Introduction
Charles T. Tufnell was born in Camden NJ in 1922 to John and Martha Tufnell. His father had been born in England in 1890. Charles Tufnell was the youngest of five children.
Growing to a height of 7’4,” Charles Tufnell was a familiar figure in Camden. He portrayed Uncle Sam in many Camden parades and civic events. He also portrayed Uncle Sam in the Mummer’s Parade in Philadelphia.
He married and lived with his wife Anna at 1010 North 24th Street in Camden’s Cramer Hill neighborhood. On December 26, he was taken to the hospital suffering from bleeding ulcers. Despite blood transfusions, he died on January 4, 1950.
Charles T. Tufnell was buried in the Uncle Sam suit that he had worn while taking part in Camden’s community events on January 9, 1950 at Bethel Memorial Park in Pennsauken NJ. He was survived by his wife, Anna Tufnell, his parents, brother, and sisters. His parents were at that time living in Pennsauken NJ. His father later moved to the Westfield Acres public housing project in Camden, where he lived until 1970.
Death of Uncle Sam
Camden Courier-Post —
