The Life and Times of Uncle Sam

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~* ** , TheLife ~ic and Times *of1f UndeSam *~ **


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THE LIFE AND TIMESOFUNCLE SAM


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The Life and Times of Uncle Sam.Copyright 2007 by George W. Jacques.

All Rights Reserved. No part of this book may be u ed orreproduced in any manner whatsoever except in the ca e ofbrief quotation embodied in critical articles and reviews,

without the written consent of the author.

To order additional copies of this title,contact your local bookstore.

Printed by IBT Global in Troy, NY

ISBN-13: 978-1-933994-17-8ISBN-lO: 1-933994-17-7

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THE LIFE AND TIMESOF

UNCLE SAMb y

George W. Jacques I I I


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ForwardMy real interest in Uncle Sam came about one day

when I was standing in downtown Troy admiring thebeautiful architecture and wondering about the history ofthis unique city. It occurred to me to wonder why thiscity was recognized as the home of Uncle Sam. Themain roads coming into the city have large dignifiedsigns which read, "Troy, NY - The Home of UncleSam." I then began to research the story of Uncle Samwhich set the course leading to this booklet and theentire effort to establish a permanent memorial to UncleSam.

The history of Uncle Sam and the City of Troy isfascinating as well as the story of how Samuel Wilsonbecame "Uncle Sam." The various sources ofinformation regarding Uncle Sam are generally similarwith only minor differences between them. The mostcomplete source of information was compiled by AltonKetchum in his book "Uncle Sam: The Man and theLegend" the only book I know that covers the subject sothoroughly.

I visited Sam Wilson's birth place in Arlington,MA (originally named Menotomy) and followed his pathto Mason, NH where he lived as a young man, then tothe various locations in Troy as well as to Catskill, NYwhere he and his brother set up their second meatpacking business. Visiting the places where SamuelWilson lived and worked gave me a better idea of hislife.

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It was only through the hard work of ourrepresentatives during the 1950's and the group"Veterans for Uncle Sam," that Troy was officiallynamed the home of Uncle Sam in 1961 by the UnitedStates Government. Nineteen years later on October 18,1980 the memorial statue that stands at the junction of3rd and Front Sts. in Troy was dedicated by a civicminded group that also worked for years to see thisproject completed. So many, for so long, have tried tocreate a shrine, memorial or "Hall of Valor" to honorUncle Sam as the symbol of the United States and torecognize the city of Troy as his home. Such effortsoccurred as far back as pre-World War I.This endeavorwould create a place for the citizens of Troy and visitorsalike to learn the story of Uncle Sam. This book relateshis life's story so that all can appreciate it. I hope wehave accomplished this.

George W. Jacques III and hiswife Jeannette are life longresidents of the Troy area. Georgeis a World War II Navy CBveteran and served in the PacificTheater. Retired from theWatervliet Arsenal. The proceeds

4from this book will go to theUncle Sam Memorial Foundation.

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DedicationTo the individuals, civic groups, veterans,

officials and historians. It is only through theirresearch, efforts and diligence that the "UncleSam" story can be told to the American people.

For this we owe them a great indebtedness.

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AcknowledgementsThe following individuals and organizationsmade this booklet possible. My deepappreciation and thanks to them all.Troy Public Library - Troy, NYRussell Sage College Library - Troy, NYRobbins Library - Arlington, MAArlington Historical Society - Arlington, MAMason Historical Society> Mason, NHCatskill Historical Society - Catskill, NYRensselaer County Court House - Troy, NYRenss. County Historical Society - Troy, NYTimothy Holt Jr.- computer layout & editing.And my wife Jeannette Engquist Jacques, andmy entire family, whose patience andunderstanding helped me finish this book aswell as many other remarkable individuals.

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Contents

Forward viD di t ...e lca Ion VIIIAcknow ledgements .ixBirth Place of Samuel Wilson 1Map 1 - Arlington, MA 5Start of the American Revolution 9Sam Wilson's Young Years 15Map 2 - Mason, NH 19The Brothers Arrive in Troy 23Map 3 - Troy, NY 29The Symbol "Uncle Sam" is Born 33The Brothers' Catskill, NY Venture 37Map 4 - Catskill, NY 39Uncle Sam the Citizen 43Portrait of Uncle Sam 46The Look and Dress of Uncle Sam 47

Uncle Sam the Citizen 49U.S. Official Uncle Sam 51Patriotic Dress of Uncle Sam 53

Brief History of Uncle Sam 54References 55

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1

Chapter 1

Birth' Placeof

Samuel Wilson


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Arlington, MA (Menotomy)~SamuelWilson's Childhood

Visiting Arlington, Massachusetts today one canview a marble and bronze monument of Uncle Sam thatstands on the northwest corner (at the junction) ofMassachusetts Avenue and Mystic Street. [Map 1-1]. Nearthis site is where Samual Wilson was born and lived untilhe was fourteen. It was here that he saw the beginning ofthe American Revolution.

