In 1626, on the death of his father, William Cavendish inherited the title the Earl of Devonshire, but two years later William died and Hobbes lost a friend as well as his secretarial post. William Cavendish's son was only eleven years old and Hobbes' services were no longer required by the Cavendish family at this time.
Sa 1626, sa kamatayan ng kanyang ama, William II minana ang pamagat ng Earl of Devonshire, ngunit dalawang taon mamaya William namatay at Hobbes nawala ang isang kaibigan, pati na rin ang kanyang kalihim post. William II's anak na lalaki ay labing-isa lamang years old at Hobbes' mga serbisyo ay hindi na kinakailangan ng II ng pamilya sa oras na ito.