Uncle Sam's Grave, Troy NY and Other Uncle Sam Things

Born in Massachusetts shortly before the American Revolution began in that colony, Sam Wilson joined that patriotic movement as a teenager just as the war was ending. He eventually relocated to New York and soon made a living as a meat packer in Troy. During the War of 1812, the genial Wilson was contracted with supplying meat to troops from New York and New Jersey, including locals who already knew him by his kindly reputation. Barrels of meat would be stamped “US” before being shipped to soldiers. Thanks in part to the soldiers from Troy who knew him, many soldiers equated their meat rations with “US” - “Uncle” Sam Wilson.