Near Mason in Hillsborough County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Uncle Sam’s House

Photographed By Jean-Pierre & Cecile Mouraux, September 13, 2007

1. Uncle Sam's House Marker

Inscription. Nearby stands the boyhood home of Samuel Wilson (1766 to 1854) who was generally known as “Uncle Sam.” He supplied beef to the Army in 1812. The brand on his barrel was “U.S.” The transition from U.S. to Uncle Sam followed and became the popular symbol for the United States.

Erected 2006 by NH Division of Historical Resources and the NH Department of Transportation. (Marker Number 035.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Industry & Commerce • War of 1812. In addition, it is included in the New Hampshire Historical Highway Markers series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1812.

Location. 42° 44.369′ N, 71° 45.904′ W. Marker is near Mason, New Hampshire, in Hillsborough County. Marker is on Valley Road (New Hampshire Route 123) near Cascade Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Greenville NH 03048, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Old Russell Hill Bridge (approx. 6.3 miles away); Near this spot was the residence and garrison of John Fitch (approx. 6.8 miles away in Massachusetts); Village Cemetery (approx. 7 miles away); Temple Glass Factory

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(approx. 7 miles away); Captain Josiah Crosby / Lieutenant Thompson Maxwell (approx. 8 miles away); World War ll/Korean/Vietnam Memorial (approx. 10.2 miles away in Massachusetts); World War l Memorial (approx. 10.2 miles away in Massachusetts); Ashburnham Civil War Monument (approx. 10.2 miles away in Massachusetts).

More about this marker. This marker replaced a marker with the same title and text originally erected in 1966.

Regarding Uncle Sam’s House. Samuel Wilson or “Uncle Sam” (1766–1854) grew up in Mason and the house in which he lived still stands on Valley Road in Mason. He became famous for his meat packing company in Troy, New York, which supplied meat to the army during the War of 1812. He stamped his barrels with “US” for United States, but people began to say “That’s Uncle Sam!” (In those days the term “Uncle” was a term of endearment.) After making his fortune in Troy, he returned to Mason where he married his childhood sweetheart, Elizabeth “Betsey” Mann. Her father, Capt. Benjamin Mann led 26 men from Mason to the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Source: http://home.earthlink.net/~georgeo/mason_nh.htm

Also see . . .

Uncle Sam's House and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jean-Pierre & Cecile Mouraux, September 13, 2007

2. Uncle Sam's House and Marker

1. A little bit of history on Uncle Sam. (Submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)
2. Who Was “Uncle Sam?”. book by Cecile and Jean-Pierre Mouraux, on Amazon.com. (Submitted on January 31, 2008, by Cecile Mouraux of Mason, New Hampshire.) This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase on Amazon.com.

Additional commentary.
1. Uncle Sam's House open for tours by appointment
The childhood home of the original Uncle Sam, this 230-year-old, 1770’s red clapboard Cape on four acres was authentically restored around the time the original marker was installed in 1966. In 2004, Jean-Pierre & Cecile Mouraux purchased the house.

The Mouraux's also have an "Uncle Sam" museum in Sonoma, California. They've turned Uncle Sam's House, shown on this marker page, into a private mini-museum. By appointment, the house is open to visits about once a month, as well as September 13th (to celebrate Samuel Wilson's birthday) and the first week of February. Visitors wishing to tour the house can coordinate directly with the owners. The best way to arrange an appointment is via their email address, [email protected].

They've also published a book, Who Was “Uncle Sam?”, which is available in book-stores,

Uncle Sam’s House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jean-Pierre & Cecile Mouraux, September 13, 2007

3. Uncle Sam’s House

This picture was taken on September 13th, 2007. It would have been the 241st birthday of Samuel Wilson, or "Uncle Sam" (1766–1854).

on-line (Amazon, ebay, etc) or directly from them by contacting them at the same email address.

— Submitted January 31, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.

Main Room of Uncle Sam’s House image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Jean-Pierre & Cecile Mouraux, September 13, 2007

4. Main Room of Uncle Sam’s House

<i>Who Was “Uncle Sam?”</i> image. Click for more information.

Photographed By Jean-Pierre & Cecile Mouraux

5. Who Was “Uncle Sam?”

A book written by the current owners of Uncle Sam's House, Cecile and Jean-Pierre Mouraux. It is available in book-stores, on-line (Amazon, ebay, etc) or directly by emailing them (Amazon.com link is below).
Click for more information.
This website may earn income if you use this link to make a purchase.

Credits. This page was last revised on November 18, 2021. It was originally submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. This page has been viewed 10,894 times since then and 66 times this year. Last updated on July 10, 2014, by Kevin Craft of Bedford, Quebec. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 15, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. 3, 4, 5. submitted on January 31, 2008, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.