Happy Independence Day! I’m going to share the history behind the term “Uncle Sam” and how it came to be a nickname for the U.S.A.
Believe it or not, Uncle Sam was not a politician, a celebrity, or anything of that nature. He was a regular businessman and worker. As a young man, Samuel joined the Revolutionary Army where his duties included slaughtering and packaging meat for the army. Interestingly enough, it is this same vocation that would later on become his fame.
A descendant of one of the oldest families in Boston, Samuel Wilson and his brother were among the pioneer settlers of the community of Troy, New York. At the young age of 25 and 28, Samuel and his brother were eager and ambitious entrepreneurs. Together their formed several successful businesses, including a brick factory, and a slaughterhouse. Because of his warmth, friendliness, and kindness, the moniker “Uncle Sam” was popularly attributed to him.
During the War of 1812, Wilson associated himself with Elbert Anderson, a government contractor. Together they shipped large quantities of meat and other commodities from Troy to the American forces stationed in various places.
The soldiers from Troy knew that the goods so marked were handled by Samuel Wilson, their Uncle Sam, and jokingly spoke of the meat as “Uncle Sam’s beef.” This expression was quickly adopted by their fellow soldiers and was used by them to designate all property belonging to the United States Government as “Uncle Sam’s.”
The association of Uncle Sam as the United States increased in the 1860’s and 1870’s when a political cartoonist, Thomas Nast, picked it up. It was Nast who gave Sam his white beard and stars-and-stripes suit.
Of course, the most famous depictions of Uncle Sam came from the WW II era. This is when Uncle Sam became the character we know today with the top hat, blue jacket, and pointed finger. This image is thanks to James Montgomery Flagg.
In September of 1961, the United States Congress officially credited Samuel Wilson as the “the progenitor of America’s national symbol of Uncle Sam.”
Samuel Wilson died in 1854 at the age of 88. He is buried next to his wife in Troy, New York, the town that calls itself the Home of Uncle Sam.
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Born and raised in western Massachusetts, Jo-Ann Roberts was fascinated by America’s Old West and always felt she was destined to travel on a wagon train following the Oregon Trail. With her love of history and reading, she began reading historical romance during high school and college. Victoria Holt, Jude Deveraux, and Roseanne Bittner were among her favorites. Influenced by her father, she fell in love with John Wayne, James Garner, and her all-time favorite, James Stewart and grew up watching Wagon Train, Bonanza and Rawhide.
A firm believer in HEA with a healthy dose of realism, Jo-Ann strives to give her readers a sweet historical romance while imparting carefully researched historical facts, personalities, and experiences relative to the time period. Her romances take her readers back to a simpler time to escape the stress of modern life by living in a small town where families and friends help one another find love and happiness.
When she isn’t creating believable plots and relatable heroes and heroines, Jo-Ann enjoys spending time with her husband, children and grandson. She also enjoys baking, quilting and eating way too much chocolate.
After 38 years in public education in Connecticut and Maryland, she’s now calls North Carolina home.
Happy Independence Day! Loved learning the history of Uncle Sam.
We usually stay home. Sometimes, we can see the fireworks from an upstairs window–trees have gotten taller.
We like to watch the ones on TV, too. We also watch Nathan’s hot dog eating contest.
Happy Independence Day, Denise! Your holiday sounds relaxing. We usually watch the celebration on t.v. from Boston, featuring the Boston Pops with Keith Lockhart. It is a tradition we started while we were going to college in the city. Thanks for stopping by P&P.
J.
I enjoyed reading the history of Uncle Sam. I’m traveling visiting family.
Happy Independence Day!
Welcome, Bonnie. I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. Safe travels while visiting family. Happy Independence Day!
J.
Interesting info!
Welcome, Karijean! I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. Happy Independence Day!
J.
I enjoyed the blog post. It was very interesting. I believe some of the family may come here for burgers, dogs and fireworks. Hard to say as a big storm is due tomorrow.
