PABERKS-L Archives

From: Ann Rickard <>
Subject: FU: Re: City Guard 1776
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 1998 12:21:16 -0500

Hi Jim,
Here's some additional information taken from the "Resume of Troop
History 1774-1914":
The First Continental Congress met Sept. 1774 in the Hall of
the Carpenter's Company, Phila. A Committee of Correspondence was
elected by the citizens of Phila. to decide the best means of deciding
how to resist the aggresive acts of the British ministry and of carrying
out the nonimportant resolutions of the Congress. The Committee met the
afternoon of Thursday, Nov. 17, 1774 in the State House. That evening
three of its members, together with 25 other gentlemen gathered in
Carpenter's Hall and associated as the Light Horse of the City of
Philadelphia.
"The purely volunteer cavalry thus formed was the first
organized in defense of the colonies. Today, the oldest active military
unit in continuous service in the United States, the First Troop
Philadelphia City Cavalry was fortunate in its origins. The times that
called it into being and the character of the original members, who
fought through the seven years of the American Revolution, together
forged concepts of service and a body of tradition that have given it
a continuity of purpose for nearly one hundred and seventy-five years.
The gentlemen of the Light Horse of Philadelphia were profes-
sional men, shipowners, importers, or traders, generally of conspic-
uous prominence in the affairs of the day. Eight were members of the
Committee of Safety, three of the Supreme Executive Council of
Pennsylvania, and four of the Pennsylvania Assembly. But the membership
was not to confine its activities to public or civil life, for many
were to hold commissions in the Continental service and in the Army
and Navy of the State. The Rolls of the Troop ever since have been
enriched by outstanding individual records in all branches of military
life.
A number of social orginizations played an important part in
bringing the gentlemen of the new cavalry unit together. The oldest of
these was the Schuylkill Fishing Company, founded by the Colony in
Schuylkill in 1732. Upon the close of the War, this club declared
its independence and changed its name to the Schuylkill Fishing Company
of the State in Schuylkill. Its Governor at the time of the founding
of the Troop was Samuel Morris, whose name, together with those of five
other members of the Schuylkill Fishing Company, may be found on the
original Roll of the Troop. On the pages of the club's history appear
the names of many Troopers as Governors, Lieutenant Governors,
Counsellors, Treasurers, Sheriffs, Coroners, Secretaries, Members, and
Apprentices.
Among other social organizations from which the Light Horse
drew its associates -- the Schuylkill Company of Fort St. David's,
the St. Andrew's Society of Philadelphia, the Society of the Friendly
Sons of St. Patrick, and the Society of the Sons of St. George --the
Gloucester Fox Hunting Club had especial influence. ...............
.............. Capt. Samuel Morris was its first president and
Capt. Robert Wharton its last, and twenty-five Troopers were among its
members during the War."
The troop members equipped themselves at their own expense,
drilled at 5AM and 5PM several times weekly.
Abraham Markoe was chosen as Captian because of his energy and
prior military experience in his native Denmark; however he was forced
to resign in 1776, as result of the Neutrality Edict of the King of
Denmark, a violation of which would have caused confiscation of his
plantations in the Danish West Indies and properties of all his family
as well. Though unable to openly participate in the War, he helped
as he could.
"Not long after the Battle of Lexington reached Philadelphia in
1775, Capt. Markoe presented to the Troop the Standard which was to
be carried in the battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine, and
Germantown, and on all parades until about 1830 when it was retired for
safekeeping. At the time, there existed no common flag in use by any
of the disaffected colonies. The Standard presente by Capt. Markoe is
"of yellow ?ustring or taffety silk very fine and double bound with
two inch silver lace all around." and bears in its upper left-hand
corner a canton of thirteen alternate blue and silver stripes. This
canton is the earliest known instance of the thirteen stripes being
featured on an American banner. In the center of the flag is a blue
shield bearing a golden knot from which radiate thirteen golden scrolls
like the ends of as many strips of ribbon, a very early idea of the
idea expressed by the motto, "E Pluribus Union." The original bills
for designing and painting the flag are preserved in the Troop archives.
Some authorities conclude that the Troop Standard suggested
to George Washington the striped union flag he raised at Cambridge
early in 1776, since he was escorted to Kinsbridge on his way there
by the Troop. Others believe that Colonel Joseph Reed, Washington's
military secretary and one to whom the Standard was a familiar sight,
may have commended the use of the stripes to him."
After Markoe resigned Samuel Morris, Quaker, became Captain.
He was disowned by the Society of Friends for entering military
service, but nevertheless he continued to wear their costume and
attend their places of worship. Morris was a founder and member
of the Schuylkill Co. of Fort St. Davids, Gov. of the Schuylkill
Fishing Co. of the State in Schuylkill (elected in 1776), unanimously
reelected until his death 46 yrs. later.
Several more pages on the Troop's participation in battles of
the War and then-
"Throughout the rest of the War the Troop continued to proffer
its services in every crisis. In June, 1780, the need for money and
credit was desperate. In the raising of subscriptions to organize a
bank which wouls aid in financing the supply and transportation of
food to the Army, over one quarter of the 300,000 pounds subscribed
alone came from its members. By January of the next year, the Army
had not been paid for nearly twelve months and the men were without
food and clothing. These very real grievances fomented a revolt of
the line on the night of January 1, 1781. The men killed one officer
and dangerously wounded several others. Organized under non-commission-
ed officers they then marched, with six-field pieces, to Princeton.
On the three days following January 3, the Troop proceeded to that
town in detachments, some with generals Lafayette and St. Clair.
The mutiny was quickly settled , and Captain Morris and
Private Blair McClenachan were appointed commissioners, together with
general Porter and Colonel Atlee, to carry out the provisions of
the amnesty."

Jim, there are more pages, with descriptions of the mutiny, afterwards
with Gen Wayne's participation, later history of the Troop. etc. For
anyone who likes history this is interesting, but is probably tedious
for other list members - I will, though, need to post this to the
Northumberland Co. list since I've come across mention of St. Clair.
Hope this helps,
Ann

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RE:Re: City Guard 1776

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In a message dated 98-02-07 14:04:58 EST, you write:

<< CC: (PHILLY-ROOTS-L)

>>Subject: Re: City Guard 1776
>>Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 21:52:40 -0500
>>From: Ann Rickard <>
>>To: PHILLY-ROOTS-L <>
>>
>>This is probably the "First City Troop of Light Horse", the very
>>first cavalry unit in America formed in Philadelphia and
>>including members of the "Schuylkill Club".

Hi Ann! Many thanks for your response. Can you cite a source for this
explanation? That old genealogy habit... >>

Read the above with great interest. I have the following information.
"Blair MCCLENACHAN, one of the founders of and served with the
First Troop of Philadelphia Cavalry during the Revolutionary War. In
1780 he subscribed a large sum of money to help the American forces
and aided the Continental Congress with money and credit. Elected
as a Republican to the Fifth Congress (Mar. 4, 1797 - Mar. 3, 1799)
Died in Philadelphia, May 18, 1812, interment in a vault an St. Paul's
Cemetary."

Ref: 1. Biographical Directory of the United States Government 1774-1989
2. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume 1607-1896 Rev. Ed.

I am very interested in this man and the Cavalry Troop. Also St. Paul's.
Unable to find it on city map. Appreciate any assistance. Thank you.

Jim

This thread:

• FU: Re: City Guard 1776 by Ann Rickard <>