TROY — New signs leading the way to Sam Wilson’s gravesite were recently installed at Oakwood Cemetery, courtesy of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR).
The cemetery will host a ceremony to not only showcase the new aesthetics, but also honor Uncle Sam for his tireless contributions to the cause on Sunday at 2 p.m. According to DAR New York State Regent Denise Doring Van Buren, the event will coincide with the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.
“This project in Oakwood Cemetery is one of three that our local chapter is sponsoring,” explained Van Buren, the 42nd DAR State Regent and a native of Troy. “We raised money through outright donations and by selling pins and tote bags to our members.”
As DAR State Regent, Van Buren had the privilege of selecting projects for the local chapter to sponsor. A member of DAR for 25 years, she gives her now-deceased father, James Doring of South Troy, credit for instilling within her a love of American history – and that of Troy’s in particular. Van Buren’s three-year term as State Regent ends in July 2013.
The funds raised by the local DAR chapter – approximately $5,000 – not only paid for the creation and erection of 20 new signs to replace existing signage in need of repair but also the removal of a dead tree. The addition of two memorial benches near Wilson’s grave will offer respite to visitors who want to reflect on the life of the patriotic Trojan who provided meat rations to American soldiers stationed in the City of Rensselaer during the war.
DAR’s other locally sponsored projects include restoration of 1,800 state battle flags housed at the New York State Military Museum in Saratoga Springs and marking a Manhattan gravesite in the Trinity Church yard for Horatio Gates, the English-born American general who bested his former British comrades at the Battle of Saratoga. His actual gravesite has never been discovered.
“The event (here at Oakwood Cemetery) is meaningful to me because I value what endeavors people of the past have done that still affect us today,” said Carol Haid, honorary regent of the Van Rensselaer Chapter of the National Society of Daughters of the American Revolution in Troy. “Oakwood Cemetery is on the National Register of Historic Places and has brought many visitors to Troy. This is an ideal way of honoring Samuel Wilson and his legacy.”
Haid further noted that 2011 marked the 50th Anniversary of the Congressional Resolution recognizing “Uncle Sam” Wilson of Troy as the progenitor of America’s national symbol of Uncle Sam. She lauded Marty Mahar and several Troy delegates for their hard work in garnering acclaim for Wilson as Uncle Sam.
“Samuel Wilson has such an impact in the City of Troy since he came here in 1789,” Haid said. “The Wilson brothers, Samuel and Ebinezer, had a brick-making business then and in 1793 founded a meat-packing business.”
Haid, who is likewise state chairman of the Historic Preservation Committee, will be in attendance Sunday with Van Buren and Merry Ann Wright, president general of the National Society of DAR, who oversees 3,000 DAR chapters worldwide boasting 175,000 members.
This is very possibly the first time a DAR president general will be coming to Troy,” said Van Buren.
