Historic Pelham: James Montgomery Flagg, Who Created the Iconic "I Want You" Uncle Sam, Was Born in Pelham

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

During World War I, famed American artist and illustrator James Montgomery Flagg created his most famous work, a painting for use on a U.S. Army recruitment poster showing a stern-faced Uncle Sam pointing directly at the viewer with the words "I WANT YOU FOR U.S. ARMY" beneath the image. The iconic image quickly became the most celebrated and famous depiction of Uncle Sam.

U.S. Army Recruitment Poster With

Depiction of Uncle Sam Painted by

James Montgomery Flagg. NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

Every Pelhamite knows the famous image of Uncle Sam painted by James Montgomery Flagg shown above. Few Pelhamites know, however, that James Montgomery Flagg was a native Pelhamite, born in our town on June 18, 1877.

Flagg was born in the home of his grandfather, James Montgomery Coburn (occasionally spelled "Cobourn") on Split Rock Road in the Town of Pelham. The Coburn home no longer exists, but once stood along Split Rock road approximately where that roadway now ends at the border with New York City. The map detail below, from a map published in 1868, shows the location of the home in 1868.

Detail of 1868 Beers Atlas Map Showing Location of

Structures Owned by James Montgomery Coburn Near

Center of the Map Detail. Source: Beers, F. W., "City

Island, Pelham Township, Westchester Co., N.Y." in

Atlas of New York and Vicinity from Actual Surveys by

and Under the Direction of F. W. Beers, Assisted by

A. B. Prindle & Others, p. 35 (NY, NY: Beers, Ellis &

Soule, 1868). NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

Although numerous sources indicate Flagg was born in "Pelham Manor, New York" it is debatable whether the Split Rock Road location where he was born is properly labeled "Pelham Manor." The Village of Pelham Manor did not yet exist and, once it was incorporated in 1891, the location of the Coburn residence was not within that Village. Admittedly, before incorporation of the Village in 1891 the reference "Pelham Manor" was used colloquially to refer to a vast swath of land being developed by the Pelham Manor & Huguenot Heights Association although the location of the Coburn residence does not fall within that swath of land. Suffice it to say that the residence was immediately adjacent to the lands being developed by the Association. It can safely be said, however, that James Montgomery Flagg was born in the Town of Pelham.

James Montgomery Flagg was born two days after the death of his grandfather, after whom he was named. James Montgomery Coburn died on June 16, 1877. Flagg's mother, Margarette Anna Elida Coburn Flagg, presumably was present at the Split Rock Road home in connection with her father's death (two days earlier) when she had her baby and named him James Montgomery Flagg in her father's memory.

Flagg's grandfather and grandmother lived on a 105-acre tract in Pelham known as the Trumbull Farm. The Trumbull farm extended, very roughly, from around the terminus of today's Split Rock Road near Pelham's boundary with New York City into the area since annexed by New York City that includes today's I-95 New England Thruway and portions of the golf course in the Pelham Bay and Split Rock Golf complex in Pelham Bay Park. Coburn and his wife, Charlotte Vancamp Coburn, moved to Pelham some time between 1864 and 1868. Coburn was born in Ireland on June 29, 1821 while his wife, the former Charlotte Vancamp, was born in New York on November 4, 1821.

Charlotte Vancamp Flagg was named as the legatee and the executrix of James Montgomery Coburn's will. That will was admitted to probate in Westchester County, New York on October 27, 1879, more than two years after Coburn's death. The simple, brief will left everything to Coburn's wife, Charlotte (see below). Shortly thereafter, Charlotte Coburn lost her home and farm in Pelham when it was sold at public auction to satisfy a foreclosure judgment obtained by the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York against Charlotte Coburn, individually and as executrix of the will of James M. Coburn (and other defendants).

James Montgomery Flagg's time in Pelham was admittedly brief. He was, however, destined for fame.

