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Archiver > PHILLY-ROOTS > 1998-02 > 0886819960


From: Ann Rickard <>
Subject: Re: City Guard 1776
Date: Fri, 6 Feb 1998 21:52:40 -0500


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". They were originally
commanded by a man named Markcoe, whose name was given to their
flag, the Markcoe Flag which contained 13 stripes (I think they
were silver and white). This is supposedly the first flag in
America containing stripes to signify the thirteen colonies.
This Philadelphia "First City Troop of Light Horse" served thru
the Revolution and is the oldest active military organization
in the United States in continuous service. Some historians
feel that the organization actually existed earlier, during the
French and Indian War of 1754-56.

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RE:City Guard 1776

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An ancestor located at 3rd and Race Sts was a member of the Philadelphia
City Guard in 1776. I found a short reference to this group as a
"patriotic police force", and I suspect that this ancestor left the city
when it was occupied by the British. I would like to get additional
information on this City Guard. Thanks for any help!

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