His story begins in the year 1766 in the farmingvillage of Menotomy, Massachusetts. Menotomy waslater renamed West Cambridge and then Arlington and islocated on the outskirts of Boston. It was during the timein American history when the colonies were resistingpayment of taxes imposed by the British. The hated stampact was repealed in 1766 but they passed the TownsendAct in 1767 which retained duties on imports includingtea. This taxation without representation fired a rebellionthat grew and eventually resulted in the Boston Massacreand the Boston Tea Party

The family property where Sam Wilson was bornhad been in the Wilson family from 1665 when it waspurchased by Robert Wilson. Robert was one of threebrothers who emigrated from Scotland. The Wilsonproperty was homesteaded by Sam's parents Edward andLucy Wilson in 1758, the year they were married. Thevillage of Menotomy was a quiet village consisting of a

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Mill and the Wayside Inn. [Map 11Edward and Lucy worked hard to improve and

enlarge the farm. [Map 1-31They already had five childrenwhen Samuel was born on September 13, 1766 when hetook the place of his older sister Rachel in the crib by thefireplace, Samuel was baptized the next day. [Map 1-6]There would be a total of thirteen children born on thefarm, two died in infancy. Of the surviving children therewere nine sons and two daughters.Farming was hard, time consuming work and as thechildren grew their chores grew with them. The girlshelped their mother set the table, prepare meals, do thehouse work and tend the younger children. The same wastrue for the boys who carried water from the well, loadedthe fire box, tended the live stock, and planted andharvested the crops. As soon as the boys could handle agun they were taught to hunt the plentiful wild game whichwas a main-stay of their food supply.

They blessed their meals, and read from the familybible and at bedtime said their prayers. Sundays werechurch days and chores were limited to the essentials withmuch of the day spent conversing with neighbors at churchor visiting the town square for local news and gossip.

Schooling was essential and as the children grew toschool age they attended a one room school house wherethe pupils were separated into grade groups. The schoolteacher was paid mostly with supplies as colonial moneywas scarce and its value not stable. Bartering in this timeperiod was the way most services were paid. ~

Naturally there was time for recreation and play,

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the children played with homemade toys such as strawdolls, wooden guns, rockinghorses and toy furniture.When pla)'ing outside the children made up games, wadedin the pond and stream. Digging worms and going fishing

. was a delight. Petting and playing with their pets was funfor the young ones. The love of family and togethernessmade the hardships of their lives bearable while the pursuitof independence gave life real purpose.

The Wilson family would remain in Menotomy foranother fourteen years. These years were lived under theharsh control and taxation by England. The AmericanRevolution was started and friction between the Loyalistsand patriots made living difficult. The family decided tomove and follow their friends to the quiet more peacefulcommunity of Mason, NH.

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Arlington, MAMap 1

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1. Uncle Sam's Monument.Dedicated September 14,1974 and located near thesite of the Wilson familyfarm.

2. Jefferson Cutter House1832. Houses the visitorscenter where one can obtaina brochure regarding SamWilson.

3. This artists renderingdepicts the farm house ofSam Wilson's family inwhich he was bom in andlived until the family movedto Mason, NH when he wasfourteen.

Arlin~ton, 1 \ ' I A(formerly l\'leDotom~', MA)

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Birth Place of Uncle Sam. cp t cmb l. .' r IJ, 1766

4. Thomas Russell Store. Retreat-ing British soldiers stole whatthey could and left the rum andmolasses taps running. (Source -"Uncle Sam the Man and theLegend" Alton Ketchum)

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5. Jason Russell Housec 1740. Jason Russell waskilled in his doorway at thebeginning of the Revolu-tionary War. The house isnow restored and the SmithMuseum is adjacent to it.7

6. Menotomy Meeting HalI usedas a church until the church wasbuilt. Sam Wilson was baptizedthe day after his birth at thischurch. (Source - ArlingtonHistorical Society}

7. War memorial to the"Old men of Menotomy"

8. Menotomy Old BurialGround c1730. Botl' Englishsoldiers and Americanpatriots are buried here andrest in peace.


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Chapter 2The Start of the

American Revolution

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The Battles ofj Lexington & Concord

On April IS, 1775 when Samuel was about nineyears old, Paul Revere rode though Menotomy on hismidnight ride right past the Wilson's farm warning that theBritish regulars were marching on Concord. To get thewomen and children out of harms way they hid in cellarsand deep in the woods away from the main route in theearly morning before the troops arrived. The British weremarching to Concord to confiscate and destroy patriots'arms, military supplies and stores in order to quell anythoughts of rebellion.