As a youngster, Flagg was an artistic prodigy whose illustrations were published by National Magazines when he was only twelve years old. He attended the Art Students League of New York for training between 1894 and 1898. Thereafter, he studied fine art in London and Paris. When he returned to the United States at the turn of the 20th century, he sold "countless illustrations for books, magazine covers, political and humorous cartoons, advertising, and spot drawings."

After creating his famous Uncle Sam portrait for the United States Army in 1917, the government printed over four million copies of the poster. Additionally, the poster was revived for World War II. One of the World War I versions of the poster recently sold at auction for $20,000. See Iconic U.S. Army Recruitment Poster From World War I Sells for $20,000 at Auction in New York, DailyMail.com (visited Nov. 5, 2016).

Scholars still debate whether Flagg used his own face, aged and with the addition of a goatee, as the model for Uncle Sam. Flagg suggested as much before his death, saying he avoided the trouble of arranging for a model. Judge for yourself by studying the images of Flagg immediately below.

James Montgomery Flagg in 1918 Standing

Next to an Example of the Army Recruitment

Poster Bearing His Depiction of Uncle Sam.

James Montgomery Flagg on September 28, 1915.

Photograph by Arnold Genthe (b. 1869 - d. 1942).

Source: Flagg, Montgomery, Mr., Portrait Photograph,

Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division,

Digital ID: agc 7a14105 //hdl.loc.gov/loc.pnp/agc.7a14105.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

At the peak of his career, Flagg reportedly was "the highest paid magazine illustrator in America." He died in New York City on May 27, 1960 and is buried at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx.

* * * * *

Below are transcriptions of a few items including newspaper references and probate records that relate to the subject of today's article. Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

"DIED. . . .

At Pelham, June 16, James Montgomery Coburn, in his 56th year. . . ."

Source: DIED, The Port Chester Journal [Port Chester, NY], Jun. 21, 1877, Vol. IX, No. 448, p. 3, col. 4.

"Sale of a Farm.

The Trumbull farm, in the town of Pelham, containing 105 acres of land, was sold at the Court-House in White Plains, on Saturday last, to satisfy a foreclosure judgment obtained by the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York against Charlotte Coburn, individually and as executrix of the will of James M. Coburn and other defendants. William H. J. Hurst, of New York, was the purchaser for $29,700."

Source: Sale of a Farm, Eastern State Journal [White Plains, NY], Mar. 5, 1880, Vol. XXXV, No. 47, p. 3, col. 2.

Source: Page 1 of Probate Records Including Will

of James M. Coburn, New York Wills and Probate

Records, 1659-1999, Westchester County, Vol. 88, 1879, p. 463.

Text is Transcribed Immediately Blow. NOTE: Click on

Image to Enlarge.

"463. . .

Westchester County
Surrogate Court
In the Matter of proving the }
Last Will and Testament }
of
James M. Coburn Deceased}

Be it remembered that heretofore towit on the eighteenth day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine Charlotte Coburn the sole Executrix named in the last Will and Testament of James M. Coburn late of the town of Pelham County of Westchester deceased appeared in open Court for the Surrogate of the County of Westchester and made application to have the said last Will and Testament which relates to both Real and Personal Estate proved and on such appli- [Page 463 / Page 464]"

Source: Pages 2 and 3 of Probate Records Including Will of

James M. Coburn, New York Wills and Probate Records,

1659-1999, Westchester County, Vol. 88, 1879, pp. 464-465.

Text is Transcribed Immediately Below. NOTE: Click on

Image to Enlarge.

