NYPL RESEARCH LIBRARIES 3 3433 08071723 8 *■ siiB A »f.fii*i ■"" liiiiiiiiiiiiiiK i :. ^ .*. »• |I '*.'^".'.''.' .' mi '"'-' 'iii-i ^■B ., •M./ f4ra, «1J . ••• ^^^^^^^Hfr -''i m * H^.f*. '••-'*! •»•' •!/• •J 'J-' ■^B ■4 • !•' *~.' •'.'*,' •ifftr «:--iis: '■^ ,;: " S^^^^^^^^^^^^^^Kl Crp^^^ •/ '>'-«^«-^, ^t:? r« ^ »• THE NEW YORK PUBIIC LliRARY A8T9R, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. CONTENTS. / Chapter Page / Introductory _ x\i / I. — Genesis of the Polk Family 1 Scotch and Irish History of Family _ ti II.— Robert Bruce Pollok _ C, { The Keys Family ^ I III. — Data from Ireland it Births and Deaths in Keys Family In IV. — Broomfield Castle and Moneen i:'. John Polk here in 1G80 1.". V. — When the Immigrants Arrived Is James Poke of Barbadoes 19 \\. — The Anglicanism ?*? \'II. — Emigration of the Polks .-. ■.'•") First Churches on Eastern Shore of M'yland 'l\ Charles, first Son of Ephraim Polk, 1st ■.'•"» \'III. — 'Robert and ^Magdalen's Family 28 John Polk's Descendants 2!» ^, Frojn the S^meiset Records ."U ' 'Errors of 1^4 'Pdl^ Tree :j:i IX.— James ;Po!k,;Son of Robert Bruce Polk :5() Lancl ''Grants to James Polk ^J'i Will ot.'jarntis Polk -^^ X .— i)k\-id' Polk'^" will _ 1 1 XL— James Polk's Other Children _ 4o Emigration to the West 47 The Somerset Records - li' XII.— Letters of Col. Wm. T. G. Polk. -.... •*•<» XIII. — A\'inder and Polk Connection «..- '»l XIV.— Alagdalen Polk's Will •*•• Grants from Lord Baltimore •'! Additional List of Grants ^''• X^^— Will of Robert Bruce Polk '"'i Other Polk Wills ..:. 'j'* XVI.— Observations of R. C. B. Thruston '^^^ Information - ' ^ viii C G s T L s T .; Chapter Page ^VII. — Marriages and Descendants 75 Robert's Children 77 Conclusions 7,3 XVIII.— AVm. Polk, Grandson of Robert Bruce Polk 81 Anne Polk, Daughter of John 82 ^IX. — Joseph Polk and Descendants., 84 Lands Granted to Joseph Polk _ 85 A\'ill of Joseph Pollock 87 Family of Daniel Morris, Sr 91 jMartha and Ann Polk 92 Martha Polk's Descendants 93 Numerous Progen}^ 94 XX.— Descendants of William Polk, 3d 95 XXI.— Chas. Polk, Son of W'm. and Margaret 100 XXII.— Margaret Polk McRea \ 106 XXIII. — General Thomas Polk's Descendants „ 108 John Paul Jones 113 ^lajor Allen J. Polk 114 XXIV. — ^The ^lecklenburg Declaration 116 Battle of Allamance 116 Convention Al^ets. ,..t....f....c lis The Resolves -.•..;..V..I •....,' ''' '-< ■ 1i,S XXV. — Sketch of General Thom^f/ jPcJk.c 124 Defeats at Camden cg.ai.i.Su/iipt'er; 127 Military Organized' •'.<....•'' Ill-- .'.'..'.... ' 128 Escorts Baggage Trarn"tG''i]'feth'lfe'hem 129 William Polk of Carlisle 131 XXVI.— Sketch of Colonel A\'illiam Polk _ 133 La Fayette's Visit to Xorth Carolina _ 141 Death of Colonel William Polk 144 XXVII.— Dr. William J. Polk I47 General Lucius E. Polk I47 XXVIII.— Dr. Thomas G. Polk _..... Ill 156 Colonel Cadwallader Polk 1,57 Captain Rufus J. Polk 1.58 Major Allen J. Polk I59 General Thomas G. Polk 161 General Lucius J. Polk 162 CONTEXTS ix Chapter Page XXIX. — Bishop and Lt. General Leonidas Polk liiJ Civil War 173 XXX. — Atlanta Campaign 177 Death of General Leonidas Polk 178 General Johnston's Order 183 Funeral Obsequies and Burial 183 XXXI. — St. John's Church, Ashwood, Tenn 188 Interesting Family Letters 101 XXXII. — Polk's Serving in Congress lt>8 Hon. Rufus K. Polk. M. C, from P'sylvania VM) XXXIII.— William Polk, Sr., Son of Immigrants -.^(13 William Polk, Sr., Twice ^larried 2(14 XXXR'.— Wrong William made Body of 1849 Tree 20t William Polk and Priscilla Roberts 207 Children of William and Xancy ( Kumx- Owens) Polk 200 William, Son of Judge David P.^lk 210 Betsy, Daughter of William Polk 211 Hetty, Daughter of William Polk 311 Gertrude, Daughter uf William Polk 211 XXX\\— Josiah. Son of William Polk 213 Captain William, S(^n of William Polk 213 Colonel James Polk, Son of William Polk 214 Anne. Daughter of Judge William Polk 2 1.*) James Polk, Son of William Polk. Sr 21.-) XXXVL— Samuel Polk's Descendants _ 224 Colonel Wm. Thomas Gilliss Polk's Family 221 Joseph Gilliss Polk's Family 227 XXXA'II.— Whittington Connection '■'■''' Descendants of Susan Lankford '•' '■' Priscilla Polk Whittington „ 2^^ XXXA'IIL— Sketch of James Knox Polk — " - ! 1 Jackson and Polk Families - 247 Xominated and Elected President 248 :Mr. Polk's Inauguration -•■'1 Chief Administration Measures ~ '-'•"'•'^ Death of James K. Polk '•''' XXXIX.— Xumbered Record of Polks '-^-'^ C O A' r L .V T s Chapter • Page XL. — Captain Juhn I'olk ol2 Taylor Polk's Descendants 312 Capt. John Polk's Descendants 316 Judge Alfred Polk 317 Judge Alfred Polk's Family 317 Mary Cynthia (Polk) Davis' Family 318 John ("Jackie") Polk's Descendants 321 Davenports and Cartwrights 322 XLI.— John D. Polk and Family 324 Descendants of Emily R. Polk 324 John Polk Childres' Family 325 Charles Vaulton Childres' Family 325 John A. Polk and Family 325 Benjamin D. A. Polk's Family 327 "Civil Charley" Polk's Family 32S Descendants of Jackie and Cynthia Polk 332 Rev. R. O. \A'atkins and Family 334 Sketch of Rev. R. O. \\^atkins 334 Sketch of Judge A. B. Watkins 335 ^Memoranda of the Polk Family in Texas 335 XLII.— Children of Chas. Polk and Wife Alargaret 339 John Polk and Family 340 Colonel AA'illiam Knox Polk's Descendants 340 Sketch of Headley Polk 343 W'arnell Polk 344 XLIII..— Unattached Branches 348 Tragic Death of Rev. William Polk 354 XLIA^. — Charles Polk, The Indian Trader 355 Will of Charles Polk, Indian Trader 356 ]\Iurder of Logan's Kin 359 Capt. Charles Polk's Certificate 359 XLV. — Capture of Kincheloe's Station 362 Capt. Charles Polk's Family 364 Descendants of Sarah Polk Piety 365 Spoke Indian Tongue W^ell 372 Polk Land Entries in Kentucky 373 XLVL— Capture of Capt. Chas. Polk's Family 374 Attack on the Fort 378 CONTEXTS J.J Chapter Page XLA'II.— Judge William Polk, Son of Capt. Cha>. Polk iil'u Judge A\illiam Polk and Family Mi Elizabeth (Polk) Spencer „ 392 Children of Capt. Spier Spencer _ 394 Sally (Polk) Bruces's Descendants 395 Children of Capt. Wm. Bruce and Wife 395 Joseph Hamilton Scroggin's Family '.V.H't Capt. John Scroggin's Family 398 Of Scotch-Irish Blood _ 398 Quarrel over Baby's Name 399 Xancy Ruby's Family and Chas. Polk. 3rd 4(»0 XL\'III. — Edmond Polk's Descendants 4u3 Edmond Polk's Children 406 Grandchildren of Edmond Polk. Sr 4nS Grandchildren's Children 4(»S Children of James Polk 1 1 1 Children of James Aladison Polk 414 Children of Henry Hamilton Polk lUi Deaths 1 1 l Isabella (Polk) Kendle 421 Francis Marion Polk I'-"-' \\^illiam Albert Polk's Family 122 Caleb Clark Palk's Family : 122 Sarah Jane Polk's Family 425 Alexander Hamilton Polk 125 Grandchildren of Alexander H. Polk 42*5 ^.—Descendants of Rev. Isaac M'Coy and Wife 428 Intermarriages '"-•'^ The Chick Family '••' Intermarriages of Jno. Calvin M'Coy's Children ' ' ' LI.— Charles Polk. 3rd, and Family 436 Descendants of Dr. Thomas Polk Ho Intermarriages '• '' Sketch of Dr. Thomas Polk ' '■' Xll C O 11 T h A T S Chapter Page LII. — Ephraim Polk, 1st, and Descendants -i-iO Charles Polk, 1st, Son of Ephraim, 1st 450 Children of Charles Polk, 1st -±51 Sketch of Gov. John W. Hall 452 Judge Charles Polk 455 Gov. Charles Polk 455 LI II.— Sketch of Gov. Charles Polk 4G1 Sketch of Hon. Albert F. Polk 465 Allied Families 409 Minors and Beswicks 4TU Beswick Bible Records 473 The Manlove Family 474 Wm. Manlove, Sr 477 The Curtis Family 478 Barratt Family 481 The Clarke Family 48:3 Brinckles in Alilitary Service 483 Member of Penn's Council 484 The Hayes Family 484 William Polk's Descendants 485 The Luff Family 486 John Polk, Son of Ephraim, 1st 491 LIV. — Polk Scroggin Kinship 496 Genesis of American Scroggin Family 496 Gallant Officers of the Revolution 500 Joseph Polk, Sr., Sun of Ephraim, 1st 502 Joseph Polk, Jr., Son of Joseph Polk, Sr 502 Robert Polk and Family 505 Children of Wm. Revbold Polk 509 LV.— Children of Ephraim Polk, 2nd 510 Will of Ephraim Polk, 2nd 510 LVL— Ephraim Polk, 3rd 516 Captain Rhoads' Company 518 Privates 518 Valley Forge 519 Ephraim Emigrates to Kentucky 520 An Indian Raid 522 LVIL— The Morris Familv 528 CONTENTS xiii Chapter Page Children of Daniel Morris, Jr 'y>\) Children of James ]\Iorris, Sr 531 Children of Ephraim Polk, 3rd 532 Family of Mary Polk Wolf 533 Children of Polly and Jesse Wolf 533 Intermarriages 534 Jesse Wolfs Capture 538 LA'lII. — Family of Xancy (Polk) Adams 5-iO Xancy Adams' Family 5-iO Marriages 541 Dr. James M. Ely's Family 541 Family of Dr. James ]\1. Adams „ 542 Intermarriages 543 Family of John White 543 Family of Allen ^^IcMichael 548 Alarriages 548 John H. Hufford's Family 550 Family of Thomas A. Gant 553 Dr. ^larcellus M. Adams' Family 553 Fannie Stutsman's Family 554 Sketch of Dr. ]\Iarcellus M. Adams 554 Dr. Jefferson J. Polk and Descendants 557 Family of Dr. Jeft'erson J. Polk 5(55 Martha F. Duncan's Family 505 Family of Dr. AWlliam Tod Polk 566 LMX.— Family of Ephraim J. Polk 568 Children of Ephraim J. Polk 568 Children of John M. Polk 573 Children of Thos. J. Polk and Wife 574 EX. — Daniel Polk and Descendants - 575 Daniel Polk's Children 576 Family of David Tanner Polk 576 Family of David Tanner Polk, Jr .. 577 Family of Rhoda Ann Rodgers •■ 577 Marriages - ''^ Family of Ben F. Rodgers ""^l Family of Thomas P. D. Polk •"^•'^1 Famil'v of Willis W. Polk 5«2 xiv C O N T E N T S Chapter Page Family of Sardius G. Polk 587 Intermarriages 588 Family of James Knox Polk 588 Sarah (Kitty) Polk's Family 588 LXI. — Family of Hester D. Collins 591 Family of Col. John E. Collins 592 Col. John Collins' Children 59? Col. John Collins' Grandchildren 592 Descendants of Clement M. Polk 593 Children of Clement Polk 594 Charles Ephraim Polk 598 Descendants of Gilead Polk Gn2 Children of Gilead Polk 605 LXII. — The Johnson Family 610 The Alexander Family 611 The Holladay Family 611 Family of William H. Polk 612 LXIIL— A\'illiam H. Polk 617 LXI v.— Family of Theodore C. Polk 621 Children of Theodore Clay Polk 621 Theodore C. Polk 622 Family of John Knox Polk 625 Sarah Atkins and Ephraim Polk. 5th 626 LXV. — Descendants of Jehosephat Polk 629 Family of Hosea and Sally Polk 630 Intermarriages 630 Marcellus Polk's Family 633 Sketch of ^^larcellus Polk 633 Sarah A. Deming's Famih- 634 James E. Polk 639 Family of Edward M. and Alelissa Hubbert 639 Marriages, Births and Deaths 640 Mary Susan Polk's Family 645 Margaret Dougherty's Family _ 645 Family of Jefiferson Scott Polk ,. 645 Marriages 646 Sketch of Jefferson Scott Polk 646 Admitted to Par in Kentucky 651 C O N T E N T S XV Chapter Page Tribute to his Life and Character 652 Sketch of Harry Herndon Polk 659 Herndon Hall, PTome of Jefferson Polk 659 LXVI.— Dr. Ed. Polk's Branch of Family 665 Dr. Edward T. Polk 666 Family of R. L. Polk 669 LXMI.— Robert Polk, Jr., and Descendants 671 Family of Rohert Polk, Jr 671 Land Grants to Robert's Line 673 Robert Polk, 3rd, a Colonial Official 673 Children of Robert Polk, 3rd 674 LXVHL— Col. William Polk's Descendants 675 Children of Col. William Polk 675 Intermarriages 676 AA'illiam Polk, Son of Col. William, Son of Robert Polk, Jr 677 Descendants of Elizabeth (Robinson) Polk 6S0 LXIX. — Trusten Laws Polk's Descendants 691 Children of Wm. Xutter Polk 691 Intermarriages 692 Elizabeth Shockley's Family 693 Wm. Causey Polk's Family 693 Sketch of Governor Trusten Polk 694 LXX.— The W^hite Family 697 Daniel Polk, Sr., of Delaware 699 Daniel Polk, Sr.'s Family - 700 Intermarriages 700 Clayton Family 700 Samuel A\^hite Polk's Family 701 Midshipman John Polk 702 Family of Daniel Polk, Jr _ 703 Family of Elizaheth Powell 704 Family of Kate Powell Tyree 704 Family of Edward P.. Powell 704 Family of Dr. Louis Polk 705 Family of Mrs. Landon A. Thomas, Sr 705 Family of Landon A. Thomas, Jr - 706 Family of Daniel Polk, of Denver 706 xvi CONTENTS Chapter Page Peggy Logan's Family 7u7 The Tilghman Family 708 ^ LXXL— Capt. Robert Polk, Naval Officer 709 Descendants of Capt. Ro'bert Polk _ 710 Family of Charles Peale Polk 710 Charles Peale Polk, Artist 712 Charles Peale Polk's Letter to AX'ashington 715 LXXIL— Polks of Accomac Cramty. Virginia 717 Intermarriages 717 Sallie Polk's Descendants 71.S Margaret Polk's Descendants 719 William Polk's Descendants 724 Capt. \\'illiam Polk's Ancestors 725 LXXIIL— The Pollocks of America 727 Judge John C. Pollock's Line 732 James and A\'illiam Pollock ']:V.', LXXIV.— br. Thomas Pollock's Descendants 737 Paternial Line of Lt. Col. Otis Wheeler Pollock 739 LXX\\— Visit to Scottish Ancestral Home 740 The Pogue Family 741 LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. Page Frontispiece — \\'. H. Polk. Alap of Alaryland. Delaware. Pennsylvania, West Xew Jersey xxvii Chart _ S3 Gen'l Thos. G. Polk of. North Carolina _ 109 Col. A\'illiam Polk, of North Carolina 135 Monument of Col. \\'m. Polk at Raleigh, N. C l-tS Dr. ^^'m. Julius Polk and Wife, of North Carolina 149 Gen'l Lucius E. Polk, of Arkansas 153 Gen'l LrUcius Junius Polk, of North Carolina and Tennessee 163 Col. W'm. H. Polk and \\'ife 167 Bishop Leonidas Polk and A\'ife ITl Lieut. Gen'l Leonidas Polk 179 St. Paul Episcopal Church, Augusta, Ga 185 St. John's Church, Ashwood, ]\Iaury County, Tenn 189 Hon. Rufus K. Polk, ^I. C. from Pennsylvania 201 Col. AVm. T. G. Polk, Princess Anne. Md 2-25 James K. Polk and Wife 243 Polk Place. Nashville. Tenn 249 Jas. K. Polk [Monument. Raleigh, N. C 255 Col. Andrew J. Polk and Wife 259 Wm. Polk and Wife, Alexander, La 263 Col. Cadwallader Polk, of Arkansas 271 Rufus J. Polk 275 ]\L-s. Lucius J. Polk and 3*Iadame Paget 279 Col. Lucius Junius Polk, Jr.. A\'ife and Two Children, of Texas" ' 285 Col. Geo. W. Polk, Wife and Son, San Antonio, Tex 289 Dr. Wm. Mecklenburg Polk and \\lfe, of New York 293 Capt. Frank L. Polk and Wife, of New York 297 Geo. W\ Polk and Six Sons, of Tennessee 301 3*Irs. Kenneth Raynor, of North Carolina 305 Antionette (Polk) De Charette and Her Home, near Paris, France 3^9 Jas. V. Polk, of Beaumont, Tex -^^^ xviii LIST o /•• ILL r s t rat i o n s Page Mrs. Margaret Jane (Polk) Teel, of Texas '■'y'Z'J Judge Albert B. Watkins, of Athens, Tex 337 Headley Polk, San Marcos, Tex 345 R. C. Ballard Thruston, of Louisville, Ky 369 Amiee J. and Edna B. Ruby, of La Fayette, Ind 401 Hon. Jas. Guthrie, of Louisville, Ky 409 Claiborne Polk and Alexander Hamilton Polk, of Indiana 419 Agnes and Jessie Pringle 433 Benjamin F. Polk, Princeton, Ind 437 Gov. John \V. Hall, of Delaware 453 Dr. Thos. Jefferson Pyle, Wife and Daughter 457 Gov. Charles Polk, of Delaware 403 Hon. Albert F. Polk, of Georgetown, Delaware 467 John W. Hering, of Milford, Delaware 475 Dr. J. M. Luff, of Felton, Delaware 487 John P. R. Polk, of Wilmington, Delaware 507 ^•-^Id Ephraim Polk Homestead, on Lain's Run, Scott County, Kentucky 523 Mrs. Alary (Polly) Wolfe 535 Elizabeth Tyner \Miite, of La Fayette, Indiana 545 Dr. AI. AI. Adams and Wife, of Greenfield, Indiana 551 Ellen, Alary, Olive, and Xettie Adams, of Greenfield, Indiana ^ 555 Dr. Jefferson J. Polk, of Perryville, Kentucky 559 Dr. Wm. Tod Polk, of Perryville, Kentucky 563 Wm Goddard Polk, of Louisville, Kentucky 569 Roy Rodgers, 2nd U. S. A 579 ^^'illis W. Polk and Wife 583 Chas. E. Polk and Wife 595 Walter B. Alanny and Wife, Ella Tatum Manny 599 Edw. Hubbert Tatum 603 Chas. W. Po'lk and Sister Maud, of Pelatuma, California 607 Mary (Polk) Eouldin and Wm. C. Polk, of Lexington, Kentucky 613 Theodore C. Polk, Jr., Thomas Barlow Polk, James Wil- liams, Margaret Williams 619 John Milton Polk, of Denver Colorado 623 Mrs. Sarah (Polk) Atkins, of Liberty, Indiana 627 LIST OF I L LU S 1 R AT I O K S XIX Page Jehosephat Polk and A\'ife, Sallie Ann Polk 631 Marcellus Polk and Wife. Ella Samuell Polk, and Six Children 635 Sarah Ann Deming and Husband, Joseph G. Deming 637 James E. Polk and Wife, Maggie (Payne) Polk 6il ^lelissa (Polk) Hubbert and Husband, Edw. S. Hubbert 643 Jefferson S. Polk and Group 64? Jefferson Scott Polk and Wife, Julia (Herndonj Polk 649 John S. Polk and Wife 653 George B. Hippee and Wife, Minnie (Polk) Hippee 655 Mrs. Sallie (Polk) Maish and Husband 657 Harry Herndon Polk and Wife 661 Herndon Hall 663 R. L. Polk, Detroit. ^lichigan 667 ]vlrs. Josephine Polk Cumins 683 Dr. :^.Iahlon X. Hutchinson and Wife 687 Governor and United States Senator Trusten Polk, of Missouri ; 695 Portrait of W^ashington 713 Mrs. Sabra Polk Joynes and Daughter, Mrs. Tabitha Joynes Laurence 721 Col. Otis A\'. Pollock, San Francisco 729 "A people which takes no pride in the noble achievements of remote ancestors uitl never achieve anything worthy to be remembered by remote descendants." Lord Macaulay. INTRODUCTORY. — The first efforts toward the compilation of a history of the Polk family appear to have been made about 1824 by Colonel William Polk, of North Carolina, a grand-son of William and -Margaret (Taylor J Polk who went from Pennsylvania to Xortli Carolina and settled West of the Yadkin about 1750, or earlier, in what was then Anson County, now ^Mecklenburg. In the spring of 1821 Colonel Polk, strongly impressed with the idea of preserving the family history, opened a corres- pondence w'ith General William H. Winder, of Baltimore, a kinsman by blood, who had married his cousin Gertrude, daughter of Judge William Polk of ?^Iaryland. After outlining his purpose to General Winder. Colonel Polk informed him of his intention to visit the Xorth that year, and during such visit he would see and consult with him regarding the matter of the preparation of a history of the family. To this proposition General Winder heartily ac- ceded, the various members of the family in ]^Iar3dand and Delaware also evincing a lively interest in the matter. This initial movement, however, was greatly retarded by the death of General Winder, which event occurred on ]\Iay 24, 1824, in the forty-ninth year of his age. and shortly before Colonel Polk's contemplated visit. Among those who also took an active and enthusiastic interest in the proposed history was Josiah F. Polk. Chief Clerk to the Second Auditor of the Treasury, and later Chief Clerk of a division of the State Department at Washington. Josiah was a native of Somerset County, Maryland, the lo- cality in which Robert and Magdalen Polk, the immigrants, settled, and he had a large acquaintance with the various branches of the family. After the death of General Winder in 1824. the members of his familv. together with Josiah F. Polk, set about ac- cumulating what data they could find, and while so engaged, in 1828. c'olonel William Polk, of Raleigh, visited Washing- ton and Maryland, where he met and consulted with Josiah xxii INTRODUCTORY and others interested in the matter of the family history, giving- them such data as he possessed about his particular branch after their emigration from near Carlisle. Pa., to North Carolina. This work of collecting data was still in progress but unfinished at the time James K. Polk w^as elected President in 1844. After this event the work was invested with addi- tional interest, Bishop Leonidas Polk, of Louisiana, a son of Colonel William I'olk. and Col. Win. II. Winder, of Phila- delphia, a son of General Win. 11. Winder, taking an active part in the accumulation of data, as did, also, the President. The original purpose of Colonel William I'^lk and the earlv projectors of the enterprise seems to have been a complete history of all the branches of the Polk family. As a result of their accumulation of data, a Hnely engraved "tree" of the descendants of John Polk (eldest son of Robert and Mag- dalen), including all the southern Polks, was published in ] ,s4!). Further work in the matter appears to have alntted then, so far as the southern Polks were concerned, l)ut Jasiah F. Polk and other members of the Mar}-lan(l l)ranch c(jntinued for some years longer to gather data. Josiah was the mo.-t active of the Maryland branch in the matter of securing data for a full history, but after his death the scheme again fell into abeyance. Shortly before the Civil War Bi.-^liop Polk renewed his efforts in the matter, apph'ing for assistance to Colonel W'm T. G. Polk, of Princess Anne, Md. The latter, born and resid- ing all his life in Somerset County, was peculiarly qualified for the duty of assisting Bishop Polk, and set about the accu- mulation of facts to send to him. The Civil \\ ar coming on shortly after, before Colonel Polk could forward his data to the Bis'hop, it was never sent, and was finally lost by the burning of Colonel Polk's house, in which the entire contents were consumed. Bishop Polk, entering the Confederate army at the beginning of the war, rose to the rank of Lieutenant General and was killed by a cannon shot at Pine ^Mountain, Georgia, June 14, 18G4. Nothing more was done in the matter of a family history until 1873, when the present writer had occasion to visit INTRODUCTORY ^xiii \\'a>liingtun City on official business. Having- business with the Second Auditor of the Post Office Department. Hon. T. IJozman Kerr, he called on that gentleman. Upon introduc- tion t(j Mr. Kerr, who at one time (lSi9 to iSol ) repre- sented the Princess Anne District in Congress, the latter in quired: "W'liat branch <,)f the Polk family do you belong to?" In reply, the writer stated that all he knew of his family was that his grand-father. Ephraim Polk 3d, a native of Sussex County, Delaware, served during the Revolutionary War in a Philadelphia regiment commanded by Colonel Wm. AMlls. That after the war Ephraim 3d went back home, was married in 1T9ut KiGO or a little later; that he knew a great numl)er of them, and by writing to Col. Wm. T. G. Polk, of Princess Anne, who for many years was Clerk of the Court at that place, much interesting history of the famil}' could i)c learned. Air. Kerr later wrote out and mailed to the writer an in- teresting sketch of the Polks of Alarvland, and of the con- temporary history of their time, in which it was shown that the ancestors of Henry Clay had hrst settled in Somerset County, later emigrating to \'irginia. It was also pointed out bv Air. Kerr as a striking coincidence that, at that earlv day in Somerset County, the Polks were known as a "Democratic" and the Clays as a 'A\'hig" family, and further, that at a future time, there should contend for the Presidency of the United States, two men from these respective Somerset County families. Acting on the suggestion of Air. Kerr, and desirous of learning more about the Polk family, the writer opened a correspondence with Colonel A\'m. T. G. Polk and other mem- bers of the family in Alaryland and Delaware, from whom he received much information. To Colonel Wm. T. G. Polk, particularly, is he indebted for the greater part of the facts herein contained about Robert and Alagdalen Polk and child- ren, he being at the fountain head and familiar witli the his- xxiv INTRODUCTORY tory of the family, not only from personal acquaintance and association for years with many of its members, but also l)e- cause of his long official charge of the county records. This correspondence with Colonel Polk was ke])t up until his death, during which he was prompt and indefatigable in assistance with valuable data. A correspondence was also opened with ]\Irs. Aurelia W. Towns-end, of Oyster Bay, Long Island, who furnished mucli matter concerning the ]\Iaryland Ijranches, that had Ijeen collected by her family, the \\'inders ; with Mrs. Lucy E. Polk, of W^arrenton, North Carolina, widow of Col. \\m. H. Polk, of Tennessee, brother of James K. Polk; with lion. Horace M. Polk, of Bolivar, Tennessee; with Major Allen J. Pt)lk, of Helena, Arkansas; with John 1*. R. Polk, of Wilmington, Del.; with Daniel Polk, of Denver, Colorado, formerly of Shelljy County, Kentucky ; with Judge \\'illiam Polk and Judge Alfred Polk, of Texas, and Chas. I. Polk and C. G. Polk, of Memphis, Tennessee; with Jas. \'. Polk, Beaumont, Tex., C(j1. Geo. W. Polk, of San Antonio, and various other Polks in California, Missouri, Illinois, Indiana, and other western states. Many of the latter descended from "Charles Polk, the Indian trader," \vhose son, Capt. Charles Polk and family, of Frederick County. Maryland, descended the ( )hio to Louisville in 1780 Some of the latter afterwards went to Indiana l^etween isoO and 1810 — and were members of the first Constitutional Con- x'ention of that State, territorial officers, and Indian fighters under Harrison, at Tippecanoe and on other fields. To Mrs. \\^m. H. Polk, Hon. Horace M. Polk, and Major Allen J. Polk, (since deceased) was the writer indebted for much data concerning the southern branch of the family Alajor Allen J. Polk, particularly, evinced the deepest interest in the family history, and gave great assistance in the prepara- tion of data. He was a courtlv, educated, liighlv intelligent gentleman, a Chesterfield in manners, and charmed all with whom he came in contact. ]\Iuch credit is also due to Col. George A\\ Polk, of San Antonio, Texas, for a full and careful arrangement of data regarding the southern branch of the family. From these various sources, during a period of more or less active investigation for thirty-eig'ht years, the writer INTRODUCTORY XXV accumulatefl the data fr(jm which he now essays the publica tion of a family hi^tory ; a work begun by Colonel William Polk and others in l.s-24, renew^ed at different periods, but never completed. In so long a time many members of the family have passed away, including many valuable sources of infor- mation, and in that way much has been lost. Many others have come onto the stage of life whose names must be added to the family rolls. In explanation of his own long delay, or apparent dilatori- ness in completing the w'ork begun by him in 18?3, the waiter will state that in April, ISTG, he emigrated to the South- west, continuing there three years and returning to Kentucky. During that period of absence his work on the history rested Engaging next in active journalism, wdiich occupied all his attention for a period of many years, he had no time to take up again the history with a view of finishing it. Among those deeply interested in the work, and most urgent for its completion was the late Jefferson Scott Polk, of Des Moines, Iowa, a Kentuckian by birth and grandson of Ephraim Polk 3rd, wdio emigrated from Delaware to Ken- tucky in 1T93. Me manifested from the first a deep interest in the matter, and when the writer suspended the work for a time, he took it up and applied himself to the further collection of matter, accumulating much before his death. A lawyer by profession, and a man of great business capacity, at his death in IDor he was accounted a multi-millionaire. Aided by the writer, he endeavored to complete a history of the famdy, and among the last requests to his children w^as one to the effect that the history be completed. In accordance with that wish, the present writer resumed the work and herewith pre- sents the result of his labors in that direction at various periods between 1ST3 and the present time. That it lacks many names that ought to be recorded, is unquestionable. That, however, is due to the lack of interest shown by some and the dilaton- ness of others in furnishing data asked for. Such a history should appeal to the just pride of every one descended from Robert and Magdalen Polk. In their de- scendants thev have left a memorial of which none need be a^hamed; a familv that has given to the country a long list of xxvi INTRODUCTORY Statesmen, soldiers, and men prominent in all walks of life; men who have made their mark and left their impress on their dav and ireneration. Of \'irile Scotch-Irish blood, from the ancient roof-tree in ^Maryland they have g"one forth into every section of the country, in every place taking leading parts in the concerns of their fellowmen. Their dominant racial char- acteristics have found expression in various ])rominent forms of public recognition. Such a book will be a memorial that can be handed down to future generations of the family, grow- ing more valuable and more highly a])prcciated as time passes. Realizing the uncertaint}- of life; doubtful as to wdiether any other member of the family might feel inclined to lini.-h the work before he. also, is called to join the "great majority ;" remembering the inscri])tion " Tevipus edax reruni^''' on the face of the old clock brought b}- Robert and Alagdalen from Ireland and still ticking off in Maryland the seconds that go to make up centuries ; and aware that Time might also con- sume him within a short time, the writer has sought to finish his task as soon as possible, leaving to those who may come after him the correction of any mistakes discovered. He has laid the foundation and now commits to future generations of the family the work of extending the history on through the coming years. WILTJA^r HARRISOX POLK, Lexington. Kentucky. November 28. 1912. xwu P»ttns another estate belonging to Col. Tasker, lying in the parish ■^ of Liftord, near Strabane, on the river Foyle, consisted of ^ six hundred acres. These he divided between his two children, '^ Barbara Keys, wife of Capt. John Keys, and Magdalen. Mag- dalen hrst married Col. Porter, whu died not long afterward. Col. Porter died without issue by Magdalen and she next mar- ried Robert Bruce Polk (Pollok), a Captain in his regiment and an intimate friend, it is said. Magdalen was related to the Countess of ^fornington. and her sister Prudence, aunts to the Duke of AA'ellington. ^ -*• Capt. Robert Bruce Polk died (1703-4:) as shown by his Avill of date May 6, 109!), probated June •"), 1703-4, on record ^^ at Annapolis, Anne Arundel County, Aid. Before the American Revolution a double record was kept ^V- ' of all wills, one in the county of residence of decedents, and another in the office of the "Chief Commissary" (Clerk) of the Colony, at its capital. The will of Magdalen, dated 172G is of record in Somerset County, Maryland, Init not that of her husband, Capt. Robert Bruce Polk. Why the latter does not also appear on the records of Somerset County, is not cer- tainly known. To this absence (the document of record at Annapolis having only been discovered within a few years past) was no doul)t due the long pre\-alent opinion that Capt. Robt. Bruce Polk did not accompany his family to America. '■^^ but died in Ireland. Later and fuller investigation cleared up this doubtful point by the disco^'ery of his will on file at An- napolis, and of land grants to him from Pnrd Baltimore (the ' ,.