Samuel Wilson, a.k.a. Uncle Sam - Troy, NY
Posted by: 
neoc1
N 42° 45.750 W 073° 40.095
18T E 608966 N 4735301
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.
Waymark Code: WMZVQW
Location: New York, United States
Date Posted: 01/10/2019
Views: 4
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
MARION WILSON SHELDON
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. On March 2, 1781, at age 15, he joined the Continental Army and served during the Revolutionary War until the defeat of Cornwallis at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. He was assigned the guarding and caring for cattle, and mending fences, and slaughtering and packaging meat, as guarding meat was a priority during the war. During Wilson’s service to the Revolutionary Army he learned 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.
Visit Instructions:PLEASE NOTE: This category is for American Revolutionary War Veterans only. Veterans of other revolutions are not part of this category.
I have allowed one entry for a grave of British solders, but it was an exception. Please only list graves for Colonial soldiers.
Simply visit the locations. Please provide as much information as possible. Pictures would be a great addition.