"464

cation the Surrogate having ascertained by satisfactory evidence who were the widow, heirs at law and next-of kin of the said Testator and their respective residences did issue a citation in due form of law directed to the said widow, heirs at law and next of kin by their names stating their respective places of residence requiring them to appear before said Surrogate at his office in the town of White Plains in said County of Westchester on the twenty seventh day of October one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine to attend the probate of the said Will and afterwards to wit on the said twenty seventh day of October satisfactory evidence by affidavit having been provided presented to said Surrogate of the service of the said citation in the mode prescribed by law on all the parties named therein and the said Surrogate having ascertained that some of the Heirs and next of kin were minors having no General Guardians within this state and that said citation had been duly served on said minors and also upon the person or persons having control of such as were under Fourteen Years of age as prescribed by law and having filed the written consent of William M. Skinner of the town of White Plains did by an order duly entered for that purpose appointing him the Special Guardian for said minors to take care of their interest in the premises and on that day the said Executrix and the said Special Guardian having attended in person and no one appearing to oppose the probate of said Will such proceedings were thereupon had afterwards that the Surrogate took the proof of said Will hereinafter set forth upon this twenty seventh day of October in the year one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine and he adjudged the said Will to be a valid Will of Real and Personal Estate and the [illegible] the sufficient which said last Will and Testament and [illegible] are as follows that is to say

I James M. Coburn of the City of New York do hereby make, publish and declare this as and for my last Will and Testament.

465

First I order and direct all my just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid as soon as conveniently may be after my decease.

Second I hereby give, devise and bequeath unto my beloved wife Charlotte Coburn all my property and estate of every name and kind and wheresoever situate to have and to hod to her, her heirs, executors, administrators, and assigns forever.

I hereby revoke any will or wills by me heretofore made.

I hereby nominate, constitute and appoint my said wife Charlotte Coburn Executrix of this my last will and testament.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty four.

Jas. M. Coburn [Seal]

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the above named testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence of the undersigned who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.

W. McDermot 50 West Forty Fifth Street New York
Robert W. Coburn Eastchester, Westchester County

Westchester County Surrogate Court
In the matter of proving the }
Last Will and Testament }
of }
James M. Coburn Deceased }

State of New York
County of Westchester
William McDermott of the City of New York being duly sworn and examined before the Surrogate of said County doth depose and say that he was well acquainted"

Source: Pages 4 and 5 of Probate Records Including

Will of James M. Coburn, New York Wills and Probate

Records, 1659-1999, Westchester County, Vol. 88, 1879,

pp. 466-467. Text is Transcribed Immediately Below.

NOTE: Click on Image to Enlarge.

"466

with James M. Coburn late of the Town of Pelham in said county deceased. That he was present as a witness and did see the said James M. Coburn deceased subscribe his name at the end of the instrument in writing now produced and shown to this deponent bearing date the sixty day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said James M. Coburn deceased. That the said James M. Coburn deceased at the time of making the said subscription declared the said instrument to be his last Will and Testament and requested this deponent to sign his name as a witness thereto. Thereupon this deponent did accordingly sign his name as a witness at the end of the said instrument in the presence of the said James M. Coburn deceased and in the presence of Robert W. Coburn now of the city of New York formerly of Eastchester and of the Town of Mt. Vernon in said County the other subscribing witness to the said witnesses. This deponent further saith that the said James M. Coburn deceased at the time he so executed the said witnesses was a citizen of the United States of full age, sound mind and memory in all respects competent to devise Real Estate and not under restraint and that this deponent saw the said Robert W. Coburn sign the said instrument at the end thereof as witness thereto in the presence of said James M. Coburn deceased and at his request.

Sworn examined and subscribed before me }
this 27th day of October A.D. 1879 } W. McDermot

Owen T. Coffin
Surrogate.