> first, of which was "Polk's Folly,"') and other documents. POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M EN 7 It is indisputable now, in the light of these modern dis- coveries, that Capt. Robert Ijruce Polk came with his family to ^Maryland, near about KiT 2 ; that they landed from a ship at "Damn Quarter"" (now called Dame"s Quarter) and planted their new home in that locality, Ijetween Manokin and Xan- ticoke rivers, and near the junction of those streams with Chesapeake Bay. Here they occupied adjoining tracts of land for which they later acquired patents from Lord Baltimore. Just how many children Robert and Magdalen had when they came to America is not certainly known. Evidently a portion of them, the first five, were Ijorn in Ireland. According to latest records, their children were 'Joh"- '^^'illiam, 'Ephraim 'James, "Robert, "David, 'Jo'^eph. Alartha, and "Anne. That they had a son David was not known until Capt. Robert's will was found a few years ago on file at Annapolis, wherein he is mentioned. Judging from various circumstances, Joseph was the youngest son. THE KEYS FAMILY. Barbara, the eldest daughter of Col. Tasker, married Capt. John Keys, who was also an ofBcer in Col. Porter's regiment and an intimate friend of Capt. Pollok. Some of Barbara's descendants still own a part of the ancestral estates formerly called •"Moneen Hall"" and •'Brudnifield Castle."' The old laiilding of the latter falling into decay, a new one called "Castle Keys"" was erected l)y Lieutenant Tasker Keys, about 1780. and hence the change of name to the latter designation. Old Broomfield was among the most interesting seats in Ireland, according to a statement to the writer by a gentleman who was born and reared near it. Capt. John Keys and wife went with the British army to India, where he accumulated a large fortune. On their return to Ireland they again occu pied their ancestral estates, and later Barbara purchased from Joseph Polk, of ^laryland. ^Iagdalen"s youngest son, and devisee, the estate of 'Aloneen "" near Strabane. Magdalen Tasker. it is ^aid. was of French descent, and inherited from her father the estate of '•:\Ioneen ?Iall." incor- rectly written 'Alorning Hall'" in ^ome of the old papers oi 8 POLK FAMILY AND KINS 4/ E N record in [Maryland, the difference in name evidently caused by careless entries on the part of court clerks and scribes exe- cuting official papers. This estate is described in ^Magdalen's will as "lying in the Kingdom of Ireland, in the Barony of Raphoe, the County of Donegal and the Parish of Lift'ord." During the years l admits of no doubt. According" tn josiah F. Polk, "there is documentary proof that some of the Polks were in Maryland as early as 1672." Robert Bruce Polk did not, however, according- to the records of the Maryland Land Ofifice, receive a grant of land until Marcli. IGST. Why he did not, and by what sort of title he held his place of abode fi;)r fifteen years before he was accorded a grant, does n(jt appear. One tradition handed down in the family is that they "came shortly after the siege of Londonderry." This cannot be correct, for that event did not take place until 1{)89, two years after Robert was granted "Polk's Folly" and "Polk's Lott," as appears by the Land (3ffice list of grants. Charles 2d died on February G, 1GS,"3 and was succeeded by James 2d. The latter proved to be a most arbitrary and unpopular monarch, both at home and in the l>ritish col- onies. By his direction unjust taxes were imposed on his sul)jects, and to escape his persecutions large numbers of them emigrated to America. Seeking to reduce the colonies to direct dependence on the Crown, James cancelled the Charter of ^^lassachusetts and ignored that of Maryland granted to Lord Baltimore. During the first year of his reign a great number of Scotch, Irish and English emigrated lo the American colonies. Over a thousand prisoners taken in Monmouth's Rebellion were sent to Virginia to be indentured as servants for years, but the latter design was not carried cut and in this way Virginia received many useful citizens. The reign of James, however, was a brief one; in Deceml)er, 1688, he was cojmpelled to abdicate. During the reign of Charles 2d, the predecessor of James, the American colonies received their greatest accessions of population. Thousands who had become weary of Charles' POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 19 oppressions turned their faces to the Xew World, hoping- that by going Ijeyond the Atlantic they could find some re- spite from the exactions of kingly power. This desire for emi- gration was rendered still stronger bv the excessively arbi- trar\- course of James during liis short reign. Hence it was that, from KidO to 1G, 1727, and witnessed by David Polk, W'm. Pollett and Magdalen Pollett. I)Oth wills, therefore, were made and probated in the same years — 1720 and 1727. According to the records, Robert and Magdalen Polk had two daug'hters, Martha and Anne. Anne married Thos. Pol- lett and had issue A\"illiam, Magdalen, John, Mary, and others. Some of these persons appear as witnesses to both wills, and this establishes the fact that ^Magdalen Polk and James Polk were nearly related, but how near? Was he a brother, or a son, of Robert Bruce Polk? If the latter, he must have been an elder son, coming first to Barbadoes, remaining there for a short period, and thence to ^Maryland to join the other mem- bers of his familv. A clause in the will of James Polk of ScJmerset has suggested to some a doubt that he was a son POLK FA M I LY A .V D K I N S M E N 21 of Robert and ]\Iagdalen, but the weight of evidence is to the ettect that he was. Robert Bruce Polk may have been born earlier than the Keys family estimated it. James' will, ex- ecuted and probated in the same years that I\lagdalen's will was (1726-1727) has as witnesses to it several persons who testified to hers. He also mentioned in it his "Cousin Charles" (Polk), the son and heir-at-law of Ephraim 1st. and his "Cousin Edward Roberts." htisband of Xancy. daughter of John and Joanna Polk. The exact time of Robert and ]\Iagdalen Polks arrival in America is of minor importance, in view of the fact that it has been so nearly approximated by creditable evidence. It is of record that John was in [Maryland in 1680; that James was at St. [Michaels. I5arbadoes, in the same year: and it is l)ut reasonal:)le to assume that Robert and Magdalen were also here at the same time, and had arrived several years before, or about the period when Scotland and Ireland, under Charles 2d. were torn with dissensions by the tyrannical conduct of Lauderdale and the Duke of Yt-rk. Though prelacy had been abolished and the Presbyterian form of worship established soon after the Reformation, yet an exact compliance with the Episcopal forms was now enforced with such vigorous and severe penalties that the people rose in arms and put to death one of the principal bishops. English soldiers were dispersed over the country, and power was given to all commissioned officers to compel every one they met to take a prescribed oath; and instantly to shoot any person that refused. It was just about this period of religious tyranny and oppression that Robert and [Magdalen Polk came to Maryland to find an asylum from trouble and oppression in their native land. 22 P P L K F A M I L Y A N D K I N S M E N CHAPTER XL "The Anglicanism which in England had a meaning," says Froude, "In Ireland was never more than an exotic ; and until the new comers in the Xorth of Ireland had introduced another spirit, the church of Ireland had existed only to give point to the sarcasm of the Catholics." Even Irish Episcopacy had taken a certain Puritan and Evangelical tinge from its Presbyterian neighbor, which created a strong antipathy to everything that savored of sacerdotalism. After the death of Cromwell and the accession (jf Cliarles II in 1()()0, there began a long period of difficulty and danger. Vindictive measures were at once instituted by Charles against all those wdio had been leading actors in the drama that brought the head of his father. Charles I, to the block Many of the "Regicides," as were termed tho^^e who had been active in bringing about the death of Charles I, in lk uncle to ye vSd Orphans Wm Sz Anne Polke shall doe his best endevor to preserve what parts is delivered to him of their portions left by their deceased father till of agge & then to return ye same with their increase if any eK; doe take care to learn ye sd William Polke a Trade &: to read lK: writte and doe allow ye sd A\'m & Anne Polke all necessarvs convenient till thev shall be of ag-o-e then this recognizance to be null and void otherwise to be and remain in full powxr force and verture in ye Law taken ir oppen cort. Continuing. Col. Wm. T. G. Polk says: "John died be- tween Oct. 8, 1707 and March 1708. for on the former day he executed a deed to Alexander Hall, and "Joanna his now wife." joined with him; on the latter date his iM'other A\'illiam was ■ applying to be appointed guardian to his children. William. John's son. died comparatively young, for he was a minor needing a guardian in 1708 ; and eighteen years afterward "Priscilla Polke. executrix of William Polke." was prosecuting a suit to recover a debt, viz : in 1730. and so he must have died before he was 38. probably before he was 35. His will is not recorded here in this County; why it is hard to say." ERROR OF 1849 POLK TREE. Careful examination of the Somerset County records by Earle B. Polk, present Assistant Deputy Clerk, and others, confirms the statement that John Polk died about 1707-8. leaving a -widow Joanna Polk, and that his children, William and Xancy were placed by Court under guardianship of his (John's) brother, William Polk. Sr., without protest from Joanna. That his son William grew to manhood, married Priscilla Roberts, and died in 1726 ; and that the latter's widow, 34 P O LK F A M I L Y A N D KINS M E N Priscilla, next married Robert Clarkson, by whom she had issue. Hence, John Polk and Joanna, and William and Priscilla, as shown on the Polk "Tree" compiled by Col. Wm. H Winder, Josia'h F. Polk and others in 1S49, were not the pro- genitors of the Southern or North Carolina l^ranch of the fam- ily. The error made was doubtless due to insufficient exami- nation of the Court records of Somerset and other counties. The \\'illiam Polk who was ancestor of the North Caro- lina branch, and who went there from Carlisle, Pa., about 1750, and "died west of the Yadkin," as stated by old Mrs. Smart in a letter to Bishop Polk, was the son of another son of Robert and Alagdalen. The weight of evidence indicates that the William Polk who married Margaret Taylor, was a son of Wm. Polk, Sr., second son of the immigrants, Capt. Robert Bruce and Mag- dalen Polk. It is said that Wm. Polk Sr., was twice married. first to Nancy (Knox) Owens, and second to a widow Grey, who had a son Allen Grey. Both wives died before W^m. Sr., executed his will in Jan. 1T39-40, as in that he mentions the "decease of my wife," and makes a bequest to Allen Grey, a member of his family, who was, inferentially, 'his stepson. The much discussed question of how many children John Polk had, wdio was their mother, and when they were born, has been conclusively settled by Mr. Earle B. Polk, of Princess Anne, Md., who made an examination of the records of old ]\Ionie Church, in Dame's Quarter, Somerset County, the neighborhood of John's residence. From this church record Mr. Polk copied and transmitted to the author the following: (From the Records of Old Monie Church.) \\'illiam Polk, son of John Polk, born of Jane, 11 July, 1695. Ann Polk, daughter of John Polk, born of Jane, 27 Jan- uary, 1698. John Polk, son of John Polk, born of Jane, 32 Oct., 1700 and died 29 Oct. inst. Jane Polk, the wife of John Polk, died 28 Oct., 1700. This record shows that John Polk and his wife Jane, had POLK FA .1/ I LV AND KINS M EN 35 three children ])orn to them, \\'illiam, Ann and John, the latter dying a week after l)irth, and his mother the day before he died. This old church record puts to rout a flood of asser- tions and deductions that have attached to this question since 1849, during earnest efforts by various members of the family to arrive at the truth as to John, his wife, and his children. 36 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N CHAPTER IX. JAMES POLK, SON OF ROBT. BRUCE POLK. James Polk, fourth son of Capt. Rol^ert Bruce Polk (or Pollock) and hi.s wife Mag'dalen Tasker (Porter) Polk, was born about Ki^^i, near about the time his parents came to America, and he died ui 1727, as his will (jf that year indicates. He grew to manhood on the farm in Somerset County, Md., and in due course of time, about 17\Iarsh I give and bequeath unto my Cousin Edward Roberts, and to his heirs forever on the provision my Cousin Edward do deliver up the Bond that I past to him. Item — I gi^'e unto my sons Henry & John &: James all that Land I purchased of Thomas Layfold likewise all that Land I purchest of Richard Taton, both Tracts of Land lying on the head of Mintocrakinanock called John's Xeck. to them mv sons and their heirs forever, to l)e equally divided among them, and Likewise I give and bequeath my sons Henry, John & James all that parcel and Track of Land lying on or near the black walnut Landing at ye mouth of ye Xorwest fork to them and their heirs forever, to be equally divided among them. Item — I give and bequeath unto my daughters Mary & Sary & Margaret & Elizabeth &: Magdalen & Jane & Anna ten pounds to each of them. Likewise I give and bequeath unto the Child my wife is now with ten pounds if please God it lives. And Likewise I will that my well beloved wife may have full Privilege of my dwelling plantation and Marshes during the time of her widowhood. And likewise I leave my sons David. Henry &: John to be my Executors in full and do hereby utterly disannul all other wills or Testaments and Le • gaceys by me in anywise l^efore this time named, ratifying and allowing and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament, in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day & year first above written. Signed sealed and delivered James Polk (Seal) in the presents of us. William Polk. John Pollet. Mary Pollet. :\Iay ye 11th IT-.n. Then came John Pollett & Mary I'ollett. subscribing evidences to ye within Will, who made oath upon ye Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that they see ye within named James Polk the Testator sign and seal ye within instru- ment as his last will & Testament and that they heard him publish and declare ye same to be c^ that at ye time of his so 40 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN doing he was of sound disposing" mind & memory, to ye best of their knowledge. Sworn before me ye day & year above written. John Tnnstall, Depty Com'y of Somst County, per Geo. Plater Reg'r. Examined : Tes. Esme Bayly, Reg. W. S. Co. The W'm. P'olk who witnessed the foregoing will was most likely James' l^rother, who was the second son of Rol^ert and Magdalen. The other witnesses — John and Mary Pollett, were no doubt James' nephew and niece, children of his sister Martha Polk, who married Thomas Pollitt. A number of people by the latter name still live in Somerset County, but sre untraced. It is said that Thomas Pollitt lived to l)e quite an old man and that he was well acquainted with the family history of the Polks. Like the Polks, the Pollitts emigrated to other Colonies and States, both before and after the Revo- lution, and quite a numl^er of that name are to be found in the ^fiddle AA'est, to which s*) many ^Maryland and Delaware people came in the early days of its settlement. It will be noticed that James in his will does not give his wife's name, an omission observable in nearly all the old wills of that time. Josiah F. Polk, born and reared in Somerset, and the most active collector of data for the Polk Tree, in 1848-9, stated that James and Ephraim Polk married sisters named Williams, and later investigations show that James' wife was Mary \A'illiams. and that Ephraim's was Elizabeth AA'illiams. At that day it was a very frequent occurrence for several brothers of a family to marry sisters of another family. Woven in with the numerous facts collected during the compiliation of the Polk family Tree of 18-1:9, were also many eirors, and a large part of the work performed by this writer has been to discover and eliminate these errors that crept into the family record. Of the history of James Polk's children, little has been obtained. David appears to have l^een the oldest, born about 1700 and died 1773. His will is dated Feb. 21, 1773 and was probated March 11, the following month. The fact that he received from his father the home plantation, would indicate that he was the eldest son. In his will David does not men- tion any wife and presumably she was then dead. POLK F A M I L Y A X D K I X S M 77 .V 41 CHAPTER X. DAVID POLK'S WILL. The will of David Polk, eldest son of James Polk, of re- cord in Durchester County. ]\Id.. is as follows: IX THE NAME OF GOD A^IEX E David Pollock of Dorchester Countv and Province of Marvland. beino- sick and weak of body but of sound and perfect mind and memory, blessed be God for the same, do pul)lish this my last will and Testament in manner and form fi)llowing'. that is to say. Imprimis. I give and devise to my grandson David Pol- lock the dwelling plantatiiin where I now live and all lands laying and being on the East side of the Great Road from Cratchett's Ferry to the head of said county, and all the lands joining of said dwelling plantation; also twenty acres of land lying on the A\'estmost side of said road and parilile wdth said road, being part of a tract of land called "David's Hope," to him the said David Pollock during his natural life, and after his decease to his lawful heirs and so on from heir to heir while there may be an heir found lawfully born. Item. I give and bequeath to my said grandson David Pollock one negro hoy called !\Iingo to him and his heirs for- ever. Farther it is my will and desire that my grandson David Pollock shall have my great or large looking glass also one mahogany desk, also two mahogane tables, to him and his heir forever. Item. I give and devise to my grandson William Pollock all the remainder of my lands that lays on the A\'est side of the above mentioned road, and the rest of the lands joining the quarter plantation, during his natural life, and after his de- cease to his lawful heirs, and so on from heir to heir while there may be one found lawfully born. Item. I give and bequeath my daughter-in-law, Priscila Pollock, all the lands and plantation where she now dwells on 42 P O LK F AM I L Y AND KINSMEN during- her natural life, and after her decease to my grand- dausiiter Esther Pollock and her heirs forever. Item. My will and desire is that if my two grandsons David Pollock and William Pollock should l)oth die having no lawful heirs, then it is my will and desire the lands de- vised to my grandson David Pollock shall be the right and property of my granddaughter Esther Pollock, and her heirs forever. Item. ^ly will and desire is that the lands devised to the above mentioned William Pollock, him having no lawful heir as above mentioned, shall be the right and property of my four daughters, viz: Elizabeth Rol)erts. and ^lary Duett, Love Collins and Emelia Laws, to them and their heirs for- ever. Item. I orive and devise unto Elizabeth Roberts one tract of land laying and being in Somerset County called and known by the name of Green Pasture, to her and her heirs forever. Item. I give and devise unto Mary Duett one tract or parcel of land laying- and being in Worcester County called and known by the name of '"Crowney's Folly," to her and her heirs forever. Item. Aly will and desire is all the negroes by me given to each of my several daughters before or after their marriage shall descend to their heirs forever. And lastly as to all the rest, residue and remainder of my personal estate, goods and chettels of wdiat kind or nature soever, I give and bequeath to my l)eloved children, to be equally divided amongst them. And farther it is my will and desire that my daughter-in-law Priscila Polk shall have the tuition of mv two grandchildren, viz: William Pollock and Esther Pollock, and said Priscila Pollock shall have the l)ene- fits fr(»m their and each of their estates, l)oth real and person- al, until of age to receive their and each of their estates either real or personal. And further it is my will and desire that John Collins of Andrew Collins, and Alexander Laws shall and is hereby appointed sole Executors of this my last \\\\\ and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills by me heretofore made, and POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E N 43 in Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this 21st day of February ITTo. David Pollock (Seal). Signed sealed published and declared by the above named David Pollock to be his last Will and Testament in presence of us who have hereunto suljscril^ed our names as witnesses, in the presence of the testator. Robert Mitchell. Le\'in Fallon, Lucilla Polk. At the foot of the foregoing Will was thus written, viz: Dorchester County, Set: On the 11th day of Alarch, Anno Domini ITTo John Collins and Alexander Laws of Worcester County made oath on the Holy Evangels of Almightv God that the aforegoing Instrument of Writing is the true and only Will and Testament of David Pollock late of Dorchester Cciunty. deceased, that hath come to their hands or possession, and that they do not know nor ever heard of any other A\'ill made since l)y the said Testator. Certified per Jno. Goldsborough, Dy Com'sy Dor. Co. Dorchester County Set: ( )n the 11th day of Alarch Anno Domini 1TT3, Robert [Mitchell and Levin Fallen, two of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing Will, duly and sol- emnly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God, depose and said that they saw the Testator David Pollock sign the aforegoing Will and heard him jniblish and declare the same to be his last AWll and Testament. That at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their apprehension of sound and disposing mind and memory, and that they, together with Lucilla Polk the other subscril^ing witness to the aforegoing Will. sul:)scribed their respective names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the Testator and at his request. Certified per Jno. Goldsborough, Dy Com'sy Dorch. County. The foresroing will shows that David Pollock (Polk) was a man of enterprise and had accumulated quite a large prop- erty in lands and slaves before his death. lie mentions four daughters— Elizabeth Roberts, [Mary Duett, Love Collins and 44 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Emelia Laws, but no sons. Had there been a son, there is little doubt that he would have received the bulk of the prop- erty left to the two grandsons, David and William. The name of the son who was the husband of Priscilla Pollock (David's "daughter-in-law"; is not knowai. Prohably he was then dead and she a widow. The tract of land called "David's Hope," lying in Dorchester County, was granted to David Pollock Nov. 11, 1742. His daughter Elizaljeth had evidently married a cousin, one of the sons of Ann Polk and Francis Roberts, and he was also dead, it appears, and Elizabeth a widow. As to his daughters Mary Duett, Love Collins and Emelia Laws, it will be noted that John Collins and Alexander Laws appear as witnesses to the will. Xo doubt they were the husbands of Love and Amelia. As to who Lucilla Polk, one of the witnesses to will was, the instrument alTords no clue. Possibly an aunt or near kinsman. Had she been a dau2:hter of David, she would no doubt have been one of his devisees and named in the will as such. The request that his daughter-in-law Priscilla Polk should have the tuition of his two grandchildren, AMlliam Pollock and Esther Pollock, indicates that she was most likely their mother. POLK FAMILY A .V D K I X S M E N 45 CHAPTEE XI. JAMES POLK'S OTHER CHILDREN. The other chidren named by James Polk in his will, and the time of their births as approximated from insufficient data, were : 2. Henry Pollock, born about 1703; died ? 3. John Pollock, born about ITOo; died ? 4. James Pollock, born about ITUT ; died ? 5. Mary Pollock, born about 1709; died ? 6. Sarah Pollock, born about 1711; died ? 7. }klargaret Pollock, born about 1713; died ? S. Elizabeth Pollock, born about 1715; died ? 9. Magdalen Pollock. Ijorn about 1717; died ? 10. Jane Pollock, born al^out 1721 ; died ? 11. Anna Pollock, born about 17'34:; died ? 12. . born about 1727-8; died ? \Miat became of the foregoing" ele\en children, whrmi they married and who were and are their descendants, the writer is not informed ; nor does the large mass of data in his pos- session from hundreds of the Polk family throw the least light upon their pathways through life. To some other Polk family historian this task is committed, with the hope that all of them can be induced to answer roll call. There were a number of Pollocks at and adjacent to Car- lisle, Pa, between 1730 and the Revolutionary War. Some changed their names to Polk, while others adhered to the older form — Pollock. Of persons named Pollock, at Carlisle just before the Revolution, there was one James Pollock, possibly the James Pollock rXo. 4) of the above list. This Carlisle James ap- pears to have been born somewhere between 1700 and 1710, and hence the date of birth of the above James (1707) would about fit him. This Carlisle James left a will dated May 25. 46 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N 1773, in which he mentions six children: ^John; -Jean, who married Air. Hinchman ; ^Martha, who married Mr. Dobson ; ^James; ^William; ""Robert. The probable date of the Ijirth of James, son of James Pollock (or Polk) and of this Carlisle James, as stated, was about the same time, Init tliat is not positive proof that they were one and the same person. Some contend that the Carlisle James belonged to the Pennsylvania Pollock family, (whose ancestors came to America from Coleraine, Ireland, considerably later than Robert Bruce Polk) of whom Oliver Pollock the Revolution- ary patriot, and the late Governor Pollock, were distinguished members. There is also c;»n tile at Carlisle the will of one John Polk, of date Oct. 27, 1772. He appears to have been unmarried and devised his property to his "aged mother Margaret Polk," and brothers James, William and Robert, "now living on the Eastern Shoar of Virginia." This will was probated June 14. 1774, and it is quite probable that the testator was John the second named of the above James Pollock of the 1773 will. De- finite proof of this, however, is lacking, and the work oi un- ravelling this knot is left to others who may wish to attempt the task. Joseph Pollock, of Dorchester County, Md., in his will of Sept. 12, 1751, probated June 10, 1752, appoints his "friend John Pollock, son of James Pollock," to divide certain lands be- tween his s'ons Robert and Zephaniah Pollock. Of Henry Pollock, Mary Pollock, Sarah Pollock. Margaret Pollock, Elizabeth Pollock, Magdalen Pollock, Jane Pollock. Anna Pollock, and the one mentioned by James Pollock in his will as yet unborn, the records are silent and concerning them deponent saith not. Concerning this James Polk, wliose identity as a son of Robert and Alagdalen Polk has in a measure h&en questioned by some, attention is called to two points in his will. One of these is where he speaks of "my cousin Charles;" the other where he mentions "my cousin Edward Roberts." The latter unquestionably was the son of Francis and Ann (Polk^ Roberts, who married his cousin Ann or Nancy, daughter of John Polk l:)y his first wife Jane . POLK FAMILY A N D K I .V 5 M E N 4;j But who was his "Cousin Charles?" Was he the first son of Ephraim Polk? Or, was he the Chas. Polk who appears to have been a son of William Polk by a first wife? This Charles (of William) was born somewhere about lTi)0 to 1707. it appears, and going to the upper Potomac frontier, became an Indian trader and died in 1753. In Hotten's '"List of Emigrants to America." on page 44:0, we find the following: "'A list of the Inhabitants in and about the town of St. Michaels. Barbadoes. Anno Domini 1680, with their children, hired servants, prentices, bought servants and negroes." In this census, comprising a long list, appears: ■'James Poke and wife, 6 children, 2 hired servants, and apprentices. 1 bought ser\ant and 4 slaves." This James Poke seems to have been a man of some con- sequence, for he had two hired servants and apprentices, one bought servant, and four slaves, or negroes. Evidently he carried on some constructive work, as he had "apprentices." It is likely also that he later came on to America, but it is not certain that he was the James Pollock who died in Somerset County, ]\Id., in 1727. reputed son of Robert and ]\Iagdalen. This Somerset lames was married about 17oo, and apparently was only about seven years of age at the time Barbadoes James had a wife and six children. This completes, as far as known, the line of James Polk {or Pollock), fourth son of Robert and :\Iagdalen Polk. EMIGRATION TO THE WEST. The chief trend of westward emigration 1730 to 1750 was to the vicinity of Carlisle, and thence across the southern line of Pennsylvania, and do\vn the Valley of Mrginia to the Yadkin River section of North Carolina. The rich and fertile lands of the ^\■est, lying beyond the Alleghanys, and on the Ohio and its tributaries, were not then accessible because of the hostility of the Indian tribes, who presented a barrier to the . encroachments of the whites in that direction. The French, however, from their posts in Canada, had long before estab- lished an extensive trade in the Ohio Valley with the various Indian tribes and it was their policy to stop at the gaps of 48 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN the Alleghanys, any encroachments into their domain by An- glo-Saxon traders and prospectors. This bar to the progress westward of American settlers was maintained until lT7o Ijy the assistance of the Indians, when the alert Scotch-Irish riflemen on the frontier crossed the barrier and spread out into the fertile plains of Tennessee. Kentucky and Ohio, the tiring line of a mighty host that fol- lowed close after them. This intrusion of the whites into their favorite hunting grounds was fiercely resisted by the Indians, under French prompting, and the infamous murder of the family of Logan at Yellow Creek, below Pittsburg, in ]\Iarch ITT-i, by Daniel Greathouse and a company of other "white savages," precipitated a general Indian war, which culminated in a fierce Ijattle, October 10th of the same year, at Point Pleasant, the Indians being defeated after a severe struggle with the frontiersmen under Col. Andrew Lewis, Had William Polk, son of William Sr., and his family re- mained at Carlisle until 177 1, there is but little di)ul)t he would have emigrated to and settled at some point in the Ohio Valley. Some of the family in after years did this ; among them his nephew, Capt. Charles Polk, who came to Louisville in 1780 and William Pogue fPolk) who emigrated to Southwest Vir- ginia and soon after to Kentucky, and was killed at Harrods- burg, by Indians in 1776. But the westward progress of William Polk and family, it is said, was halted at Carlisle from 17<;;} until 17.j(); then, following the lead (»f the Boone's and other pioneers, they moved forward and down the trough of the Alleghanys to the Yadkin, joining the Scotch-Irish pioneers of the Carolinas who had l)efore spread westward from the Atlantic Coast. By and through this contact and union with other colonists of like religious faith and political aspirations, was strengthen- ed and moulded into definite form and direction those princi- ples of freedom which found expression in the ^lecklenburg Resolutions of May 20, 1775, the first Declaration of Independ- ence ever enunciated in America, preceding the Philadelphia Declaration l)y more than a year, Mr. Jefiferson and carping critics to the contrary, notwithstanding. In tliis great event at Mecklenlnirg. the sons of W^illiam POLK FA M I L Y A X D KI N S M E N 49 Polk and his wife, Margaret Taylor, took a leading part, a fact of which their descendants and relatives are justly proud. Here they and their kinsmen, the Alexanders and the Brevards, planted the foundation of a supersitructure that afterward be- came the Temple of Liberty on the Western Continent, after the sore travail of the Revolution had tested their principles by the arbitrament of a long and bloody war. William, however, did not live to witness or take part in those transactions which eventuated in war, and in which his sons bore such conspicuous and distinguished part. He died west of the Yadkin about 1753-i. His wife, Margaret (Taylor) Polk, whom he married at Carlisle, and who accom- panied him to North Carolina, survived him and lived to a great age. THE SOMERSET RECORDS. Among those longest and most deeply interested in the preservation of the family history, was the late Col. Wm. T. G. Polk, of Princess Anne, ^laryland. Col. Polk was born and lived all his life in Somerset County, near the spot where Captain Robert Bruce Polk and family settled. He owned, at his death, "Polk's Folly, "' the original grant in 1687 by Lord Baltimore to Capt. Robert Bruce Polk, lying in Dame's Quarter, between IManokin and Xanticoke rivers, and this tract has descended to Ephraim Polk, the present owner, son of Col. Polk. Col. Polk, as stated, took great interest in the family his- torv, and a regular correspondence on the subject, between him and the author, begun in 1874, was carried on up to the time of his death, . This correspondence, on his part, was of such an interesting character that it is here given with but slight omissions as to the letters copied. Born and reared on the old "stamping ground," where Robert and Magdalen Polk first settled; familiar with the history and traditions of the locality ; for many years Clerk of the Court of Somerset County; with free access at all times to the re- cords, no one was better qualified to pursue the work of un- covering the past history of his family. Being also a man of the highest standing and of unblemished character, what he has stated may be relied on with the utmost confidence. 50 P O L K F A M I L y A N D K INS M E N CHAPTER XII. LETTERS OF COL. WM. T. G. POLK. Under date of Octol)er 3d, 1871, Col. Pi ilk says: "Some thirteen or fourteen years since I commenced collecting the very matter which you desire and had obtained a good deal. Some of it would. I think, have answered the very questions which you have put to me ; especially about tlie Delaware branch of the family. This w^as intended for IJishop Polk, afterw^ards a General in the Confederate Army, who was trying to preserve, as you are now^ doing, whatever w^as interesting in the family of Polks in the I'nited States. "But the war Ijroke out and it was never sent, and last year I had the misfortune to have my dwelling destroyed by fire and everything personal to myself and wife, except the clothes on our backs, together with those papers, was de- stroyed. It will be difficult to reproduce them, as they were in the shape of letters from persons, some of whom are dead, and others whose names I have forgotten. If the Pjishop's papers have been preserved, I su])pose there is more informa- tion in them than can be found in any one place. There was Josiah F. Polk, who, wath his three sisters, removed many years ago frcmi this county to \\'ashington, D. C. He had a great deal of information, and I had several letters from him, some of them thirty years ago. but he and his sisters never married and all are now dead. "In your letter you state that Robert and ^Magdalen land- ed at "Dame's Corner." It is Dame's Quarter, formerly called "Damn Quarter," and so written in all the old records. This is a low, flat strip of land but little above tidewater, about four or five miles in length, lying on the south side of a stream now called Wicomico, emptying into the Chesapeake Bay. And just east of it is another tract one or two miles long, called "Pidgeon Plouse." Just west of Dame's Quarter, and toward the Bay, separated from it by a small stream called POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 51 the Thoroughfare, is an island two miles long and a half or three-fourths of a mile wide, formerly called Big Devil's Island, now^ softened down to "Deal's Island." Just west of this is a smaller island, containing a few acres, which was called "Little Devil's Island." "These names recall a story that is told of one of our im- migrant vessels. There being no large towns then, the ves- sels came into our streams and landed their passengers just where they expected to live. I tell the story as I have heard it told, without vouching for its truth. The ship came up the Chesapeake Bay, and on its way took on board as a pilot, a person wdio knew the way to this neighjjorhood of Dame's Quarter. It was a hot day in June or July, and as the vessel left the Bay to turn into this stream the mate took his position about nightfall near the pilot, who was directing them how to steer. "Pointing to the little island, the mate asked what place it was. The pilot answered: "Little Devil's Island." After passing it, the mate inquired what place the larger island was. the pilot responding: "Big Devil's Island." After the ship had passed this also, the mate waved his hand toward the shore of the river and asked its name. "Damn Quarter," grimly re- sponded the pilot. Just ahead was a low marsh and from it vvere rising in the air myriads of fireflys, peculiar I suppose to such low places, and which must be seen for one to have an adequate idea of them, for they cannot be described. Suffice it to say that their vast numbers, on a hot night, especially after a rain, seem to completely illuminate the atmosphere. "The story goes that the mate, now thoroughly alarmed excitedly called to the man at the helm and implored him to put the ship about. 