Samuel's father Edward, a patriot and a minuteman,had taken part in the Boston Tea Party. He would be partof this military action, and later fight at the Battle forBunker Hill. The patriots numbered in the thousands andcould be called up at a minute's notice. On the LexingtonGreen [Figure 1] an hour's march from Menotomy with

The Battle of LexingtonFigure I10


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only 77 minutemen, Capt. John Parker had his militia lineup to make a display of patriot resolve. They, however, didnot intend to actually impede the 700 British troops. MajorJohn Pitcairn in charge of the British troops gave the orderto disperse, the patriots slowly began to obey. A shot rangout which became known as "the shot heard 'round theworld.' " The British soldiers then opened fire ignoringorders to cease fire.

The small band of militia returned fire, and whenorder was regained eight minutemen lay dead and tenwounded, two British soldiers received wounds. TheBritish quickly marched off toward Concord with fifes anddrums sounding.

Back in Menotomy a reinforcing convoy on it's wayto Lexington was captured by the older minutemen ofMenotomy. The convoy consisted of eighteen soldiers andsupplies that had become separated from the main body.With the first volley from the minutemen several of theBritish fell and the rest ran toward Spy Pond, into whichthey threw their firearms. Nearby an old woman known asMother Batherrick, was digging dandelions, six of thefleeing soldiers surrendered to her to improve theirchances of fair treatment at the hands of the minutemen.The minutemen soon took over and these six soldiers werethe first prisoners of the American Revolution. [Map 1-71

Meanwhile the townspeople had drawn the Britishwagons from the convoy down into the hollow on theWilson's property and divided up the soldier's packs,blankets and supplies. ~

At Concord the British soldiers searched door todoor for military supplies and arms which they burned or

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threw into water.The British soldiers crossed the North Bridge to

seize hidden supplies at the Barrett's farm house. At this, .point the gathering militia now out numbered the Britishand they forced the British to withdraw back across thebridge without firing a shot. [Figure 21The colonialscontinued to advance without firing until the British fired avolley, only then the order was given to fire which was thefirst real engagement of the revolutionary war.

North Bridge EngagmentFigure 2

The British, retreating under American fire weresaved by reinforcements at Lexington. They had firedthree homes and scattered the Americans with cannon fire.The British then regrouped and began marching back toBoston while being flanked and fired upon by the militia.The fiercest fighting occurred on the way into and aroundMenotomy where both sides incurred the heaviestcasualties.

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Approximately 1,800 patriots were waiting for theBritish and fighting raged house-to-house. The Britishofficers lost control of their soldiers who began murderingand pillaging, killing anyone with a weapon as well asseveral who were not armed. At Cooper's taproom twodrinking companions were shot and two old men hiding inthe cellar were bayoneted-The soldiers broke into ThomasRussell's store [Map 1-41 carried off what they could andleft the rum and molasses taps running all over the floor.

Samuel Whittemore, an eighty year old veteran,fired his musket and two pistols at a British flanking party.The British shot, bayoneted and clubbed him, leaving himfor dead. Somehow he survived, and to everybody'samazement lived another eighteen years.

Old Jason Russell elected to stay and defend hishome, [Map 1-51 which he said was his castle. He died inhis own doorway where his wife found his body withthose of eleven other dead minutemen in the south roomwhen she returned. The house still stands, and the bulletholes can be seen today. The twelve were buried in acommon grave behind the church. [Map 1- 8]

At the end of the day the British had 73 dead, 174wounded and 26 missing. The Americans had 49 dead, 40wounded and 5 missing. The battle that raged inMenotomy was one of the bloodiest with high casualties.

Edward Wilson, Sam's father, was a part of theseactions and when the family returned home seeing all thedeath and devastation of war, it put a heavy burden andsorrow on all the members of the family which they neverforgot. The bloody fields and buildings of Menotomy were

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strewn with mangled bodies that had fallen in battle. Thetask of looking for and picking up their bodies for burial wasdevastating for their relatives and friends. It was a day in, .history whose extreme sacrifices defined the price offreedom.

On June 15, 1775 George Washington was namedcommander in chief by the Continental Congress just daysafter the engagement at Concord. There would be manybattles to follow including the well known battle of BunkerHill which took place on June 17, '1775.

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Chapter 3

Samuel Wilson'sYoung Years

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Mason, NH~ Sam's Young Years

The work of farming for the family went on as usualwith them helping the war effort whenever possible. In1780 when Sam was fourteen his father decided to sell thefarm and move to New Hampshire. Friends of the familyhad moved there and found land very affordable. EdwardWilson located 'and purchased a one hundred acre farmnear the hamlet of Mason, New Hampshire.[Map 2-1]

The farm in Menotomy was sold to Thomas Russell,the storekeeper. They also sold a farm in Medford, MAtaking Continental Currency as payment which was worthvery little as there was no central treasury to establish acommon value as most states printed their own currency.Edward had to pay dearly for one yoke of oxen to movethe family and their worldly possessions to their new farmin Mason, New Hampshire just a few miles north of theMassachusetts state line. The Wilson family and theirdescendants lived on the Mason property in the samehouse for 120 years until it was sold in 1907. The home isprivately owned today and is as sound today as the day itwas built with many of its antiquities still intact.

