Jonathan Rashleigh (1642–1702)


Jonathan Rashleigh of Menabilly, near Fowey, Cornwall was Sheriff of Cornwall in 1686/87, and twice MP for Fowey 1675-1681 and 1689-1695. His portrait exists at Antony House, Torpoint, Cornwall, formerly the home of his second wife Sarah Carew.

Origins

He was the eldest son of John Rashleigh , MP for Fowey in 1661, by his wife Joan Pollexfen, a daughter of John Pollexfen of Kitley, Yealmpton, Devon, by his wife Cicilia Harris, daughter of John Harris of Radford, Plymstock, Devon.

Career

He served as MP for the family's pocket borough of Fowey from 24 May 1675 to March 1681 and again from 1689 to 1695. He increased the burgess votes he controlled in Fowey by purchasing further lands within the borough from his senior but less prominent cousins, the Rashleigh family of Coombe, Fowey.

Marriages and children

Rashleigh married twice. His first marriage was in 1673 to Anne Courtenay, daughter of Sir Peter Courtenay of Trethurffe in Cornwall. He remarried in 1681 to Jane Carew, a daughter of Sir John Carew, 3rd Baronet of Antony, Cornwall, by whom he had four sons and four daughters including:
He died and was later buried on 11 September 1702. He bequeathed funds for the upkeep of eight poor widows in the almshouses built by his grandfather.