New York members of the Daughters of the American Revolution have helped a pair of historic Albany-area cemeteries with public displays dedicated to two prominent local residents from the region's past. More from WAMC’s Dave Lucas
Local DAR members raised funds for new roadside signs, memorial benches and other upgrades to the grave of Samuel Wilson, who's buried in Troy's Oakwood Cemetery.
Wilson was a businessman who supplied American troops with beef during the War of 1812 and stamped his barrels with "U.S." Soldiers said the initials stood for Uncle Sam, who later evolved into the national symbol. The New York DAR also unveiled a new memorial tablet to Mary Margaretta Fryer Manning, a national DAR leader in the early 20th century who's-buried at Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands - Her husband was treasury secretary to President Grover Cleveland.
© 2012 Associated Press
