Name John Rolle Died May 6, 1730 | Role Member of Parliament Siblings Robert Rolle | |
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Parents Lady Christiana Bruce, John Rolle Cousins Charles Bruce, 3rd Earl of Ailesbury, Marie, Princess of Hornes Grandparents Florence Rolle, John Rolle, Robert Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury, Lady Diana Grey Uncles Charles Rolle, Hon. Charles Bruce, Hon. James Bruce | ||
John Rolle (1679–1730) of Stevenstone and Bicton in Devon, was a British landowner and served as Tory Member of Parliament for Saltash (1703–1705), Devon (1710–1713 and 1727–1730), Exeter (1713–1715 and 1722–1727) and Barnstaple (1715–1722). He declined the offer of an earldom by Queen Anne, but 18 years after his death his eldest son was raised to the peerage in 1748 by King George II as Baron Rolle.
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Origins
He was the second son of John Rolle (d. 1689) (who predeceased his own father Sir John Rolle (1626–1706)) by his wife Lady Christiana Bruce, daughter of Robert Bruce, 1st Earl of Ailesbury and 2nd Earl of Elgin (c. 1626–1685). His elder brother was Robert Rolle (d. 1710), MP.
Inheritance
As his father had predeceased his own father Sir John Rolle (1626–1706), KBE, of Stevenstone (Sheriff of Devon in 1682 and MP for Barnstaple (1660) and for Devon (1661–1679)), Sir John's heir was his eldest grandson Robert Rolle (d. 1710), MP, of Stevenstone, who died without issue. Robert was succeeded by his younger brother John Rolle (1679–1730), the subject of this article.
Education
He attended Queen's College, Cambridge in 1696 and entered the Inner Temple in 1697 for his training as a lawyer. He was called to the bar in 1705.
Career
As a younger son he was destined for a career as a lawyer. He first entered parliament as MP for Saltash (1703–1705). At the age of 31 in 1710 he succeeded unexpectedly to the vast estates of his elder brother Robert Rolle, the patrimony of their grandfather, and became a man of great substance and influence. He was next elected MP for Devon in 1710 and arrived ostentatiously in London on 22 November 1710 with two six-horse coaches attended by 12 men in livery and was met by about 100 gentlemen on horseback. He held the seat until 1713, when he was elected MP for Exeter (1713–1715). Next he sat for Barnstaple (1715–1722), then a second time for Exeter (1722–1727) and finally a second time for Devon from 1727 until his death in 1730.
Marriage & progeny
In August 1706 he married Isabella Charlotta Walter, daughter of Sir William Walter, 2nd Baronet, of Saresden, Oxfordshire. She brought with her a dowry of £1,500. His progeny was as follows:
Death & burial
Rolle died on 6 May 1730 and was buried at St Giles in the Wood, the parish church of Stevenstone. His obituary praised him as "a gentleman of great candour and honour".