~ FAMILY HISTORY ~

Captain Abraham Markoe was born in the Danish West Indies on the island of St. Croix in 1727 and inherited one of the largest sugar plantations on the island. When he was of age he enlisted and served in the Danish military. Through his love and knowledge of sailing, he expanded trade with Europe and the Colonies by trading his family's sugar, molasses and rum. The King of Denmark grew so fond of the Markoe's rum that he gifted Cooper Island to them in order to further expand their rum production. Today Markoe Bay and Markoe Point can be found at the southern most point of the island.

After the death of his beloved wife Elizabeth in 1770, he left his two sons Abraham Jr. and Peter in charge of his Caribbean estates and set sail for the final time from St. Croix eventually settling in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. On December 16th, 1773, he was married in Christ Church to Elizabeth Baynton and had seven children from this union. As a wealthy merchant he became a prominent figure in the business and social life in Philadelphia. 

During the rumblings of the American Revolution, he became a devout Patriot and played an active role in America's fight for independence. On November 17th, 1774, he established the 1st volunteer militia in what would become the United States of America. This troop, The Philadelphia Light Horse, was a cavalry unit composed of gentleman of fortune who provided their own horses and equipment. As the unit's first Captain, he presented the troop with a regimental flag, which was his family flag 'The Markoe Standard', in which he added 13 stripes of blue and silver in the upper left corner to represent the 13 colonies fighting together for independence. 

The first active duty of the troop was to escort General George Washington from Philadelphia to New York where he was to take command of the Continental Army. On June 21st, 1775, Captain Markoe presented the troop's flag 'The Standard' to General Washington and they started for Cambridge. It became one of the first flags to ride into battle with the Patriots of the American Revolutionary War as the troop went on to fight during the early battles of Trenton, Princeton, Brandywine and Germantown. The troop primarily served as the personal bodyguard for General George Washington throughout the American Revolutionary war. 

As the Patriots fought and faced harsh conditions during the war, Washington knew one of his most important tasks as General would be lifting the spirits of his soldiers. "What better way to do it than with a fine spirit!" suggested Captain Markoe, whose family was known for the quality rum they produced and sailed up from their estates in the Caribbean. Thus, General Washington determined every enlisted soldier would receive a ration of rum! When supplies were scarce for the winter at Valley Forge, General Washington relied on Markoe and requested more rum for the troops. Captain Markoe, along with a few fellows from his unit which included Samuel Adams, were successfully able to sneak a shipment of rum past the British and into Valley Forge. This feat instantly boosted the morale of the Patriots and gave them the liquid courage to continue fighting for their independence. Washington and Markoe became good friends and once joked that 'the rum was so good it inspired a revolution!' 

Captain Markoe resigned his command of the troop in the early part of 1776 when the Government of Denmark, of which he was still a subject, had issued an edict of neutrality and disobedience on his part would have resulted in the confiscation of his estates in the Caribbean. His troop, known today as The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, is the oldest military unit still in active service and is among the most decorated units in the U.S. Army. It is the only U.S. military unit that owns its own armory building. The troop's original flag 'The Standard' was retired for safe keeping after the battle of Brandywine and can be seen today under glass at the 23rd Street Armory in Philadelphia.

Following the war, the Markoe's remained a prominent family in Philadelphia. When congress considered establishing our nation's capitol in Philadelphia, Abraham offered to gift the Markoe's Philadelphia Estate to serve as the residence for the President; however, congress ultimately decided to establish our capital in what we know today as Washington, D.C. 

Captain Markoe died on August 28th, 1806 and was laid to rest at Christ Church Cemetery in Philadelphia where he is buried next to his wife Elizabeth and his best friend, Benjamin Franklin.

In 2021, Markoe Rum Company was co-founded by Peter and Nathaniel Markoe, respectively 7th & 8th generation American descendants of Captain Abraham Markoe. The company's first line of product is '76 RUM which pays tribute to their family's rum and role during the American Revolution. 

* In honor of Captain Markoe and his fellow Patriots... we proudly donate a portion of our profits to Veterans & American Military Families. *

'76 Rum was there for Patriots in the beginning and is here for Patriots today!