'For.' said he, 'we have just passed the Little Devil's Island, and the Big Devil's Island. We are now abreast of Damn Quarter, and h 11 must be the next ])lace, for I see the sparks and can almost hear the roar." "I never saw any one bold enough to assert that this inci- dent, handed down to us through tradition, happened on the vessel that brought our ancestors, Robert and Magdalen Polk, to this continent; but it has been told in such close proximity to their landing as to leave that impression. Whether true or 52 P O LK F A M I LV AND K I N S M E N false, the scene is laid at the very place, and al^out the very time of their arrival. The particular spot where they landed, tradition says, was at "Pidgeon House," and it retains its name to this day. "There is a tract of land near this place called "Polk":- Folly," taken up no doubt by one of the family. I asked a man. since your letter, if he knew anything" about it. It is a singu- lar coincidence that it included a place wdiich I and my son-in- law bought a few years ago without knowing anything of the patent name of the land. Ex-Governor Trusten Polk, of iNlissouri, misunderstood me when he wrote you that I said there is a farm in this county that has been in the possession of my family since 1660. That, I think, ante-dates the advent of our fathers ; but it has been cuntinutjusly in our family more than one hundred and sixty years, ha\-ing l)een purchased by one of the first settlers, and passed by devise from father to son, and there has been but one deed in the wdiole time for it. which is the last occupant, wdiose father died intestate. "I will also state in this connection that there are three articles of personal property, two of them, at least, in our possession, which were brought from Europe by our family. The first was a large quarto Bible, containing the Old and New Testaments, and an old version (Rouse's probably) of the Psalm's. The spelling was antique and the punctuation queer. * * * The date on the title page was 166!i. That on the Tes- taments was different. Evidently printed separately and ]:)0und up together. Seventy years ago the book was in a dilapidated condition as to the binding, and my father had it substantially rebound in calf. It was said that our ancestors hid it in a hollow tree, in the days of the Persecution, after the Re- storation, to pre\'ent it from being taken from them. It is said that while one read it. others of the family would stand guard to give warning of the approach of Papists. And truly, it seems that this might ha\'e been probable, as the brxtk was very much stained, as though it had l)een thoroughly saturated with water many times. It was destroyed in 1847, togethei with the dwelling of mv brother, and all the ancient records it contained. "The second article is a case C(^nta!ning fifteen square POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 53 bottles, each holding over two and a half gallons. Since my recollection, the bottles were all perfect, and when all full contained aljcut fort}- gallons. But General Temperance, causing King Alcohol to retire, these l^ottles have been used for vinegar and other liquids that would freeze. Hence all liave been cracked and most of them lost. I ha\'e Init two or three of them left, useless except as a connecting link between the present and the past. Aly nephew, Ephraim G. Polk, who owns the old homestead, lias the old case. "The third article is a large brass clock, which, in the case stands eight ur nine feet high, with great leaden weights of ten or twelve pounds each. In addition to keeping the hours of the day, it keeps the day of the month and the phases of the moon, and is a repeater. A string may be attached to a lever inside the clock and carried to the foot of your Ij-ed. At anv hour of the night, if the string is pulled, she will repeat the last stroke, unless it is within a half hour of the next strike. So you can know within a half hour the time, without rising friim vour bed. Seventy years ago it was given by my grand- father to my father, with the old homestead. A\'hen he took possession of them he found the old clock in a lumber room covered with dust. Supposing it to have finished its work, he proposed to a clock-maker to trade it in part payment for a new clock, if there was any value to it. It was sent, and when my father saw the clock-man. the latter told him that n^ man need want a better clock. He cleaned it up for a few dollars I left it thirty years ago on a farm which has been in my im- mediate family one hundred and nine years, with some ser- vants, and although it has not been cleaned in that time, when I have occasion to spend a few days on the farm, or when I send mechanics to repair or build houses, if she is wound up, she will run eight or nine days and keep excellent time. My father laid aside the old case and had a new one of mahogany made. This clock was made. I suppose by "AV. Nicholson, White Haven," which is inscribed on a plate screwed to the face, and there is an inscription, also on the face— '" 7>w/>//.? edax Rcnon. " and I find it true in reference to mir family, for Time has consumed almost everything relating to its early historv." 54 P O L K F A M I L V A N D K I N S M E N CHAPTER XIII. WINDER AND POLK CONNECTION. Respecting the connection between the Winder and Polk families. Col. Polk states in the same letter: "Airs. AX'inder was Gertrude Polk, a daughter of William Polk, son of David, son of William the immigrant, who was a son of Robert and Magdalen. He ( William) was Chief Judge of one of the judi- cial circuits of Maryland, and consequently a member of our Court of Appeals. He was esteemed in his state a man of fine intellect and a well read lawyer. He died in 1S14, aged al^out 63 years. Mrs. Winder's niuther was a AA'inder, and she married Gen'l. A\'m. H. Winder, her fir^^t ccuisin. She was a well edu- cated lady, of rare accomplishments, and I think she died with- in the current year, alxjut 88 years of age. She had a brother by her father's second marriage, Col. James Polk, Register of Wills for this County for twenty-five years, and suljsequent- ly Xaval Officer in connection with the customs at Baltimore, during the administration of President James K. Polk. He was a man of fine parts and rare conversational powers. He died in isGs. in Baltimore, is buried in this place, and was 75 years of age. He left many children. One of them, Esther, married Ex-Governor E. Louis Lowe, of Maryland, and is now living with her husband in Xew York City. Mrs. A\^inder also had a sister by the third marriage of her father, named Anne. Anne's mother, after the death of her father, married Dr. Savage and they removed from this county to Georgia and there she became the wife of Hon. Herschel V. Johnson, who, you know, was a candidate for Vice President on the ticket with Stephen A. Douglass, in isfio. Judge Polk had many children ; one called William, who was either in the Naval or Revenue service of the United States. Another son, Josiah, was Clerk of this County anrl died young, probably in POLK F A M I L y A N D K 1 K S M E lY 55 1814, about the time his father died. His widow, with her children, moved to the \\'estern Shore of this state. 1 am descended from William, his son James, his son William, his son Samuel, his son Wm. T. G., the writer uf this. aged nearly seventy. My son Wm. T. G. Jr. is a youth nearly twenty ; four other sons dead. "There is documentary e\-idence here to show that the six brothers, John, William, Ephraim, James. Robert and Joseph, were all here in this county. To John, a deed from Henry Smith, 15th ]\Iarch, l(i92. -To William, a deed from John Gold- smith. 12th July, 1697. To Robert a deed from Augustine Standford. l'2th August, 1697, for land in Pidgeon House, near '"Damn Quarter." To Ephraim, from William Kent, or Cent (spelled both ways) "M November, 1711). Joseph was witness to power of attorney and made affidavit to same, •^'ith Novem- ber. 17 1(). about a tract of land called Locust Hammock, in "Damn Quarter Xeck." To James a deed from James Snell and wife, for a mill. '^Jlth of April. 1721. And these are not all by manv ; as. for instance: To AMlliam from William and John Owens, 1st August, 1713. This is the land Ex-Governor Trusten Polk, of 3^1issouri, alluded to as being so long in our immediate famil}', etc. The most important of the documents I have mentioned. I think, is the deed from \\'m. Kent, or Cent and wife, to Ephraim. In deducing this title it is recited in this deed : 'Yt whereas, ye Right Honorable Charles of Xoble Memorie. late Lord and Proprietory of ye Province of Maryland and Avalon, Lord Laron of r.altimore, by his deed of grant under ye greater Seale used in ye said Province of ^Maryland, foi granting of Land, these bearing date ye first day of June Anno Domini one thousand six hundred and eighty-five, did for consideration therein mentioned grant unto John Poalke, late of Somerset County a parcel or tract of land called Locust Hammock, scituate, lying and being on ye east side of Chesapeake Bay, on the south side of Wicco-Comico (now Wicomico) in Damn Quarter Xeck.' This record establishes the fact that the family was here anterior to His.-). There is another recital in this deed, that John's will bears date 2nth December, 1702. by which he de 56 P O LK F A M I L y A N D K I N S M E N vised this Locust Hammock and other lands to this William Kent, or Cent, who lived in St. John's County, in the terri- tories of Pennsylvania. And in ITOS, William Polk prefers his humlde petition to the Court, asking to be appointed guardian to William and Anne, children of his brother John, alleging that his brother, on his death-bed requested him (William) and his wife to take care of his children and see that they were properly brought up, and to give them a christian education ; and also asking that the portion of these children, coming from their father's estate in mi)\eables, be delivered to him, which was done, etc., etc. "These two facts prove that John's death occurred lic- tween 1702 and 1708, probably 1707 or the early part of 1708. John's will is not recorded in this county. There is a tradi- tional account that he mo\-ed to Pennsylvania to reside; and if so, he may have died there and his will may be recorded there. The recital in this deed is the only evidence we have of its existence. This land was conveyed from Kent (or Cent) by William to Ephraim, by \-irtue of a power of attorney from Kent, and Joseph Polk was one of the witnesses to it and made affidavit to it before two Justices of the Peace, on the '^Oth of November, 1716, and this proves that Joseph was also here present, and is the only documentary evidence of his presence that I can find. To Joseph there is no deed for lands and it looks as if he was less thrifty and prosperous than the others, and that may have been the reason moving his mother to give him her land in Ireland, as you will find she did, by the copy of her will you have. It has been the generally received opinion that Robert Polk, husband of Magdalen, died in Ireland. I had adopted that opinion myself, but since your letter to me I have been looking over the old records to refresh my memory, and I have had that opinion much shaken. The belief th^t Capt. Robert Bruce Polk died in Ireland was doubtless induced by the fact that while his wife's will is of record in Somerset County, his own is not. After a long search, it was found of record at An- napolis, Anne Arundel County, executed May 6, 1699, and pro- bated June 5, 1702. It was filed in the office of the Chief Com- FOLK F A M 1 L V A N D K I N S M E N 57 missary of the Colony, at Annapolis, and settles the fact that he did not die in Ireland. On the inth ^larch, 11)9", Robert Polk. Senior, petitions Court, allei^ing" that he had purchased a tract on Monie near Damn Uuarter, had cleared a cornfield, and that the horse road passed right through his field, and asked permission to turn the road around his fence. Xow, this looks as if there were two Robert Polks doing business here, and that for the sake of distinguishing them, one of them was called '"Senior." \\'ho could these two Roberts be at this early date but the husband and son of Alagdalen? Magdalen must have been very aged when she died, for if we suppose John to have been twenty-five when Lord Bal- timore granted him Locust Hammock, it would fix his birth at 1660. And supposing him to have been the eldest of her children, and she to have been twenty at his birth ; it would carry her birth back to 1640. Xow. you know by her will that she died in the last of 1T26 or first of 1T'2T ; or within thirteen years of a century from her birth. The probabilities are that she was more than 87 years of age at her death. Continuing, Colonel Polk writes : "At this distance of time I cannot account for John's giving his lands to Kent (or Cent) who, from all that appears of record to the contrary, was a stranger to his blood, when he left tW(T children, William and Anne ; especially as it seems probable they were puor, as then- uncle William, only asks to have possession of the "move- ables." But there were other lands deeded to John, and he may have given them to his children. It is probable that he \vas married twice, and his wife, who was named Joannah, survived him, as appears from the records, and is called the •'widow Polk." She could not have been the mother of Wil- liam and Anne, or he would not have requested his brother \\'illiam and his wife to take care of them. What became of iMargaret and Anne, the two daughters of Robert and Mag- dalen Polk, does not certainly appear, particularly as to one of them. I think one of them married Thomas Pollitt. The Pol- litts claim relationship to the Polk family and there is a Mag- dalen Pollitt mentioned in the records. And about 60 years ago I remember there was a Tasker Pollitt in that family." 58 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN The highly interesting- character of the foregoing letter must be the author's excuse for copying it here so fully, and the same excuse must also apply to further copious quotations from the letters of Col. A\'m. T. G. Pulk. who was peculiarl}- qualified by age, residence, and contiguity to the landing place of the Polks in America, to give information concerning them. He did not, however, nor did any of those who investigated the family history, discover that Robert and ]\Iagdalen Polk had nine children, instead of eight, and that this other one was named David, who appears to have died unmarried, as he de- vised his property to his namesake, a son of his brother W'il- liam. In his will, of date 1G99, Robert Polk, Sr., mentions this son David. Alag'dalen Polk is said to have lived to l)e over ninety years old, dying at her home place "White Hall," in Somerset County, between April T, 1726, and March "211, 1727, the re- spective dates of the execution of her will and its probate or admission to record. * It win be noticed tliat the letter of .lolin Keys, of Ireland, dated October 17. 1S77, to W. H. Polk, gives the approximate birth of Capt. .lohn Keys (who married Barbara Tasker. the sister of Magdalen ( as "about 1650" and his wife was likely near the same age. Magdalen was also very near the ages of Capt. Keys and Barbara. POLK F A M I L y A X D K I X S M E X 59 chaptp:r XIV MAGDALEN POLK'S WILL. In the name of God Amen. I, Magdalen Pollock, being weak and sick of body, yet of perfect mind and memory, praise be to Almighty God, do make and ordain this my last will and Testament, in manner and form as followeth. First: — I give my soul into the hands of Almighty God, hoping through the merits of my Savoir Jesus Christ to re- ceive full pardon of all my sins. And my body I commit to the Earth from whence it was taken, to be buried in Christian burial, at the discretion of my Executor hereafter nominated. Item — I give and bequeath a tract of land called Moneen, lying in the Kingdom of Ireland, in the Barrony of Rafo and County of Donegal, and in the Parish of Liford, unto my son Joseph Pollock and to the heirs of his body forever, with all the rest of my moveable estate, and him to be whole Executor of this my last \\'ill and Testament, hereby Revoking all other Wills and Testaments by me made by word or writing. In Testimony whereof I set my hand and seal this Tth day of April, 1726. Magdalen Polk Seal. Signed, sealed and delivered in sight and presents of us. David Polk, William Pollet, Magdalen Pollet. March ye 2(ith. 1727. Then came David Polk, William Pollett & Magdalen Pollett, subscribing evidences to ye with- in Will, who made oath upon ye Holy Evangelist of Almighty God that they see ye within named Magdalen Polk, ye Testa- tor, sign and seal ye within Instrument as her last Will and Testament, and that they heard her publish and declare ye same as so to be, and that at ye time of her so doing she was of sound, disposing mind and memory. Sworn to before me the day and year above written. John Tunstall. Depty. Com'y of Somerset County. 60 P O LK F .-^ M I L y A N D K INS M E N The Exr. hath not ^ot letter of Administration on this Estate nor doth not design. Pr. Geo. Plater. Reg'r. Examined. Test. Esme. Bayley, K. W. S. C This official copy of Magdalen's will was procured by W. PI. Polk from the Clerk of Somerset Cotmty on January (i. 18^■•). It will be noticed that at the beginning of the tlocument she calls her name "Pollock." ])ut signs it Polk. She also calls her son Joseph "Pollock." This will is also recorded at An- napolis, in the office of the "Chief Commissary," or Colonial Recorder. It will further be noticed that Mag'dalen made Joseph, the youngest son. her sole devisee. As suggested by Col. W'm. T. G. Polk, the reasons moving her to do this may ha\-e been because Joseph, judging l)y the reconls, appears to have been less thrifty in the gathering of worldly possessions than his brothers, all of whom seem to ha\'e l)een men of good business qualities and to ha\'e accumulated tine landed es- tates, either by grant from Lord I'altimore or l)y ]mrchase. Just what disposition Joseph made of this Irish property l)e- queathed to him by his mother is not certainly known. Family tradition says that he went to Ireland, sold "Aloneen" to his aunt, Barbara Keys, and returned to Maryland and died in Somerset County. The assumption that Joseph was less enterprising than his brothers, is strengthened by the fact that all the other sons of Robert and Magdalen recei\'ed numerous grants of land from Lord Baltimore, as shown by the records of the Colonial Land Office, while but one appears in the name of Joseph Polk, and that of date November 1-3, 1T3S, consisting of ninety acres located "on the South side of Wicomico River," under the patent name of "Forlone Hope's Addition." This patent title is suggestive of a lack of enterprise by Joseph, who probably was blessed with a "restful" inclination. It will also be no- ticed that the date of the grant to him (T73S) was al:)0Ut ten years after the devise of "Moneen" to him under his mother's will, and this fact goes to prove the likelihood of the tradition that he went to Ireland, sold the land to his aunt, and returned to America. POLK FAMILY ASD KINSMEN g^ GRANTS FROM LORD BALTIMORE Following is a list of the principal and first land grants to Robert Bruce Polk and his sons, by the Lords IJaltimore, be- tween the years 1687 and lT4:"i : "Rol)ert Rolke, "Polke's Lott," o() acres, lying in Somerset County, on the North side of ]merset County, loth July, 1725. "Denigall," Kio acres E. side Main Branch Xanticoke River, in John's Xeck, \\m. Polk, loth July, 1725. "Romas," 100 acres, E. side Main Branch X'anticoke Ri\'er, in John's Xeck, William Polk, loth Sept., 1725. "Richmond," 200 acres, Southermost side Main Branch Xanticoke River, Somerset County, A\'m. Polk, 6th March, 1 ( -c o . "Charles Purchase," 100 acres, E. side do, do, do, Charles Polk, 14th March, 1728. "Green Pasture." 20o acres, W. side on Island Damn Quarter, Somerset County, James Polke, 27th Feb.. 172S. "Polk's Privilege," oo acres, X. E. side [Main branch Xan- ticoke River, Somerset County, Charles Polk, 2d Nov., 1730. "\\ hite Oak Swamp," 100 acres, X. side Xanticoke River, Somerset County, James Pollock, 2:3rd Xov., 1730. "Charles' Advantage," E. Side Main Branch Xanticoke River, Somerset County, Charles Polk, 2d Xov., 1730. "Plimouth," 290 acres, in Dorchester County, David Pol- lock. II th ( )ct., 1730. "Addition," 2oo acres, do, do, do 3d Dec, 1732. "Second I'urchase." 4oo acres, E. side of Branch of ]\Iain N. E. B.rancli Xanticoke River, Somerset Countv, Charles Polk. 21th July. 1733. "Come l)y Chance." 20 acres, 2 miles from head Wicomico Creek. SMiiiersct County. A\'m. Polk and Thomas Pollitt, 4th Decem])er, 1735. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M L N 63 "Forlorn Hope's Addition," 90 acres, S. side Wicomico River, Somerset County, Joseph Polk, 15th May, 1738. "Marg-aret's Fancy,"" 50 acres, E. side Chesapeake Bay, Dorchester County, Robert Polk, Uh July, 1T39. "Hog-g Yard, 134 acres, Dorchester County, Ephraim Pol- lock. 10th Dec, 1740. "Dublin's Advantage," 1S4 acres, do, do, do, John Pollock. 20th December. 1741. "John's Venture," 200 acres, do, do, do, John Pollock., 20 December, 1741. "David's Hope," 450 acres, do, do, do, David Pollock, nth November, 1742. This second list of grants, embodying 3,12S acres, when added to the tir.^t list, make 4. 152 acres granted to the Polks from I\Iar. 7, 1687, to Nov. 11. 1742, a period of tifty-live years There were many others beside, at later dates, to various Polks. as the records show. From the foregoing lists it appears that Ephraim secured the largest quantity of land. 908 acres being entered in that name. It is apparent, however, that the last grant "Hogg Yard," was to Ephraim 2d, as Ephraim 1st died in 1718. William Polk's entries amounted to 500 acres; Charles secured 600 acres. Charles Polk, the oldest son and heir at law of Ephraim 1st, was a man of great enterprise and accumulated a good sized fortune for that day. He sold his lands in Som- erset Countv, amounting to 600 acres, and moved to Dor- Chester County. He was the ancestor of a distinguished branch of the family in Delaware, among whom w-ere Govenor Trus- ten Polk, of Missouri, and Governor Charles Polk, of Delaware. His nephew, Ephraim Polk 3d. was a soldier of the Revolu- tion, in Col. AA'm. AMll's Philadelphia regiment, and after the close of the war emio-rated to Scott Countv, Kentucky (1793) where he died in 1814 after again enlisting to serve under Jackson at New Orleans. g4 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N CHAPTER XV. WILL OF ROBERT BRUCE POLK. The belief prevailed for many years in the Polk family, even in the very neigliborhood where the immigrants landed, that Capt. Robert r)ruce Polk had died in Ireland, and that only his family, Alagdalen and her children constituted the original immigrants. It is evident that this impression first arose about 1848, while Col. AV. H. Winder, of Baltimore, Josiah F. Polk, of ^\'ashing■ton, D. C, and others interested, were engaged in getting up a history and "tree" vi the family. Finding no record proof of the presence in Somerset County of Robert Bruce Polk, and ascertaining that his wife, Magdalen, was long a widow before her death, the conclusion was that he had died in Ireland before the emigration of his family. The will of IMagdalen, and of others of the family, was of record in Som- erset County, but that of Robert Bruce Polk did not appear. They doubtless were unaware, or did not rememl^er, that in the early existence of the Colony of Maryland, there was a "Chief Commissary," as he was called, and that this officer had in each county a "Deputy Commissary," by whom all wills were probated and put on record, a copy of same being th.en forwarded to the Chief Commissary for re-entry and filing, thus insuring greater security in case either ofiice should be burned. Robert Bruce Polk evidently did not die at Annapolis, where his will was disco\-ered a few years ago by a descendant of the Polks, Mr. R. C. Ballard Thruston of Louisville, Ky., The copy of his will that should have been of record at Princess Anne, Somerset County, was evidently lost or mislaid. That Robert was li\ing in Somerset County when he executed his uill on May (ilh, KiH!), is proven b}- the instrument, itself, for in tlie 4th section, in bequeathing his house and plantation to POLK F AM I L Y A N D KINS M E N 65 his wife Magdalen, he speaks of it as "my now dwelling place and plantation." The procurement by the author, in l.sTo, from the Alary- land Land ( )flice, of a list of twenty-seven grants of land from Lord r.altimore to the Polk family, two of which were to Robert liruce Polk himself, settled the fact that he did come to America with his family; and the subsequent discovery of his will at Annapulis further proves it beyond all question. Robert's Will. In the Name of God. Amen : This sixth day of May in the year of our Lord 1699, I Robert Polke of Somerset County in the Province of Mary- land being of good health and Perfect memory at this present thank be to Almighty God for the same yet knowing the un- certainty of this present life and being desirous to settle my affairs doe make this my last will and Testament in manner and form following-: First and principally I commend my soule to God who gave it to me. assuredly belie\'ing that I shall receive full and free pardon of all my sins and be saved by the pretious Death and Merritts of my Blessed Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ and my Body to the Earth from whence it was taken to be buried after a decent and Christian manner at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named and as touching such worldly estate as God in his mercy hath bestowed upon me. It is my w^ill that it be disposed of as hereafter is expressed. 3ndly I leave to my son Robert Polke a parcel of land called Lone Ridge being part of a tract of land called Forlone Hope, formerly belonging to Augustine Standforth l)ut now conveyed to me the said land called Lone Ridge beginning at a m'arked pine standing in a slash next to my said Son's House and from thence running north east the number of poles specified in the pattent soe leaving to my son Robert wdiat land belongs to the said pattent on the north east side of the said Slash to him the said Robert Polke and his heirs forever. 3rdly I leave to my said son David Polke the remainder of the above said tract of Land called Forlorne Hope as also one hundred acres of land called Polks Folly bounded as per 66 POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N Pattent will appear both said tracts of land to him the said David and his heirs forever. 4thly I leave to my Beloved Wife Mag'dalen Polke my now dwelling house and plantation tlurinL; her natural life as also a third uf what goods and moveables I am possed with or shall hereafter to the day of my death the said Goods and moveables to ])e at her dispossing at her decease. Another third of my Goods and moveables I leave to my daughter Martha be it little or much here and her heirs forever and as for the cjther third. It is my will it l)e equally divided between my sons David and Joseph, and if it should please God to Remove me before I purchase a seat of Land after my son Joseph, this my will : that my son David give unto my son Joseph four thous- and pounds of Tobacco in the leu of the above said tracts of Land left to my son David and as for what Cattle I have given to my son Joseph they being in his proper Mark it's my will that he enjoy and possess the same he and his heirs forever, for this boy Christopher must live with Magdalen Polke dur- ing her life time then. othly I leave to my son James an Orphan Boy called Christopher Little to him the said James and his heirs during the time of his Indre. I leave unto my son Ephraim the choice of what stear I have or may have at the day of my death. I leave to my sons John and W^illiam Polke to each of them tweh'e pence. I constitute and appoint my son David Polke and my wife Magdalen Poilke to be Executors of this my last will. Codicil — I constitute my sons Ephraim and James Polke to be Executors of this my last wili and testament disannulling and making voide all former Will or Wills by me made either by word or written. In W itness wliereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year above written this being altered the eighth day of August, 1703. Robert Polke Seal Richard Knight, Mary O. English, Richard WHiittley. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 67 And I desire that ^^lartha Poock may have liberty let her cattle run on the plantation until she gets plantation and as to Sarah Powers she must have a heifer at her freedom day." Signed. Sealed and delivered in the presence of us Ro-bert Polk Richard Whittley Richard Knight Mary O. English." On the back of said will was thus written : "\'izt : — !\Iem- orandum this 5th day of June the within will was proved to be the Act and Deed of the within named Pvobert Polke by the oaths of Richard W'hililey. Richard Knight and ^lary English before. Peter Dent, Depty Com'y. Test. R. McKendree Davis, Dept. Register Orphans Court Anne Arundel County State of ^Maryland Annapolis Will's T. B. 1701-3. folios 416-418. The quaint capitalization and spelling of some of the words of the instrument were characteristic of the times. ]^Iany vvell-to-do people could but indifferently write or spell, as op- portunities for acquiring an education were scarce. The spell- ing of some w^ords in Robert^- will remind us of the inscription cut on a tree by Daniel Boone, to the effect that he "Cilled a Bar on this Tree." It is deducible from the will of Robert: 1st. — The tract of land which he bequeathed to his sons. "Lone Ridge." was a part of "Forlorn Hope." (to which Joseph added 90 acres bv a later entrv on Nov. 15. 1738) which he had purchased from Augustine Standforth. probably the ori- ginal grantee. Of} _ — Xhat one of his two daughters was named Martha, not ^klargaret, as some have given it. 3d.— That he certainly had a son David, making his chil- dren nine in number— John. William. Ephraim, James. Robert, David. Joseph. Martha and Anne. The inference from several sources is that David was one of the younger sons. Joseph be- gj^ POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N ing- the youngest and the legatee of his mother in her will. It is inferable, also, that David may have died between the time his father's will was executed (May G, 1G99) and the time the codicil was added, (August 8, 1703), by which codicil the first named executors — Magdalen and David — were supplanted by the sons Ephraim and James. It also appears that David died a bachelor; for, in his will, he bequeaths his property to his nephew and probable namesake, David Polk, Jr., son of William, son of Robert and Magdalen. 4th. — That tobacco must have been extensively raised in Maryland, for it w^as used as a medium of exchange, under cer- tain conditions of the wijl David being required to pay to Joseph 4,n(jU lbs. of the weed. 5th. — That the orphan boy Christopher Little was inden- tured to Robert until he should attain to his majority. If Robert had any African slaves he did not mention the fact, which he would likely have done had he possessed any. 6th. — Ephraim, John and William received but slight be- quests. It is evident that they already possessed comfortable estates and did not need anything from the estates of theii parents. Hence the latter sought to equalize, as far as possi- ble, the conditions of their children by making David and Joseph their principal legatees. 7th.— That Robert Bruce Polk died between May 6th. 1699, and June 5th, 1704, most likely in May of the latter year, as it has long been the custom to offer wills for probate shortly after the death of decedent. From Alagdalen's will it is deducible : 1st. — That the person who drew up her will wrongfully wrote the name of her estate in Ireland, bequeathed to Joseph, as "]\Ioning," when it should have been Moneen, as shown by correspondence with members of the Keys family, who still own a part of it. 2d. — That of the witnesses to her will, David was her son, and William and Magdalen Pollitt her nephew and niece, children of Thomas Pollitt, who married her daughter Martha. OTHER POLK WILLS. Besides the wills of Robert and ]\Iagdalen Polk, which are POLK FAMILY A .Y D K I N S M E N QQ here given in full, there are a great many of record in Somerset. Anne Arundel, Dorchester and Worcester Counties, ]\Iary- land ; in Newcastle. Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware; and also in Pennsylvania, the Eastern Shore of Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, ^Mississippi, Texas, Missouri, Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Ten- nessee. In fact, there is hardly a state in the Union in which Polks are not found and Polk wills recorded. Among others in possession of the writer are : Will of Wm. Polk, Sussex County, Delaware, Xov. 20, 1T86. Will of W m. Polk, Somerset County, Maryland, Jan. 23, 1739. Will of Ephraim Polk 2d, Sussex County, Delaware, Jan. 5, 1789. Will of Charles Polk, Frederick County, Maryland, March 19, 17o3. Will of John Polk, Cumberland County, Pa., Oct. 27, 1772. \\'ill of Emanuel Polk, Sussex County. Delaware, Sept. G, 1793. Will of James Polk, Somerset County, Maryland. November 8, 1726. 