As a younger son Rolle 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.[5] He held the seat until 1713, when he was elected MP for Exeter (1713–1715).[6] 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.[7]
Marriage and children
Arms of Walter of Sarsden: Azure, a fesse indented or between three eagles displayed argent
Left: Sculpted stone heraldic achievement c.1715–1730 above central arch keystone on the surviving Palladian library (right) at Stevenstone, built by John Rolle (1679–1730), showing on an escutcheon the arms of Rolle impaling Walter, the family of his wife Isabella Walter. Above is the crest of Rolle: A cubit arm erect vested or charged with a fess indented double cotised azure in the hand a flint-stone proper
In August 1706 Rolle married Isabella Charlotta Walter, daughter of Sir William Walter, 2nd Baronet, of Saresden, Oxfordshire. She brought with her a dowry of £1,500.[8] His children was as follows:[9]
John Rolle Walter (c.1714–1779), 2nd son, Tory MP for Exeter 1754–1776 and for Devon 1776–1779. He assumed the surname of Walter on succeeding to the estates of his maternal uncle.[10]
William Rolle (1720-post 1747), 3rd son, of Beam, Great Torrington, whose will was dated 1747.
Christiana Maria Rolle, eldest daughter, who married Henry Stevens of Winscott, Peters Marland, Devon.
Isabella Charlotte Rolle, 2nd daughter, wife of Robert Duke (d.pre-1785),[13] the last male of the Duke family, lords of the manor of Otterton in Devon. The extensive lands of the Dukes, which adjoined the Rolle seat of Bicton in South Devon, were purchased in 1786[14] by Isabella's brother Denys. John's elder brother Robert Rolle (d.1726) had married Elizabeth Duke (born 1679), a daughter of Richard Duke (born 1653) of Otterton, Robert Duke's grandfather.[15]
Letitia Rolle, 3rd daughter
Lucy Rolle (1715–1741)
Lucilla Rolle (1717–1741)
Anne Rolle (1721–1721), died an infant
Maria Philippa (1729–1730), died an infant
Death and 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".[16]
Sources
Cruickshanks, Eveline, biography of John Rolle (1679–1730) published in History of Parliament: the House of Commons 1690–1715, ed. D. Hayton, E. Cruickshanks, S. Handley, 2002 [1]
Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L., The Visitations of the County of Devon, Exeter, 1895, pp. 652–656, Rolle of Stevenstone
^Vivian, Lt.Col. J.L., (Ed.) The Visitations of the County of Devon: Comprising the Heralds' Visitations of 1531, 1564 & 1620, Exeter, 1895, pp. 652–656, pedigree of Rolle
