TASCHER DE LA PAGERIE, Joseph (tash-air), Chevalier, French soldier, born in the castle of La Pagerie, near Blois, in 1701: died in Trois Islets, Martinique, in 1762. He was descended from a family of German origin that settled in Blaisois about the 12th century, and whose members served with credit in the army and in the magistracy. In 1726 he settled in Martinique, where he married a wealthy creole, Aymer de la Chevalerie, and held for several years the office of lieutenant of the king in Saint Pierre. During the English invasion in 1756 he armed his slaves, led them to the front, and was dangerously wounded at the attack on Grande Savane.--His son, Joseph Gaspard, Chevalier, and afterward Baron, born in Carbet, Martinique, 5 July, 1735; died in Trois Islets, 6 November, 1790, became, when seventeen years old, a page to the Dauphine Marie Josephe, served afterward as lieutenant in the marines, and fought against the English when they invaded Martinique in 1756. After the conclusion of peace in 1763 he was retired with the brevet of captain, made a knight of Saint Louis, and devoted himself to agricultural pursuits on his large estate at Trois Islets. He published several treatises on colonial methods of culture.--By his wife, ROSE CLAIRE DES VERGERS DE SANNOIS (born in Saint Pierre, Martinique, 27 August, 1736; died in Trois Islets, 2 June, 1807), he had three daughters, the eldest of whom was Marie Josephine Rose, who became the Empress Josephine.