Uncle Sam’s Descendants Have Deep Roots In Arkansas
by July 5, 2015 9:40 pm 286 views
Think Uncle Sam is fictional? Think again. He actually was a “real person” reports ABC News, and he has relatives who live in Conway, Arkansas.
The direct descendants of Samuel Wilson – a meat packer from Troy, New York, who supplied beef rations to soldiers during the war of 1812 and is commonly recognized as inspiring the nickname and poster for “Uncle Sam” – were recently revealed to be living in Arkansas, thanks to research scientists at genealogy site, MyHeritage.
As the Fourth of July holiday passes, the story highlights even more significance.
Aaron Godfrey, marketing director for MyHeritage, told ABC News that one of the most interesting parts of his research on Uncle Sam was the discovery not only that Wilson’s family was still living but that “the descendants of the man believed to be the face of one of America’s most patriotic posters are themselves patriots,” he said, “serving in the armed forces or working for their state. The values of patriotism and national service run deep in this family.”
Helen Painter, eldest sister of seven and matriarch to Samuel Wilson’s living descendants, was raised and still lives in Conway, Arkansas, as does their mother, Betty Hambuchen, who is 85.
Painter, a 60-year old nurse in Conway, says every American ought to feel as proud as she does about her distinction.
“I think we should all be patriotic because we’re American citizens and we all hold a piece of our heritage no matter what it is,” she said.
“Whether it’s an icon or the person who did more menial jobs that never got that recognition, there are a lot of wonderful people who have done a lot of wonderful things. Hopefully, we can continue to do great things to take care of each other, whether it’s handing out meat, or Band-Aids or handing out a smile or a pat on the back.”
Read more at this link.