70 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTP]R XVI. OBSERVATIONS OF R. C. B. THRUSTON. Respecting- some of the foregoing points discussed. Col R. C. Ballard-Thruston, of Louisville, Ky., a meml)er of the Polk clan, has arranged consecutively a number of official transactions, followed by his "Conclusions" respecting the same. They are : JOHX POLK SOX OF ROBERT BRUCE POLK. (Index to Authorities Quoted.) C'W. T. G. P"— Col. Wm. T. G. Polk, Princess Anne, .Aid.) ("W. H. P."— A\'m. H. Polk, Lexington, Ky.) ("E. B. P."— Earle B. Polk, Princess Anne, Md.) ("M. W. G."— Miss Mary Winder Garrett, Williamsburg Va.) ('A. H. M." — American Hist. Magazine.) INFORMATION. 1680, Sept. 8, Jo'hn Polke entered the ear marks of his cattle. (WTGP Oct. 3L ly'^^. WHP. Aug. 15, 1S'J9.) Kisr., Juuc 1, J-ohn Poalk patented "Locust Hammock" in Somerset Co., Md., on the east side of the Chesapeake Bay and south side of the Wiccoco- mico River in Dames Quarter Neck (WHP Aug. 15, 1899. See deed from Wm. Kent or Cent, to Ephraim Polk, dated 1716). i<''^»' The names of Robert Polk and John Polk ap- pear on a list of loyal subjects of Somerset County, who addressed a letter to King William and Oueen Alary. (Baltimore Sun 666 Sept. 4, 1904.) POLK FAMILY A N D K I h i, M E N 71 i«y2, Miir. 15, Deed from Capt. Henry Smith to John Polk of Somerset (WHP Aug. 15. 1899) for "Bellen- drett" 150 acres part of Smith's Recovery a TUO acre patent to said Smith dated April 22, 1684. (See copy of deed Polk to Hall.) i(;j>.-. Deo. «, John Polik was witness to the will of William Porter, of Somerset, dated December 6, 1(395 and proven June 10, 1696. (Aid. Calendar of Wills, H, 103). i«»8, Mnr. 27, jj-j ^^iU ^^f \\'ni. (Iwens of Somerset, dated ]\Iar. 2?, 1698. John Polk and Wm. Knox were nam- ed as overseers. (Md. Cal. of Wills H 181). w.)iK >in.v (!, j,^ ^vill of his father. Robert Cruce Polk. John was devised 12 pence. 1702, Deo. 20, John willed "Locust Hammock"' and other lands to William Kent, of St. John's County in the Territories of Pennsylvania. (See re- cital in deed from A\'m. Kent to Ephraim Polk. dated November 2, 1716. (WHP August 15, 1899; EBP April 3. 1909). 1707. Oct. s, 1^,1^]-, t'olke, of Somerset County, '"coopper," and Johanna his "now wife." made deed to Alex Hall of the same county, conveying Bel- lendrett. 150 acres, that was deeded by Capt. Henry Smith to him Alarch 15, 1692. and which was a part of Smith's Recovery, a TOO acre patent to said Smith dated April 22, 1684. (See copy of deed). John Polk seems to have signed this deed in person, but Johanna made her mark. 1707-s. Mar. 10, Deed from Matthew A\'allis. of "ye county of New Castle upon Delaware, yeoman." to John Polk of Somerset County, "cooper," conveys )00 acres in Somerset County "about 2 miles 01 rj2 PO LK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N back in ye woods 'from ye forks of Rockiacin- kin River, where ye "said River divides itself into branches and on head of Rockavvackin River (later spelled Rockawakin Kiver)." This 500 acres in two tracts; 1st, ;500 acres "■ ■ called "Friends Denyall," which recital in deed shows \vas patented to Thos. Cox, October 2G. 1G81; deeded by him and wife. Rel)ecca, to Phenix Hall. ( )ct()ber :;. 1<)84. Deeded by Hall and wife, Elizabeth to .Matthew Wallis. Octo- ber ;31, 1687. The other was a -.^oi) acre tract called "Kirkminster." which the recital shows was patented to Matthew Wallis, October i), ■ 1694. 1708, Juue 9, \\ illiam Polk petitioned the court askin^^ to be appointed guardian to \Vm. & Anne (Xancy), children of his l)rother John, alleging that "his brother, on his death bed requested him (^^'illiam). and his wife, to take care of his children and see that they were properly brought up and to give them a Christian edu- cation." Wm. also asked that "the portion of these children coming from their father's estate, moveables, be delivered to him," which was done. Col. AVm. T. G. Polk, October 31. 1874, gives this date as May 10, 1708, by error; (WHP August 15. ISDl). EBP February 26. 1909, see copy of petition and order of court). i-os, Aug. 11, 'X\\Q Somerset County records show that the "wddow Polk" iM-ought a servant into court to be judged of his age, etc. This was indexed Joannah Polk (WTGP 10, ?,\, 1874; EBP 4, 3, 1909.) The "widow Polk" is again mentioned under the same date in connection with a boy that was bound to "John Polk now deceased." (EBP April 3, 1909.) POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E N 73 iTos, ^se|.t. 2, Inventory of John Polk"s goods — a very long list — summing up £ 66-9-1. (EBP April 3. 19U9;. 1710, Dec. 0, Account of Thos. Hugg and Joannah his wife, "relict of John Polk" in reference to the estate of John Polk. (EBP Apr. 3, 1909). The records of Somerset Co. show that Joanna, widow of John Polk, married a man named Hugg. Also there is pretty -good circum- stantial evidence that John had a son, John, younger than his sun William. (Josiah F. Polk to \V. H. Winder, Feb. 15, 1S49 ; quoted by W. H. Polk Aug. 20, 1899). Josiah stated. 'Tn tracing more particularly the descendents of John, the eldest son of Robert and ]\Iagda- len, I learn that he did leave children by his second wife, Jugga Hugg. and from that union springs one of the Delaware family" (WH ^^'inder to Jas. K. Polk, Sept. 23, 1848, quoted by WHP. Aug. 20, 1899). If John also mar- ried |u"urtha Hugg. she was his first wife and mother of his children, AMlliam and Xancy. -See b 17K5, xov. 20, Deed from Wm. Kent, of the Territories of Pennsylvania, to Ephraim Polk, conveying "Locust Hammock." etc. This deed recites a patent to "John Poalke, late of Somerset," dated June 1, 1685 ; also that said John's will bears date Dec. 20, 1?02, in which he willed this tract to AA'm. Kent for the benefit of his two children Wm. and Ann. (WHP Aug. 15, 1899.) 1723 Sept. 2s, Dccd froui Thos Hugg and wife Joanna to John Caldwell recites conveyance "to John Polke the late husband of the said Joanna" and conveyed her dower rights in the following two tracts of land "Friends Deniall" and "•Kirkminster." Both Thomas Hugg and wife Joanna make their mark to the deed. 74 POLK FAMILY A N D KIN S M E N 1-23-4 Jan. 7, Deed froHi "'William I'dk of Dorsett and pro- vince of Maryland, blacksmith, and I'risela his wife" to John Caldwell, of Somerset Co. (conveys two tracts of land "Friends Denial"' 300 acres. ""Kirkminster" 300 acres. Recites the grants of the above two tracts to Thos. Cox and Matthew W'allis and their conveyance to John Polk, deceased. That they "descended to his son W'm. Pdlk as heir-at-law to the said John Polk," and that the grantor is the said Wm. Polk. P)Oth W'm. l\ilk and wife seem to have signed the deed in person. 1726-7, Will of Thos. Hugg. of Somerset, dated Pel) 17, 1726-7; proven May 11, 1729. in which he devised the home plantation to wife Johanna during her widowhood, and makes bequest to eldest daughter. Jane, and youngest daughter, Mary, and to his son AX'illiam l)y his former wife. Leaves his wife executrix and makes his mark to his signature. (EBP 3/13/1909.) 1740, Nov. 5, Deed from I'atrick Caldwell and wife Mary to John Polk, conveys a tract of land "in Somer- set Co. on the east side of the Xanticoke River, at a Red ( )ak about KM) yards from where the county road crosses the head of a branch of Broad Creek called Rossaketoms Branch, about a mile l)elow Johanna Huggs." (EBP 3/13/1909.) POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E N 75 CHAPTEE XVII. MARRIAGES AND DESCENDANTS. John Polk married Joanna Knox and left two children, William and Ann. or Xancy (AHAI Oct. 1897 p. 382). William Polk brother of John, married Ann or Xancy Knox (then the widow Owens j (AHM Apr. 1898 p. 230). Ann Polk, sister to John & William, married Francis Roberts and had two children. Edward and Priscilla Roberts, who married their first cousins. W'ni. (I\: Ann Polk, children of John. (AH.M Oct 18J7. 1, 383.) i'-2. ]\Iatthew Harmanson and wife. Easter. Xorth- ampton Co. .deeded to Wm. Polk of Dorchester Co., a 250 acre tract of land called "Collier's Adventure." that was patented to Robert P. Collier, of Somerset Co. in 16T1; lying on the north side of Xanticoke River. Conveyance was by John Pollet. as attorney, and witnessed by James Pollock and James Bruckshor. 172G, Will of William Polk, of Dorchester, dated Xov. 25, 1726. proven Feb. 21, 1727-8, be- queaths to son John Polk, dwelling plantation, etc. To oldest daughter. Jane, two adjoining tracts of land. Low Ridge and Polk's Folly. To youngest daughter. Ann. 50 acres on head of Dames Quarter Creek. To John Pollett. a tract of land. To wife (not named) all of his land during her widowhood. Executrix, wife, not named. A\'m. son of John Polk Sr. 76 POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 1727, May 20, Inventory of estate of Wm. Polk filed by Robert Clarkscn, who married Priscilla. widow of A\'illiam Pulk. It was signed by James Cannon. John Pollett, Robert Polk and Thomas Polk, as creditors and next of kin. (j\IWG. Alio-. 2nd & ."lOth, IS!)!).) Priscilla married Clarkson al)out 3 months after her husband Wm. Polk died, as alcove shows. 1727, Juue 11, ^f he account of Priscilla Polk, executrix of William, late of Dorchester, deceased (Ace. Lst 9, Vol. 3S2. Aug. 2, IS!)!)., (^IWG). 1728, July 30, Johu Pollctt, Sr.. of Dorchester, gave a bond to Priscilla Polk of Dorchester, relict and execu- trix of Wm. Polk deceased. Said bond re- cited : "If John Pollett his heirs &:c shall at any time "or times hereafter happen to run out his or her 0-4, "lands and should by that means intersect the "Upper fencing of the said Priscilla Polk, her "heirs &c as it now stands, that then the said "John Pollett, his heirs &c shall be obliged to "make over his or their Rigiit, title and interest "unto" &c. Witness: Ester V. (X) Whitty, Rachel C. (x) Samuel, daughter of John Samuel &: John Phipps. 1740, Nov. 5, Deed from Patrick Caldwell and wife Mary to John Polk, in which these words appear "In Somerset Co. oh the east side of the Xanticoke River, at a Red Oak al)out 100 yards from where it crosses the head of a branch of Broad Creek called Rossaketoms Branch, about a mile below Johanna Hugg's (EBP Mar. 13. 190!)). POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N 11 i74:{, Jau. r„ Deed from David Pollock of Dorchester, to Thomas Wright for parcel of land and marsh, seven acres, taken out of a patent called "Con- tention," beg'inning- at a marked pine bounder of tract formerly surveyed for Thomas Bloyce, on east side of Little Creek, etc., etc. Con- sideration KMin pounds of tobacco. (See Liber X Xo. 1 folio 93). 17.-0, Dec. 2s, Johu Polk, of the Territories of Pennsylvania, deeded to W'm. Turpen, of Dorchester, Colliers '"-1^' Adventure containing 250 acres. ROBERT'S CHILDREN. !'-'»' Will if James Polk, of Somerset County, dated Xov. Nth lT"i(), proven May D, 1727, makes a l:)equest "unto my cousin Edward Roberts on the pro\'ision my cousin Edward do deliver up the bond that I passed to him." (See copy of \\'\\\ under James Polk line.) i''3' Will of David Pollock, of Dorchester, dated * Feb. 21, 1773, proven ^Larch 11, 1773. He makes bequests to his daughter Elizabeth Roberts ; to his daughter-in-law, Priscilla Pol- lock; to his grand-children, David, William and Esther Pollock. (See copy of will under James Polk line. ) i"3, \\\\\ of Pricilla Pollock, of Dorchester, dated Feb. 26, 1773, proven Apr. 5, 1773; names son David, daughter Esther Pollock; brothers W^ilHam and Francis Roberts, and sister Xancy Xellums. (See abstract of will recorded in book 39, page 544 in Land Office at Annapolis, Maryland.) Y8 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CONCLUSIONS. All traditions make John Polk the eldest son of Ro])ert Bruce Polk. This I accept as correct, although 1 have no proof of it. From my investigations, I am inclined to think that at a very early age — 16 or possibly even at 1-1 — boys were, under proper conditions, given all the rights of freemen unless it Avas that of voting. The idea that they must have been "^1 years of age to even deal in real estate was erroneous. They certainly could witness instruments and even trade in cattle, recording their ear-marks, etc., at a much earlier age. The date of John's hirth as 1659, or earlier, was assumed on the theory that he must have been 21 in 1680 when he entered the ear- marks of his cattle This, I am inclined to think he could have done possibly at the age of 12, which would place his birth somewhere between 1659 and 166S. Under William Polk, it will be seen that he, (William ) died 1740, aged aljout 7S ; there fore born about 1662. If this is correct, and if John Polk were older than William, then John must have been born about 1660. If younger than A\'illiam, then he was born from 1661 to 166S, depending upon the relative ages of John and his sister Ann. I incline, howe\'er, to the view that John was the eldest child and ])orn about 1659 or 1660. The deed from John Polk and Joanna, his "now wife," to Alex. Hall in 1707, would indicate that he had been previously married. Again it is claimed that his will or bequest of land in Dec, 1702, to Kent was for the purpose of providing for his children, A\'illiam and Anne, presumably by a wife earlier than the one which he then had. The petition in court by his l>rother Wm. in June 1708 would also indicate that the wife who survived him was not the mother of \\^illiam and Anne, or she would have been the natural guardian and custodian of her own children. There is a persistent claim that John and his brother, W'm. married sisters wdiose maiden names were Joanna and Nancy Knox. Certain it is that Anne (or Xancy) married \\'m. ( )wcns and later W'm. Polk, second son of Robert Bruce POLK FAMILY A N D K I A" S M E iV 79 Polk. In his will dated Mar. l()!».s. this W'm. Owens named John Polk and W'm. Knox, (presumably brothers-in-law) as over.seers. John's children, William and Xancv, were evidently named for their uncle and aunt. Mr. and ]Mrs. \\'m. Polk, which was an additiiaial incentive for the interest A\'m. Polk took in these two children. And whilst it should not be accepted as con- clusive proof that John had no other children Ijy his first wife, still the records that 1 have seen do not even intimate that there may have been more than the two children mentioned. It is claimed that the deed or bequest to W'm. Kent in ITi)'? was to insure i)rovision for his two children William and Nancv. The records show that their uncle W^illiam acted as their guardian. The deed from Kent to Ephraim Polk in IT 16 has been assumed as evidence that Ephraim also acted as guardian. I am inclined to think that this is a mistake; that William had then reached his majority and sold Locust Ham- mock to his uncle, hence the deed from Kent, who was merely a trustee, to Ephraim Polk. If this view is correct, it would also serve to locate the birth of Wm. Polk as Ki!).) unless he were under 21 when he made the sale. Summing up the evidence on John Polk, I should say that he was born Ifio!) to 16(30; that he married in 169L at the age of about 35, and had only two children, William and Xancy. In Dec. 1702 he made a will, or a deed, in favor of Wm. Kent, making provision for his children, William and Nancy, the presumption being that he was then married to, or about to marry, his second wife, though we have no proof of this second marriage until Oct. 17()T. At first he lived in Somerset County, ^Id., he may have moved to St. John's County, Pa., (now^ Kent County, Del.) and there married Joanna ; but apparently he was a resident of Somer- set County, Md., at the time of his death in 1708. In this connection it must be noticed that at that time the territ he and his wife Priscilla. his step-mother and her second husband, Joanna and Thos. Hugg, sold the 500 acres known as "Friends Deniall" and "Kirkminster" to John Cald well, at which time he is recorded as being of "Dorsett Co." — Dorchester. William died about Nov. 25, 1726/7 leaving a son, John and two daughters, Jane and Anne. These children were presumbly named for their grand parents, John Polk and his wife Jane, and Anne Polk, who married Francis Roberts. His wife did not long remain single, for on May 20, 1727. the in- ventory of his estate was filed by her and her second husband. Robert Clarkson. The singular feature about this inventory is that it was signed by James Cannon, John Pollet, Robert 82 P O LK F A M I LY A N D K I N S M E N Polk and Thos. Polk as "creditors and the next of kin." Robert and Thomas Polk were probal:)ly his rirst cuusins, suns of Robt. Polk and Grace Guillette. John Pollet was also pro- bably his first cousin, a son of his aunt ]\Iartha. How James Cannon came to be next of kin, 1 do not know ; ])ut I am in clined to think that both he and John Pollet married two of the daughters of Robert Polk and Grace Guillette; that W'm. Polk, the blacksmith, had purchased from his uncle Rol>ert, Low Ridge and Polks Folly and had not completed the pay- ment for same; therefore, his uncle Robert's sons and sons- in-law appear as creditors and next of kin. It is singular that his widow. Priscilla. should ap])ear as the wife of Robert Clarkson, May ruce Polk and his wife Alagdalen Polk, was born about IG.sl and died in 1753, aged 71 years, at his home in Dorchester County, Maryland. His parents having come to America some years before the date of his birth, it is evident that Joseph was a native of Somerset County. In his will of May 6, 1609, Robert Bruce Polk, naming his several children, writes their names Polke. and so signs his own name to the instrument. Joseph, it appears, was about twenty-two years of age at the time his father deceased. To Joseph and David, Capt. Robert Polk devised one-third of his "goods and movables ;" and also to David a part of the tract of land called "Forlorn Hope." And in case of his death before he could purchase a seat for Joseph, then David was to give unto him four thousand pounds of tobacco, in lieu of the land. Me also confirms unto Joseph the cattle he had given to him, "they being in his proper mark." This shows that Joseph, even l:)efore he had attained to his ma jority, owned cattle on the range and had legally registered his brand. Joseph evidently continued to live with his mother at "White Hall." the manor plantation, until her death m 17';i7. During most of that time — as is generally the case with mothers and sons so situated — Joseph was no doubt a petted, much humored darling of his doting mother; and likely influenced by that partiality s'he, in her will of 1720. devised to him the Irish estate which she had inherited from her father. Col. Tasker. Another inducement thereto is in- ferrable from the fact that Joseph's brothers had all acquired .substantial estates in Mar\land before her death. POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E N 35 In her will of 1T26. :\lagdalen. at the beginning, calls herself '"Pollock," but signs it Polk, omitting the terminal letter "e" that her husband had used in his will of IGlMi). ■"Aloneen Hall," her Irish estate, consisting of 6()ii acres, was evidently all the landed property owned in fee simple by ]\Iagdalen before and at her death. After her demise, her personal pro^Jerty was divided among her children, and. under the English law, the eldest son inherited the manor ;)lantation. John, said to have been the eldest son. had died in 17U7-8, and the next son. William, was the eldest son liv- ing in 1727, when his mother ^lagdalen died. As such, there fore, he inherited 'A\'hite Hall" and it continued in his line for many years afterv\'ard. Joseph appears to have taken unto himself a helpmeei; in the person of a Aliss AX'right, daughter of Col. Thomas Wright, of Dorchester County, by whom he had several children. It also appears that he had a second wife, whose maiden name is not known, and that she was alive when he executed his will of Sept. 12, ITol. In this will he does not call her by name. In making her his sole executrix, he calls her "my well beloved wife." He also wants his son Robert to "dwell with his mother-in-law" ( evidently meaning step- mother) until he is 18 years old. or until her marriage. LANDS GRANTED TO JOSEPH POLK. The records of the Maryland Land Office show that Capt. Robert Bruce Polk and his sons received at various times grants of land from the Lords Baltimore, and that the aggre- gate of these amounted to about five thousand acres, or more. These grants began in 1T85 with a considerable tract to John Polk, followed in 1787 with grants to Robert Polk Sr. of "Polk's Folly" and "Polk's Lott," amounting to 150 acres. In 1700 Ephraim Polk received 374 acres. Robert Polk Jr. 2 )() acres. In 170.5 James Polk received 2oi) acres, and in 1115 Ephraim got 2oo acres more. The records show numerous other grants to the family up to 1743. In this long list of grants there was but one to Joseph Polk, viz: "Forlorn Hope's Addition," 90 acres. South Side of \\'icomico River, Xov. 15, 1738. This was about the time 86 POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N Joseph is said to have returned from Ireland, whither he had gone shortly after the death of his mother in lT"-^7, to as- sume charge of the estate of "Aloneen Mall" that she devised to bim ; and which he finally sold to his aunt Barbara Keys. He therefore appears to have remained in Ireland about nine or ten years before he returned to America. During that interim his name does not appear on the records of ]\Iaryland. When he got back to Maryland, however, Joseph pro- ceeded to acquire a grant from Lord Baltimore, which he did in "Forlorn Blope's Addition." It appears, though, that with the proceeds derived from the sale of the Irish estate to his aunt Barbara Keys, Jcjseph purchased other lands, already improved by first owners. Among these the Dor- chester records show the sale by John Handy. Gentleman of Somerset, to Joseph Pollock, Planter, of Somerset ;" All of "Little Goshen," oOO acres, in Dorchester, about S miles from the head of the X. E. branch of Nanticoke river and about 2 miles westward of a plantation of Christopher Nutter, called " alias Ruffe." Surveyed April 23, IGS-t, and patent- ed to George Loffield July 15, KiDo." On ]\Iarch 16, 1T43, Thomas Xutter of Dorchester con ve3'ed to Joseph Pollock of Dorchester: "All that part of a tract called "Dublin," about S miles from the head of the X. E. branch of Xanticoke river, and about 2 miles westward of a plantation of Christopher Xut- ter, in Dorchester, and containing 50 acres." This tract adjoined Little Goshen and together they gave Joseph a homestead of ;35() acres, on which it appears he pro- ceeded to "grow old gracefully" during the balance of his days, lie did not, like his father and brothers, change his name to Polk, but adhered to the ancient and correct form- Pollock. As Joseph Pollock, he was devisee in his mother's will (if her estate in Ireland. By that name he sold and transferred^ the estate, and ever afterwards he adhered to the ancient and ])r()per form. Joseph Polk was one of the devisees of his brother Robert Polk Jr. (fifth son of Robert and Magdalen) in his will of Feb. -^l, 17 25, probated May 10, 1727. One item of this will is : POLK FA M I LV AND KI X S M E X 87 "I give and l)equeath unto my brother Joseph Polk part cf "Forlorn Hope," on the Northern end. being- a certain tract of land formerly surveyed for Augustin Stanford, and like- wise a certain tract of land called "Bally Hack," lying near the head of a creek called "Pidgeon House Creek," to him and the heirs of his own body fore\'er." It will be observed that Robert Polk Jr., as shown by the probate of his will, died the same year (1T2T) in which his brother James and his mother ]^Iagdalen Polk deceased. WILL OF JOSEPH POLLOCK. (Dated Sept. VI, ITol. probated June 10, 1752.) In the Name of God Amen, this twelfth day of Septem- ber Anno Domini one thousand seven hundred and fifty-one, I, Joseph Pollock, of Dorchester County and Province of Maryland, Planter, being sick and weak of body. Imt of perfect mind and memory, and knowing it is appointed for all men to die, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament. First. I commend my soul to Almighty God that gave it, and my body to I)e buried in a Christianlike manner at the discretion of my Executors liereafter named. As touching such worldly estate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this world I give, devise and dispose of the same in manner and form following. Imprimis. 1 give and l)equeath to my well beloved son Robert Pollock the westermost end of a tract of land called "Little Goshen,"" and likewise a tract of land called "Hor- sey's Swamp," containing one hundred acres of land, to him and his heirs forever, and in case he dies without heirs, then to fall to my youngest son James Pollock, and his heirs for- ever, upon the condition of him the said James Pollock pay- ing my daughter Ann Pollock the sum of fifty pounds cur- rent money of ^Maryland in lieu of the land when he shall arrive at the ase of twentv-eight vears of age. I 88 P O L K F A M I L Y A N D K I N S M E N likewise give and bequeath to my son Robert Pollock a young- negro boy called Sam, being in full for his part of my estate. Item — I give and bequeath to my well beloved son Zeph- aniah Pollock the Eastermost end of a tract of land called "Little Goshan" to him and his heirs forever, and in case he dies without heirs then to fall to my youngest son James Pollock and his heirs forever. Likewise my will and desire is that the tract of land called "Little Goshan" be equally divided between my two sons Robert and Zephaniah Pollock, at the discretion of my friend John Pollock son of James Pollock, and in case the said Eastermost end of "Goshan" should be lost by means of a suit of law then in lieu thereof 1 give unto him a young negro girl named Fender, but in case he obtains the land then the said negro girl Fender to be equally divided among my other children. I likewise give and bequeath to my son Zephaniah Pollock a gun, in full for his part of my estate. Item. — I give and bequeath to my eldest daughter Ann Pollock a young negro girl named Rose, in full for her part of my estate. Item. — My will and desire is that my trusty friend lohn Pollock after my death may prosecute the suit of law now pending between myself and Christopher Nutter and the charges thereof to be defrayed out of my estate. Item. — I give and bequeath to my son James Pollock all my smith tools and the remainder of my estate to be equally divided among my other children. Item. — I likewise leave my well beloved wife full and whole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and my Will and Desire is that my son Robert Pollock may dwell with his mother-in-law till he arrives at the age of eighteen years or till the day of her marriage, and I do hereby utterly disannul and make void all other Wills and Testaments be fore this by me in any wise named, ratifying and confirming this and no other to be my last Will and Testament. In witness I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day and year above written. Joseph Pollock (Seal). POLK F AMI LY A .\ D KI N S M E N gg Signed, sealed, pronounced and declared by the said Joseph Pollock to be his last Will and Testament, in presence of us. Charles Rawlins, Jacob Layton, his John J. Xeal. mark. On the loth day of June Anno Dom. 1T52 Charles Raw- lins and John Xeal two of the subscribing witnesses to the aforegoing Will, being duly and solemnly sworn on the Holy Evangels of Almighty God depose and say that they saw the Testator Joseph Pollock sign the aforegoing Will and heard him publish and declare the same to be his last Will and Testament. That at the time of his so doing he was to the best of their knowledge and apprehension of sound and dis- posing mind and memory, and that they, together with the above Jacob Layton subscribed their respective names as witnesses to the said A\'ill, in the presence of the said Tes- tator and at his request, which Oath was taken by the said Witnesses in the presence of John Pollock, as friend and Trus- tee to the heir at law appointed by the Dec'd which same John Pollock did not object to the probate of the said Will, etc. Certified per Jam Auld, D. COM. D. C. From the above instrument it will be observed that the testator Joseph Pollock left a wife, most likely his second one, at his death. That she was probably not then an old woman, and likelv to marrv again, as he wishes his son Robert to "dwell with his mother-in-law" (meaning step- mother) "until he arrives at the age of eighteen years, or, till the day of her marriage." Joseph does not call the name of his wife, an omission noticeable in nearly all the wills of that period. That Robert was his eldest son is evident from the fact that he gave to him and to Zephaniah, equally, the lands of "Little Goshan" (the manor plantation) and '*Hor- ley's Swamp," with reversion, in case of leaving no heirs, to the youngest son. James Pollock. The latter was quite 90 P 0 L K F A M I L y A N D K I N S M E N likely by the second wife. Ann he calls his "eldest daugh- ter/' and evidently she also was by his first wife, Miss Wright. The inference is that, by his use of the words "eldest daughter,'" he had other female children. But. if so, he di 1 not call their names. Unquestionable proof that Joseph Pollock's first wife, Miss Wright, was the mother of his eldest children, Robert and Ann, is afforded by the will of Col. Thomas Wright, dated Feb. S, 1753, and probated Feb. 2Tth, following, in Somerset County. In this will he gives to his grandchildren Ann Polk and Robert Polk. 1 shilling each." It is observable that he does not call them Pollock, but Polk. The bequests to them were paltry sums and their only value is in the record they have helped to preserve of the line of Joseph. Had the other two children of Joseph, Zephaniah and James, also been children of Miss Wrig'ht, Col. Wright would have given them a shilling each, as his purpose seems merely to have been compliance with a legal requirement, without which the grandchildren wmikl have had greater claims on his estate. As Col. \\ right did not mention Zephaniah and James, it is evident that they were l:)y Joseph's second wife, who survived her husl)and. A])uut two years after her father's death Ann left the }tarental roof, being married on Dec. "24, 1754, to Daniel ^Morris, Jr., who resided near the eastern boundrv of Dor- chester and close to the Sussex County, Delaware line. With Daniel Morris, Jr.. her husband, and others of the Alorris, Hopkins, Nutter and P'olk families Ann emigrated to Kentucky in Nov., 1793. Among the slaves she brought was this negro girl Rose, wliO' is called "Old Rose" in the will of Ann's hus- band, Danel Morris Jr., of record in the Clerk's ofifice of Fayette County. Kentucky. This will is dated May 1. 1SU2, and was probated at Lexington, at December Court, ISOG. In it he directs that "( )1(1 Rose" have her choice as to which of hi:^ children she should wish t / li\e witli. Ann (I'ojlock) Abirris died in June. ISKJ. near Pavne's De])(it, i-^cdtt County, and was ])uried beside her husl)and Daniel Morris jr., in tlie Morris family graveyard. For furtliei- information about her see same under head of Eph- POLK FA M I LY AND K 1 N S M EN 91 raim Polk ;3d., who married her daughter Rhoda Ann ^Morris Vv'hat became of Joseph Pollock's three other children named in his will — Zephaniah, Robert and James — we liave no knowledge. The name Zephaniah has come down the line for more than a century, cropping out a number of times in the Kentucky and Indiana Morris families. Likewise the name Robert and James, still more frequently. By those who knew her, Ann (Pollock) Morris is de- scribed as a large woman, with great energy individually and in matters of business. She reared a family of twelve child- ren to maturity, and most of these marrying, have left a numerous progeny in Kentucky and other Central Western States. FAMILY OF DANIEL MORRIS SR. The following record of the family is copied from the old Morris family Bible. Daniel Morris Sr. born in Sussex County. Del. 17 — , died there al)out 1785. Among his children were: 1. Daniel Morris Jr.. b. 17 — ; married Ann Pollock Dec. 21, 175L 2. A daughter, b. abt. 17 — ; married Wm. ]\lcXitt, in Del. They also emigrated to Kentucky al)out 17 93. 