Welcome, Debra! I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. It sounds like a good time with your family. Happy Independence Day!
J.
P.S. We have been experiencing daily summertime thunderstorms for the past two weeks here in North Carolina, too.
Fascinating information! I didn’t know that! Just spending a quiet day at home.
Welcome, Barbara! I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. Enjoy your quiet day at home. Happy Independence Day!
J.
Thank you for a very interesting and informative study on Uncle Sam. I did not know this nor did my husband who reads most all history. Thanks for sharing. Have a happy Fourth of July.
Welcome, Judy. I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. Happy Independence Day!
J.
I’ll be watching A Capitol Fourth on PBS, where I can enjoy good music, fireworks, and my A/C!!
Welcome, Trudy! Your holiday sounds relaxing…especially the A.C.! We usually watch the celebration on t.v. from Boston, featuring the Boston Pops with Keith Lockhart. It is a tradition we started while we were attending college in the city. Thanks for stopping by P&P. Happy Independence Day!
J.
Jo-Ann, this is so interesting. I had no idea where the term originated. WOW! Thank you for posting this. I won’t do anything on the 4th. Maybe watch some fireworks on TV.
Linda, I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. We are staying home, watching the Boston Pops with Keith Lockhart from the Hatch Shell on the Esplanade in Boston. Happy Independence Day!
J.
I never connected Uncle Sam with Troy. Somewhere when I read about the Wilson’s packing company I thought it was in a town further down the river. I had also seen a picture of a barrel with the stamp “U S Wilson “. The caption indicated that even though the U S meant United States people thought of it as Uncle Sam for Mr. Wilson. Thanks for providing a more in depth history of “Uncle Sam”
Welcome, Alice. I’m happy you enjoyed the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. Thanks for stopping by P&P. Happy Independence Day!
J.
Never heard this before, so neat to learn about Uncle Sam and how he came about. Thanks for sharing.
Welcome, Sarah. I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. Happy Independence Day!
J.
Nothing planned but would like to see fireworks.
Welcome, Vickie. Your holiday sounds similar to ours. We usually watch the celebration on t.v. from Boston, featuring the Boston Pops with Keith Lockhart. It’s a tradition we started while we were in college in the city. Thanks for stopping by P&P. Happy Independence Day.
J.
My husband will be in a parade Friday morning. Our daughter and her husband have a food truck and will be at the big 4th of July event in town. There are games & concerts all day and fireworks at night. We may go down for a bit, but a quiet day at home appeals. Steak for two, calming bites for our dog (fireworks terrify her), and watching A Capitol 4th and or the Boston Pops 4th celebration on TV. Somehow, hot sticky weather and crowds don’t appeal as much as they did when we were younger.
I hop you have an enjoyable weekend.
Welcome, Patricia. It sounds like a busy day for you. The day will be low-key for us. We usually watch the celebration on t.v from Boston, featuring the Boston Pops with Keith Lockhart. It’s a tradition we started while we were in college in the city. Thanks for stopping by P&P. Happy Independence Day.
J.
Thanks for sharing about Uncle Sam it was an interesting article. Don’t have any real plans for the fourth .
Welcome, Linda. I’m happy you enjoyed reading the blog. I always like sharing interesting tidbits with the readers. We are staying home and relaxing today, also. Thanks for stopping by P&P. Happy Independence Day!
J.
Quiet – son has PTSD, so no fireworks. However our little community now has a balloon fest, so hopefully we can take in some of that and a drone show Sat. nite! used to ride sidesaddle in my hometown parade, but no horse anymore, altho I do have the sidesaddle my father made for me.
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Welcome, Ginni. Enjoy a quiet day with family. I can imagine that exploding fireworks can be traumatic for those suffering from PTSD. I hope watching the balloon fest will add some peace to your day. Thanks for stopping by P&P. Happy Independence Day.
J.