Don't know all the details but there was a difference between a "Rector" and a "Vicar", as far as the Anglican church was concerned anyway. A parish was known as a "living" as in "he applied for/obtained the Living of St. J.... in O..." so I imagine the phrase must indicate that soime particular "Living" was a "Rectory" rather than a "Vicarage" - but don't ask me exactly what the difference was. In the village I was brought up in we lived next door to the "Rectory" and the incumbent was the "Rector". When I went to college my room mate was the daughter of a "Vicar" and lived in the "Vicarage". Hope this helps a bit.