folks, of this County, 
Yorkshire, and Northumberland, as it still continues.——The 
weather has not been very favourable to the Races; nor have 
they had many Horses ; two only started yesterday, and one of 
them tumbled down the beginning of the first Heat, and so there 
was no second, and Dr. Stillingfleet and I, who had stolen out 
in our Coats to see, unseen, came back disappointed, but 
Feasting, Concerts, and Assemblies flourish greatly—Our Quire 
had a Concert yesterday, and a most incomparably good one, in 
the Chapter House, a noble Room for the Purpose near twenty 
yards high.—It was Alexanders Ode, near twenty Instruments, 
and about fifteen excellent voices ; and 3 or four hundred Gentle- 
men and Ladies to hear them, who all express’d great Admiration ; 
for my part I was never so entertained, so long together, 2 hours, 
before, and To Day, vile Change! in the very same place there 
has been as long a continuance of Jarring, Quarrelling, and 
Disagreement.—I am almost tired already of being so far from 
my Dear and Family, the Want of which nothing can make up 
to me: my good neighbours Mr. and Mrs. Middleton are run 
away from the Race into Northumberland.—I am in great hast.— 
Love, Blessing and Good Wishes to’ you, Niece Bateman, and 
my Dear Girls, with Thanks to Willy Brailsford for his Company, 
and Service to all Friends and Neighbours, as if particularly 
nam’d. 
“T am, my Dear, ever Thine &c 
bale Fae > 
XXV. James Gisborne, who died on September 7th, 1759, 
was succeeded in the rectory by his son Francis. The two 
Gisbornes, father and son, occupied the rectory during the extra- 
ordinary period of 105 years. The Rey. Francis Gisborne was 