3. David Morris, I), abt. 17 — ; married Miss Shotwell, emigrated to Kentuckv in 1788, and settled at ^^layslick. Ma- son County, where he established a tavern for the entertain- ment of the great numlDer of emigrants arriving at Limestone (now Maysville) and bound for Central Kentucky. Concerning the marriage of a cousin of David Morris' wife, Collins History of Kentucky, under the chapter on ]\Ta- son County, says the first five settlers at ^lay slick in 1788 were Al^raham. Cornelius and Isaac Drake, of Plainfield, N. J. (brothers), David Morris and John Shotwell, with their families. David Morris' wife was a sister of Shotwell and Isaac Drake's wife and her grown sister. Miss Lydia, their cousins, daughters of Banjamin Shotwell. Isaac Drake had two children. Daniel, (afterwards the celebrated Dr. Daniel Drake) and Elizabeth, afterwards Mrs. Glenn. They came together by boat, landing June 10, 1788, at "The Point," 92 P O L K F A M I L y A N D K I N S .1/ B N Maysville, thence to their new purchase and future home. Here they built iive cabins, each of which was one story high, with wooden chimney, puncheon floor, clapboard roof, and portholes. The Indians at that time were making fre- quent incursions into Kentucky and the pioneers were kept constantly on the alert. In the spring of 1790 the savages fired on some campers near Alayslick and one man was killed "In 1T1»1, ]\Iiss Lydia Shotwell was married (the first marriage in Mayslick) a number of friends from \\^ashington and others coming to the wedding armed. During the wed- ding, an alarm was given — of an Indian attack on a wagon, five miles out on the Lexington road. The armed men mount cd their horses and galloped oft rapidly to the scene. It proved to be a false alarm — the first wedding sell in Mason County, and rather serious to be appreciated." It will be noticed that the children of Ephraim Polk 3d trace back to Robt. and Magdalen Polk through two branches. First Ephraim third, Ephraim second, Ephraim first, Robert and Magdalen. Second — Rhoda (Morris) Polk (wife of Eph- raim 3d) daughter of Daniel Morris Jr. and his wife Ann Pollock, daughter of Jose]:)h Polhjck (youngest son of Rol^ert and Magdalen) and his wife ^liss Wright of Maryland. MARTHA AND ANN POLK. Capt. Robert Ih'uce Polk and his wife Magdalen (Tasker- Porterj Polk's family was composed of seven sons and two daughters, according to all family traditions and other evi- dence. These two daughters, as shown l)y Robert Lruce Polk's will of 1(3!)9, were Ann and Martha. All the old com- pilers of the Polk family records and the 1S4!) Polk Tree give the name Margaret instead of Martha, and this error w^as acce])ted until the discovery a few years since of Capt. Robert's will, showing daughters Ann and Martha, l)ut no Margaret. Of the lines and descendants of these two daughters, w^e have obtained I)ut little account from those to whom we ap- plied. Their families seem to have scattered afar from the old stam])ing ground, their trails l)eing lost in the mazes of the ensuing vears. A few we learn vet remain in Somerset. POLK FAMILY A X D K I N S M LN 93 What we have been able to learn of these two daughters can "be quickly related, viz : Ann Polk was presumably the third child — at least one among the eldest — of Robt. and [Magdalen Polk. She was born about 1G69, in Ireland, and was a little tot when her parents emigrated to America in order to secure a larger field for the exercise of political and religious liberty. It appears also that Ann died before reaching middle life. She was married about 1690 (maybe sooner) and pre- sumably she was dead in 1699, judging from the fact that she is not mentioned in her father's will, while her sister ]\Iartha is given a devise. The first husband of Ann was Francis Roberts, a planter, cf Dame's Quarter, by whom she had children Edward and Priscilla. Edward grew to manhood and married his first cousin. Xancy. daughter of his uncle John Polk, first son of Robert and Magdalen. Priscilla Roberts married William Polk, brother of Xancy. The names of AA'illiam and Priscilla (Roberts) Polk erroneously appear on the Polk family tree compiled and published in l(S-±9. The wrong William was inadvertently gotten into the line. Francis Roberts died but a few years after marriage to Ann and she appears of record as Executrix, to settle his estate, w^ith Thomas Pollitt and John Polk as bondsmen. As a second husband. Ann chose John Renshaw. Jr.. who sub- sequently joined in Ann's bond concerning the estate of Francis. A\'hether or not Ann had issue by this latter union, we cannot say. It is more than likely that she did. MARTHA POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Martha Polk, second daughter of Robert and Magdalen Polk, was born in ^Maryland about 1679, and married Thomas Pollitt of Somerset. As she was called '"^My daughter Mar- tha" by Capt. Robert Polk in his will of 1699, and given one third of his "moveables." it is probable that at that time she was still single and a member of his household. In a codicil to his will, he says: "and I desire that Martha Poock (Polk) may have liberty to let her cattle run on the plantatinn until she gets a place," etc. 94 P O LK F A M I LV AND KINS M E N The witnesses to the will of Magdalen Polk, of April 7, 1726, were David Polk, William Pollitt and Magdalen Pollitt. The two latter, no doubt, were children of ]\lartha and Thomas Pollitt. She also had two other children, John and Mary, as the records show. Thomas Pollitt dying, Martha took as a second husband Richard Tull, of Dame's Quarter, and the official records show that she was his wife in 1710. If they left issue, we have no record of the fact. A NUMEROUS PROGENY. The records, and the investigations made in 1S40, and re- cently by the present writer, show that of Robert and Magda- len's sons, \\'illiam has the greatest numl^er of descendants and Ephraim next. Those of the former largely reside in Maryland and include the Winders and other noted families of that section. Those who emigrated to North Carolina were also exceedingly prolific and are scattered all over the South and Southwest. The descendants of Ephraim are found principallv in Delaware, Kentucky, Indiana, Missouri and other states of the West, and everywhere they have gone to the front and become leaders in civic and military affairs. A\'m. Polk, 2nd, appears to 'have been the eldest son of William Polk, Sr., and his wife Nancy (Knox) Owens, who was the widow of William Owens of Somerset County, and the reputed sister of Joanna Knox, the second wife and wndow cf John Polk, Sr. By Nancy, A\'illiam Sr., had another son, Charles Polk, who became an Indian trader on the Alaryland frontier and died in Vi~^'^. One of the latter's sons, Capt. Charles Polk, a noted border officer, emigrated to Kentucky in 17S0, and thence to Indiana in ISdS, dying there in l.S-23. Wm. Polk, '2(1, after a sojourn of some years at Carlisle, Pa., married there Miss Margaret Taylor, and between 1740 and IT-")*) emigrated to North Carolina, dying there about 1753, according Id the statement of Mrs. Susan Smart to Bishop I'clk in 1848. POLK FA M I L V A X D K I N S M E N 95 CHAPTER XX. DESCENDANTS OF WILLIAM POLK, 3d. William Polk 3d (eldest son of William Polk and Alargaret Taylor Polk), was twice married. The names of his wives are not preserved. By his first marriage he had two sons: ^Thomas and -John. By his second marriage, he had a son P^zekiel. The latter became an Ensign in one of the infantry regiments of the United States Army and died in 1791. as ap- r ej-rs by Meitman's Register. Thomas Polk, eldest son of \\'illiam Polk by nis first wife was generally called "Colonel" Thomas Polk. He married Mary Shelby, a sister of Reese and Thomas Shelby, and said to have been a sister of General Evan Shelby, father of Gov- ernor Isaac Shelby, hero of King's Mountain and the Thames, and twice Governor of Kentucky. The parents of Mary Snelby, says Miss Garrett in her Polk sketches, resided just across the South Carolina line, in the Chesterfield District (now county), and died there. Thomas Polk and his wife Mary, lived on Watson's Creek, but later removed to Richard- son's Creek, at what was called little Mountain. After hi- settlement there it became known as "Polk's Mountain," and he died there in 1842. In 1880 the name of the mountain was changed to "Gibraltar." Colonel Thomas and Mary (Shelby) Polk had issue: ^Shelby. -Andrew. -"'Thomas. ^Jobe, ^Hannah. ^Dicy. 'Patsy. ^Mary, ^Elizabeth. The eldest. Shelby Polk, married \\'innifred Collnirn. He emigrated to Tennessee in 18i;3 and left numerous descendants, some of whom went to Texas in the days of the Republic. Shelby died about 1847 leaving issue: ^Esther. -Ileadley, ^Thomas, n^1llian^, ^"^Shelby, «^Iary. 'Eliza. Esther (daughter of Shelby and Winnifred Polk), married A\'hitman Colburn. and had issue: ^Lucinda and -\\'innifred (twins). ^James Lerov, nA'illiam Headly Colburn. Lucinda 96 P O L K F A M I L V A N D K I iV S M E N married John Grayham and they emigrated to Texas, having issue: ^Randolph. -Ophelia, ^Thomas, fPrice. -Uleadley and '^Elilur Grayham. AVinnifred Colburn (twin sister of Lncinda) married Andrew Webb and emigrated to Arkansas. They had issue : ^Lucinda. -James, and several more children. James Leroy Colburn (son of Esther and Whitman Col- burn) married Margaret Bradford. He removed to Tennessee and left children. William Headley Col])urn (son of Esther Polk and Whit- man Colburn), married ^^largaret Doyle. They removed to Tennessee and left children. Headley Polk, second child and eldest son of Shelby Polk and Winnifred (Colburn) Polk, was born in North Carolina in 1S12, and removed to Texas in 1845. He married Eliza Sebastian, of the well known Sebastian family of Tennessee She was a cousin of Hon. W. K. Sebastian, U. S. Senator from Arkansas. The children of Headley Polk and Eliza (Sebast- ian) Polk were: ^James Dallas, -John Robert, ^Alartha O.. ^Anna S., '^Sally E., and ^'^lary E. Polk. John Robert Polk married Kate Woods and they had issue: ^Iver May, -Katie B., '^Annie, ^Euphia, ^Dallas L., and «Headley Polk. ]\Iartha O. Polk (daughter of Headley Polk and Eliza Sebas'tian Polk), married B. Harris and had issue: ^Robert P., -Headley Bruce, '''Lena and "^Evan Harris. Sallie E. Polk, daughter of Headley Polk and Eliza (Se- bastian) Polk, married E. A. Brackney, dying and leaving one child, Ladie Polk Brackney. Alary F. Polk, daughter of Headley Polk and Eliza (Sebastian) Polk, married B. Lyell. Thomas Polk, son of Shelby Polk and A\'innifred (Col- 1 urn ) Polk, married Elizabeth Braddy. They had issue: 'Citizen, -Charles. ''Wallace. *Dora and ''Sallie Polk. Charles and Citizen Polk were soldiers in the Confederate Army, in the Civil War. and were killed in ]:)attle. Dora Polk, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth (Braddy) Polk, married ^\r. Tillman. Her sister, Sallie Polk, married Mr. Wilson. Their issue not learned. POLK FA M I LY AND KINS M E N 97 William i'ulk, son of Shelby and Wlnnifred (Colburn) Polk, married Elizabeth Bradford. He was a soldier in the Confederate Army. Issue: ^Winfora, -Shelby, ^Marchal, ^Thomas, •''Robert. W'inafora married Richard McKinney and l.i.ad several children. Shelby Polk, second child of William Polk and Elizabeth (Bradford) Polk, married a Aliss Lock- man. Anna Polk, daughter of Headley and Winnifred Polk died unmarried. Shelby Polk (fifth child of Shelby Polk and Winnifred Colburn Polk), died unmarried. Alary Polk, sixth child of Shelby Polk and A\'innifred (Colburn) Polk, married Xathan Rodgers: Issue: HMnnifred AL, -Alary A.. •■^Oclatia. "^Charles E.. "^Ella. «Octavia. Eliza Polk seventh child of Shelby Polk and Winnifred (Coll)urn) Polk, married William G. Xackolls. They had issue: ^Charles E., -Alary (J., "W^illiam L. and ^Lenora Z Nackolls. Charles E. Xackolls married , and had issue. Alary O. Xackolls married R. V. Vinson and had issue ; ^Carl and -Xora. William L. Xackolls married Georgia Fair and had one child, W illiam C. Xackolls. Lenora Z. Xackolls. youngest child of William G. Xack- olls and Eliza ( Polk ) Xackolls, married James Barnett and died leaving one child. William G. Barnett. Andrew Polk, second son of Col. Thomas Polk and Alary (Shelby) Polk, was twice married; first to Aliss Caraway. He settled on Big Brown Creek (later Polkton) where three chil- dren were born to him by his first wife : ^Thomas J., -James K.. and -^Alarshall Polk. Thomas married and left several chil- dren, who reside in Xorth Carolina. James K. emigrated to Texas and died there. Alarshall Polk married and resides at Polkton, X. C. He has several children. One of them. Aliss Ella Polk, resides at Columbia, S. C. Andrew Polk's second wife was Lorena Autery, by whom he had one child, the late Col. L. L. Polk, of Raleigh. X. C, President of the Xational Farmers' Alliance. He also estab- lished a newspaper to advocate the principles of the Farmers' Alliance and was a man of marked ability as a writer and 98 P O LK F A M I L Y A N D K I N S M E N speaker. lie died in 18!J1, in Washington City. He married ]\Iiss Gaddy, of North Carolina. Thomas Polk (third son of Col. Thomas Polk and 2\lary Shelby Polk), married Sarah Brooks and inherited his father's old homestead. Of his sons, two of them, Marshall and Shelby, were killed in the Confederate Army, and two died after the war — William and Andrew. Thomas J. inherited the homestead and there are several other children who reside in Anson and Union Counties, X. C. Jobe Polk (son of Col. Thomas and Mary Polk), never married. Hannah P\jlk (eldest daughter of Col. Thomas Polk and ^lary Shelby Polk), was twice married. Her first husljand was a AFr. Sides, by whom she had one child, Hannah. Her second husband was Adam Long, by whom s'he had three sons, Thomas, Henry and Adam Long; also several daughters. Hannah (Polk) Long lived to the age of ninety years. Dicey Polk, second daughter of Col. Thomas Polk and Alary (Shelby) Polk, married Francis Colburn. They emi- grated to Tennessee, in which state such a large number of the Polks and their connections had previously settled. Patsy Polk, third daughter of Col. Thomas Polk and Mary (Shelby) Polk, married William Crittenden. They also i"emo\-ed from North Carolina to Tennessee. .Mary I 'oik. fourth daughter of Col. Thomas Polk and Marv (Shelby) Polk, married Aaron Little and settled in that ])art of Anson County now known as Union. She died in 18(52, leaving a family of ten children. Armstead Little was killed at the battle of S]iar])sburg, Aid., in 1S62, leaving a widow and si.\ children. Lina Little, second child of Aaron Little and .Mary (I'olk) Little, married Jal)ez Williams and died in 1855, ]ea\ ing one daughter. Manila Little, third child of .\aron Little and Alary (Polk^ Little, married Tillman Green. They left a numerous family. Klizabeth Little, fourth child of Aaron Little and Alary (I'olk) Little, married .\rchibald Helms. They had several children. Soplii;i Ij'ttle, fifth child of Aaron Little and ALary (Polk) Little, nian-icd .Xoah I'.arbec. Thcv had several children. POLK FAMILY A X D K I A' ^^ .1/ £ N 99 Thomas B. and James L. Little, were twins of Aaron and Mary (Polkj Little. Thomas B. removed to Arkansas; James L. married in North Carolina and had several children, one of whom, Mary E. P., married Alfred J. Austin. Rosana and Penelope Little (twins); and Sarena and IMinerva Little (twins) of Aaron and ]\Iary (Polk) Little. Penelope Little, daughter of Aaron and ]\lary (Polk) Little, married W. H. Austin and had ten children who attain- ed maturity, viz: ^Henry W. Austin, unmarried; -Mary La- \ enia Austin, married U. A. Davis; "Belinda \'ictoria Austin, married Jacob C. Griffin, and had four sons ; '^Francis Pene- lope Austin, married E. L. Helms and had three sons; ^John Aaron Austin married Hattie Austin, and had four sons; *^Sarah Austin; 'James C. Austin; **Ida Serena Austin; ^Alex- ander T. Austin ; ^^Daisy B. Austin. Sarena Little, daughter of Aaron and Alary (Polk) Little, married J. H. Little and at her death left a large family. Elizabeth I'olk. youngest child of Col. Thomas Polk and Alary (Shelby) Polk, married Richmond AIcAIanus of South Carolina. At her death she left two daughters. John Polk, second son of William Polk (by his first wife), married and located on Crooked Creek in that part of Anson now known as L^nion County, where he died leaving several daughters. One of them. Alargaret. married J. Peter Hager ; another married John Hager. and their descendants reside in Xorth Carolina and other states. 100 P O LK F A M I LY AND K I A' S M E N CHAPTEE XXI. CHAS. POLK, SON OF WM. AND MARGARET. Charles Polk, second son of William Polk and Alargaret (Taylor) Polk, was married in 1T5I) (the year the family emi- prated from Pennsylvania to Xorth Carolina ) to Polly Clark, by whom he had hye sons, yiz : ^Thomas Polk, -Charles Polk, •'Shelby Polk, n\'illiam Polk and -^Alike Polk. Debora Polk, second daughter of William Polk and Mar- garet (Taylor) Polk, married Samuel ^^IcLary and left issue. Charles Polk, second son of Charles Polk and I'oliy (Clark) Polk, was a soldier in the Reyolution from Xorth Carolina. He married and had three sons ; Cc>l. Wm. Polk Charles Polk and another son left descendants. Susan Polk, third daughter of William Polk and ^largaret (Taylor) Polk, married Benjamin Alexander, by wdiom she had six children: ^Thomas, -Charles, ^Susan, ^William, •''Ben- jamin, "^Taylor. William Alexander was a Captain and a dis- tinguished ofticer of the Xorth Carolina Line, in the Reyo- lutionary War. ( )n account of his dark complexion he was called "lUack I '.ill" and was noted for his \'alor on the field. J John l*olk, fourth son of William Polk and Margaret (Taylor) Polk, was born near Carlisle. Pa., about 1740 — pos- sibly earlier. He was a soldier in the Reyolution and ac- quitted himself with gallantry. He married Eleanor Shelby, a daughter of Major Evan Shelby, son of Gen"l Evan Shelby. Eleanor was a kinswoman of Mary Shelby, who married Col. Tho.-. I'olk. John Polk and his wife Eleanor (Shelby) Polk had issue: ^Charles Polk, -Shelby Polk, ^'Taylor Polk. "'John Polk. ■'I'dcanor. Taylor Polk, third -^on of John and Eleanor (Shelby) polk, married Jency Walker, a daughter of Alexander Walker, of Kentucky. They had seven children, viz: ^Benjamin Polk, ^Taylor P,.ik. ''James Polk. -^Cumberland Polk. •WVilliam Polk "Alfred Polk, "Jency Polk. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 101 Benjamin Polk, eldest son of Taylor Polk and Jency (\\'alker) Polk, married Peggy Boatright and had issue: ijency Polk. -Benjamin Polk. '"James Polk. ^Charles Polk. •n\'ill'iam Polk, •^Richard Polk. 'Priscilla Pulk. They all died in childhood. Taylor Polk, second son of Taylor Polk and Jency (Walk- er) Polk, married Prudence Anderson and had ten children, viz : ^Anderson Polk, -Eleanor Polk, ^Cumberland Polk. ■*Sarah Delaney Polk. ■'*3,Ii'tche!l Polk. ''Sylvester Walker Polk, 'Henry Clay Polk. ^Taylor Polk. -'Prudence Polk. i"Alfred Polk. ' Anderson Polk, eldest son of Taylor Polk and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, was married three times. By his tirst wife, Eliza Epperson, he had children: ^Henry Polk, who married Ellen Deathrow ; -Sarah Polk, who married John Huddleston ; "Jane Polk, who married Thomas Huddleston ; ^Sylvester Polk^ who married Sarah Intz. Anderson Polk's second wife was Martha ^lartin. by whom he had issue; ^Texana Polk, who married Thomas Williamson ; "^Alatilda Polk, who married James Joplin ; 'Thomas Polk, who married Annie Matlock, *^Prudence Polk, who died unmarried. Anderson Polk's third wife was Susan Laughey and they had issue: ''Alartha Polk, who married Jefferson Bugg; ^"Almeda Polk, who married Charles Cruger. Eleanor Polk, second child of Taylor Polk and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Daniel Huddleston and had issue. ^Prudence, who married Joseph Story; -Daniel, who married ^liss Steinson ; "Jane, who married Closes Waterman; ^Rachel, who married Jefiferson Cunningham ; -"^T. J. Huddles- ton. who married Jane Polk: 'Tvatherine. who married James Stevens. Cumberland Polk, third child of Taylor Polk and Pru- dence (Anderson) Polk, married Almeda Blackwood, and had issue : ^Prudence, who married James Stanford ; -Taylor, who married Ellen Griggs; '^Caldona. who married Robert Priest; ^Lucinda. who married John Houston ; -"^Lawrence, who mar- ried Penelope Rose ; ''^Samuel, who married Alonza Tracy ; and 102 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N "John, *^Sylvester, ''Henry and ^"'W'esley, all of whom died unmarried. Sarah Delany Polk, fourth child of Taylor Polk and Pru- dence (Anderson) Polk, married Capt. T. G. Epperson and had issue: ^Henry Peyton, who married Miss Rowles ; -Mary, who married Blount Bullock ; =^TayIor, who married Victoria Bush ; Isabella, who married George Jacobs ; -^Emma, who married Ira Cobb. Mitchell Polk, fifth child of Taylor Polk and Prudence (Anderson ) Polk, died unmarried. Sylvester Walker Polk, sixth child of Taylor Polk and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Sarah Large and had issue: Msom. who married Lucy Miller; -Victoria, who mar- ried H. O. Brockmann; ^Paschal, who married Hannah Jones; ^Isadore, who married ^\^ R. Copps ; ''David, who married Jane Burnett ; ''Laura, who married L. D. Burnett ; ^Alpha, who married John Lindsey ; ^Maud, who married W. L. Koth- mann ; '^Claude. Henry Clay Polk, seventh child of Taylor Polk and Pru- dence (Anderson) Polk, married Mary A. Dickson and had issue : ^Henry, who married xA.nne Gould ; -David, who died single; -'^Emma. who died single; '^Alice, who married Dr. G. B. Green ; ^John, who married Susan Brown ; ^'Anna. who married John Hawkins; 'Lela. who married Dr. John Brown; ^Betty, who died single ; "Roxy ; ^'^'Leon. Taylor Polk, 8rd, eighth child of Taylor Polk and Pru- dence (Anderson) Polk, married Mary Petty and had issue: M^aura. -Augusta. ^Mollie, who married T. ^^^ Poole; •*James. who married Mary Allison; ''"*^Leta and Lota, tw^ins; "Henry, '^Lenn. "Myrtle, who married Richard Shegog; ^'^Beverly. Prudence Polk, ninth child of Taylor Polk and Prudence (Anderson ) INilk. married Benjamin R. Dickson and had issue;- 'Charles, who married Carrie Young; -]\Iinnie. who married Dr. ( )scar Smitli : "'William, "'I'earl, who married Russell \\'il- liams; 'I'Ulicl, who married George Holland. Alfred I'olk, tenth child of Taylor Polk and Prudence (An- derson ) I'olk, married Sarah Wilson and had issue; ^Sylvester, -lUni. ■■■•Mal.lc, '♦James Polk. POLK FAMILY A N D K 1 .V S .1/ E N 103 James Polk, third child of Taylor Polk, 1st, and Jency (^^'alker) Polk, was twice married; first to Aliss Trammell; second tu Miss Sallie Cox, and had issue: ^Jency, -Bettie, ^Franklin, '^James, •'^Cumberland. Jenc}', eldest child of James Polk Ijy his first wife, married Fielding Tweedle. Isstie: one son, William Tweedle, who died single. Bettie Polk, second child of James Polk by his first wife, married ^lartin Xewman and had issue: ^Jas. F. Newman, -]^Iary Xewman. James F. Xewman married Josephine Rushing and had issue : ^Alfred, -Arthur, ^Ira. ]\Iarv Xewman married Thomas Trammell and had issue; ^Janies P., -Walter T.. and ^Bertie Trammell. James P. Trammell married his cousin Mattie L. Polk, and had issue. Thos. G. Trammell. Franklin Polk, son of James Polk by his first wife, married Jane Rider and at his death left issue. James Polk, fourth son of James Polk, and eldest son by second wife, Sallie Cox, married Lizzie Roberts and left issue Cumberland Polk, son of James and Sallie (Cox) Polk, married Laura Kirk and had issue: \Tames, -Lizzie, ^Annie, ^Frank, -^Mattie. "Louis, 'Minnie. Lizzie, second child of Cumberland Polk and Laura (Kirk^ Polk, married D. L. Xorman and had two children : ^Cecil, ^Ross. :\Iattie Polk, fifth child of Cumberland Polk and Laura (Kirk) Polk, married James P. Trammell, her cousin. Cumberland Polk, fourth child of Taylor Polk and Jency (Walker) Polk, married Xancy Cox, (sister of Sallie Cox. who married James, brother of Cumberland Polk). Nancy and Sallie were daughters of Joel Cox and Frances (Bartlett^l Cox of Kentucky. Cumberland and Xancy (Cox) Polk had issue: ^Lucinda, -Lucretia, '•Marshall Alexander, -^Elias Rector, nVilliam Jackson. ^'Louisa Jane, "Louis Taylor, '^Jency. ''Pru- dence, i^AIary, ":\Iartha. ^-James Knox. Lucinda, eldest child of Cumberland and Nancy (Cox) Polk, died in infancy. Lucretia, second child of Cumberland and Nancy (Cox) 104 POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N Polk, married Edmond Cearley (spelled Kerley in colonial times) and had issue. Samuel Reyburn, who died unmarried; Xewton Fleming, who died unmarried. jMary Jane and Cuml)erland, wlio died in infancy. •''Louisa Elizabeth, who married George Babcock, but left no issue; ''Cyrus Granville, who died unmarried; '''John Brack- ville; ^Emma Cornelia, who married Judge F. AI. Angelloti, of San Rafael. California, and had issue : ^Frank L. Angellotti, who died in infancy ; -^ilarion Polk Angellotti. ■'Charles Talent, who married Jennie Mangrum and had one child, ^lila Mangrum Cearley Polk. IMarshall Alexander Polk, third child of Cumljerland Polk and Nancy (CoxJ Polk, died in childhood. Elias Rector Polk, fourtli child of Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk, died unmarried. He was a Confederate soldier in Kenard's legiment. and died from wounds received in jjattle. A\'illiam Jackson Polk, fifth child of Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk, married Esther Woodward, and had issue: ^Thomas, -Julia. William Jackson was also a Cr)nfederate soldier and died from disease contracted in the army. Louise Jane Polk, sixth child of Cumberland Polk and Nancy (Cox) Polk, married Rev. E. J. Billington and had issue; ^Lucretia. -Ezekiel Jackson, ^Julia. Louis Taylor Polk, se\'enth child of Cumberland I^olk and X'ancy (Cox) Tolk, died unmarried. He was killed in 1S62. in the Confederate Army, at the l)attle of .Vrkansas Post. He was a member of Col. Nelson's regiment. Jency Polk, eighth child of Cumberland Polk and X'^ancy (Coxj Polk, married William O'Xeal, and had issue: ^Xancy, who married l\ol)ert Ross; -Gussie, who married Elisha Ross; ^Prudence, who married William Ross; ^John. unmarried at la-t accounts, l)Ut on the lookout for a Ross. I'midcnce i'olk, ninth cliild of Cuml)erlan(l Polk and X'ancy (Cox) I'olk. married h^'cderick Jones and had tw(j children: ''Mary, wlio married William White ; -William. Alary Ann. tenth child of Cumberland Polk and X^ancy (Cox) I'olk'. married Charles Jackson, but had no issue. Al.'irtlia l\ii])in-('n I'olk. eleventh child of Cumberland POLK FAMILY A A" D K I X S M E X 105 Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk, married Handy A\'alker and had issue: \|encv. -James, "^Ella. James Polk, twelfth child of Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk, never married. A\"illiam Polk, fifth child of Taylor Polk and Jency (Wal- ker; Polk married two cousins. Misses Grififith. By the first he had two sons. Levi and Cumberland. Both of these young men joined the Confederate army and fell in battle. By his second marriage \\'illiam Polk had no issue and his line be- came extinct. Alfred Polk, sixth child of Taylor Polk and Jency (Wal- ker) Polk, married twice; first to Irene Chandler; second to ]\Irs. Ricketts. By the first he had issue: \Tames. -Josiah, "Mary J., who married W. W. Garner; ^]\Iitchell A.. ■''Caroline, who married L. Dennis; ''Benjamin. 'Samuel, ^Almeda, who married J. X'. Stancill ; -'Young C. Polk. Bv his second marriage, to ]\Irs. Ricketts. Alfred Polk had issue; i^Robert P.. ^^Wm. P.. ^-'Richard T. Polk. Jency Polk, seventh child i)f Taylor Polk and Jency (Wal- ker) Polk, married ?\Iitchell Anderson, a brother to Prudence Anderson, who married Taylor Polk. •2nd. Issue; ^Fannie. 2James, ^^Mitchell, -^Benjamin, ^Abraham. '^Eliza. '^Stacy. ^Tane, ^Henry. ^"^Taylor Anderson. James [Mitchell. Benjamin and Abraham Anderson, all quite young, enlisted in the Confederate army and were all killed in battle. The other children of [Mitchell Polk have not been traced. The God of Battles certainly laid a heavy hand on this familv. 105 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTER XXII. MARGARET POLK McREA. Margaret Polk, sixth child of William Polk and Margaret (Taylor) Polk, married Robert McRea, of North Carolina, and had eleven children: nVilliam. -Debora, •''James P., ^Susan, ^Dinah, ^Margaret, 'Thomas, ^Harriett, s^ichard, lOWilliam, ".Mary McRea. ^^^'^ William :\IcRea, eldest son of Robert McRea and Marga- ret (Polk) McRea, married and had issue: ^William, -David, "James, ^Margaret, ^Banks, ^^Richard, "^Robert, ^Josephine Mc- Rea. Debora McRea, second child of Robert McRea and Mar- garet ( Polk) McRea, married Wm. Campbell and had nine children, viz.: ^Mary, -Jane. ^Debora, ''Robert, -^Margaret, ^William, ^Harriet, ^John, and ''Andrew Campbell. James P. McRea, third child of Robert and Mar-^jr-ret (Polk) McRea, married and emigrated to Tennessee, and had a family of ten children, viz.: ^Margaret, -Robert, •''Sarah/^ARIA)^ ^Mary, •\\dam, •'Jamesi 'William, ^Eugene, ''Rebecca, ^^'Julia McRea. , „ Vf^^^^c.A Ht<..=^^ p^^^vapd vSarah^the third child of James P. ^IcRea, of Tennessee,' ^j -^^-x I married ^e^^^— Clay and left issue : ^Margaret, -James, nVilliam, ^John L., •'^Leonidas, «Sarah, "^Martha Clay, /^^ A. Susan AlcRea, fourth child of Robert McRea and Margaret ( I'ulk) McRea, married William Barnett and had issue: ^Wil- liam, -Susan. -'Margaret, ^Ann, -^Jack, "Jane, '^Robert Barnett. I )inah McRea, Fifth child of Robert McRea and Margaret ( Pi ilk) McRea, married Hart, and had issue : ^Mary, -.Margaret, ^Isabella, ■^William, •'"'David Hart. Margaret McRea, sixth child of Robert McRea and Mar- garet (Polk) McRea, married Spratt and had issue: ^'IMidina^, -Robert, ''^Margaret, ^Susan, •''James, ^Elizabeth, "Martha, ^Leonidas Spratt. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 107 Thomas McRea, seventh child of Robert McRea and Mar- garet (Polk) ]\IcRea, married and had three children, viz. : ^William, -Robert, ^Alargaret ^McRea. Harriet AIcRea, eighth child of Robert AIcRea and Mar- garet (Polk) IVIcRea, married Taylor and had is- sue : ^Alary, ^Robert, ^John Taylor. Rachel McRea, ninth child of Robert AIcRea and ^lar- garet (Polk) McRea, married Vance and had issue: ^Robert, and -James Vance. William McRea, tenth child of Robert McRea and ^Mar- garet (Polk) McRea, died unmarried. Alary McRea, eleventh child of Robert ]\IcRea and Alar- garet (Polk) AIcRea, married Barnett and had is- sue : ^Marv. and -\Mlliam Barnett. 108 POLK FA XI I LY A N D K I N S M E N CHAPTER XXIII. GENERAL THOMAS POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Gen'l Thomas Polk, seventh child of William Polk and Margaret (Taylor) Polk, married Susan Spratt. a daughter of Thomas Spratt, a prominent citizen of ^Mecklenburg County, by whom he had: ^Thomas, -Col. William, "Ezekiel, who was lost at sea. says Mrs. Smart in 1S4!). in a letter to Bishop Polk; ^Charles. -^Margaret, "^^lary, 'Martha. *^James, ''Debora Polk. Thomas Polk, eldest child of General Thomas Polk, and Susan (Spratt) Polk, never married. He was a Captain in the Revolution, in the Fourth North Carolina regiment, com- manded l:)y his father, and was killed by a bullet in the fore- head, at the hard fought battle of Eutaw, Sept. S, 1781, where the gallant patriots under General Nathaniel Greene contend- ed for five hours with an army of veteran British soldiers under General Stuart, the engagement being a drawn battle in which both sides suffered a heavy loss of officers and men. Colonel William Polk, second child of General Thomas Polk and Susan (Spratt) Polk, was twice married; first to Grizelda Gilchrist, second to Sarah Hawkins. By his first wife he had two sons: ^General Thos. G. Polk, -Dr. William Julius Polk, r.y h.is second wife he had eight children, viz.: ^Lucius Junius Polk, ^Lieutenant General Leonidas Polk, Con- federate States Army, who was killed during the Civil War b\' a cannon shot, at Pine Mountain, Ga.. Jttne 14. 1864, while reconnoitering the Federal lines; "'Mary B. Polk, "^Alexandei Hamiltrm Poik, 'Col. Rufus K. Polk. '^George W. Polk, »Susan S. IN ilk. '"Col. Andrew J. Polk. Pucinda, another child of Col Wm. polk. I)orn Jan. 12. I.sii4. died when a little over a year old, as did also another child, John I-4awkins Polk. General Thomas G. Polk, eldest son of Col. William Polk and Gri/elda (Gilchrist) Polk, wa- born I'ebruary 22, 1791. and man-icd Marv Trotter, ])\- wliom he had -ix children to live to POLK FA M 1 L y A N D K I A' S M E N 109 GEX'L THOS. G. POLK. of North Carolina. r THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AST9R, Lf NOX AND TILDrN FO«'0(DAriON8. POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E A HI maturity, viz.: ^Mary A. Polk, -Jane Polk, •"'William Polk, ^Richard Polk, ^Emily Polk, ^Thomas Polk. The three last named died unmarried. Mary A. Polk, first child of General Thomas G. Polk and j\Iary (Trotter) Polk, married Hon. George Davis, of Raleigh, N. C, a distinguished lawyer and Attorney General of the Con- federate States, under President Jefferson Davis. Six of their children lived to maturity, viz: ^Junius Davis, -Mary Davis (who died unmarried), •'^Emily Davis, '^Louis Davis, (who also died unmarried ) ; '^Isabella Davis, ''^Margaret Davis. Junius Davis, eldest child of Hon. George Davis and Mary (Polk) Davis, married twice ; first to Mary Orme Walker, second to Mary Cowan. By them he had eight children: ^Mary Polk Davis, -Thomas Davis, "^Junius Davis, ^George Davis, ^Platt Davis, *'Louis Davis, "Robert C. Davis, ^Eliza Davis, the two last named hy his second wife. Emily Davis, third child of Hon. George Davis and ]\Iary (Polk) Davis, married June Crowe and had issue: ^George Crowe, ^Fairfax Crowe, "''William Crowe, ^Emmet Polk Crowe. Isabella Davis, fifth child of Hon. George Davis and Mary (Polk) Davis, married Spencer Shotter, by whom she had one child, Isabella Davis Shotter. Margaret Davis, youngest child of Hon. George Davis and Mary (Polk) Davis, married George Rountree and had issue: ^Isabella Rountree, -Cynthia Rountree, ^]\Ieta Roun- tree. Jane Polk, second child of General Thomas G. Polk and Mary (Trotter) Polk, married Dr. A. P.uchelle and died with- out issue. Colonel \Mlliam Polk, third child and eldest son of Gen- eral Thomas G. Polk and Mary (Trotter) Polk, born in :\Ieck- lenburg Countv, X. C, 1.^22, now a resident of Alexandria, La., is a sugar planter and enterprising business man. He is a member of the Order of the Cincinnati, by de- scent from his grandfather. Col. William Polk, of the Revolu- tion. Col. W'm. Polk first married Miss Flower, who died leaving one child, a son . His second wife was Miss Rebecca Evaline Lamar, of Georgia, a cousin of 112 P O LK F A M I LY A N D KIN S M E N Justice Lamar, and niece of General AI. \^. Lamar, a President of the Republic of Texas. Col. Polk has three children : LMice Polk, -William Polk, ^Eloise Polk. Alice i'olk, eldest child of Col. W^m. Polk and Rebecca Evaline (Lamar) Polk, married Wm. P. Flower, a sugar plant- er of Louisiana, by whom she had one child, William Polk Flower, Jr. William I'olk, second child of Col. Wm. Polk and Rebecca Evaline (Lamar) Polk, married Aliss Baillio. He is also a sugar planter and large landholder in the Parish of Rapides. He had one child, Lamar Polk. Eloise Polk, third child of Col. Wm. Polk and Rebecca Evaline (Lamar) Polk, married David S. Ferris, of Xev^ York, and the}' have one son, Coldon Lix'ingston Ferris. Dr. William Julius Polk, second son of Col. William Polk and Grizelda (Gilchrist) Polk, was born March 21, 1793. He married Alary R. Long, a granddaughter of General Allen Jones O'f Halifax, North Carolina. L>^sue: M",rizelda, ^Allen J 3Dr. Thomas G., ^Mary Branch; Gen'l Lucius E., Col. Cad- wallader, and Col. Rufus K. Polk. JOHN PAUL JONES. John Paul, the young Scotchman who was called the father of the American Navy, and whose naval exploits during the American Revolution startled the world, shortly after coming to America lived long in the JlK'd in tlic January. 