Family and Education

b. c.1622, 1st s. of Sir Samuel Rolle^† of Heanton Satchville by 2nd w. Margaret, da. of Sir Thomas Wise^† of Sydenham, Marystowe. educ. I. Temple 1640. m. bef. 1647, Lady Arabella Clinton, da. and coh. of Theophilus, 4th Earl of Lincoln, 2s. (1 d.v.p.) 3da. suc. fa. 1647.2

Offices Held

Col. (parliamentary) 1643; commr. for assessment, Cornw. and Devon 1647-52, Devon 1657, Jan. 1660-d., militia 1648, 1659, Mar. 1660, sheriff 1649-50, col. of militia ft. 1650, Apr. 1660-d.; j.p. Cornw. and Devon 1650-d., commr. for scandalous ministers, Devon 1654.3

Councillor of State 2 Jan.-25 Feb. 1660.

Biography

Rolle’s father, a distant cousin of the Rolles of Stevenstone, was Member for Devon in the Long Parliament and an active Parliamentarian. Two of his uncles, John Rolle and Henry Rolle, were also prominent opponents of Charles I, and the whole clan was deeply and traditionally puritan. ‘Gaming at cards and dice have not been so much as tolerated in their families ... for more than a full century of years.’ Neither his father, grandfather nor great-grandfather had ever borrowed or lent on usury. Rolle enjoyed great prestige among the west country Presbyterians, representing Devon in two Protectorate Parliaments. He rejected all invitations to conspiracy until, on receipt of instructions from George Monck, he and his brother-in-law Hugh Boscawen seized Pendennis Castle in January 1660. He retired to his family borough for the general election, no doubt to give Monck a clear run in the county. He was duly returned for Callington, and marked as a friend by Lord Wharton. But he may have died without taking his seat in the Convention.4

Ref Volumes: 1660-1690

Authors: M. W. Helms / John. P. Ferris

Notes

• 1. New writ.
• 2. Vivian, Vis. Devon, 654-5.
• 3. Devon and Cornw. N. and Q. xviii. 258; CSP Dom. 1650, p. 504; Parl. Intell. 16 Apr. 1660.
• 4. Keeler, Long Parl. 327-8; W. Trevethick, Funeral Sermon, 79; Cal. Cl. SP, iii. 409; iv. 236, 525, 551; CSP Dom. 1659-60, p. 330.