In Mason, the Wilson family found a more peacefullife away from the loyalist atmosphere around the Bostonarea but the work of farming was still very demanding.The older sons enlisted in General Washington's armywhich left young Sam as his father's right hand. These

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were hard times for all families but they knew how towork, hunt, fish and harvest crops. Their strong faith,prayer, love of family and friends played a large part incarrying them through the hard times. One of theirpriorities was supporting the war effort in any way theycould.

The war for independence would rage on foranother eight years and hardships would be manyincluding a lack of manufactured goods as well ascontroversies with the loyalists who wanted to stay withEngland, the world's richest, most powerful country. Thepatriots wanted independence and control over their ownfuture without being taxed and controlled by a monarchyon the other side of the Atlantic. The eventual Americanvictory was in large part due to George Washington'sleadership, resourcefulness and the unity of the patriots.On July 4, 1776 the Declaration of Independence wasadopted declaring the colonies independence from Englishrule.

On Sundays, [Map 2 - 6 1 only the necessary choreswere done. Church services were held in the MasonMeeting House until the church was built. After churchservices their friends and the town people would gatheron the village green to socialize and talk about the week'snews and happenings. It was here that Captain BenjaminMann, a veteran of Bunker Hill and a leading citizen ofthe town, had established the local store, tavern and aplace of resort for the countryside in his large home. [Map2-2] ~

Sam Wilson found a good many reasons to visit theMann establishment, in particular the Captain's pretty

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daughter Betsey. The romance that developed between thetwo would prove their love for each other and wouldsurvive a,)engthy separation. Sam was determined to besuccessful before he would take Betsey from hercomfortable life as the daughter of the most affluent citizenin Mason.

With the ending of the war, the older Wilsonbrothers returned home to Mason with many adventurousstories about the places they had been. The brothersworked hard and were particularly skilled at farming,animal husbandry, carpentry and brick making. It isassumed that the brothers learned brickmaking inBrookline, NH a short distance east of Mason. Sam andhis older brother Ebenezer would live in Mason foranother seven years before their thoughts turned westwardfor better opportunities. Ebenezer was especiallyimpressed with a town called Vanderheyden, NY locatedon the east shore of the Hudson River just north of Albany.

Sam and Ebenezer decided to go west toVanderheyden which was located at the head of navigationon the Hudson River. The ferry crossings and convergingroutes made it an ideal supply center for the communitiesto the west and the people migrating there providingneeded materials, supplies and services.

It was difficult for Sam to say good-by to Betseyand he promised to return as soon as possible. He wasdetermined to have her as comfortable and happy as shewas in Mason. It would take years for Sam to establishhimself and be successful enough in the west to give herthe home and life she was accustomed to.

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Mason, NHMap 2

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j\'lason ..~. : H .am 'Yil~o 11' Uorne

1780 - ~789

1. The Wilson Farm inMason, NH where SamWilson lived as a youngman.

FlnulU

2. The Mann House, homeof Betsey Mann who laterbecame Sam Wilson's wife.They were married in thishouse on January 3, 1797.

3. This is the fireplace infront of which Betsey Mannand Sam Wilson weremarried. (Source - MasonHistorical Society) New Hampshire1 \ 1 assac huseU$--

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$2 Xi,

4. Mason CongregationalChurch. Sam Wilson'smother and family attendedservices here.

5. Pleasant View Cemetary.Sam Wilson's mother andother family memebers areburied here.

6. Mason Meeting House site.The meeting house was used as achurch before the church wascompleted. Sam Wilson likelyattended church here. '(Source -__ Mason Historical Society)

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Chapter 4

The BrothersArrive in

Troy


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Troy, NY & SuccessOne day in February 1789 they waved good-by and

Sam and Ebenezer started out on foot for the city ofVanderheyden more than 150 miles west of Mason ..Theroad must have been long and trying; huddling aroundcamp fires at night; sleeping in shelters whenever possibletrudging through snow and eating their meals from theirbackpacks. They relied on the generosity of others alongthe way.

Their walk took them many days and when theyarrived they learned Vanderheyden had been renamedTroy, NY. In January 1789 the freeholders ofVanderheyden decided that the town needed a new name,one that was shorter and easier to remember. "Troy" waschosen keeping with the classical tradition that was takingplace in upstate New York with names such as Rome,Syracuse and Ithaca.