1!M)S, numlicr ni the American Historical Alaga/inc, Mi-s Alary Winder Garrett, says of Airs. Alary (Lon-) P. ilk. wile of Dr. Wm. 1. Polk: "This ladv had the POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN n3 brave, undaunted spirit of the Roman matron ; and, when in the late Civil War General Buell offered it, declined protection for herself and home, while her sons were exposed to the dan- gers of the field." In this connection it may also be stated that when the Fed- eral Army occupied Xashville, General lUiell made a similar offer of protection to ^Irs. James K. Polk, which she also de- clined. But General Buell, notwithstanding her refusal, gave that protection to her home which he deemed requisite and nec- essary. Illustrative of the high spirit which characterized the females of the Jones family during the Revolutionary War, we quote the following from Mrs. Ellet's "Women of the Revolu- tion." '"When Cornwallis and his army were at Halifax, on their way to \'irginia. Col. Tarlton was at the house of an American. In the presence of Airs. Willie Jones, Tarlton spoke of Col. William Washington as an illiterate fellow, hardly able to write his name. "Ah. Colonel," said Airs. Jones, "You ought to know- better, for you bear on your person proof that he knows very well how to make his mark !" At another time, Tarlton was speaking sarcastically of Col. Washington, in the presence of Mrs. Jones' sister, Mrs. Ashe. "I would be happy to see Colonel Washington." he said, "with a sneer."' Airs. Ashe instantly replied: "If you had looked behind you. Col. Tarlton, at the battle of the Cow^- pens, yoti would have enjoyed that pleasure." "Stung with this keen wit. Tarlton placed his hand on his sword. General Leslie, Tarlton's superior, who was pre- sent, remarked: "Say what you please. Airs. Ashe. Colonel Tarlton knows better than to insult a lady in my presence." The children of Dr. William J. Polk and Alary (Long) Polk, that attained to maturity, were: ^Grizelda Gilchrist, Polk, ^Alajor Allen J. Polk, ^Thomas G. Polk, ^Lucius E. Polk. "Alary J. Polk, «Cadwallader Polk, and 'Rufus K. Polk. Grizelda Gilchrist Polk, eldest child of Dr. William J. Polk and Alary (Long) Polk, married Judge Russell Houston, a native of Tennessee, a talented and prominent lawyer, and cit one time Chief Justice of his native state. For a quarter of a century he held the position of Chief Counsel to the Louis- ville & Xashville Railroad. In politics. Judge Houston was a 114 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Wliig, and when the Ci\"il War came on as a result of the contention over slavery, he espoused the cause of the L'nion. The children of Judge Russell Houston and Grizelda ( Gil- christj Polk, were ^Mary R. Houston, -Allen P. Houston, "Lucius E. Houston, ^Elise, -^Houston. ]\Iary Russell Houston, eldest child of Judge Russell Hous- ton and Grizelda (Polk) Houston, married Lytle Buchanan. Allen P. Houston, second child of Judge Russell Houston and Grizelda (Polk) Houston, married Alattie Belle Shreve, and they had issue: ^Russell Houston, -Bell L. Houston, ^Allen P. Houston, Jr. Lucia E. Houston, third child of Judge Russell Houston and Grizelda (Polk) Houston, married George H. Hull and had five children, \\z. : ^Grizelda H. Hull, -George H. Hull, "Lytle B. Hull, ^Russell H. Hull, •''Lucia H. Hull. Elise Houston, fourth child of Judge Russell Houston and Grizelda (Polk) Houston, married John L. Ferrell. Issue: ^Grizelda H. Ferrell (deceased), -Alary Russell Ferrell. MAJOR ALLEN J. POLK. Major Allen J. Polk, second child and eldest son of Dr. William J. Polk and Alary (Long) Polk, was twice married; first to Miss Alary Clendennin, in 1S4G. His second wife was Aliss Anna Clark Fitzhugh of Louisville, a very beautiful wo- man, daughter of Judge Dennis Fitzhugh, third husband of Francis Eleanor Clark, youngest sister of General George Rog- ers Clark, Conqueror of the Northwest Territory in 1778. i')y his first wife, Aliss Clendennin, Alajor Allen J. Polk had line t-Jiild to reach maturity, Alary Polk, wdio married Frank llemphill and had issue: ^Alary, -Allen, and '"'Polk Hemphill. By his second wife, Anna Clark Fitzhugh, Alajor Polk had issue: ^Susie H. Polk. ^Anna Lee Polk, ^Zelda Polk 4Rol,in Alk-n 1 'oik. Susie 1 1., daughter of Alajor Allen J. Polk and Anna Clark (Fitzhugh) Polk, married T. W. Keesee January 1:3, 1SS7, and has issue: ^Zelda Polk Keesee, born January 31, 1889; ^Thomas Woolfin Keesee, born July 13. 1S91 ; -Allen Polk Keesee, l)orn Octol)er L isOTi. POLK F A M I L Y A X D K I N S M E N 115 Anna Lee Polk, daughter of Alajor Allen J. Polk and Anna Clark (Fitzhughj P'olk. married Samuel A. Pepper and had issue: ^Allen Polk Pepper (daughter) born December 5, 1888; -Zelda Fontaine Pepper, born March 27, 1889 ; ^Anna Fitzhugh Pepper, born February 7, 1895. Zelda Polk, daughter of ]^Iajor Allen J. Polk and Anna Clark (Fitzhugh) Polk, married Capt. D. T. Hargreaves, of Memphis, Tennesseee, Xovember 12, 1890. IIQ ■ POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTP]R XXIV. THE MECKLENBURG DECLARATION. No political transaction in America has provoked more controversy than that of the ^Mecklenburg Declaration of in- dependence, at Charlotte, North Carolina, on June 20th. ITT-"), more than a year previous to the Declaration formulated by the Continental Congress and enunciated at Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. It is a well known fact that jealousy and aml)iti(tn play no inconsiderable part in man}- of the affairs of mankind, ant! that they often give col(jr and support to false assumptions regarding human transactions. And these influences, jeal- ousies and ambition, lie at the bottom of all that has ^ctn written and spoken against the authenticity of the Mecklen- burg Declaration. Historians and writers of the Northern colonies of Alass- achusetts. New York. Connecticut. New^ Jersey. Pennsylvania, and also of Virginia. haxQ earnestly endeavored to preserve their Revolutionary records, and they have not l)een Ijack- \vard in claiming for their respecti\'e colonies the lion's share of honors attending the performance of the struggling pat- riots. Particularly is this true of the historians and writers of Alassachusetts and Virginia. It is true that the initial ])low that precipitated the active conflict was struck at Lexington. Massachusetts, on April 19th, 1775. r)ne month later. May 19th. 1775. the patriots of Mecklenl)urg County. North Caro- lina, assembled at Charlotte, to deliberate on wdiat w^as best to be done to escape the [political ills to which they had long been subjected by I'ritish power, and on the following day issued their declaration of independence. BATTLE OF ALLAMANCE. Four years before the affair at Lexington, however, a blow had l)een struck l)y the people of North Carolina, at Alia- POLK FA M I LV A A' D K I X S M E N II7 mance, in which a large numl:)er of patriots, then styled "Regu- lators," were killed and wounded, and a considerable number cf the force of Go\ernor Tryon, the Colonial Executive, were also placed liors de coDibat. The occasion of this sanguinary clash between the Royal Governor's forces and the Xorth Carolina Cohjnists was the repeated exactions and hardships imposed on the people by his Lordship, through his rapacious agents and officials. After an exciting" train of events had happened, the contention even- tuated in bloodshed. The battle of Allanuince has well been called the "reveille drumbeat of the Revolution." l^ecause it was the first armed conflict to take place in America Ijetween the colonists and their British oppressors. This conflict occurred on May 16. 1771, near the head-waters of Cape Fear river. Therefore it antedated the afl:'air at Lexington, Massachusetts, by al- most four years. It also preceded the Mecklenburg Declara- tion the same length of time, and the Philadelphia Declara- tion ])y more than five years. Yet. in spite of these incon- trovertiljle facts, partial historians have for a century tried to obscure them and accord all the honors to a later conflict and a later Declaration of Independence. Although the Regulators were defeated at Allamance. leaving a large number of their dead and wounded on the field, Tryon was given a test of patriot mettle and shown that Americans would not tamely submit to the oppressions of George III and his tyrannical henchmen. The principles for wdiich the Xorth Carolina patriots fought Tryon, a short time later found expression in the ^Mecklenburg Declaration This conflict served to intensify the state of feeling then ex- isting, and for four years following the public mind was kept tense and expectant by numerous incidents of outrage, bad feeling and contention. Out of these feelings and opinions grew the Mecklenlnirg meeting and pronouncement of independence. The town of Charlotte was the chief point at which was held a series of meetings to discuss the condition of affairs in that section of the colony. These meetings were at first irregular and without system. It was finally agreed that Col. Thomas Polk. 118 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN who commanded the Mecklenburg ^Militia regiment, a large property holder, a man of great excellence of character, ex- tensive knowledge of his people, and deservedly popular, should be authorized to call a convention of the representa- tives of the people whenever circumstances should appear to require it. Col. Polk was a brother of Capt. Ezekiel Polk, grand-father of James K. Polk. It was also agreed that the Convention, when called, should consist of two men from each captain's company chosen by the people of the several militia districts of the County, and that their decisions should be binding upon the people of Mecklenburg. Governor Mar- tin, who had succeeded Tryon as Royal Governor of the Col- ony, sought to prevent the assembling of the Provincial Con- gress at Newbern, and great excitement followed his action. CONVENTION MEETS. Believing that the time for action had arrived. Col. Polk issued notice to the elected committeemen of the County to assemble at the court house in Charlotte. This they did on May 19, 1775. Abraham Alexander was chosen chairman and Dr. Ephraim Brevard, secretary of the meeting. The la*, ter was a son-in-law of Col. Thos. Polk, having married the latter's daughter Martha. Dr. Brevard was a graduate of Princeton, a man of good education and scholarly attainments, and it is said that on him as secretary of the resolutions com- mittee, devolved the duty of drafting the resolutions prepared by the committee and reported to the convention. The Alex- anders were also related to the Polk's by intermarrriage. During the first, and most of the second day, the subject of mdependence was discussed. The news of the battle of Lex ington reached Charlotte during the convention, it is said r.nfl it pr(im])ted the delegates to decisive action. The com- mittee thereupon reported the resolves, which were as follows : THE RESOLVES. 1st. Resolved, That whosoever directly or indirectly abetted, or in any way, form, tir manner, countenanced the unchartered and dangerous in\-asion of our rights, as claimed POLK FAMILY AND KI X S M E N HQ by Great Britain, is an enemy to this Country, to America, and to the inherent and inalienable rights of men. 2d. Resolved, That we. the citizens of Mecklenburof County, do hereby dissolve the political bands which have connected us to the mother country, and hereby absolve our- selves from all allegiance to the British Crown, and abjure all political connection, contract, or association, with that na- tion, who have wantonly trampled on our rights and liber- ties, and inhumanly shed the blood of American patriots at Lexington. 3d. Resolved, That we do hereby declare ourselves a free and independent people ; are, and of rigiit ought to be, a sovereign and self-governing Association, under the control of no power other than that of our God, and the general government of the Congress ; to the maintenance of which independence, we solemnly pledge to each other our mutual co-operation, our lives, our fortunes, and our most sacred honor. 4th. Resolved, That as we r.ow acknowledge the existence and control of no law or legal officer, civil or military, within this country, we do hereby ordain and adopt as a rule of life, all, each, and every of our former laws — wherein, neverthe- less, the Crown of Great Britain never can be considered as holding rig-hts. privileges, immunities, or authority therein. 5th. Resolved, That it is further decreed, that all, each, and every militia officer in this county is hereby reinstated m his former command and authority, he acting conformably to these regulations. And that ever}- member present, of this delegation, shall hencef jrth be a civil officer, viz. : a Justice of the Peace, in the character of a Committeeman, to issue process, hear and determine all matters of contro- versy, according to said adopted laws, and to preserve peace, union and harmony in said county ; and to use every exer- tion to spread the love of country and tire of freedom through- 120 POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N out America, until a more general and organized government be established in this province. Abraham Alexander. Chairman. John AfcKnitt Alexander, Secretary, Ephraim Brevard, Hezekiah J. Balch, John Phifer, James Harris, William Kennon, John Ford, Richard Barry, Henry Downs, Ezra Alexander, \\ illiam Graham, John Queary, Hezekiah Alexander, Charles Alexander, Zaccheus Wilson, Waightstill Avery, Benjamin Patton, Matthew AlcClure, Neil Morrison, Robert Irving, John Flannegin, David Reese, John Davidson, Richard Harris, Thomas Polk, Sr. Adam Alexander, A vote was then taken and the resolves were unanimously concurred in. By-laws and regulations for the government of a standing Committee of Safety were then adopted. These resolutions, which were drawn up by Dr. Ephraim Brevard, chairman of the committee, were read by him to the delegation. The resolves, by-laws, and regulations were read by John AIcKnitt Alexander. The chair then put the question and the vote was a unanimous approval. Shortly after the vote of the convention on the resolutions and com- plying with the vociferous demands of those outside who were unable to get into the house. Col. Thomas Polk, stand- ing on the court house steps, read the resolutions and other resolves to the assemblage of citizens, who also gave sanction to the same by lusty cheers and throwing up of hats, some of which fell on the roof of the courthouse. A copy of all the transactions was then made and dis- patched by Captain James Jack to Philadelphia, requesting him to ])resent them to Congress, which body was then in session. Another copy was sent to Samuel Johnston. Moderator of the l'i'ii\incial Congress at llillsboro, and was laid before that body by him. On arrival of Capt. Jack at Philadelphia, POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 121 lie delivered the resoIuti'o>ns to Messrs. Caswell, Hooper and Hewes, delegates in Congress from North Carolina. These gentlemen, it is reported, considered the resolutions prema- ture, or radical, and did not offer them to Congress. It is said that they were shown to some of the meml^ers of Con- gress who held advanced views on the question of indepen- dence, among them Thomas Jefferson. That the latter saw the resolutions there can be little doubt, in view of the fact that some of the exact verbiage of the Mecklenburg" Declara- tion is used in the declaration drawn up by Jefferson at Phila- delphia in July, 1TT(). The friends of Jeft'erson. however claim that the coincidence was only accidental and that Jef- ferson ne\'er saw the copy carried to Philadelphia by Capt. Jack. As the historian Jones observes, in the defense of the Mecklenburg Declaration : "A\diilst the sage of Alonticello was pondering on the various projects of a reconciliation with the mother country, and never for once looking beyond 'that desirable end ;' while Virginia and even Massachusetts were continually vowing allegiance to the Throne ; and North Car- olina herself, through the medium of her Congress, was de daring that independence was not her object, the people of ]\Iecklenburg. with the sagacity of an honest and injured race, recoiled at once on the power that oppressed them, and dissolved forever the unhallowed union of British domina- tion and American allegiance. Among those present at the Mecklenburg meeting and giving their enthusiastic approval to its transactions, were a number of other Polks, including Capt. Ezekiel Polk, broth- er of Col. Thomas Polk. Every member of the family was an earnest and devoted Whig and used every possible eff'ort to advance the cause of independence. A number of years afterward, the original copy of the transactions of the Mecklenburg Convention were consumed by the burning of the house of John McKnitt Alexander, the Convention's Secretary. Thomas Jeft'erson, having his at- tention called to them by Air. Adams, denied that such a dec- laration ever took place. In his egotism and jealousy, for he possessed these qualities in an eminent degree, Mr. Jeft'erson 122 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N yearned to appropriate to himself all the honors of the Ameri- can Declaration of Independence. The Legislature of North Carolina appointed a committee to examine and report on the matter, and among those giving depositions regarding the transactions were a number of aged citizens who were present at the meeting and heard the declaration read. The transaction was conclusively proven, but the carping critics yet continue to deny that such an event ever occurred on May 3Uth, 1775, contending that the only resolutions adopted were those of May 31, following. The Polk family are justly proud of the distinguished part taken in that historic event by their kinsmen, Col. Thos. Polk, Ezekiel Polk, and others of the family. In a speech delivered at Raleigh, in Oct., 19U5, Theodore Roosevelt said: "It was in North Carolina that the Mecklenburg Declara- tion of Independence foreshadowed the course taken in a few short months by the representatives of the thirteen colo- nies assembled at Philadelphia. North Carolina can right- fully say that she pointed us the way which led to the forma- tion of a new nation. In the Revolution she did many mem- orable deeds; and the battle of King's Mountain marked the turning point of the Revolutionary war in tlie South." While all those concerned in the Mecklenburg Declara- tion proceedings did their whole duty, the prime movers in the affair are said to have been Dr. Ephraim Brevard, Waight- still Avery, a distinguished lawyer. Col. Thomas Polk and Rev. Hazekiah Balch, the latter, like Dr. Brevard, a graduate i.f Princeton. The historian Jones says : "Tradition ascribes to Thomas Polk the principal agency in bringing about the declara- tion. He appears to have given the notice for the election of the Convention ; and, l)eing Colonel of the County, to have superintended the election in each of the militia districts. He had been for a long time in the service of the Province as a surveyor, and as a member of the Assembly; and was thus intimately acquainted not only in Mecklenburg, but in the counties generally. Dr. Ephraim I'.revard (the author of the Declaration) and W'aightstill Avery, were men of the high- est classical attainments, and, contributing their enlightened POLK F A M I L y A N D K I N S M E N 123 resources to the shrewd native enthusiasm of Thomas Polk, produced a Declaration at that time unrivalled, not only for the neatness of its style, but for the moral sublimity of its conception." In a letter dated June 22, 1829, to Thomas Jefferson, cal- ling his. attention to the almost forgotten declaration, (and in reply to which ]\Ir. Jefferson denied the authenticity of that transaction) John Adams said: "What a poor, ignorant, malicious, short-sighted, crapulous mass is Tom Pain's Com- mon Sense in comparison with this paper. The genuine sense of America at the moment was never so well expressed before nor since." \Mien the news of the Mecklenburg Conventions action reached the Royal Governor, Martin, he denounced it as a treasonable transaction, "most tratoriously declaring the en- tire dissolution of the -laws, government, and constitution of this countr}'. and setting up a system of rule and regula- tion repugnant to the laws, and subversive of His ^Majesty's Government. And these views, more fully expressed, he transmitted to the Crown, along with a copy of the Cape Fear Mercury, containing the ^Meeting's proceedings and resolu- tions. 124 P O LK F A M I LY AND K I X S M E N CHAPTER XXY SKETCH OF GEN'L. THOMAS POLK. ,. 5 Q- e. -j^O ) 0 ^ Thomas Polk, son of William Polk and Margaret (Taylor) Polk, was born near Carlisle, Pa., abmit 1T;)(». and died at Char- lotte, X. C, in 1793, where he was buried. His father re- moved to the Yadkin Country about 1750. and settled at Sugar Creek, a few miles south of the present town of Char- lotte, close to the South Carolina line. His neighbors and associates, therefore, ctmiprised people of both colonies, who were alike animated by a spirit of resistance to British Tyr- anny. On Sugar Creek Thomas I'olk erected a large mill and also became an extensive planter, acquiring" a large body of land. He had received in Pennsylvania a good English edu- cation and fitted himself for the profession of a surveyor. In this occupation he was quite active for some years after set- tling in his new home, often assisted In' his son William, as the latter approached manhood. By reason of such experi- ence William also became a skilled surveyc)r. l')cing a man of great force of character, keenness of vision in ])ul)Iic affairs, and an ardent advocate of right and justice, Thomas Polk soon took a leading position among his neighbors and was consulted on all matters of monient. In IT.").") Thomas I'olk married Susan Spratt, a daughter rf Thomas Spratt. In 17n!) he was chosen a member of the I'roxincial Assembly of .Xortli Carolina. Under his influence and patronage was founded "Queen's College," at Charlotte, the alma mater of many distinguished Southern men and statesmen. The Crown of Great Britain disallowed the char- ter, ])Ut it prospered ne\-ertheless until I British troops burned its l)uil(lings. I'.y its friends it was called. "The Southern Cradle of Libertv." POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E N 125 In the capacity of surveyor Thomas Polk was frequenth- employed by the Colonial Government of his colony. He was often a meml^er of the Colonial Assembly, serving with credit to himself and constituency. He was a member of that body when Husbands with his "Regulators" made war upon Governor Tyron and later fought the battle of Alla- mance. Thos. Polk is said to have synipathized witli the Regulators. He was a member of the Colonial Congress in 1TT5, and Colonel of Alinute Men in the Salisbury District. In the same year he was made Colonel of the Mecklenburg Militia Regi- ment, and in ITTG. Colonel of the 4th Regiment. North Caro- lina Continentals, which the following year became a part of General Francis Xash's Brigade that joined Washington's army at the north. A short time after the meeting of the Con\'ention at Charlotte, word came that a number of Tories had embodied themselves at Cross Creek ( iTijw Fayetteville ) to oppose the American cause. Col. Thomas Polk promptly raised a regi- ment of infantry and cavalry, the latter corps commanded l)v his brother. Capt. Charles Polk. Hut when Col. Polk and liis ft)rce reached the scene the Tories had dispersed, and the troops returned home. In 1771 Thomas Polk was again a member of the Provin- cial Assembly with Abraham Alexander, from ^Mecklenburg, in the Low^er House. Joseph Martin was then Royal Governor of the Province. Thomas took a leading part in all the move- ments to oppose the aggressions of the Crown. As stated by Joseph Seawell Jones, the Xorth Cardlina historian; '"Thomas Polk was the first to maintain the necessity of dissolving the political ties wliich bound the colonies to Great Britain. His feelings and opinions were decided, his expressions outspoken and courageous." And Jones adds: "Out of these feelings and opinions grew the ^Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence." The feeling for independence was much more pronounc- ed in the Southern than in Xew York and some other North- ern colonies, where opinions were very much mixed as to the advisability of resistance. Xorth Carolina was largely settled by Scotch-Irish, who were traditional opponents of 126 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN kingly encroachments. There were also a large number of Scotchmen in the Province, the greater proportion of whom were Loyalists, bearing arms against their neighbors who adhered to the cause of freedom. One regiment of these was headed by Donald McDonald, who later was made a prisoner when his regiment was defeated by the patriots Cornwallis pronounced the town of Charlotte, "The Hornet's Nest of Xorth Carolina." In his Memoirs, p. 159, Col. Tarlton says: "It was evident, and had been fre- quently mentioned to the King's ofBcers, that the counties of Mecklenburg and Rowan were more hostile to England than 1,'ny others in America." Col. Thomas Polk was a born leader of men, and recog- nized as a master spirit in the community in which he lived. His policy was one of uncompromising resistance to the en- croachments of the British ministry. After the collision on April 19th, 1TT5, between the King's troops and Massachu- setts patriots, he was called on, as Colonel of the County, to call a meeting of the people of Mecklenburg, such conven- tion to be composed of tw^o delegates from each company of his regiment. This he did, and thus was organized the body which enunciated the famous Mecklenburg Declara- tion. From the court house steps Col. Polk read to the assem- bled throng outside the resolutions adopted, and which had ])een drawn up by his son-in-law, Dr. Ephraim Brevard, Sec- retary of the Committee on Resolutions. On July ;3(), 1775, Governor Martin wrote to the Colo- 1 ial Secretary, in London: "The resolves of the Committee of Mecklenburg, whicli your lordship will find in the en- closed newspaper, surpass all the horrid and treasonable pul)- lications the inflammatory spirits of this continent have yet produced." Only nine days later Gov. Alartin, fleeing from the gath- ermg stcjrm and taking refuge on a British warship in the harbor, issued a proclamation in which he denounced the newspaper account a.^ an "infamous publication," and the resolutions as "most tratoriously declaring the entire dissolu- tion of the laws, government and constitution of this country, POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 127 and setting up a system of rule and regulation repugnant to the laws and subversive of His Majesty's government/' The Tories of South Carolina, attacked the patriots un- der Col. Williamson, at Cambridge and Xinety-Six, compell- ing him to capitulate. In retaliation, the South Carolina Council of Safety ordered out troops, among them Thomp- son's Mounted Rangers, in which Capt. Ezekiel Polk, a brother of Col. Thomas Polk, commanded a company. Nine hundred North Carolina troops, under Col. Thomas Polk. Rutherford, Morten and Graham, went to their assistance, and in a severe engagement defeated the Royalists. Col. Polk's Regiment, the 4th Continentals, was brigad- ed under General Francis Xash, and formed a part of that command when it was ordered in ITTT to the North to rein- force Washington. For three years Col. Polk remained un- der Washington, participating in the battle of Brandywine and other engagements. It also suffered at Valley Forge. In Nov., 1779, the North Carolina troops returned to the South to reinforce General Lincoln, and, except Col. Polk's regiment, were added to the garrison of Charleston, where they were captured in ]\Iay, 17S0. DEFEATS AT CAMDEN AND SUMPTER. General Gates, the much heralded "Hero of Saratoga," was then chosen to command the Southern Department. Through Pinkney, the aide to Baron de Kalb, Gates offered Col. Thos. Polk (Aug. 3), the double position of Commissary General of the State, and Commissary of Purchases for the army. This tender he accepted, but soon after occurred the disastrous defeat of Gates at Camden. The latter was panic- stricken and fled to Hillsboro. the then seat of government. Two days after Camden, Sumpter was also defeated. Corn- wallis had started on his march to Charlotte, with a view of utterly destroying the "Hornets' Nest." As he neared the town the family of Col. Thomas Polk fled to a place of safety. On Sept. 2r)th Cornwallis entered Charlotte and appro- priated Col. Polk's residence for his headquarters, it being the only painted house in the town at that time, it is said. There he remained until the American victory at King's 128 P O LK F A M I LY AND K I N S M E N Mountain, Oct. 7, 1780, when he decamped. Before leaving he confiscated all of the property of Col. Polk that he could find. Four days after the King's ^Mountain afl:'air Col. Polk wrote the following to the lioard of Wav. "Camp Yadkin River, Oct. M, 17.S(». Gentlemen : — I have the pleasure to inform you that on Saturday last the noted Col. Ferguson, with l-")0 men, fell on King's [Moun- tain ; SIM) taken i)risoners and 1, ■-)()() stand of arms. Cleveland and Campbell commanded. A glorious afl:"air. In a few days we will l)e in Charlotte, and I will take possession of my house, and his lordship take the woods. I am, Gentlemen, AA'ith Respect, Your humble servant Thos. Polk. To the Board of War, Hillsboro." Riding from house to house in A\'estern Xorth Carolina, and also across the border in South Carolina, Col. Polk en- couraged all to enlist in the patriot ranks. He was highly esteemed by General Greene, and after the death of General Davidson at the battle of Cowan's Ford, the field officers of the Salisbury District strongly urging his appointment. Col. Polk was commissioned in Davidson's stead. In considera- tion of the claim of Col. Locke, the commission was not con- firmed. THE MILITARY ORGANIZED. In August, 1775, the Colonial Congress addressed itself to the question of resistance. Two Continental Regiments the 1st and 2d, were raised, commanded respectively by Colo- nels Moore and Howe. The Minute Men and ]\Iilitia were also well organized into companies and regiments each county ct)ntril)uting a ]\Iilitia Regiment. In all, the Militia Regiments numl)cred thirty-five. Tlic field officers of the Alecklenburg Regiment w^ere : Thomas Polk, Colonel; Adam Alexander, Lieut. Colonel; John Phifcr, 1st Major; John Davidson, 2nd Major. In a ^hort time thereafter it de\-eloped that some of the [Militia POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 129 officers selected were Loyalists and they were displaced and some of them prosecuted. In April, 1776, the ^Militia system was reorganized by the Congress, care being taken to enlist none but true pa- triots. Francis Nash (who fell in Sept., 1777, at German- town, near Philadelphia) succeeded to command of the 1st North Carolina Continentals, and Alexander Martin to com- mand of the v?nd regiment. Col. Thomas Polk was also ad- \'anced to the Continental Line, four more regiments of that branch of service being raised. He was chosen Colonel of the -tth Regiment with James Thackston as Lieutenant, Colo- nel and Wm. Davidson ]^Iajor. This regiment constituted a part of Nash's Brigade, which afterward marched North to the aid of Washington, and saw hard service in numerous engagements, and suffered and starved with the devoted For- lorn Hope of American cause at Valley Forge. ESCORTS BAGGAGE TRAIN TO BETHLEHEM. Just before the battle of Germantown. when the advanc- ing Ih'itish force under Lord Howe was nearin^- Philadel- phia. A\'ashington ordered Col. Thos. Polk to take two hun- dred men — a battalion of his mounted regiment — and escort a baggage train of seven hundretl wagons, loaded with all the army stores, to a place of safety. On these wagons were also loaded all the bells of the city, in order to prevent the British from casting them into cannon balls. Among these bells was that on the State House, known as "Liberty Bell," rung on July S, 1776, to proclaim the Declaration of Inde- pendence. This bell was cracked on July 8, 1835. when tolled for the last time, on the occasion of the funeral solemnities rf Chief Justice John Marshall. To his children and grand- children Col. Polk often related the incidents of his escort of the baggage train to a place of safety. Leaving Philadelphia, the train journeyed North to Beth- lehem, a quiet village on the Lehigh, settled by ^^loravians, and arrived there on Sept. 23d. In his book entitled "Leonidas Polk, Bishop and Gene- ral," an interesting life of his father. Dr. AVm. ^^lecklenburg Polk relates the Libertv Bell incident as follows: 130 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN "Among other services entrusted at this period to this active officer (Col. Thomas Polk) was the command of the force which removed