John Rolle (1679–1730) facts for kids
John Rolle (born 1679, died 1730) was an important landowner and politician from Devon, England. He belonged to the Tory political group. He served as a member of the English House of Commons and later the British House of Commons, which is where laws were made for the country. He was offered a special title, an earldom, by Queen Anne, but he said no. However, after his death, his oldest son was given a noble title, Baron Rolle, by King George II.
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John Rolle's Family Background
John Rolle was the second son in his family. His father was also named John Rolle (who died in 1689). His mother was Lady Christiana Bruce. Her father was Robert Bruce, a very important nobleman. John's older brother was Robert Rolle, who was also a Member of Parliament.
John Rolle's Education
John Rolle went to Queens' College, Cambridge in 1696. This is a famous university. After that, he joined the Inner Temple in 1697. This was part of his training to become a lawyer. He officially became a lawyer in 1705.
How John Rolle Inherited His Wealth
John Rolle's father passed away before his own father, Sir John Rolle. This meant that Sir John's main heir was his oldest grandson, Robert Rolle. Robert was John's older brother.
When Robert died in 1710 without having any children, John Rolle became the new heir. He inherited the huge family estates. These included the grand homes of Stevenstone and Bicton. This made him a very wealthy and powerful man.
John Rolle's Political Career
Because John Rolle was a younger son, he was expected to become a lawyer. He first became a Member of Parliament (MP) for Saltash in 1703. He served there until 1705.
In 1710, when he was 31, he unexpectedly inherited his brother's large estates. This made him very rich and influential. He was then elected as an MP for Devon in 1710. He arrived in London in a very grand way. He had two coaches pulled by six horses each, and 12 servants in special uniforms. About 100 gentlemen on horseback met him!
He held the Devon seat until 1713. After that, he was elected MP for Exeter (1713–1715). Then he served for Barnstaple (1715–1722). He returned to Exeter (1722–1727) and finally served a second time for Devon from 1727 until he passed away in 1730.
John Rolle's Marriage and Children
In August 1706, John Rolle married Isabella Charlotta Walter. She was the daughter of Sir William Walter. Isabella brought a dowry of £1,500 with her. A dowry was money or property a wife brought to her marriage.
John and Isabella had many children:
- Henry Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle (1708–1750): He was the oldest son and also became an MP. He died without having children.
- John Rolle Walter (around 1714–1779): The second son. He became an MP for Exeter and Devon. He took the surname Walter when he inherited land from his mother's family.
- William Rolle (1720-after 1747): The third son.
- Denys Rolle (1725–1797): The fourth son and eventually inherited the family estates. He was also an MP for Barnstaple. He owned the most land in Devon, earning £40,000 a year from rents! His oldest son was John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle (1751–1842).
- Christiana Maria Rolle: The oldest daughter. She married Henry Stevens.
- Isabella Charlotte Rolle: The second daughter. She married Robert Duke. Her brother Denys later bought the Duke family's large lands.
- Letitia Rolle: The third daughter.
- Lucy Rolle (1715–1741)
- Lucilla Rolle (1717–1741)
- Anne Rolle (1721–1721): Died as a baby.
- Maria Philippa (1729–1730): Died as a baby.
John Rolle's Death
John Rolle passed away on May 6, 1730. He was buried at St Giles in the Wood, which is the church for Stevenstone. People remembered him as "a gentleman of great candour and honour," meaning he was honest and fair.
