ORIGINAL “UNCLE SAM”

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 591, 18 February 1929, Page 13

ORIGINAL “UNCLE SAM”

WORE STRIPED TROUSERS AND STARRED VEST In a humble grave in Troy, in New York State, rendered more inconspicuous by an adjacent tall monument to au already-forgotten general of the Civil War, lie the last remains of Samuel Wilson, original of the national nickname, “Uncle Sam,” who was buried there in 1854. Kis former dwelling is preserved, and a movement has: been started In the direction of memorialising his grave. At 22, accompanied by his brother, he set out on foot from Mason, New Hampshire. Packs on their backs they walked across the mountain trails, coming to a fertile valley rimmed by a river. Their community grew to be the city of Troy. Samuel and his brother, Ebenezer, built the first bricls houses themselves. Sam was a jolly, genial, generous soul. Everyone called him “Uncle Sam.” His wife was known as “Aunt Betsy.” He had special aptitude for managing labourers. He would always say, “Come, boys.” instead of “Go.” He was successful in business, and attributed his success to system and the habit of early rising. He always wore the striped trousers and starred vest.

His great-grand nephew recently wrote a history of Troy, which in. eluded a number of authentic documents that led critics to accept the popular version of the origin of “Uncle Sam.” In the Albany Journal of August, 1854, under the single, modest headline, “Uncle Sam,” appeared the following: “The death of Samuel Wilson, an aged, worthy and formerly enterprising citizen of Troy, will remind those who were familiar with incidents of the war of 1812 of the origin of the popular soubriquet for the United States.”