The two brothers, Samuel, twenty two andEbenezer, twenty seven, found work but recognized thatthere was a need for building bricks. At the time brickswere being imported from Holland as ballast in sailingships. They were slow in arriving and in limited supply.Sam and Ebenezer began producing bricks their firstsummer in Troy using clay from a bank on the west slopeof Mount Ida. [Map 3- 2 1 The first building to use theirbricks was built by James Spencer in 1792 on the site thatis now Monument Square on River street & Broadway.The Wilson's also furnished the bricks for the firstcourthouse and jail, erected in 1793. The location for the

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court house was hotly contested between Troy andLansingburgh. Colonel Albert Pawling, the county sheriff,collected subscribed building funds on his travels throughRensselaer County to fund the construction. The locationof the courthouse and jail was to be decided by which cityrecei ved the greater amount of pledged building funds.Sam Wilson pledged four pounds and Ebenezer pledgedthree pounds. In the end, Troy won out with a total of onethousand pounds. [Map 3-3 1 Until the completion of thejail a room in the courthouse with a barred door and gratedwindows served as the interim jail. In the courtyard stooda pillory and a whipping post.

Debtors were imprisoned in these times and had tosolicit the citizens for help. The law did not give any relieffor individuals in these situations no matter the cause oftheir plight. They had to appeal to the local press topublish their situation and hope that the charitablemembers of the community would give them aid.

In the year 1793 the Wilson brothers entered themeat packing business, it was through this venture thatSam Wilson would acquire enduring fame as Uncle Sam.The meat packing facilities were located in a meadow nearthe Poestenkill Creek where it entered the Hudson River.[Map 3-51 The meat was salted and processed into whatwas known as "canned willie" then packed for shipment.Their business flourished to such a degree that theyconstructed their own dock at the foot of Ferry Street inorder to load barrels of beef and pork on their own sloops,[Map 3-6] the cargoes were then shipped down theHudson River.

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They expanded the meat packing business by increasingtheir land holdings on Mount Ida where they built afarmhouse. [Map 3-41 In the fields below the tree line theypastured and fattened herds of cattle and swine to assure asteady supply for the meat packing business. The Wilson'sholdings were located in what is now Prospect Park.

Troy was still quite rural with many open and ,natural areas, most of the construction of stores,warehouses and repair yards took place along the rivershore. Around the time that they were operating the farmand meat packing business, Sam Wilson leased a lot fromJacob D. Van der Heyden for thirty shillings a year. Therehe erected a frame house where he lived for many years.[Map 3-71

Around the same time a smallpox epidemicoccurred. Efforts to control the epidemic led to a census ofthe population. Due to this census we know that thepopulation of Troy reached nearly five hundred at thistime.

Troy's businesses and population grew as thepeople traveling west stayed on in Troy and became partof the many opportunities here along the Hudson River.They found work in shops, lumber mills, potash works,tanneries, meat packing facilities, dairy farms as well as inthe raising of grain and produce. The activity was so greatthat one Mr.Taylor was able to justify erecting two gristmills, two saw mills, and a paper mill on his land along thePoestenkill Creek. In fact, Troy is commonlyacknowledged as the birth place of the industrialrevolution inAmerica.

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There were many first developments and processes thatstarted in Troy. Textile and iron and steel businessadvances helped make Troy a leading industrial andfinancial center.

As Sam and Ebenezer's businesses prospered, thelong wait for Betsey's and Sam's reunion was at hand. Hewas able to give her a home and life as she was .accustomed to in Mason, NH. In the year 1797 he returnedto Mason, where he and Betsey were married on January 3by his long time friend the Reverend Ebenezer Hill in theMann's home in front of the fireplace. [Map 2-31 Samuelwas thirty one and Betsey twenty four. With their love foreach other, they started out for their new home in TroyN.Y. On their parting from Mason, family and friendsseemed in a holiday mood. [Figure 31 It would not be longbefore many family members and friends would migrate toTroy at Sam's invitation for opportunities and jobs in hiscompanies.

Journey to TroyFigure 327


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It was due to the brothers generosity andhelpfulness towards others that they were called UncleSam anp Uncle Eb. When anyone had a problem or aneed, they were told to go see Uncle Sam or Uncle Eb.Not long after Betsey Wilson arrived in Troy she wouldbecome known as Aunt Betsey because of her caringnature, charm and generosity.

Sam and Betsey settled into married life and a busyroutine. Their first child, a daughter, Polly, was born in1797. She died at the age of eight in 1805. Their secondchild was Sam Jr. born in 1800, but he died at the age ofseven from a fractured skull falling from a wagon. Asecond son, Benjamin, was born in 1802 and became anattorney and practiced law in Troy and New York City. Hedied in 1859 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery near hisparents. Their fourth child, Albert, was born in 1805. Hebecame a silversmith and a banjo maker. He died in 1866and with his death the last of Sam Wilson's immediatefamily passed on.

