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RASHLEIGH, Jonathan (1642-1702), of Menabilly, Cornw.
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Family and Education
bap. 24 July 1642, 1st s. of John Rashleigh of Menabilly by Joan, da. of John Pollexfen of Mothecombe, Devon. educ. Balliol, Oxf. 1659; I. Temple 1662. m. (1) 11 Mar. 1672, Anne (d. 1677), da. of Sir Peter Courtenay† of Trethurfe, Cornw., s.p.; (2) 12 Dec. 1681, Jane (d. 1700), da. of Sir John Carew, 3rd Bt.*, 2s. 4da. (1 d.v.p.). suc. fa. 1651; gdfa. Jonathan Rashleigh† 1675.1
Offices Held
Sheriff, Cornw. 1685–6; freeman, Fowey 1685–?90, Bodmin 1685–June 1688; recorder, Fowey 1690–d.; stannator, Blackmore 1686.2
Biography
Rashleigh inherited a strong electoral interest at Fowey, which he augmented through the purchase of lands belonging to his Rashleigh cousins, the sons of John Rashleigh† of Coombe. He was appointed recorder of the borough under the new charter granted in 1690. Re-elected for Fowey, he was classed as a Tory and Court supporter by Lord President Carmarthen (Sir Thomas Osborne†) in March 1690, and in December as likely to support Carmarthen should the minister come under attack in the Commons. He lent £600 to the government during the 1690 Parliament, but was an inactive Member. He did not stand in 1695, although he continued to exercise his political interest in Fowey on behalf of the Tories until his death. His will made provision for increasing the maintenance of the minister of the local parish and for the upkeep of eight poor widows in the almshouses built by his grandfather. He named John Rashleigh of Corner Hall, Hertfordshire, Canon Nicholas Kendall and William Spark of Plymouth as trustees of his will, adding his brother-in-law, Sir Richard Carew, 4th Bt., in a codicil dated 4 Sept. 1702. He was buried on 11 Sept. 1702.3