PASLEY, the surname of a Dumfries-shire family, several members of which have distinguished themselves in the service of their country, James Pasley, Esq. of Craig and Burn, near Langholm, who died April 13, 1772, at the age of 78, left six sons and four daughters. His wife was Magdalene, daughter of Robert Elliot, Esq. of Middlemiln, Roxburghshire, and grand-daughter of Sir Gilbert Elliot of Stobs, baronet.

The fifth son, Admiral Sir Thomas Pasley, born March 2, 1734, commanded a division of the fleet under Earl Howe, in the memorable defeat of the French fleet, June 1, 1794, and greatly distinguished himself. For his gallant conduct on the occasion, he was created a baronet of the United Kingdom, Sept. 1, of that year, with remainder, having no sons, to the heirs male of his daughters successively. He married Mary, daughter of Thomas Heywood, Esq. of the Nunnery, Isle of Man, one of His Majesty’s deemsters for that island, and had two daughters, the elder of whom, Maria, married, in 1800, John Sabine, Esq., of the grenadier guards, and had an only son, who succeeded his grandfather. Sir Thomas died Nov. 29, 1808.

His grandson, Sir Thomas Sabine, born Dec. 26, 1804, became 2d baronet, and by royal permission, assumed, in 1809, the surname and arms of Pasley; married, with issue, 7 sons and 4 daughters. In 1857 Sir Thomas was raised to the rank of Rear-admiral of the White.

The first Sir Thomas’ sister, Margaret, 3d daughter of James Pasley, Esq. of Craig and Burn, above mentioned, married, in 1761, George Malcolm, Esq. of Burnfoot, Dumfries-shire, and was the mother of a large family. Three of her sons were Col. Sir James Malcolm, died in 1829, Admiral Sir Pulteney Malcolm, and General Sir John Malcolm.

General Sir Charles William Pasley, K.C.B., (1845) was, in his time, well known for his attainments in literature and science. He entered the army as 2d lieutenant in the artillery in 1797, and removed to the Royal engineers in 1798. He served at the defence of Gaeta in 1806, at the battle of Maida, at the siege of Copenhagen, and at Corunna in 1809, and was twice wounded. He was chief engineer of the Marquis of Huntly’s division at Walcheren. In 1841 he became a major-general, and in 1851 a lieutenant-general. He was also a colonel commanding a corps of engineers. In 1844 he was created D.C.L. at Oxford. He was the inventor of some improvements in pontoon bridges, and author of a treatise on ‘Military Instruction’ and ‘An Essay on the Military Policy and Institutions of the British Empire.’ For some years he was inspector-general of railways. He died in April 1861.