Note 104 — UNCLE SAM. BY ALBERT MATTHEWS.

Troy Daily Budget, August 2, 1854, p. 2-3. Other notices of Samuel Wilson appeared in the Troy papers.

"Died—SAMUEL WILSON, aged eighty eight years, died this morning at his residence 76 Ferry street. The deceased was one of the oldest inhabitants of this city. He came to Troy about the year 1793, and consequently had resided here 61 years. He was about the last of those termed 'first settlers.' Mr. W. purchased the lands east of the city, now owned by Messers. VAIL and WARREN, and occupied by them for farming purposes till about 1820. He then sold them all, except about four acres, upon which his present residence stands. He has been one of the most active business men of the community, and we can truly say that he was an honest and upright man" (Troy Daily Times, July 1, p. 2-3).

"Samuel B. Wilson, another of our oldest citizens, died at his residence on Ferry st. hill this morning. He was about 80 or 90 years of age" (Troy Daily Budget, July 1, p. 2-4). "B." is evidently a printer's error.

"Samuel Wilson, aged 88, died yesterday morning at his residence 76 Ferry street. Mr. Wilson was one of the oldest inhabitants of the city" (Troy Daily Traveller, August 1, p. 2-2).

"Died. On Monday Morning, Samuel Wilson, in the 88th year of his age. His relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend his funeral this (Tuesday) afternoon at 3 o'clock, at his late residence, No. 76 Ferry-st." (Troy Daily Traveller, August, 1, p. 2-4).

"Died. In this city, July 31, Mr. Samuel Wilson, aged 88 years. Funeral services will be held this (Tuesday) afternoon at 3 o'clock, at his late residence, 76 Ferry st." (Troy Daily Whig, August 1, p. 2-6). The hasty burial may have been due to the fact that cholera was then raging in Troy. See Troy Daily Traveller, August 2 and 4.

It will be observed that in the above notices, written for the Troy papers, there is no allusion to the Uncle Sam story. In the Albany Evening Journal of August 1, 1854, appeared the following, which I copy from the New York Tribune of August 4: "'Uncle Sam.'—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 subriequet [sic] for the 'United States.' Mr. Wilson, who was an extensive packer, had the contract for supplying the northern army with beef and pork. He was everywhere known and spoken of as 'Uncle Sam,' and the 'U.S.' branded on the heads of barrels for the army were at first taken to be the initials for 'Uncle Sam' Wilson, but finally lost their local significance and became, throughout the army, the familiar term for 'United States.' The Wilsons were among the earliest and most active citizens of Troy. 'Uncle Sam,' who died yesterday, was 84 years old" (p. 3-6).

The same notice was printed in the Troy Daily Budget of August 2, p. 3-3; and in the Troy Daily Whig of August 3, p. 3-2. In the New England Historical and Genealogical Register for October, 1854, was printed the following: "Wilson, Mr. Samuel, Troy, N. Y. 31 July, æ. 88. It was from this gentleman that the United States received the name of Uncle Sam. It came in this way,—Mr. Wilson had extensive contracts for supplying the army with pork and beef, in the war of 1812. He was then familiarly known as Uncle Sam Wilson. His brand upon his barrels was of course U. S. The transition from United States to Uncle Sam was so easy, that it was at once made, and the name of the packer of the U. S. provisions was immediately transferred to the government, and became familiar, not only throughout the army, but the whole country" (VIII, 377).