Brother Jonathan
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Brother Jonathan was a fictional character created to personify the entire United States, in the early days of the country's existence.
In editorial cartoons and patriotic posters, Brother Jonathan was usually depicted as a typical American revolutionary, with tri-cornered hat and long military jacket. Originally, from 1776 to 1783, it was a mildly derisive term used by the Loyalists to describe the Patriots.
It has been suggested that the most plausible explanation derives the character from Jonathan Trumbull (1710-85), Governor of Connecticut. It is said that George Washington often uttered the words: "We must consult Brother Jonathan" when faced with a difficult question, however, that origin is doubtful.
The character was adopted by Americans from 1783 to 1815. During the War of 1812, the term "Uncle Sam" appeared. Uncle Sam appeared in newspapers from 1813 to 1815, and in 1816 it appeared in a book. Brother Jonathan was replaced by the increasingly popular Uncle Sam which was firmly established by 1817.