SMITH, Sir John, 2nd Bt. (1659-1726), of Long Ashton, Som.

Smith was named after his maternal grandfather, John Ashburnham I, who took a keen interest in his education. He naturally grew up a Tory, and was returned for Somerset in 1685, probably unopposed, despite the handicap of having a step-father in the Rye House Plot. He is not known either to have spoken or to have sat on any committees in James II’s Parliament. To the lord lieutenant’s questions on the repeal of the Test Act and Penal Laws, he gave the same negative replies as Edward Phelips II, and was removed from the lieutenancy. His appointment as sheriff apparently only prompted him to join William of Orange. After regaining his seat in 1695, he voted with the Tories and refused to sign the Association. He died on 26 May 1726, the last of the direct line to sit in Parliament, though his daughter brought the Long Ashton estate to her husband, an attorney called Jarrit Smith’, who sat for Bristol from 1756 to 1768.4HMC 6th Rep. 347; E. Green, March of Wm. of Orange through Som. 57-58.