Jonathan Rashleigh (1591–1675)


Jonathan I Rashleigh, of Menabilly, near Fowey in Cornwall, was an English shipping-merchant, Member of Parliament for Fowey in 1614, 1621, 1625, April 1640 and November 1640, and 1661 and served as Sheriff of Cornwall in 1627. He supported the Royalist cause during the Civil War.

Family

He was the second son and heir of John Rashleigh, MP for Fowey in 1588. He married twice. His first marriage was on 17 December 1614, to Anne Basset, eldest daughter of Sir Robert Basset of Umberleigh and Heanton Punchardon in Devon, MP for Plymouth in 1593, by his wife Elizabeth Periam, the second daughter and co-heiress of Sir William Peryam, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer. By Anne he had five children including:
His second marriage was in 1633 to Mary Harris, daughter of John Harris of Radford, near Plymouth, Devon.
Rashleigh died on 1 May 1675 and was succeeded by his grandson Jonathan Rashleigh, of Menabilly, many times MP for Fowey and Sheriff of Cornwall in 1687.

Career

Rashleigh was elected Member of Parliament for Fowey in 1614, 1621 and 1625. In 1627 he served as Sheriff of Cornwall.
In April 1640 he was re-elected MP for Fowey for the Short Parliament and re-elected in November 1640 for the Long Parliament.