Philippe-François de Rastel de Rocheblave

Philippe-François de Rastel de Rocheblave also, known as, Philippe de Rocheblave and the Chevalier de Rocheblave (March 23, 1727 – April 3, 1802), was a soldier and businessman in the Illinois Country, of Upper Louisiana, and later, a political figure in Lower Canada.

Early life Philippe-François de Rastel de Rocheblave was born in Savournon, Hautes-Alpes, France.

Illinois Country, Upper Louisiana Territory Philippe de Rocheblave served in the French Army. Rocheblave led French troops in New France, during the Seven Years' War also, known as, the French and Indian War in North America, serving as a lieutenant at Fort de Chartres in the Illinois Country. He later established a business at Kaskaskia. After the British took control of Kaskaskia, he became the commandant of Fort Sainte-Geneviève, in the Illinois Country for New Spain. In 1774, Rocheblave took command of Kaskaskia, for the British.

American Revolutionary War In 1778, during the American Revolutionary War, Colonel George Rogers Clark, commander of the Illinois Regiment, Virginia State Forces, captured Kaskaskia for the Americans and took Philippe de Rocheblave prisoner. Rocheblave was sent to Virginia, where he eluded parole and fled to the British forces in New York City.

Post-War years and death

According to Robert MacIntosh's 2006 book "Earliest Toronto", after the American Revolutionary War ended, Rocheblave first settled in Upper Canada, where Lord Dorchester, the Governor-General approved a grant of 1000 acres on the banks of the Humber River.