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Troy, NYMap 3


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1. Uncle Sam'sMonument.DedicatedOctober 18, 1980.The stamping of"U.S." on theheads of packingbarrels during thewar of 1812 gaverise to the symbolof Uncle Sam.

2. The Wilson brothers started abrickyard in the summer of 1789using clay from Mount I?a. ,,4. In the early 1790's the Wilsons hismall farmhouse near the entrance Iwhat is now Prospect Park.

3. Troy's first courthouse and jail built in1793 were the first buildings constructedwith bricks from the Wilson brother'sbrickyard. (Source - Troy Public Library)5. 1793 Wilson brothers entered IImeat packing business locatedbetween Adams & Jefferson Streetand east of River Street.

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6. The Wilson brothers had a dockconstructed at the foot of Ferry St.where they shipped cargoes of meatsan d produce in their own sloops.

7. Samuel Wilson's second home wasbuilt on the northwest comer of 2nd& Ferry St., now the site of the PlumMemorial Building of Russell SageCollege.

8. The FirstBaptistChurch ofTroy is whereUncle Samattendedservices andat timesserved astrustee.

9. Uncle Sam'shome at 144Ferry St. wherehe died July 30,1854. Thebuilding lostit's historicalstatus due torenovations andwas demolishedin 1971.

10. Uncle Sam's grave is in theOakwood cemetary which is locatednorth of this map on Oakwood Ave. Aseries of signs lead to his grave.31


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33

Chapter 5The Symbol"Uncle Sam"

is Born


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The Story Behind the Symbol~Troywas growing fast from the traffic generated by

the Hudson River and with it grew the firm of E.S. Wilsonmeat packing enterprise. They employed almost 200people and as early as 1805 advertised that they couldbutcher and pack 150 head of cattle per day. They alsomade casks in which they packed and salted the meat forshipping. This allowed them to bid on large contracts.

Then came the war of 1812 [Figure 4 1 which meant

U.SS. Constitution - H.M.S. GuerriereEncountered August 19, 1812

Figure 4total mobilization and troops to feed. The Wilson brothersreceived a contract from the government for two thousandbarrels of prime pork and three thousand barrels of primebeef to be packed in full bound barrels of white oak forrations required by US troops. They delivered meat to the

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Watervliet Arsenal and the Greenbush Military Campwhich had accomodations for over 6000 troops. Many ofthese volunteers were former Wilson employees.

It was during the war of 1812 that the Uncle Samlegend was born. At this time the initials "U.S." were notcommonly recognized as the initials for the United Statesas the title "United States" had just been adopted by thegovernment. When someone inquired about the meaningof the large "US" stamped on all of thebarrels of meat waiting on the dock forshipment the reply was" Uncle Sam of ~!a~F.~course, tis he that's feeding the wholearmy."

It is strongly suspected that it was an Irishman bythe name of Jonas W. Gleason that came up with theanswer. He was the boss butcher and a fabulous characterwith powerful lungs, an ambitious orator, jocular in naturewho would go to great lengths to make a joke. Gleasonand the other employees at E&S Wilson continued torepeat the story as did former employees who enlisted inthe army. This launched the Uncle Sam legend and thesymbol of the United States.

As the supplies, weapons, vehicles and allsupporting materials to the military would all be calledUncle Sam's, the term became so entrenched that it hasnever been considered to have been anything else. Todaythe term Uncle Sam stands for all things and mattersregarding the United States and Samuel Wilson hasbecome the patron saint of our republic. "

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Chapter 6The Brother'sCatskill, NY

Business Venture


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The Wilson's Catskill Meat PackingBusiness

After the war of 1812 the brother's businesses weregrowing and busy. Shipping down the Hudson River wasbecoming time consuming and expensive. The brother'shad an idea to have an operating base down the HudsonRiver to relieve these conditions. Catskill, NY had all therequirements and the ideal location for their meat packingoperation. [Map 4]

They rented a house, which is still standing and inuse, on West Water Street. [Map 4-2] This was their homefrom 1817 until 1823.

They brought with them from Troy some of theirbest hands including their boss butcher to establish thenew meat packing operation. Originally located in WestCatskill near Hop-o'Nose, the business did so well it wasexpanded and moved to "the Point" [Map 4-4]

Uncle Sam and his brothers families attendedservices in the First Baptist Church on main street justacross the Catskill Creek Bridge from where they lived.[Map 4-3]

Later, as the fame of Uncle Sam spread the peopleof Catskill named the bridge the "Uncle Sam Bridge" inhis honor. [Map 4- 1]

Uncle Sam returned to Troy leaving his brotherNate to carryon the Catskill operation which continued tobe very successful.

Nate remained in Catkill, and died in 1854 justnineteen days after Uncle Sam died in Troy.