Westchester County
Surrogate Court
In the Matter of proving the

467

Last Will and Testament }
of }
James M. Coburn Deceased }

State of New York
County of Westchester ss

Robert W. Coburn now of the City of New York formerly of the Town of Mt. Vernon and of Eastchester in said County being duly sworn and examined before the Surrogate of said County doth depose and say that he was well acquainted with James M. Coburn late of the town of Pelham in said county deceased that he was present as a witness and did see the said James M. Coburn deceased subscribe his name at the end of the instrument in writing now produced and known to this deponent bearing date the sixth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixty four purporting to be the last Will and Testament of the said James M. Coburn deceased. That the said James M. Coburn deceased at the time of making the said subscription declared [before] the said witnesses to be his last Will and Testament and requested this deponent to sign his name as a witness thereto thereupon. This deponent did accordingly sign his name as a witness at the end of the said instrument in the presence of the said James M. Coburn deceased and in the presence of William McDermott of the City of New York the other subscribing witness to the said instrument. This deponent further saith that the said James M. Coburn deceased at the time he so executed the said instrument was a citizen of the United States of full age, sound mind and memory in all respects competent to devise Real Estate and not under restraint and that this deponent saw the said William McDermott sign the said instrument at the end thereof as witness thereto in the presence of said James M. Coburn deceased and at his request."

Source: Pages 6 and 7 of Probate Records Including Will

of James M. Coburn, New York Wills and Probate Records,

1659-1999, Westchester County, Vol. 88, 1879, pp. 468-469.

Text is Transcribed Immediately Below. NOTE: Click on

Image to Enlarge.

"468

Sworn examined and subscribed }

before me this 27th day of } Robert W. Coburn

October A.D. 1879 }

Owen T. Coffin Surrogate

Westchester Couunty

Surrogate Court

In the Matter of proving the }

last Will and Testament }

of James M Coburn Deceased }

The Executrix, heir at law and next-of-kin having this day appeared in pursuance of the citation heretofore issued and the proof and examination of the subscribing witnesses to said Will having been duly taken and heard and upon such proof it appearing satisfactory to this Court that the said last Will and Testament had been duly executed according to law and that the said Testator at the time of executing the same was in all respects competent to dispose of his estate. It is therefor ordered, adjudged and decreed that the said Will be and the same is hereby established as a valid Will of Real and Personal Estate and that the same be admitted to probate and recorded.

Owen T. Coffin

Surrogate

Westchester County ss

Recorded the preceding last Will and Testament of James M. Coburn deceased as a valid Will of Real and Personal Estate together with the proof and examination taken in the Court of the Surrogate of the County of Westchester relating to the said last Will and Testament which record is hereby signed and certified by me pursuant to the provision of the

469

Revised Statutes this twenty-seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine.

Owen T. Coffin

Surrogate."

Letters of Testamentary Reflecting Entry of

Will of James Montgomery Coburn Into

Probate on October 27, 1879 in Westchester County,

NY. Source: New York Wills and Probate Records,

1659-1999, Westchester County, Letters of

Testamentary, Vol. M-N, 1877-1884, p. 298 (proving

Will of James M. Coburn of Pelham). NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

"The People of the State of New York,
BY THE GRACE OF GOD FREE AND INDEPENENT.

To all to whom these Presents shall come or may Concern,
SEND GREETING:

Know ye, That at the County of Westchester, on the Twenty Seventh day of October in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine before OWEN T. COFFIN, Surrogate of our said County, the last Will and Testament of James M. Coburn late of the Town of Pelham in said county deceased, was proved, and is now approved and allowed by us; and the said James M. Coburn having been at or immediately previous to his death an inhabitant of the County of Westchester, by reason whereof the proving and registering of said Will - and the granting administration of all and singular the goods, chattels and credits of the said Testator and also the auditing, allowing and final discharging the account thereof, doth belong unto us, the administration of all and singular, the goods, chattels and credits of the said deceased, and any way concerning his Will - is granted unto - Charlotte Coburn Executrix in the said Will -- named she being first duly Sworn faithfully and honestly to discharge the duties of such Executrix -- according to law.

In Testimony Whereof, we have caused the Seal of office of our said Surrogate to be hereunto annexed.

L.S. [seal]

Witness, OWEN TO COFFIN, Surrogate of our said County, the 27 day of Oct. in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and seventy nine -

[Signed] Owen T. Coffin
Surrogate."