There was only one "major league", the National League, in 1876 and the teams were Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, Hartford, Boston Red Sox, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia Athletics and the Cincinnati Reds.
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Professional baseball in the USA has a continuous history from 1876, when the National League was founded, until today. A National Association existed from 1871 to 1875, but there is controversy on whether this was an actual league or not.
That would be the Chicago Cubs who have played in Chicago since 1876.
The oldest active franchises are the Atlanta Braves and the Chicago Cubs. Both are charter members of the National League which began in 1876.
George Fair debuted on July 29, 1876 and played his final game on July 29, 1876.
Because the National League has been in existence longer than the American League ... the National League's first season as a major league was 1876 and the American League's first season as a major league was 1901.