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1. TheUncle Sam Bridge.Samuel Wilson, Whosename inspired the Nationalsymbol "Uncle Sam" livednearby from 1817 - 1822.

2. Sam Wilson and hisbrother Nate lived in thishouse in Catskill, NY whileestablishing their meatpacking business.

(~atskill, N.Y.lncl am's

M e'ul Pac'ikjng B us~nl 51817

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3. Sam Wilson attended thischurch on Main Streetduring the time he and hisbrother Nate were setting uptheir meat packing business.

4. The Wilson brothers setup their meat packingbusiness near Hop-O' -Noseon the bank of the CatskillCreek.


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43

Chapter 7Uncle Sam

theCitizen

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Sam Wilson's Civic RoleAs the fame of Uncle Sam spread there is no

evidence that Uncle Sam ever took seriously his privilegedstatus as the "Patron Saint of the Republic", a fame that noother American has quite equaled. He apparently tooklittle note or concern of it. He was in constant demand as aspeaker, toastmaster, chairman of committees, civic groupsand was very active in politics. He was respected by bothparties and was a very staunch believer in Jackson, knownas "Old Hickory," for president. He was very busy andinstrumental in the building and development of Troy, thecity he called home.

Sam attended services at the First Baptist Church ofTroy and at times served as trustee. [Map 3-31 The churchstill stands and is well maintained, still holding servicesand civic events. In his early years Sam's religious outlookwas one of tolerance toward all religions, in later years hebecame more dedicated to his own church.

Betsey Wilson was a fitting spouse for Uncle Sam.She had great charm, dignity and a keen sense of humor.They both delighted in having young people around them.Social affairs were frequent and one could always dependon Aunt Betsey and Uncle Sam for help. Betsey Wilsonwas one of the managers of the Ladies' BenevolentSociety established in 1803 to render assistance to indigentwomen and children.

The couple lived peaceably in their home at 144Ferry Street [Map 3-9] where they continued to be activein community affairs and contributed their time and money.

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Sam was still chairman of some committees and stayedactive in public affairs, until his seventies where timeseemed to catch up with him.

Over a period of years Sam's health started to failbut he was still able to transact business until his very lastyears, when he would sit rocking on the side porchthrough the summer evenings recounting his eventful lifeto his loved ones. Sam passed away peaceably on July31,1854 and the United States laid to rest its "Patron Saintof the Republic." Sam Wilson was buried in Mount IdaCemetery but later his son Benjamin had his body movedto the Oakwood Cemetery [Map 3-10 ] where now restsall that was mortal of Uncle Sam. His beloved wife Betseywho survived until 1863, is also buried there.

The Troy Northern Budget, Albany Evening Journal,the New York Tribune and the New York Post newspaperseach printed an editorial on the event giving details of hiseventful life in Troy, NY. Uncle Sam's plot in theOakwood Cemetery is well marked with grave stones anda four ton granite monument dedicated to his memory by agranddaughter in 1931. At the grave site flies theAmerican Flag maintained and cared for by the cemeteryand patriotic groups. The grave site is visited the yearround by historians, school groups and tourists and isfrequently the scene of patriotic ceremonies.

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Portrait of Sam Wilson[Uncle Sam]

This ferrotype [tintype] image was made in theyear 1852 by Christopher Schoonmaker one of

Troy's earliest known photographers.

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47

Chapter 8The

Look and Dressof

Uncle Sam


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:. \:-,

Artist's rendering of Sam WilsonFigure 5


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Uncle Samthe

.Citizen

What did Uncle Sam look like? From a descriptiona great-nephew gave of him, he greatly resembledAbraham Lincoln. He was tall, well preserved, with highcheek bones, clean shaven and wore his gray hair ratherlong. His facial features were similar to that of Henry Clayor that of Andrew Jackson.

How did Uncle Sam dress? The proper attire was.described as including a high bell crown hat of felted fur,the collar of the shirt high. The bosom frilled with a jewelpin or broach, white cravat, a very wide stiffened waistcoat and single breasted buff cloth with gold or giltbuttons. Coat blue, swallow tailed with high rolling collar,very high waisted showing the waistcoat underneath it.Pantaloons were close fitting with an arrow falling front,fitted below the knee for the wearing of boots outside witha tassel in front. Straps under the boots did not appearuntil about 1825 and they were part of the pantaloonsfashioned over the boot in front and buttoned under it.[FigureS]

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_So

Official Uncle SamFigure 6


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United StatesOfficial

Uncle Sam

The American embassies and consulates overseaswanted to know what Uncle Sam looked like. To satisfytheir requests the United States Department of State hadMr. Herbert R. Noxon design and draw a full lengthversion of a benign, friendly yet firm Uncle Sam. Thispainting received the honor of selection in 1950 by thedepartment and met with every ones satisfaction asUncle Sam, known the world over as the symbol thatrepresents the United States. [Figure 6 1

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Figure 7

Patriotic UDele SamMr. Edward A.

