Samuel Wilson ( September 13 , 1766 -- July 31 , 1854 ) was a meat-packer from Troy , New York whose name is purportedly the source of the personification of the United States known as `` Uncle Sam '' .
Samuel Wilson ( September 13 , 1766 -- July 31 , 1854 ) was a meat-packer from Troy , New York whose name is likely the source of the personification of the United States known as `` Uncle Sam '' .