Sir James Long, 2nd Baronet

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Sir James Long, 2nd Baronet was born c.1617 at South Wraxall, Wiltshire. At his father's death in 1637 he inherited the bulk of his Wiltshire estates, including Draycot House.

Appointed Sheriff of Wiltshire 1644. MP for Chippenham. MP for Malmesbury. Gentleman of the Privy Chamber 1673-85.

He succeeded his uncle Sir Robert Long as 2nd Baronet in 1673.

Sir James was also a magistrate. Historian John Aubrey wrote: "When there was a Cabal of Witches detected at Malmesbury they were examined by Sir James Long and committed by him to Salisbury Gaole. I think there were seven or eight old women hanged".

During the civil war in 1645, he escorted the Prince of Wales to Bristol and while returning to Devizes he was overtaken by a superior force of Parliamentarians under Waller and Cromwell; he fell rapidly back towards Bath, hotly pursued by Waller; but was intercepted by Cromwell, and the high thick-set hedges prevented his escape. He was captured but was soon exchanged.

The manor at Draycot was sequestrated by an Act of Parliament in 1645, but restored to Sir James in 1649 on payment of £700 fine. Not long after this, according to Aubrey, 'Oliver Cromwell Protector, hawking at Howneslowe Heath, discoursing with him (Sir James Long), fell in love with his company, and commanded him to weare his sword, and to meet him a hawkeing, which made the strict cavaliers look on him with an evill eye".

Sir James Long died 22nd January 1692 and was succeeded as 3rd Baronet by his grandson Robert Long. Robert, unmarried, died of smallpox four days after his grandfather. Robert's brothers Giles and James became successively 4th Baronet and 5th Baronet.

The baronetcy became extinct on the death of the 10 year old 8th Baronet James Tylney-Long in 1805.