Dictionary of National Biography, 1885-1900/Longmate, Barak
LONGMATE, BARAK (1738–1793), genealogist and heraldic engraver, born in 1738, was son of Barak and Elizabeth Longmate of St. James, Westminster. He engraved some topographical drawings, but was more distinguished as an heraldic engraver. He died on 23 July 1793 in Noel Street, Soho, and was buried on the 27th in Marylebone churchyard (Gent. Mag. 1793, pt. ii. p. 679). By his wife Elizabeth (d. 178l) he had a son Barak. His small but valuable library, and a large collection of heraldic manuscripts, fetched at auction on 6 and 7 March 1794 only 235l. 9s. 9d.
Longmate published an edition (the fifth) of Collins's 'Peerage,' 8 vols. 8vo, London, 1779, and a 'Supplement' in 1784. Of this work he left materials for a new edition. He also edited the 'Pocket Peerage of England, Scotland, and Ireland,' 12mo, London, 1788 (new edition, 1790). For Richard Joseph Sulivan's 'Thoughts on the Early Ages of the Irish Nation and History,' 4to, 1789, he engraved an elaborate genealogical plate, entitled 'A Genealogical History of the Family of O'Sullivan More from Duach Donn, monarch of Ireland. Anno Mundi 912.' which he regarded as his masterpiece (Martin, Cat. of Privately Printed books, p. 105).
His son, Barak Longmate (1768-1836), born in 1768, succeeded his father in his profession and as editor of the 'Pocket Peerage,' of which he issued an edition in two duodecimo volumes in 1813; but the increased success of Debrett's 'Peerage' interfered with the sale. He was a good draughtsman, and well skilled in heraldry, and was of much assistance to John Nichols and other antiquarians in their topographical labours.
About 1801 he made notes respecting the churches in many Gloucestershire parishes, with the view of publishing a continuation of Bigland's 'History' of that county. Owing however, to the fire at Nichols's printing-office in 1808, the work was abandoned, and the manuscript was deposited among the collections of Sir Thomas Phillipps at Middle Hill, Broadway, Worcestershire. Longmate died on 25 Feb. 1836 (Gent. Mag. 1836, i. 441).
[Nichol's Lit Anecd. ix, 4. 51; Redgrave's Dict. of Artists, 1878.]