the heavy baggage of the army to a j lace of safety. " "With these went the bells of Philadelphia, which on the near approach of the British had been taken down from their airy homes in tower, steeple, and belfry, hurried upon wa- l. Col. Wm. Polk, his father, died in Raleigh nearly four score years of age. It i- but little know, and is rather an odd fact that Leonidas Polk's mother was one of the earliest railway pro- motcr< in the Lnited States; a line projected in North Caro- lina, a cheap, stra])-iron tramway costing $2,250 per mile, running from the east i)ortico of the Capitol at Raleigh to a POLK F A M I L Y A N D KI N S .U /;" N 171 BISHOP LEOXIDAS POLK AND WIFE. THENEWYonv PUBLIC LIgRABY ii^r.z. POLK FAMILY A N D K 1 X S M E i\ 173 Stone quarry. It was called the "Experimental Railway," and was finished in 1833, when a handsome passenger car was put on the track "for the accommodation," as the directors an- nounced, "of such ladies and gentlemen as desired to take the exercise of a railroad airing." Crowds of people flocked in from the surrounding country and adjacent counties to avail themselves of the privilege, and it is recorded that no accidents occurred, the directors having prudently provided as the motive power of the train a safe old horse that was warranted not to run away ! ]\Irs. Polk was not only the projector of the ""Experimental Railway," but was also one of the principal stockholders, and the soundness of her judgment was amply vindicated when the profits of the enterprise were found to amount to three hun- dred per cent, of the original investment. When the success of the Experimental Railway led to other railway enterprises of greater magnitude, >\Irs. Polk was not forgoitten ; and at a banquet given in honor of the first train drawn by steam power into Raleigh, a special toast was drunk : ""To the distinguished lady who suggested the construction of the Experimental Rail- way ; she well deserves a name among the benefactors of the State." In 1834 Leonidas Polk went to Raleigh, and the following Spring took charge of the Episcopal church at Columbia. In 1835, on account of failing health, he traveled in Kentucky He was next made Bishop of the Southwest, his field embrac- ing Arkansas, the Texas Republic, Indian Territory, Alissis- sippi, Louisiana and Alabama. As such he was consecrated by Bishops Smith. Meade. Otey and McHvane. In the sum- mer of 1856 Bishop Polk announced his plan for founding a University at Sewanee, Tenn. In this he w^as ably seconded by Bishop Stephen Elliott, and on Oct. 6, 1860, the corner stone of the University of the South was laid at Sewanee by Bishop Polk. Bishop Otey, of Tennessee, presided, and the orator of the day was Col. John S. Preston, of South Carolina. THE CIVIL WAR. The approaching mighty conflict of arms which during its progress drenched the land in fratricidal blood, now absorbed 174 POLK FAMILY .t N D KINSMEN the attention of the people. The son and grandson of soldiers, and himself educated for that profession. Bishop Polk natur- ally took special interest in the approaching struggle. On Alay 14, ISGI, Bishop Polk wrote to Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States, about the exposed situa- tion of the Mississippi Valley States. In reply Air. Davis wrote from Alontgomery, Ala., on May 22d. closing his letter with the sentence: "It would gratify me very much to see you." Bishop Polk next visited Virginia, held services, and did what he could to sustain the cause of his people. Mr. Davis offered Iiim command of the Department of the West, but he declined it. Shortly afterward he offered him a commission as Brigadier General, to have command of the land and water defenses of the Mississippi, above the mouth of Red River. A few days later Air. Davis sent him an urgent re- quest to accept the commission of Major General, with prac- tically the same duties. Several delegations from the Missis- sippi Valley went to Richmond to urge Bis'hop Polk's accept ance of the tender and finally he consented. His commission as Alajor General was issued June 25, 1861, and a few days later he proceeded to take command of the department, with headquarters at Memphis. Neither Missouri nor Kentucky were included in his command. On July 38 General Pillow occupied New Madrid, Mo., with (i.OOO men, and Gen'l Hardee had 7,011(1 at Pocahontas. In Sept., 1861 Missouri and all Arkansas were added 'to Gen'l Polk's department. On August 38th General Fremont, the Federal Com- mander in Alissouri, assigned Brigadier General U. S. Grant to the command of Federal forces in Southeast Alissouri, to operate against Gen'l Polk's forces. A land and naval force was dispatched under Col. Wagner to occupy and hold Bel- mont, opposite Columbus. It landed there on Sept. 3d. On Nov. 7th, a little more than four days later, occurred the battle of Belmiint, at the close of which Gen'l Grant's force was driven fr(im the field and escaped by boats. Marcli ."), is(i3, Gen'l Beauregard assumed command of the First Division of the Western Department and placed Gen'l P'ilk in cimimand nf the forces at Humlxiidt. The designation 'fe' POLK FAMILY A N D KINS M E N I75 of the army was now changed to that of the x\rmy of the ]\Iis- sissippi, and the army was divided into four corps, with Albert Sidney Johnston as Commander-in-Chief. Beaureg-ard second in command, and Bragg Chief of Staff. The four corps were commanded respectively by Polk, Bragg, Hardee and Breck- inridge—Bragg adding command of a corps to his duties as Chief of Staff'. At Shiloh, April (3, ly(j'3. the Confederates had a force of: Polk's Corps, four brigades, 9,136 men ; Bragg's Corps, six brigades. 13,589 men ; Hardee's Corps, three brigades, 6.789 men; Breckinridge's Corps, three brigades, 6.439. Total 35,953. We omit here description of the sanguinary struggle that occurred at Shiloh. between the Federal forces under Generals Halleck and Grant, and the Confederates under Generals Albert Sidney Johnston and Beauregard, except to state that Johnston the room-mate and intimate friend of Leonidas Polk while they attended the U. S. ^Military Academy at West Point, was mortally wounded. In the same battles Capt. Marshall T. Polk, of Polk's Battery, lost a leg. On June 21st. following, Gen'l Bragg succeeded Beauregard in command of the Confederates and at once planned an invasion of Kentucky with the hope of capturing Louisville. Then ensued the long "foot race" for that citv, between Bragg and Buell. the latter reaching there first. After rest and the reception of fresh troops, Buell faced about and struck the Confederate at Perry- ville, on Oct. Sth. where Gen'l Leonidas Polk was in command After the battle was about concluded Bragg arrived on the field and ordered a retreat, his army going out of the State through the mountains and Cumberland Gap, to Knoxville. Gen'l Buell was supplanted in the Federal command by Gen'l Rosecranz. After pursuing the Confederates as far as London, Rosecranz turned his columns south to Xashville. The heavy assaults on the Federals at Perryville were made by the troops of Polk's Corps, which, after the retreat, reached Knoxville on Oct. 31st. Bragg then transferred the Army of the Missis- sippi at Murfreesboro. to oppose Rosecranz. The battle of Murfreesboro (called Stone River by the Federals) took place on Dec. 31 and Jan. 1, 2, 3, 1863, and 176 POLK F AM I uY AND K I N S M E N was one of the most sanguinary struggles of the war, the Federals losing 13,249 men, and the Confederates 10,266. The loss of Polk's Corps was oiys per cent. For the first two days success attended the Confederates but on the third they were forced to retreat. In Oct., 1863 President Davis assigned General Polk to relieve Gen'l Hardee at Enterprise, Aliss., the latter to take Polk's Corps, under Bragg. Gen'l Joe Joihnston relieved Piragg at Dalton, in Dec. 1863. Gen'l Polk at the same time assigned to the department of Alabama, Mississippi and East Louisiana POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E N 177 CHAPTER XXX. ATLANTA CAMPAIGN. General W'ni. T. Sherman having been appointed to the command of the Federal forces, on May o, l."sG4:, he moved for- ward with over one hundred thousand men against Johnston, who was posted at Dalton w^ith a force of less than 50.000 men Johnston asked Polk to come to his assistance with his troops and the Confederate government ordered him to go, with all the troops he could take. Polk hurried to Johnston's assist- ance with three divisions of infantry and Jackson's Cavalry, in all about 19,000 men and relieved Hood at Resaca. After Dalton followed the battles of Resaca. Calhoun. Kingston, Adairsville, Cassville. Xew Hope Church. Mar- ietta. Lost Mountain and Kenesaw ^Mountain, ending in the capture of Atlanta. Col. Henry Watterson. then with the Confederate Army, thus described Gen'l Leonidas Polk as he appeared on the battlefield: "Wrapped in his old gray hunting shirt, with slouched hat and saber, he sat his horse and received the leaden compli- ments of the enemy with complacent yet not indifferent good humor. He had a habit of shrugging his shoulders when a Minie ball came too close to his ear. Eut he never got out of the way for them. In battle he was a daring old man. with his h.eart in the fray, and his best faith on the result ; riding through shot and shell from point to point, unconscious of danger. At vShiloh. at Perryville, at ^lurfreesboro, at Chickamauga, at Resaca, he was to be seen constantly at the front, at every point of his line, supervising the progress of events with his own presence. He was kind and considerate of his men ; he was approachable and self-denying in his own person ; and he did not know the name of fear. He was proverbial for getting 278 P O LK F A M 1 LY AND K I N S M a N into hot places. His staff loved him most fondly. He was every inch a gentleman, without mannerism or assumption, simple and innocent, yet dignified and imposing." DEATH OF GENERAL LEONIDAS POLK. On the 35th, at New Hope Church, Sherman's army made a heavy but unsuccessful assault on the Confederate lines. On the night of June 5th the Confederate army again fell l)ack. On the 9th Gen'l Polk rose at daylight, rode to the front, then back to confer with Gen'l Johnston. On the loth he sent his headquarters to the house of Mr. Hardige, a mile nearer Marietta, and there was heavy skirmishing all day. June 11th was rainy and gloomy. Gen'l Polk's headquarters were al- most under the shadow of Kenesaw Mountain. The next day. Sunday 12th, was also foggy and rainy. It had been raining for twelve days and the roads were almost impassable. During this time Gen'l Polk seemed more abstracted than usual, often reading his bible and tracts prepared by Dr. Ouintard, a substitute for the book of Common Prayer. An occasional shot from the skirmish line punctuated his reading. About 10 o'clock Gen'l Polk came out of his room and said to one of his staff that he would like to read the church service. In a few minutes the room was full and grizzled men in gray bowed their heads, many also standing near the doors and under the dripping eaves. The General read the service throughout and joined in the singing of a psalm and hymn. In a voice trembling with emotion he read the concluding prayer, and, asking a blessing, sat down in ]M-of(3und silence. This was the last time that Bishop Leonidas Polk ever read the service of the church. The niDrning of June 13'th was again foggy and rainy, and all was (|uiet at the front, the two armies watching and wait- ing for developments. Gen'l Polk remained indoors, writing- most of the time. During the day. however, he rode to the headquarters of Gen'l Johnston, who expressed a desire to make a personal inspection the following morning of an ad- vanced position held by the division of Major General Bate, on I'inc .Mnuntain. and lie requested Gen'l Polk to accompany POLK FAMILY A A' D K J X S .'./ £ .V 179 LIEUT. GEX'L LEONIDAS POLK, C. S. A., at death. POLK FAMILY A X D K I A' 5 .1/ £ N Igl him and assist in the examination. An appointment for that purpose was made and Gen'l Polk returned to his head- quarters. Tuesday morning, June llth, dawned clear and the sun shone out brilliantly. Gen'l Polk ate an early breakfact, at the conclusion of which he sent the following, his last order, to Major General French. ••June 14th. 18G4, 8 A. AP General : General Polk desires you to extend your present line. at once, to the left, so as to cover the recent line occupied bv Gen'l Cantv. Respectfully, Major Gen'l French. THOS. X. JACK, A. A. G." Gen'l Polk then dispatched his son, Capt. Win. M. Polk, a member of his staff (and now a distinguished physician of Xew York City) with a verl^al message to Gen'l French re- garding his skirmish line. Gen'l Johnston arrived sr)on after 8 o'clock, and Gen'l Polk mounting his horse, they rode to the headquarters of Gen'l Hardee, who was also invited to join in the examination. Each General was attended by .several members of his staff"; Gen'l Polk by Lieut. Col. Jack, A. A. G., Col. W. D. Gale. A. D. C, Major Frank AlcXairy, Volunteer A. D. C, and Lieut. Hopkins of the Orleans Light Horse. The party reached Gen'l Hardee's headquarters about 10 o'clock and dismounted. Hold- ing a short consultation, they mounted again and rode forward. In a few minutes they reached the main line of the intrench- ments, through which they passed, continuing for nearly a mile, and dismounting behind a sharp hill known as Pine Mountain. They moved cautiously over the top and then down a short distance to a small earthwork occupied by a bat- tery and its supports. Reaching the crest of the hill, thev had a full view of the country before them, over which sunshine and shadows moved, keeping pace with the slowly drifting clouds. Both lines of battle were plainly visible, and bodies of men could be seen busy with axe and spade. ;i^g2 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N Guns were being placed in position and the fields were white with the covers of a thousand wagons. In the distance. to the front, lay the hills of the Etowah ; to the right, the peaks of Kenesaw. The constant firing of the heavy skirmish line, reinforced at intervals by the guns of some battery, all com- bined to make the scene one of unusual l^eauty and grandeur. Some of the younger officers stood on the parapet and exposed themselves to the sharp gaze of the enemy. The men of the battery warned them of the danger. While they were speaking there was a flash, a pufi^ of smoke, a sharp report from a rifled gun, and the shot striking near was buried in the parapet, scattering rocks and dirt around. One of the officers obser- ed that the enemy seemed to be getting their range and sug- gested a change of position. Generals Johnston and Polk moved to the left and stood for several moments behind a parapet, in earnest conversation. Several other shots follow- ed, going higher, one striking the crest of the hill. Generals Johnston and Polk, completing their talk, began to retrace their steps. Gen'l Johnston fell a little back and Gen. Polk ascended to the crest of the hill, on wdiich v^^as a signal station Facing about again as if to take a farewell view, Gen'l Polk folded his arms across his breast and stood silently gazing on the scene below. While thus he stood there was a puff of smoke in the valley below, a sharp report, and a cannon shot crashed through the breast of General Polk, killing him instantly. Pie fell upon his back, with his feet to the foe. Immediately upon the fall of the beloved General, the flag corps on the crest signalled to the rear for an aml^ulance, stating that Gen'l Polk had been killed. As he fell his faithful escort rushed to his side, gathered up the mutilated body and bore it to the rear of the hill. In a sheltered ravine his sorrow-stricken com- rades, silent and in tears, gathered around his mangled corpse. General Hardee, bending over the body, said to Gen'l Jnhnstdu: "General, this has l)een a dear visit. We have Idst a brave man, whose death leaves a vacancy not easily filled." Then kneeling beside the body, he exclaimed: "Aly POLK F A M I L y A N D K I X S M E .V 183 dear, dear friend, little did I think this morninsf that I should be called upon to witness this." General Johnston, with tears in his eyes, knelt and laid his hand upon the cold brow of the fallen hero, saying: '"We have lost much ! I would rather anvthins: but this." The news flew along the line that Gen'l Polk had fallen ; reaching- the pickets, it passed from them to the Federal lines. Before his limbs were become rigid, the news had been telegraphed to A\'ashington as well as to Richmond. His body being placed in an ambulance, and escorted by the mournful cavalcade, was conveyed back to headquarters^ "Jerry," the noble roan ridden by him in all his battles and marches, was led riderless in front. Thus fell on the battlefield Leonidas Polk, Bishop, and Lieutenant General, a worthy son of Col. W'm. Polk, and grandson of Gen'l Thos. Polk, Revolutionary officers of credit and renown. Peace to his memory ! GENERAL JOHNSTON'S ORDER. The same afternoon General Joseph E. Johnston issued the following general order to the army : "Headquarters, Army of the Tennessee. In the Field. June U. 186L General Field Orders Xo. 2. Comrades : You are called to mourn your first captain, your oldest companion in arms. Lieutenant General Polk fell today, at the outpost of this army — the army he raised ?nd commanded, in all of whose trials he shared, to all of whose victories he contributed. 'Tn this distinguished leader we have lost the most courteous of gentlemen, the most gallant of soldiers. ''The Christian, patriot, soldier, has neither lived nor died in vain. His example is before you ; his mantle rests with you. J. E. Johnston. General." Kinlock Falconer. A. A. G. FUNERAL OBSEQUIES AND BURIAL. The body of Gen'l Polk was taken to the railway station durino- the afternoon, for removal to Atlanta. On arrival at 184 P O LK F A M I LY A N D KINS M E N that city it was received by a committee uf the city and placed in the chancel of St. Luke's Church. Clothed in Confederate unif(jrm it rested, with a cross of white roses upon the breast, and by the side of the coffin lay his sword. During the morning large numbers came lo pay the last tribute of affection. At noon an appropriate service, followed by an address, was conducted by Rev. Dr. Ouintard. The military escort, arriving at an early hour, was drawn up in front of the church. At the conclusion of the services the body was placed in a field ambulance and escorted to the station followed by the dead general's personal staff, by Generals Smith, Wright, Ruggles and Reynolds, Col. Ewell, and other officers, and by citizens. The members of staff and the Atlanta Committee were met at Augusta the following morning l)y the rectors and vestry of the Church of the Atonement and St. Paul's. The body was c(mveyed to the latter, where a guard of iKjnor re- ceived it. After lying two days in the church the l:)ody was placed in the City Hall, where it was viewed l)y a vast num- ber of citizens. On the 2!Jth the militery force of Augusta, consisting of a regiment of infantry, a battery of artillery and a company of cavalry, was drawn up at the City Hall. At half past 9 (j'clock the casket was draped in the Confederate flag, cov- ered with wreath of laurel and bay, and placed upon the hearse l)y the guard of soldiers. Headed by a band, and preceded by the Mayor of the city, the solemn marcli began. Wardens and vestrymen fnmi St. Paul's and Church of Atonement, Augusta, and from St. John's of Savannah, marched on either side of the pall-bearers. Then came the military family of General Polk, the clergy, officers of the army and navy. Confederate Ci\il officers, and various other organizations. Througli streets thronged with mourning spectatcjrs, the prtjcession moved to St. Paul's church. All business houses were closed, and the only sounds that were- lieard was the dirge oi the band and the monotone of tolling l)elL. At tlie church gate the l)ody was met l)y the l)ishops of Georgia, Mississi])pi and Arkansas, in full canonical robes. POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E X 185 ST. PAUL'S EPISCOPAL CHURCH, Augusta, Ga., tomb of Gen'l Leonidas Polk and wife within. pSbuc ubr^RV POLK FAMILY AND KI X S M E N 187 with a company of surpliced priests. Through files of sol- diers the body was conveyed into the church, the Senior Bishop (Bishop Stephen Elliott) repeating the words of the service for the burial of the dead. Entering the chancel, the body was met at the foot of the steps. Then anthem "Lord let me know mine end," was chanted, to organ accompani- ment. The Bishop of Arkansas read the lesson and the peo- ple united in the singing. The Senior Bishop then delivered the "Burial Address," from the text "The Master is come and calleth for thee." It was a magnificent address and deep- ly stirred the hearts of all who heard it. At its conclusion the body, under military escort and preceded by the bishops and priests, was carried to the grave in the rear of the church, and with concluding ceremonies was interred. As the words "Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, dust to dust." were uttered, earth was cast upon the body by the Bishop of Louisiana, Bishop of Arkansas, and Lieut. Gen'l Longstreet. As the concluding words of the service were uttered, the guns of the battery gave forth the last salute to the soldier-priest who on Pine Mountain, "gave his body to that pleasant country's earth, and his pure soul unto his captain, Christ, under whose colors he had fought so long." 188 POLK F AM I L Y AND KINSMEN CHAPTER XXXI. ST. JOHN'S CHURCH, ASHWOOD, TENN. In ]\Iaury County. Tenn., upon the road leading from Columbia to Alt. Pleasant, and about six miles from the for- mer place, in a grove of majestic and towering oaks, stands a neat l^rick church of chaste and simple Gothic architecture; its interior, plain but beautiful, capable of seating, with a small end gallery, about five hundred persons. This building was erected in 1842, by the joint liberality of Right Reverend Bishop Polk and his three brothers, and with the lot of six acres was presented to the church in that diocese. The lot was chosen from the most eligible part of the Bishop's plantation, and but a short distance from his res- idence. It was built for the accommodation of a few Episco- pal families in the neighborhood, who, with a large number of slaves, upon their plantations, made up quite a large con- gregation. For the latter class the Bishop had been in the hal)it of holding regular services in his own house. On Sunday, Sept. -Ith. 1S42, the Church was consecrated, an immense congregation being present to witness the cere- monies, which were conducted by Bishop Otey. In the chan- cel with him were Rt. Rev. Bishop Polk, Revs. Smith, of Co]uml)ia, Leacock. Horrell and Saunders. Seven candidates were confirmed during the services by Bishop Polk. After the administration of the sacrament by Bishop Otey the ser- vices closed. Standing a few hundred yards l)ack from the turnpike, among a forest of ttnvering trees, this church is one of the most attractive in the United States, and in it services have been regularly licld ever since, except for occasional omis- sion's during the Ci\il War, when the presence of armies ])revented. It is an object of the greatest interest to every person wlio \isits that section of Tennessee, and a lasting POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 189 ST. JOHN'S CHURCH. Near Ashwood, Maury County, Tenn. POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E N 191 monument to the christian zeal piety, and liberality of the sons of Col. A\'illiam Polk, the patriot soldier of the Revolu- tion. INTERESTING FAMILY LETTERS. During the work of compiling the Polk tree that was published in 1849, the following letters were written by Mrs. Susan Smart to Bishop Polk and by the latter to President Tames K. Polk : Bishop Polk's Letter. Thibodoux, La., Jan. IT, 1849. ]\Iy Dear Sir: — In reply to your letter on the subject of our ancestors, I regret to say I have misplaced and cannot find a memorandum I made several years ago, which con- tained a good deal of the information which Col. Winder wants. It contained the names of the children of William (the son of John, the son of Robert Polk"), of whom your grandfather and mine were two. That William was he who first emigrated from Maryland and settled in the county of Anson, out of which he and his descendants, and their asso- ciates, caused Meckleburg County to be formed. I may yet find it : if so, I will transmit it to you or ^^Ir. AMnder. As it is a matter of some importance to us, I have ad- dressed a letter to old ^Irs. Smart, an old relative of ours, who was a contemporary of my father, and who, I believe, still lives (under cover to Julius Alexander) requesting her to give me the names of the children of William Polk, oi ^laryland, and to inform me what became of them. So soon as I hear from her I will forward you her let-ter. She was a well informed old lady, and if living will give us some in- teresting facts. I have been much interested in the letter you have caused to be copied and sent me. from Ireland. I have not a doubt that the writer is of the same family, as well from the name of the locality, for that was the precise region from which I have always heard our ancestors came. He is, however, deceived in the degree of his relationship to us. 192 P 0 LK F A M I LY A N D K I X S M E N I can lay my hand on a single sheet, only, of the memo- randum I have spoken of, and that contains an account of the relationship of the Polks and Alexanders. From it I learn that William Pulk (son of John, son of Robert i who removed from Alary land (our great grandfather) married a Miss Taylor, who was the mother of our grandfathers. She was one of five sisters ; one other of the five married a Al r. Ruse and was the mother of Rev. David Ruse. The other three married Alexanders, who were the progenitors of all tlnise of that name in Mecklenljurg. These grades of relationship 1 find on that sheet, but as it is aside from 'Wr. A\'inder's pur- pose, I say no more of it. You are right in saying that William Polk, our great grandfather, had sons named Charles and John. That Charles was the father of the celebrated "Old Charley, the Hunter," of the A\'estern District of Tennessee, in the early settlement of it, and since that day of Texas, w^here I think he still lives. He (the hunter) was father of Col. William, whom I knew as post-master at Holly Springs, Miss., and who. I presume, to l)e the William Polk, the distiller, spoken of l:)y Mr. Win- der as living near La Grange. Tenn. He once lived there. He has another son living at this time near Shreveport, Caddo Parish, La., named Charles, a highly respectable planter, who is married and has a family ; and another son, with whom he removed to Texas, whose name I do not now recollect. When I saw ""Old Charley," many years ago he showed me a powder-horn which he prized hig'hly, from having car- ried it through the Revolutionary \\'ar, in which he was a soldier in the North Carolina Line, under command of his uncle General Thomas Polk. He mentioned to me an inci dcni in regard to the horn which added to its interest in his eyes, and which illustrated the primitive manners, as well as the gallent feeling of the times. Just before the forces were to mo\e towards the Xorth. he discovered he had l^st his horn, and on rep(3rting the fact to his General and kinsman the morning following, when the troops were under artus. the General requested him to accom- pany him diiwn and along the lines, during the inspection, saying Im him that it was not improbable the hoi-n might POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 193 make its appearance. He did so, and to his very great de- light, and the profound discomfiture of the luckless wight who had appropriated it. shot-pouch and all duly garnished the neck and shoulder of one of the host. An examination was instituted forthwith, which terminated in convicting tlie party upon whijm it was found, of having appropriated it wilfully and knowingly, and the penalty was dismissal from the service, with a refusal e\en to allow him to serve in such a cause. The old fellow told the anecdote with great interest and pride in the gallantry and the high sense of honor which dis- tinguished his dav and command. Old John Polk had a son. I think, called Benjamin, who lived in ]\Iaury County, Tenn.. and who, I think, was father to Armstead of the same county. General Thomas Polk, my grandfather, married Aliss Susan Spratt. by whom he had William, Thomas. Ezekiel. Charles and James, five sons; and ]\Iary, Deborah. Margaret and IMartha. four dughters. Of the conspicuous part taken /c»- by General Thomas Polk in the celebrated ^Mecklenburg De- claration of Independence. ]\Ir. Winder is. I presume, in- formed from the public accounts of that transaction. All of his sons followed him into the war that ensued and were more or less actively engaged. Thomas was killed in the battle of Eutaw. by a ball in the forehead. He bore at the time a Lieutenant's commission. It has so happened that I liave recently seen some unpublished manuscript of a dis- tinguished ofBcer of the Revolution, in which there was men- tioned among the killed, at the same battle, a Lieutenant Ezekiel Polk, who must have been the son of one of the other brothers ; which, I know not. Since beginning this letter I remembered having on my estate an old and highly intelligent negress, who belonged in early life to my grandfather. General Thomas Polk, and upon sending for her and questioning her. she promptly informed me that she well remembered our great grandmother. Miss Taylor, that was the wife of William Polk of Maryland. She was very often at her master's. General Thomas Polk's; was a small woman and lived to a great age. L'pon asking if he 194 P O LK F A M 1 LY AND K I N S M E N had a daughter named Debora, she replied in the affirmative, and added that she "married Sam ]\IcLeary." confirming your impression. She also stated there were two other sisters : Alargurette, who married David McRee, and Mary, who mar- ried John Barnett. She does not know whether the two for mer had children, but knows that tlie latter was the mothe." of Mrs. Smart, the old lady I have mentioned having written to, and also of Col. Jack Barnett, a very noted man in Aleck lenburg, of his day, and father of Susan Barnett, whom you may remember having seen while you were at Chapel Hill at my father's in Raleigh. biie also mentioned the names of four of her master's brothers, whom she often saw with their sisters, the ladies mentioned, at her master, viz : Charles, James, William, and Ezekiel. She knew them all perfectly well, as servants are in the habit of knowing the members of their master's families. She states that she "remembered perfectly well the nie:ht that master Sam. Polk was married to Miss finnv Knox." As to whether there was a brother of her master's named John, she does not know, Ijut "the others she knew as well as she knows me." Her statements have refreshed my own memory upon some of the facts to which she testifies, and I place the fullest con- fidence in her testimony. It has occurred to me that Charles of Caddo, La., the son of "Charles the Hunter," and grand- son of Charles, brother of General Thomas Polk, might be in possession of some facts as to his own and other branches of the family, and I have concluded to w^-ite him upon the sub- ject, which I will do and enclose you what he may furnish through his father. I have made out hastily, but accurately, a genealogy of the family from William of Maryland, down- ward, (excluding only the descendants of Col. Ezekiel Polk, whicli can l)c ])ettcr furnished Idv you) so far as I am inform- ed, and send it to you herewith. If mv correspondence shall enable me to furnish more particulars, I will send them to you. W'itli m_\' kindest regards to Mrs. Polk, I remain. Very truly, 3'our Friend and Kinsman, Leonidas Polk. POLK FAMILY A N D KI X S M E N I95 Letter of Mrs. Smart. As stated by Bishop Polk in the foregoing letter to Presi- dent Polk, he wrote for information to ]^Irs. Smart, an aeed kinswoman, who replied as follows : Charlotte, X. C, Feby. 15, 1849 Dear Sir: — Your letter, enclosed in one to Air. Alexander, I have re- ceived, and will answer it as well as I can. I never saw vour great-grandfather. William Polk, but was informed bv your grandfather, and my parents, that he died several years be- fore, at least twenty-five years before the Revolutionary War. His wife was a Taylor (^vlargaret) and he married her at the Xorth. in Pennsylvania, and removed to North Carolina and settled west of the Yadkin, where he died. He left the following children: Thomas, your grandfather; AMlliam, who was the oldest son ; John, Charles, Ezekiel. who was grand- father of the President. The following daughters : Susan, who married Benjamin Alexander; Debora, who married Samuel ]\IcCleary, and died without issue; Margaret, who married Robert ]\IcRee. leaving a large family, among whom is James P. IMcRee, of Tennessee. Susan Alexander left a large family, many of whom now live in this county. She was the mother of William Alexander, a Captain, commonly called "Black Bill." a distinguished sol- dier in the Revolutionary army. John Polk married Eleanor Shelby, a daughter of Col. Isaac Shelby. He had three sons and one daughter; the sons by name: Charles. John and Taylor ; the daughter Eleanor. Those now living, belonging to the family, reside in the \\'est. \\'illiam married a woman whose name I do not remem- ber. They removed to Tennessee many 3-ears ago and had many children. Charles married Polly Clark, a full cousin of your father's on the mother's side. They removed to the West, having a large family. Ezekiel married Xanny A\'il- son. the mother of Samuel Polk, and the grandmother of the President, and after her death was married twice. By his second wife he had no children that lived any time; by his third wife, whom he married in Tennessee, I am informed he had several children. 