Philippe-François de Rastel de Rocheblave
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Philippe-François de Rastel de Rocheblave (March 23, 1727 – April 3, 1802) was a soldier, businessman and political figure in Lower Canada. He was sometimes referred to as the Chevalier de Rocheblave.
He was born in Savournon in the Hautes-Alpes region of France in 1727 and served in the French Army. He led French troops in New France during the Seven Year's War, serving as lieutenant at Fort Chartres in Illinois. He later established a business at Kaskaskia. After the British took control of Kaskaskia, he became commander of Fort Sainte-Geneviève for the Spanish. Around 1774, he took command of Kaskaskia for the British. In 1778, he was taken prisoner by the American forces and sent to Virginia. He escaped and went to New York City.
At the end of the American Revolution, Rocheblave brought his family to Montreal; they later settled at Varennes around 1789. He became involved in the fur trade in the Detroit region. In 1796, he was elected to the Legislative Assembly of Lower Canada for Surrey; he was relected in 1796 and 1800, serving until his death at Quebec City in 1802.
His sons, Noël and Pierre, also became members of the legislative assembly and Pierre was also a member of the legislative council.
[edit] External links
- National Assembly biography (in French)