RASHLEIGH, Jonathan I (1591-1675), of Menabilly, nr. Fowey, Cornw.

Rashleigh’s great-grandfather, a merchant of Devonshire origin, settled in Fowey about 1520. His father acquired Menabilly, two miles from the borough, which he represented in 1588. Rashleigh expanded the estate, but remained a merchant and shipowner. Although inclined to opposition in the early Stuart Parliaments he sat at Oxford during the Civil War and was in arms for the King, losing £16,400 by his own computation by plunder and other means. He compounded for £1,105 on the Truro articles, besides a payment of £200 to the committee for the advance of money. His loyalty remained unshaken during the Interregnum, when he joined with Samuel Enys and William Pendarves to send £300 to the exiled Court.3Keeler, Long Parl. 321; Paroch. Hist. Cornw. iv. 281; M. Coate, Cornw. in Gt. Civil War, 357-60; Cal. Comm. Comp. 1327; Cal. Comm. Adv. Money, 431; HMC Portland, i. 584; Cornw. RO, DDEN1900/2.

Ineligible as a Cavalier at the general election of 1660, Rashleigh was returned for Fowey together with his cousin and son-in-law John in 1661. An inactive Member of the Cavalier Parliament, he probably served on five committees between 1662 and 1664, of which the most important was for the redemption of English slaves in Africa. Afterwards his attendance probably suffered from the effects of advancing age, and his name does not appear on any list of court supporters. He died on 1 May 1675.4Vivian, 392.