Grave of a Famous Person: Samuel Wilson a.k.a. Uncle Sam - Troy, NY

Samuel Wilson

a.k.a. 

Uncle Sam

Troy, NY

N 42° 45.750 W 073° 40.095

Short Description: 

A series of well places markers lead to the grave of Samuel Wilson, a.k.a. Uncle Sam, in Oakwood Cemetery at 186 Oakwood Avenue in Troy, NY.

Long Description:

The grave of Samuel Wilson, a.k.a. Uncle Sam, is marked by a rectangular, rough cut, granite monument with nearly identical bronze plaques on both side and a horizontal, marble, ground level marker, next to that of his wife Betsy Mann Wilson. The marble, ground level marker is inscribed:

SAMUEL WILSON 

Died July 31, 1854

Aged 88 Years. 

The bronze plaques on the front and back of the granite monument both have an image of an eagle with its wings spread and are inscribed:

U.S. 

IN LOVING MEMORY 

OF

"UNCLE SAM"

THE NAME

ORIGINATING WITH

SAMUEL WILSON

1766 - 1854

DURING THE WAR OF 1812

AND SINCE ADOPTED BY

THE UNITED STATES.

* * *

ERECTED 1921

BY HIS GRANDDAUGHTER

MARION WILSON (SHELDON)

and

U.S. 

IN LOVING MEMORY 

OF

"UNCLE SAM"

THE NAME

ORIGINATING WITH

SAMUEL WILSON

1766 - 1854

DURING THE WAR OF 1812

AND SINCE ADOPTED BY

THE UNITED STATES.

* * *

ERECTED 1931

BY HIS GRANDDAUGHTER

Samuel Wilson was born in Arlington, MA, known as Menotomy, on September 13, 1766. When he was young he moved with his family to Mason, NH. At age 15 he joined the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War where he was introduced to the meat packing trade. After the war he and his brother moved to Troy, NY where they started E & S Wilson, a meat packing business.

During the War of 1812 Elbert Anderson Jr. of New York City had the contract to supply meat to all US troops. He contracted with Sam Wilson's company to supply United States troops with barrels of meat. The barrels were labeled "E.A.- U.S." for Elbert Anderson - United States. The troops south of Troy that received the barrels were familiar with Samuel Wilson and interpreted the U.S to mean Uncle Sam, Wilson's nickname, and the legend was born. Samuel Wilson became the personification of the United States.