Rolt began his career at the Surat factory of the Company, and was a writer from 1658. He moved to Persia where he was the local chief, agent on the Persian Gulf from 1671 to 1677.[6][7][8] During his period as President of Surat, the Company ordered him to cut back expenditure.[9] Rolt pursued a policy that aimed to be even-handed with respect to the Marathas and the Siddis of Gujarat, which brought him criticism from Richard Keigwin.[10]
In 1682 Rolt returned to England with a fortune.[6] He bought the manor of Sacombe in Hertfordshire in 1688, from Sir John Gore. In the vestry of Sacombe Church, there is a memorial to Rolt, who died in 1710, and to his wife, who died in 1716.[11]
Rolt married Mary, daughter of Thomas Coxe. Edward Rolt the Member of Parliament was their son.[6] Their daughter Constantia married John Kyrle Ernle.[12] The marriage also made Rolt stepfather of Samuel Rolt, another Member of Parliament, and the son of Thomas Rolt of Milton Ernest.[13]
^William Page, ed. (1912). "Parishes: Sacombe". A History of the County of Hertford: volume 3. Institute of Historical Research. Retrieved 8 August 2013.