Long, Edward

, author of a valuable History of Jamaica, was the fourth son of Samuel Long, esq. of Longville, in the island of Jamaica, and Tredudwell in the county of Cornwall, by his wife Mary, second daughter of Bartholomew Tate, of Delapre in the county of Northampton, esq. He was born Aug. 23, 1734, at Rosilian, in the parish of St. Blaize, in Cornwall. He was placed first at Bury school, under Dr. Kinnesman, and was removed thence about 1746, probably on account of his father’s residence in the country, to a school at Liskeard, in Cornwall, under the management of the Rev. Mr. Haydon. In 1752 he left this place, and after two years private instruction in London, he was entered at Gray’s Inn, and fixed with Mr. Wflmot. His father dying, in 1757, in Jamaica, he resolved to embark for that Island; but, not having completed his terms, he obtained an ex gratia call to the bar before he sailed. On his arrival in Jamaica, he at first filled the post of private secretary to his brother-in-law, sir Henry Moore, bart. then lieutenant-governor of the island; and was afterwards appointed judge of the vice-admiralty court. On Aug. 12, 1758, he married Mary, second daughter, and at length sole heiress, of Thomas Beckford, esq. Mr. Long’s ill health compelled him to leave the island in 1769; and he never returned to it, but passed the remainder of his life in retirement, devoting his leisure to literary pursuits, and particularly to the com 7 pletion of his “History of Jamaica,” which was published in 1774, 3 vols. 4to. His high station in the island afforded him every opportunity of procuring authentic materials, which he digested with ingenuity and candour, although perhaps a little too hastily. He saw its imperfections, however, and had been making preparations for a new edition at the time of his death. In 1797 he resigned his office of judge of the vice-admiralty court; and died March 13, 1813, at the house of his son-in-law, Henry Howard Molyneux, esq. M. P. of Arundel Park, Sussex, and was buried in the chancel of Slindon church in that county. | Besides his “History of Jamaica,” Mr. Long contributed to public information or amusement by a variety of lesser productions. Early in life he wrote some essays in “The Prater, by Nicholas Babble, esq.” 1756. 2. “The Antigallican, or the History and Adventures of Harry Cobham, esq.” 1757, 12mo. 3. “The Trial of farmer Carter’s Dog Porter, for murder,” 1771, 8vo. 4. “Reflections on the Negro Cause,” 1772, 8vo. 5. “The Sentimental Exhibition, or Portraits and Sketches of the Times,” 1774, 8vo. 6. “Letters on the Colonies,” 1775, 8vo. 7. “English Humanity no Paradox,” 1778, 8vo. 8. A pamphlet on “The Sugar Trade, 1782, 8vo. He was likewise editor of” Memoirs of the Reign of Bossa Ahaclee, king of Dahomy, with a short account of the African slave trade, by Robert Norris," 1789, v 8vo. ¹