Jonathan I Rashleigh

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. Rashleigh was the 2nd son and heir of John Rashleigh II (1554–1624), MP for Fowey in 1588.

Rashleigh was elected Member of Parliament for Fowey in 1614, 1621 and 1625. In 1627 he served as Sheriff of Cornwall. In April 1640 Rashleigh was re-elected MP for Fowey for the Short Parliament and re-elected in November 1640 for the Long Parliament. He supported the King in the Civil War and was disabled from sitting in parliament in 1644. He was bankrupted by penalties imposed on his estate and imprisoned in St Mawes castle. His fortunes were repaired at the Restoration in 1660. He was elected once more MP for Fowey to the Cavalier Parliament in 1661 and sat until his death at the age of 83.

He married twice. Jonathan I Rashleigh died on 1 May 1675 and was succeeded by his grandson Jonathan II Rashleigh (1642-1702), of Menabilly, many times MP for Fowey and Sheriff of Cornwall in 1687.