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ROLLE, John (1679-1730), of Stevenstone, nr. Barnstaple, Devon.
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Constituency
Dates
Family and Education
bap. 8 Dec. 1679, 2nd s. of John Rolle by Lady Christiana Bruce, da. of Robert Bruce, M.P., 1st Earl of Ailesbury, and gd.-s. of Sir John Rolle, K.B., M.P. for Barnstaple. educ. Queens’, Camb. 1696; ?I.Temple Feb. 1697, called June 1705. m. Isabella Charlotte, da. of Sir William Walter, 2nd Bt., of Sarsden, Oxon., 4s. 7da. suc. e. bro. Robert Rolle, M.P., 1726.
Offices Held
Biography
The Rolles, originally wealthy London merchants, purchased Stevenstone in the reign of Henry VIII, becoming one of the richest families in Devonshire, where they owned more than forty manors in 1706.1 A Tory and a member of the October Club, John Rolle was returned for Barnstaple unopposed on his family’s interest in 1715, subsequently sitting for Exeter and the county. He was one of the west country gentlemen in touch with Atterbury’s agents during the plot of 1722.2 His only recorded vote after George I’s accession was against the Government on the Hessian troops, shortly before his death, 6 May 1730.