Troy in Rensselaer County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
“Uncle Sam” Wilson’s Home
Photographed By Steve Stoessel
1. “Uncle Sam” Wilson’s Home Marker
United States Nickname: Uncle Sam (est. 1813) - Originating In Troy, NY
Historic Towns in America website entry
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Historic Towns in America website entry
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Samuel Wilson's home was located here at 144 Ferry Street (formerly 76 Ferry Street), at the southeast corner with 7th Avenue. Built in 1821, the building had a large open porch facing the avenue. Uncle Sam died July 31, 1854, at the age of 88. His wife Betsey (Mann) continued to reside here until her death in 1863. The residence was torn down in 1971.
Erected by Uncle Sam Trail.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical date for this entry is July 31, 1854.
Location. 42° 43.629′ N, 73° 41.209′ W. Marker is in Troy, New York, in Rensselaer County. Marker is on Ferry Street (Route 2), on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 144 Ferry Street, Troy NY 12180, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. E. & S. Wilson – Brick Manufactory (here, next to this marker); Wilson Farmhouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); Liberty Street Presbyterian Church (approx. ¼ mile away); History of 1819 Fifth Avenue (approx. 0.3 miles away); Emma Hart Willard
this page online
Regarding “Uncle Sam” Wilson’s Home. On September 7, 1813, the United States gets its nickname, Uncle Sam. The name is linked to Samuel Wilson, a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied barrels of beef to the United States Army during the War of 1812. Wilson (1766-1854) stamped the barrels with “U.S.” for United States, but soldiers began referring to the grub as “Uncle Sam’s.”
Additional keywords. Folkore
via Rensselaer County Historical Society, unknown
2. “Uncle Sam” Wilson’s Home
HistoricTownsOfAmerica.com - Guy Saladino, April 29, 2022
3. “Uncle Sam” Wilson’s Home Marker
"Uncle Sam" Wilson's Home
Photographed By Steve Stoessel, July 21, 2019
4. “Uncle Sam” Wilson’s Home Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. This page has been viewed 255 times since then and 57 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 22, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. 2. submitted on July 4, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on May 6, 2022, by HistoricTownsOfAmerica.com - Guy Saladino of Long Beach, New York. 4. submitted on July 22, 2019, by Steve Stoessel of Niskayuna, New York. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