Wachter was Troy's first toportray Uncle Sam, a manthat had all the same virtuesof the original Uncle Sam. Atthe height of his success bothas a citizen and an athlete hechose to portray Uncle Samthat youngsters would betterunderstand the true values ofAmerica; have greaterrespect for their heritage andbecome better Americans.


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Patriotic Dressof

Uncle SamThe traditional patriotic Uncle Sam attire was

developed over a long period of time. The stars and stripeswere used on all parts of the clothing in illustrations,cartoons and paintings. The political cartoonist wouldshow Uncle Sam robed in the stars and stripes, stars onvest coat cuffs, striped pants and hat. All this woulddevelop over time. At some point a man with chinwhiskers appeared in a big parade wearing a high beaverhat with large white buttons sewn around the hat and redstripes fastened to his white trousers. A report of this eventappeared in a New York publication along with a pictureof the man under the caption "Uncle Sam". The costumecaught on, the buttons on the hat were replaced with starsand Uncle Sam became the man dressed as the starspangled banner .. [Figure 7]

It was only through an act of fate that Uncle Sambecame bigger than life. The honorary title of "Uncle" wasgiven to Sam Wilson for what he stood for; generosity, asense of humor, honesty, sincerity and enterprise. Samhelped out and gave whenever he was called on, a realAmerican patriot. Uncle Sam represents the United Statesof America all over the world.


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Brief History of Uncle Saml.Lili -Edward and Lucy Wilson lived in Menotomy,now Arlington MA, and had thirteen children.l. 1f il i - Sam Wilson was born on the 13th ofSeptember.l1 .Z .5 _ - On April 18th Paul Revere rode past theWilson farm on his famous ride.llllil- The Wilson family moved to Mason, NH.Sam's older brothers enlisted in the army leavingSam as his father's right hand man on the farm.1782-1783 - After the war, Sam's brothers returned.Seeking better opportunities several of the brothersdecided to relocate.l1 .89 _ - One February day, when Sam was 22, Heand his brother Ebenezer began a long walk to Troy,NY to seek their fortunes. That summer, they beganbrickmaking in Troy, carrying on a family traditioninherited from their mother's side of the family.Around this time they built a small farmhouse.lZ 23 . - Sam and his brother entered the meatpacking business located between Adams andJefferson Streets and east of River St. They alsoerected a home on the NW corner of Second andFerry Streets and a dock at the foot of Ferry Streetfor their own sloops.1797 - Sam returned to Mason NH to marry BetsyMann. They returned to Troy where they had fourchildren, two of whom died at a young age.lili2-Wilson contracted to furnish beef and pork tothe Army. His employees joked that the initials"U.S." on the packing barrels stood for Uncle Sam."Uncle Sam who? Why Uncle Sam of course! 'Tishe that's feedin' the whole army!" From here thelegend grew.l8 5. - Sam Wilson died on July 31. He is buried inOakwood Cemetery, Troy NY.

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- References-"Uncle Sam", Public Hearing by the US Senate Committeeon the judiciary - on legislation which would recognizeSamuel Wilson of Troy, NY as the original "Uncle Sam",

July II, 1961, Troy Public Library, Troy, NY.Ketchum, Alton. Uncle Sam the Man and the Legend.

Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 59-12601. Hilland Wang. New York, NY 1959Uncle Sam Family History, www.uncle-sams-home.com

"Life Story of Uncle Sam Compiled by Historian of TrojanPost of Veterans", Troy Record, (four part series) July

3,4,6&7 1936, Troy, NY."Uncle Sam - The Man and the Legend", video production,

Russell Sage College Library, Troy, NY."E.G. Marshall at Sage Filming T.Y. Documentary", TheQuill, September 18, 1975, Russell Sage College Library,

Troy, NY.Deeds - Rensselaer County Clerks Office, Troy, NY.
http://www.uncle-sams-home.com/http://www.uncle-sams-home.com/


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Troy, New York is a unique city which contributed greatlyto the advancement and growth of the United States ofAmerica. It is the home of one of the most recognizablesymbols for our country, "Uncle Sam." It's little known orunderstood that Sam Wilson was a real person who lived,worked and helped in developing his chosen home, Troy,New York. This is the story of his life and times.George W.Jacques III and his wife Jeannette are life longresidents of the Troy area. George is a World War II NavyCB veteran and served in the Pacific Theater. Retired fromthe Watervliet Arsenal.The proceeds from this book will go to the Uncle SamMemorial Foundation, an organization that hopes toestablish Uncle Sam based tourism in Troy, NY and thesurrounding area.

ISBN-13: 978 -1-933994-17-8

Documents

The Life and Times of Uncle Sam