Samuel Wilson (September 13, 1766 – July 31, 1854) was an American meat packer who lived in Troy, New York, whose name is purportedly the source of the personification of the United States known as "Uncle Sam".
Continental Army
While living in Mason at the young age of fourteen, Wilson joined the Continental Army on March 2, 1781. His duties while enlisted consisted of guarding and caring for cattle, and mending fences, as well as slaughtering and packaging meat; guarding meat was a priority during the war. It was not uncommon for enemies to tamper with and poison food sources. Wilson's service to the Army most likely came to an end around October 19, 1781, with the surrender of Cornwallis at the Siege of Yorktown. Samuel and Betsey were parents to four children, Polly (1797–1805), Samuel (1800–1807), Benjamin (1802–1859), and Albert (1805–1866).
Wilson not only was a pioneer of Troy, he was active in the community, as well as an employee of the city. On April 12, 1808, he took an oath as Office Assessor. Four days later he took an Oath of Office as Path Master (now more commonly known as road commissioner). As troops gathered in camps for equipping and training, the demand for a supply of meat for the troops had significantly increased. Monuments mark his birthplace in Arlington, Massachusetts, and site of burial in Troy, New York. A New Hampshire historical marker (number 35) titled "Uncle Sam's House" marks his boyhood home in Mason, New Hampshire.
Some scholars have pointed out that Wilson may not have been the original creator of the phrase, but may have had a significant role in spreading the name. While Wilson may or may not have been the original "Uncle Sam",
Gallery
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Image:Uncle Sam Memorial Statue, Arlington, MA - general view.jpg|Uncle Sam Memorial Statue, Arlington, Massachusetts
Image:Uncle Sam Memorial Statue, Arlington, MA - Uncle Sam.jpg|Uncle Sam statue detail
Image:Uncle Sam Memorial Statue, Arlington, MA - Samuel Wilson.jpg|Samuel Wilson detail
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