As Rolle's father had predeceased his own father Sir John Rolle, KB, of Stevenstone and for Devon ), Sir John's heir was his eldest grandson Robert Rolle, MP, of Stevenstone. When Robert died childless in 1710, John Rolle succeeded his elder brother, inheriting his estates at Stevenstone and Bicton.
Career
As a younger son Rolle was destined for a career as a lawyer. He first entered Parliament as MP for Saltash. At the age of 31 in 1710 he succeeded unexpectedly to the vast estates of his elder brother Robert Rolle, the patrimony of their grandfather, and became a man of great substance and influence. He was next elected MP for Devon in 1710 and arrived ostentatiously in London on 22 November 1710 with two six-horse coaches attended by 12 men in livery and was met by about 100 gentlemen on horseback. He held the seat until 1713, when he was elected MP for Exeter. Next he sat for Barnstaple, then a second time for Exeter and finally a second time for Devon from 1727 until his death in 1730.
Marriage and children
In August 1706 Rolle married Isabella Charlotta Walter, daughter of Sir William Walter, 2nd Baronet, of Saresden, Oxfordshire. She brought with her a dowry of £1,500. His children was as follows:
Henry Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle, eldest son, MP, died childless.
John Rolle Walter, 2nd son, Tory MP for Exeter 1754–1776 and for Devon 1776–1779. He assumed the surname of Walter on succeeding to the estates of his maternal uncle.
Denys Rolle, 4th son and eventual heir, of Hudscott, Stevenstone and Bicton in Devon and East Tytherley in Hampshire, an independent Member of Parliament for Barnstaple, Devon, between 1761 and 1774. He was the largest landowner in Devon, with a rent-roll of £40,000 per annum. His eldest son was John Rolle, 1st Baron Rolle.
Isabella Charlotte Rolle, 2nd daughter, wife of Robert Duke, the last male of the Duke family, lords of the manor of Otterton in Devon. The extensive lands of the Dukes, which adjoined the Rolle seat of Bicton in South Devon, were purchased in 1786 by Isabella's brother Denys. John's elder brother Robert Rolle had married Elizabeth Duke, a daughter of Richard Duke of Otterton, Robert Duke's grandfather.
Letitia Rolle, 3rd daughter
Lucy Rolle
Lucilla Rolle
Anne Rolle, died an infant
Maria Philippa, died an infant
Death and burial
Rolle died on 6 May 1730 and was buried at St Giles in the Wood, the parish church of Stevenstone. His obituary praised him as "a gentleman of great candour and honour".
