Here's a link to Bob Allen's 1878 song "Old Uncle Eph:"

http://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=mussm&fileName=sm/sm1878/10300/10392/mussm10392.db&recNum=1&itemLink=D?mussm:1:./tem

With just a glance and not knowing the song I'd say this is a differnt song. The title and some of the lyrics may have floated.

I'll look at it when I get time.

Richie