196 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N Your grandfather, Thomas Polk, who was the most dis- tinguished man in the family, married Susan Spratt, my mo- ther's sister. They had the following children : Your father, Thomas, who was killed at the battle of Eutaw, by the side of my brother, John Barnett; Ezekiel, who died at sea; James, who married the daughter of Col. ]\Ioore; Charley, who mar- ried the daughter of Hezekiah Alexander died, leaving two children, one now lixing in Tennessee, Thomas I. Polk; Martha, the eldest daughter, married Dr. Ephraim Brevard, Rdio had one daughter, Martha, who married ]\Ir. Dickerson. of South Carolina, leaving one son, the late Col. James Polk Dickerson. who was killed in Mexico; Margaret, the second daughter, married Governor Nathaniel Alexander, and died without children; Polly, the fourth, married Daniel Brown, a distinguished lawyer of South Carolina. They had three children who died young. The third daughter, Debora, died at the age of fourteen. My aunt, Susan Spratt, who married your grandfather General Thomas Polk, was the daughter of Thos. Spratt, who was an excellent man and died highly esteemed by every one Your father, with whom J was ver}- intimate, was always proud of his Spratt blood and often boasted of it. Col. Thos. Xeal, of South Carolina, married Jane Spratt, a daug'hter of Thomas Spratt, l^y whom he had several children, among others Andrew, a Colonel in the Revolutionary Army, who resembled your father very much. He was killed at the battle of Eutaw ; and Thomas, a Alajor, who fell shortly after the bat- tle of Eutaw. I have mentioned your grandmother, Susan Spratt, and her family, although you did not ask of them, which I think you should have done. I am now eighty-seven years of age and although infirm of body, am yet able to visit m}- friends and con\erse with them, and am now writing" this letter at the house of W'm. J. Alexander, who, with his wife, I con- sider among my best friends. This letter, of course, I am not able to write myself, l)Ut have procured the services of Mrs. Alexander's sister. I should l)e glad to hear from you, and remain, Yours respectfully, Susan Smart. POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N 197 In the foregoing letter of Airs. Smart, she states that William Polk removed from Pennsylvania, wliere he married ]\Iargaret Taylor, settled West of the Yadkin, and died there, "at least twenty-five years before the Revolution." This would fix his death about the year 1751, or one year after it is said he emigrated from Pennsylvania to North Carolina. As stated in the foregoing two letters, the children of William Polk (emigrant to X. Carolina) were: Mary, A\'ill- iam. Charles, James, Debora, Susan, Margaret, John, Thomas and Ezekiel. The two latter sons attained to great distinc- tion in the events which preceded the Revolutionary \\ ar, and in the transactions of that great and successful struggle for American Independence. 198 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTER XXXII. POLK'S SERVING IN CONGRESS. From Dictionary of U. S. Congress, 1864. James Knox Polk was born in Mecklenburg- County, North Carolina, November 2, 1795. He removed with his father, in 1806 to Tennessee, and lived in the Valley of Duck River, a branch of the Cumberland. He graduated at the University of North Carolina in 1815; studied law in Ten- nessee with Felix Grundy, and was admitted to the bar in 1830. He was a member of the House of Representatives in Congress from 1825 to 1839, and Speaker in that body from 1835 to 1837, and was elected Governor of Tennessee in 1839, for two years. In December, 1844, the Electors chose him President of the United States, and during his eventful ad- ministration the Oregon question was settled, Texas annexed, war with Mexico declared, and New Mexico and California were acquired. He died at Nashville, Tenn., June 15, 1849. Col. A\'illiam H. Polk was born in Maury County, Ten- nessee, :\Iay 24, 1815. He was educated at Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and the University of Tennessee. He studied law and was admitted to the bar in 1839. In 1841 and 1843. he was elected to the State Legislature; was appointed by Presi- dent Tyler Charg^e d' Affaires to Naples, where he negotiated a treaty with the Two Sicilies. He served as a Major in the Nintli Dragoons, in the Mexican \\'ar ; was a Delegate to the Nas'hville Convention in 1850; and a Representative in Con- gress, from Tennessee, from 1851 to 1853. He was a brother of President James Knox Polk and opposed to the secession of the South fmm the Union. He died at Nashville Dec IG 18G2. Trustcn I'olk was l)orn in Sussex County, Delaware, May 29. 1811; graduated at Yale College in 1831; studied law at the Yale Law School, and in 1835 he emigrated to Mis- sou ii, where he commenced the practice of his profession. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 199 In 1845, while absent from Missouri for the benefit of his health, he was elected a member of the Convention called to remodel the State Constitution. In 1856 he was elected Gov- ernor of Missouri, and inaugurated January, 1857, but soon resigned for a seat in the United States Senate, to which he was elected for the term of six years, from March 4, 1857, his chief opponent being Thomas H. Benton. He was a mem- ber of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, and of Claims. Fol- lowing a charge of treason preferred against him, because of his strong sympathy with the South, he was expelled from the Senate on Jan. 10, 1862. Returning to St. Louis, he re- sumed his practice of the law, which he continued until his death. RUFUS K. POLK. Rufus King Polk, son of Gen'l Lucius E. Polk, of Helena, Ark., was born August 23, 1866 in Maury County, Tenn., on his father's plantation a few miles from Columbia. Rufus Polk's youth was passed on the old plantation until he was started to school at a local academy and fitted for college. He entered Lehigh University, in Pennsylvania, and graduated with the class of 1887 with the degree of Bachelor of Science, and then took a post-graduate course in mining engineering. After leaving college he located at Danville, Pa., and was employed as chemist by the ]\Iontour Iron and Steel Company. With the exception of a few months during which he had charge of the furnaces of the Hocking Valley Coal and Iron Company in Ohio, he engaged in business in Danville, as Assistant Superintendent of the Montour Iron and Steel Company, General Manager of the North Branch Steel Company and finally became a partner in the firm of Howe & Polk, manufacturers of structural iron in which business he was engaged at the time of his death. His business the year preceding his death, as he stated, exceeded one million dollars of product. In the spring of 1898, when the United States declared war against Spain, Rufus Polk, with his associates in the National Guard, left his wife, family and large growing busi- ness interests and was mustered in as First Lieutenant of 200 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Company F, Twelfth Regiment vi Pennsylvania Volunteers, serving until his muster out and honorable discharg-e after peace was declared. On his return home he was nominated as a Democrat to represent the Hth District of Pennsylvania, composed of the counties of Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Sullivan, in the Fifty-sixth Congress, and although that district was then represented by a Republican, his majority was nearly 2,000. Two years later he was re-elected to the Fifty-seventh Congress with an increased majority of nearly 1,500, so pop- ular had he become, and he would have been elected to the J^'ifty-eighth Congress had he lived and not postively refused to run again because of his large Inisiness interests. Rufus K. Polk died at his home in Danville, Pa., March .")th. l!>nw Orleans, unmarried. ^Mary married George A^incent, of Louisiana. Issue: Wm. ^Monroe. 214 POLK FAMILY A N D K I A' S M E N Louie D. married J. Bannister Hall, a merchant of Balti- more, Dec. 11, 1860. Issue: ^Wm. \V., ^Annie G., ^I. Bannister, *Louis, ^Marguerite. W'm. W. died in infancy. COL. JAMES, SON OF WM. POLK. Col. James Polk was born March 179:3, died 1868. He married Ann Stuart, in 1816, and died in Baltimore in Dec. 1868. Issue: ^William, -Esther, ^Mary, ^Ariana, •''James, ^Lucius, "Joseph B. The latter became a distinguished actor in comedy, reaching a high station in his profession. Col. James Polk was Register of Wills for Somerset County. Later in 1845, he was Naval Ofificer in Baltimore, and in 18-48 w^as Collector for that port. William married in Texas a Miss Estes and has three sons, ^Wm. E., -Stuart and ^James. She resides in San An- tonio, Texas. Esther married Gov. E. Louis Lowe, of Md. Issue: ^Adelaide, -Annie, '^Paul, ^Vivian, •''Victoria, ^Louie '^Esther, ^Mary. Adelaide married E. Austin Jenkins, a very wealthy merchant of Baltimore. Issue: ^Austin, -Louis Lowe, ^Ed- mond Joseph, ^Martin Spaulding, ^Mary. Mary married Onno Gorter, of Amsterdam. Plolland. Dutch Consul at Baltimore and a merchant of that city Issue: ^Onno, -Albert, ^Meta. '^Judge James P., ^Dr. Nathan, "Marie. Onno married Alice Edmonson. Issue: ^Alice and ^Arthur Edmonson. Ariana married Lucillius Briscoe, of Georgia. Issue: Mattie Briscoe. They reside at Griffin, Ga. James Polk, son of Col. James Polk, married Nannie Maddox, by whom he had issue: ^Anna, -Kate, ^James ^W^m Maddox. •'J(ihn Lucius, ^'Mary Stuart, "Herschel V. J. Anna married J. Leland Busch, Sup't of Public Schools, Norfolk, Va. No issue. Kate married W. M. Nixon, a merchant of Augusta, Ga., Issue: \I()hn, -William. James married Florence Queen, an attorney ot Wash- ington, D. C. Issue: ^Kenneth, ^John. POLK F A M I L Y A N D KINSMEN 215 Wm. ]\Iaddox married Emma S. Hudson, of Newport News, Va. Xo is^ue. John Lucius died in 1890, and Herchel V. J. in 1878. John Lucius married ^Nlary Clark and left a son Clark Polk, who married and has two children. ANNE, DAUGHTER OF JUDGE WM. POLK. Anne, daughter of Judge Wm. Polk, married 1st, Robert Walker, of Georgia; 2d, Hon. Herschel \'. Johnson, of Georgia. Issue by 1st: ^William. By the second, -Robt. Emmet, "Tallulah. ^Winder, ^Anne, "^Gertrude. 'Herschel' ^Tomlinson. William married Virginia Estes and died without issue. Robt. Emmet Johnson died soon after he reached ma- turity. Tallulah married and lives in Georgia. Winder, l)y profession a lawyer, married and lives in Georgia. Gertrude is unmarried. Herschel, a physician, lives in Georgia, and Tomlinson, a planter, in the same state JAMES POLK, SON OF WM. POLK, SR. James Polk, second son of William Polk, Sr., and the widow Xancy (Knox-Owens) Polk, was born May 17, 1719. and died in 1771. His will was dated January 30, 1771. and probated April 16, 1771. James was twice married and his second wife also deceased before him. He first married Mary Cottman ; secondly, her sister, Betty Cottman. His will is of record in Frederick County, Maryland. In it he mentions his wife, Betty Polk; sons, Benjamin and William: three daughters. Xancy. Leah and Mary Polk; grandson. James Polk, and granddaughter, Betty Whittington. Leah and ^lary appear to have been children by the last wife. Betty Cottman. James Polk, son of William Polk, Sr., by his 1st wife. Mary Cottman, had issue: ^Mrginia, born 1736. died un- married, it is said; -Benjamin, born 1738, died . married Sarah Whittington. daughter of Southey Whitting- ton and Mary Forsett ; ^Priscilla, born 17-40, died 1S34, mar- ried Col. Wm. Whittington; -^Xancy, born about 174-2, died 216 P O LK F A M I LY A A' D K I X S M E N unmarried, it is said; HVilliam, born 1744, died , mar- ried his cousin Mary Williams, daughter of Elizabeth Polk and John Williams; "^Leah, born about 1746, untraced ; 'Mary, born about 1748, died , married James Bratton. By his second wife, Betty Cottman, who was left execu- trix of his will, James Polk is said to have had the two last named children, Leah and Mary. His will is dated Jan. 30, 1771, and was probated April Ifith following. The children of Benjamin and Sarah ( Whittington) Polk were: ^James, -Benjamin, ^Joshua, "^Whittington, ^Southey, ejane, ^Mary (Polly), ^Nelly, 9Isaac, i^Eleanor, ^Elizabeth, i-Sarah, ^-^Daniel — a "baker's dozen." James Polk, the first son of Benjamin and Mary Cottman Polk, was at one time Surveyor of Somerset County. Benjamin Polk, second child of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, married , and left two children, Southey and Eliza. Whittington Polk, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Whitting- ton) Polk, married first the widow A. Chapman, second , and left issue. Eleanor, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, untraced. Said to have died unmarried. Jane, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, married 1st, Wm. H. Harper; "^d, her first cousin. Dr. Jno. Polk, son of William and Alary (Williams) Polk. Dr. Polk was a skillful physician and one of the founders of the Delaware Medical Society. He removed to Laurel, Del., died there, and his family returned to Somerset. Mary, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, married Stephen Collins, an elder in the old Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, (first church of that faith in America) and a brother of Rev. L Collins. Daniel Polk, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, untraced. Isaac, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, married Rebecca Dashiell and left one child, Sarah, who mar- ried W. H. Stephens. B.etsy, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) POLK FAMILY AND K I .\ S M E N 217 Polk, married Michael Cluff, of Worcester County, and they had several children. Sarah (Sally), daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whit- tington) Polk, married John \\'hittington. Rebecca, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, untraced. Xorah, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, untraced. Nelly, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, married W. H. Plarper. She was his first wife. His second and third wives were Jane Bristow, of New York, and Rebecca Covington, of Aid. Joshua Polk, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, died at the age of nearly 78 years. He was the eldest child. His early life was spent in Caroline County, Md., but later he emigrated to Ohio, where he died. He was born Oct. ;n, ITfil; died Dec. 7, 1839. He was thrice married; first to Elizabeth Rush. She died in August. 1820. Xo issue. Joshua's second wife was Elizabeth Williams, and his third ^Margaret Payne. Xo issue by latter. His children by the second wife, Elizabeth Williams, were six in number, viz : ^Elizabeth Polk, who married Clouser. Xo issue. -Joshua ^^'hittington Polk, born Dec. 22, 1812, un- traced. ^]\Iary Collins Polk, born April 5, 1814, died Xov. 12. 1814. 4]\ialinda Polk, born Feb. 6, 1816, died , untraced. '"^jMaria Louisa Polk, born Jan. 19, 1818 ; untraced. ^Josiah Polk, born Aug. 21, 1820; died in infancy. These children were born in ^Maryland, before their pa- rents' removal to Ohio in the winter of 1827. Joshua Whittington Polk, son of Joshua and Elizabeth (Williams) Polk, is a citizen of Clinton County, Ohio, and is a prominent farmer of that section. He is nearly four score and ten years of age, and is noted for having always been a man of moderation in all things. He was married in October, 1836, to Elizabeth Leaverton. of Highland County, Ohio, and had by her twelve children, viz: ^Robert Thomp- son Polk, -Leyda Catharine Polk, =^Samuel Judkins Polk, ''Hannah Elizabeth Polk, ^Wm. Alexander Polk, ♦'Andrew Xewton Polk, died unmarried; "Josiah Polk, ^Jason Polk. 2ig POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N ORuth A. Polk, loPhoebe Jane Pulk, i^Lettice Alma Polk, ^-Thomas W'hittington Polk. Phoebe, Jane and Thomas W'hit- tington are unmarried. Robert Thompson Polk, the first child of the above list, is a Universalist minister. He lives at Tovvanda, Pa. He married Julia Hadley and they had seven children, viz: ^Her- bert James, 2Alvar W'hittington, ^Mary, ^^lurry Sheply, died young; ^Cora Alma, ^'Robert Hadley, 'Elery Channing Polk. Herbert James Polk, the eldest married Etta Turner ; two children Mildred and liertha. Herbert James Polk and family reside in Boston. He is connected with the Old Col- ony Trust Company, of that city. Alvar W'hittintgon Polk lives in B(jst()n. He married Annie Greenleaf. They have one child, Hadley Greenleaf Polk. Mary Polk, third child of Robert Thompson Polk, is mar- ried and also lives in Boston. Cora Alma Polk is unmarried, as is also her l)r(jther, Robert Hadley Polk. They live in Towanda. Elery Channing Polk is unmarried and a student at col- lege. Leyda Catharine Polk married John Eddingfield. and they have two children, Xancy Elizabeth and Mary Whit- tington, unmarried. Nancy Elizal^eth married Tennyson Saunders ; no issue. Samuel judkins Polk, married Rachael Larkin, and had seven children, viz: ^Jno. Thompson, -Sarah Elizabeth. •'Evelyn Mattie, '^Charles W'hittington. -"'Frank, ''^Julia Moor- man, 'Burch Polk. Jdhn Thompson Polk, eldest son of Samuel Judkins P')lk, married Mary Uenny. Xo issue. Hannah Elizabeth Polk, daughter of Joshua AN'hiiting- ton Polk married Joseph E. Powell and they have four child- ren, viz: ^Elizabeth, -Sarena Lavenia, "Lettice Alma, '^Anna FVances Powell. Elizabeth, eldest child of Joseph E. and Hannah (Polk) Powell, married JdIiu Carlisle, a professor in A'ersailles, Miss. She died leaving three children, i Bessie Lucille, -Phoebe Grace, ''Susie Carlisle. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 219 Sarena Lavenia Powell, married Edgar Edwards. W'm. Alexander Polk married twice. First to IMaroraret Larkin by whom he had four children, viz: ijoshua W'hit- tington Polk, died unmarried; -Fannie Larkin Polk, ^Robert Thompson Polk, ^Earnest Polk, died unmarried. W'm. Alexander Polk's second wife was Isaphene Orr ; one child. Josiah Polk, son of Joshua Whittington Polk, married Celeste Ann Shockley, and had five children, viz: ^Walter -Charles, ^Elsie, '^Elizabeth. ^Winifred, ^Alma Burnett. Walter Charles Polk, son of Josiah and Celeste Ann (Shockleyj Polk, is a civil engineer and resides at Indianapo- lis, Indiana. He married Eva Purdy ; no issue. Jason Polk, son of Joshua Whittington Polk, married Cordelia Hufif and had four children, viz: ^Cordelia. -Ada, •'^Mary Jane. ^Burley Polk. Ruth A. Polk, daughter of Joshua Whittington Polk, married Albert Carey and had issue: ^Bertha, -Chilton 0"Xeal, ^Bessie, ^David. ^'Mary Carey. Lettice Alma Polk, daughter of Joshua Whittington Polk, married Emerson Groff Polk, her cousin, a banker and promi- nent business man of Pocomoke City, ^id. They have no issue. ^lalinda Polk, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth Will- iams Polk, married Wilson Leaverton, and dying, left seven children, viz: ^Sarah Leaverton. unmarried, resides in Illi- nois; -Alaria Leaverton. married Orlando Paddry, no issue; ■"Wesley Leaverton. unmarried, lives in Illinois ; ^Jason t^ea- verton, untraced : '^William Leaverton. died unmarried; ^'Dex- ter Leaverton. unmarried, lives in Illinois; 'Albert Leaverton, married and left children in Illinois. ]\Iaria Polk, daughter of Joshua and Elizabeth ( Williams) Polk, married Thomas Leaverton. and left eight children, viz: ^Lettice Leaverton, -Mary Leaverton, -^John Leaverton, ■^Annie Leaverton. -^Dora Leaverton. ^Thomas Leaverton. dead, "Lydia Leaverton. ^Sarah Leaverton. Lettice above named married James Dyer, of Kansas and thev have children. 220 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N A-Iary Leaverton married Aaron Fink, no issue. John Leaverton married Emma Hoxworth, of Illinois. They have several children. Annie Leaverton married Nelson P. Merrill of Iowa; two children: ^Cora ]\Ierrill. -Alajor Merrill. Dora Leaverton married Hoxworth, one child. Nellie. Thomas Leaverton died unmarried. Lydia Leaverton married a ^Ir. Easter; no issue. Sarah Leaverton married and has one child and resides in Illinois. Capt. Whittington Polk, fourth child of Benjamin and Sarah (Whittington) Polk, was born Sept. 9, 1769. died Oct. 21, 1859, aged ninety years. He was an elder in old Rehoboth Presbyterian Church, the first church of that creed established in America, and in which so many of the Polks have been officers. He was married twice, first to Rebecca Collins, by whom he had no issue. Second, to Rebecca Adams, by whom he had six children, viz: ^Sarah Elizabeth Polk, ^Whit- tington Polk, "Rebecca Collins Polk, ^William Stephens Col- lins Polk. '''Joshua Polk, who died in youth ; ''Emerson Groff Polk. Of the above, Sarah Elizabeth Polk married W^m. Whit- tington, son of James and Sally (Coulburn) \Miittington. and they have two children, Alice Coulburn and Sarah Rebec- ca Whittington. Alice Coulburn A\'hittington married Wm. Scott and they had issue: ^ Alice. -William. Sarah Rebecca Whittington, daughter of William and Sarah Elizabeth (Polk) Whittington, married Revel Patter son, and had one child. Wm. Williams Patterson, who mar- ried Ruth Long; no issue. Whittington Polk, son of Capt. Whittington and Rebec- ca (Adams) Polk, married twice; first Sarah Ann Stevenson, second Grace Stevenson. I'y the first he had issue: ^Upshur AMiittington Polk, unmarried ; ^Marion Clement Polk, un- niairicd; ^'W'm. James Polk, married Josephine Lawson ; one child. POLK FAMILY A N D KI .V 6" M E N 221 By his marriage to Grace Stevenson, Whittington Polk had one child, Ethel Polk. Rebecca Collins Polk, daughter of Capt. Whittington Polk and Rebecca (Adams) Polk, married Thomas Whitting- ton, son of James and Sally (Coulburnj Whittington. Their only child, Mary Zippora, married Henry P. Merrill and died leaving two children. William Stephens Collins Polk, fourth child of Capt. Whittington Polk, was twice married. His first wife was Maggie Powell, his second wife was Sarah Adams. By the first he had issue: ^VVm. Lee Polk, -Eva Polk, ^Florence Polk, ^Joshua Polk. William Stephens Collins Polk and his wife, Sarah (Adams; Polk had issue: ^Ada Rose, -Hattie Polk, unmar- ried. Wm. Lee Polk, son of Wm. Stephens Collins Polk and IVIaggie Powell Polk, married Nellie Clark and they have Carl and another child. Eva Polk, second child of Wm. Stephens Collins Polk, and Maggie (Powell) Polk, married Edward Dixon and had three children: 4ioward, -Lee, ^Milton. Florence Polk, daughter of Wm. Stephens Collins Polk and Maggie (Powell) Polk, married Jesse Crockett and they had five children: ^Edward, ^Idabelle, •'^Jesse Polk, ^^lerwin, ^Alma Polk Crockett. Joshua Polk, second son of ^^'m. Stephens Collins Polk and Maggie (Powell) Polk, married Mary Pierce and they have one child, Allen Miller Polk. Emerson Groff Polk, sixth child of Capt. Whittington Polk and Rebecca (x\dams) Polk, married three times. First to Adeline O. Dryden, by whom he had one child, Adeline, who died young. By his second wife, Louisa Dorsey, he had three children: ^Annie Dorsey, ^Emerson Whittington, ^Car- rie Hargis Polk, Annie Dorsey Polk, eldest child of Emerson Groff Polk, married W^m. Schoolfield and left at her death three children, viz : ^Allen Polk Schoolfield, -Emily Louisa Schoolfield, "Wm. Emerson Schoolfield. Emerson Whittington Polk, second child of Emerson 222 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Groff Polk and Louisa (Dorsey) Polk, married Edna Frasier; no issue. Emerson Groff, for his third wife, married his cousin, Lettice Alma Polk, daughter of Joshua W'hittington Polk and Elizabeth (Leaverton) Polk; no issue. (See Benjamin Polk's descendants, of Wm. Polk l:)ranch). Jane Polk, sixth child of Benjamin and Sarah (Whitting- ton) Polk, married her cousin. Dr. John Polk of Somerset County, Md., and later of Laurel, Del., where he died. Dr. John Polk was the eldest son of Col. Wm. Polk, son of W'm Polk Sr. Dr. John and his wife Jane Polk, had four children : ^Harriet, -Clarissa, ^Margaret, and Dr. Wm. T. Polk. The two first never married. Margaret married Wm. Stewart and died without issue. Dr. Wm. T. Polk married his cousin, Mary Ann Harcum, of Northumberland County, Virginia. He married secondly Louisa Jane Harcum, a sister of his first wife. Mary A. Polk, by the first marriage, married Wm. Broughton. Isaac Polk, son of Benjamin and Sarah ( Whittington) Polk, married Rebecca Dashiell and had one child, Sarah Polk, who married W. H. Stevens and had five children. The first died in childhood. The others were: ^Rose, -Wm. Sid- ney, ^Ephraim, and "^Ella Stephens. Rose married Mr. Townsend and had three children : ^Mattie, ^John. "William, Sidney married Mary Ellen Mutt and died leaving four child- ren: ^Hartley. ^Mary, nVm. Sidney. ^Rose. Ephraim Stephens, third child of Wm. H. Stephens and Sarah (Polk) Stephens, married a Miss Mills and had three children. Ella Stephens, youngest child of John and Sarah (Polk) Stephens, married James Fedderman and left no issue. Betsy Polk, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whitting- ton) Polk, married Michael Cluft" and left one child, Whit- tington Cluff". Sarah Polk, daughter of Benjamin and Sarah (Whitting- ton) Polk, married John Drummond \\'hittington. a cousin, by whom she had: ^Southey Whittington, -Edward Whit tington, ^Hester Whittington. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 223 Southey Whittington married twice, first to Ann Rider; no issue. Second, to Jane Rider, a sister of Ann, by whom he had one child, Ella W^iittington. Edward W'hittington, second child of Jno. Drummond W'hittington, married Martha Bayless; one child, Anna W'hit- tington. Hester W'hittington, third child of John Drummond W'hittington. died unmarried. Ella W'hittington, daughter of Southey W'hittington and Jane (Rider) W'hittington, married twice. First, to Thomas Powell, by whom she had one child, Emma Powell; second, to Levin Dasliiell ; no issue. Anna W'hittington, daughter of Edward W'hittington and Martha (Bayless) W'hittington, married Charles W'etherell, and at her death left three sons: ^Charles. -Edward, ^Samuel. Rebecca Polk, twelfth child of Benjamin and Sarah (W'hit- tington) Polk, married Stephen Collins and died without issue. Nora Polk, youngest child of Benjamin and Sarah (W'hit- tington) Polk, married Ephraim White and had several child- ren. 224 POLK FA M I LY AND K I N S M E N CHAPTER XXXVI. SAMUEL POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Samuel Polk, third son of William Polk and Mary (\\'illiams) Polk, daughter of John and Elizabeth Williams, was born April 1(>, 1TS(I and died October 30, 1826. Samuel was married July 10, 1804: to Sarah Irving Gilliss (datighter of Capt. Joseph Gilliss and Elizabeth (Irving) Gilliss), who was born September 13, 1783. and died September 28, 1842. Samuel Polk and wife had issue: ^ William Thomas Gil- liss Polk, 'born ^lay 18, 1805, died December 17, 1875; -Caro- line Gilliss Polk, born June 24, 1807, died August 12, ; ^Joseph Gilliss Polk, born December 29, 1809, died November 8, 1870; -tljttleton Robins Polk, born June 17, 1813, died ; ^Ellen Gilliss Polk, born June 16, 1816, died ; '^^Eliza Esther Ann Polk, born April 13, 1819, died January 9, 1897; '^Mary Williams Polk, born Fel)ruary 23, 1823, died December 26, 1906. COL. WM. THOMAS GILLISS POLK'S FAMILY. Col. Wm. T. G. Polk, of Princess xA.nne, Aid., was a lead- ing merchant and business man of that place; a man of great prill )ity of character, pure and exalted life, and an earnest, consistent Christian who held fast to the Presbyterian princi- ples l)rought from Ireland to America by his ancestors. He was for many years an elder in the church and a recognized leader in his local congregation. He was for a number of years Clerk of the Circuit Court of Somerset County, and was appointed a Colonel on the stafif of one of Maryland's Gover- nors. Ilcnce his title. No man in ^Maryland stood higher, or enjoyed in a greater degree the respect and confidence of his peoi)le. To him. especially, is the author of this book indebted for early information — traditional, documentary and official concerning Rol^t. T.ruce Polk and Magdalen Polk, their children, and much historv of the Marvland Polks. POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E X 225 COL. WM. T. G. POLK, Princess Anne. Md. THE NEV/ Tor- PUBLIC LIL AST9R, LENOX TILOtM FOUNDA POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 227 Col. Wm. T. G. Polk was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united February '22, 1832, was Elizabeth Gilliss Woolford. She died April S, Ibol. His second wife was ^^Irs Mary Ann Henry of Berlin, Md., whom he married June 1, 1853. By his first wife he had issue : ijohn Woolford Polk, born January 24, 183-1, died April 23, 1869; -Samuel Woolford Polk born July 13, 1836. died February 2, 1841; ^Sarah Ann Woolford Polk, born December 6, 1838, died February 11, 1811 ^Elizabeth Williams Woolford Polk, born March 10. 1841. died October 24, 1870. By his second wife. Airs. Alary Ann Henry, who died April 7, 1894, Col. Polk had seven children, viz : ^William Thomas Gilliss Polk, born January 7, 1855. Residence Prin- cess Anne, "^Addie Henry Polk, born March 29, 1856. Resi- dence Columbia, Mo. ; '^Edward Henry Polk, born December 25, 1858, died December 5, 1867; ^Caroline Woolford Polk, born June 22, 1862, died April 22, 1863 ; SMary Bredelle Polk, born January 1. 1864. Residence Princess Anne; ^"^Samuel Polk, born December 18, 1866, died July 4, 1867; nEHzabeth Polk, born September 18. 1870, died August 2, 1871. Caroline Gilliss Polk (second child of Samuel and Mary (Williams) Polk), married John Woolford, being his second wife. They had no issue. JOSEPH GILLISS POLK'S FAMILY. Joseph Gilliss Polk (third child of Samuel and Alary Henry Polk), married October 3. 1830, Imogen Gilman of Washington, D. C, daughter of Ephraim and Anna (Craw- ford) Gilman. She was born September 20. 1812 and died Alarch 1897. Joseph Gilliss Polk held the ofiices of Sheriff of Somer- set county, and of School Commissioner. He was for a num- ber of years an elder in the Presbyterian Church at Princess Anne. Joseph Gilliss and Imogen (Gilman) Polk has issue: ijoseph Littleton Polk, D. D. Ph. D., born August 12, 1837, died . 1905: ^Sarah Ann Polk, born December 21, 1838. died December 21, 1840; ^Imogen Gilman Polk, born Novem- 228 POLK FAMILY AND K I N :b M E N ber 27, 184:0, died December 8, 1840; -^Samuel Polk, born Au- gust 25, 1842, died September 9, 1866 ; -^Ephraim Oilman Polk, born October 6. 1844. died October Kt. 1899; ^'Imogen Gil- man Polk. 2d. born September 21, 1846; died December 22, 1905; ^\nna Crawford Polk, born September 27, 1848; resides at Ridley Park. Pa.; ^W'm. Thomas Gilliss Polk, born August 2, 1850, residence Princess Anne; '-^Laura Augusta Polk, born August 14, 1S55; died x\ugust 8, 18TS. Littleton Robins Polk, fourth child of Samuel Polk, died unmarried. Ellen Gilliss Polk (fifth child of Samuel and Mary Polk), married John Woolford and was his first wife, his second be- ing Caroline Gilliss Polk, a sister of Ellen. John and Ellen had issue: ijohn Woolford, born . Residence Prin- cess Anne; -Thos. Gilliss Woolford, born ; ^Ellen Woolford, born . Eliza Ann Polk (sixth child of Samuel and Mary Polk), married April 14, 1852, Dr. John Washington Dashiell, born January 30, 181T. They had issue: ^Robert Kemp Whitting- ham Dashiell, born April 20, 1854, died June 12, 1894; ^Sarah Gilliss Dashiell, born November 30, 1855. Residence Prin- cess Anne; ""'Ella Bell Anna Maria Dashiell, born I\Iay 29, 1859. Residence Princess Anne. Mary Williams Polk (seventh and youngest child of Samuel and Mary Polk), born February 23, 1823, married December 3, 1846, Jo^hn Henry Bell, and they had eleven children, viz: i^NIary Bell, born August 29, 1847, died Sep- tember — , 1847; ^Carrie Polk Bell, born September 22, 1848; died in infancy; ^Ellen Stewart Bell, born November 12, 1850. Residence Hampton, Va. ; *Jane Meckelhenny Bell, born October 22, 1852, died in infancy; ^Sarah Eliza Bell, born September 28, 1853, living in New Jersey; -'Littleton Polk Bell, born ]\Iarch 26, 1855, died ; 'Annie Rebecca Bell, l.Mtrn b'ebruary 'iC), 1857. died in infancy; ''Julia Bell, born January 7, 1859; died in infancy, ^John Henry Bell, born February 7, 1S6(). died in infancy; ^owiniam Polk Bell, born September 18, 1S63, died in infancy; i^Addie Henry Bell, born March 2L 1870. residence Baltimore, Md. JmIiu Woolford Polk (eldest son and child of Col. Wm. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 229 T. G. Polk and Elizabeth Gilliss Woolford) never married. He served as a soldier in the Confederate Army, in the Civil War. Elizabeth Williams Woolford Polk (third child of Col. Wm. T. G. Polk and his first wife, Elizabeth Gilliss Wool- ford), married June 13, 1S61, Hayden Heyne Dashiell, and had issue: ^Edwin Polk Dashiell, born ]\Iay 23, 1863, died May 10, 1867; -John Woolford Dashiell, born November 18, 1866, living; ^Louis Dashiell, born August 31, 1868, residence Bel Air, Md. ; ^William Henry Dashiell, -born October 19, 1870, residence Princess Anne. Wm. Thomas Gilliss Polk, Jr. (son of Col. Wm. T, G. Po)lk, Sr.,), married November 21, 1905, Elizabeth Elzey Woolford. No issue. Addie Henry Polk (daughter of Col. Wm. T. G. Polk and Mary Ann (Henry) Polk), married July 13, 1882, Richard Henry Jesse, of Columbia, Boone County, Mo. Issue: iRichard Henry Jesse, born January 4, 1884; ^Mary Polk Jesse, born October 22, 1885 ; ^Caroline Elizabeth Jesse, born August 12, 1887 ; ^William Polk Jesse, horn March 14, 1891 ; "Adeline Jesse, born August 23, 1892; ^Henry Bredelle Jesse, born October 14, 1894. Mary Bredelle Polk, (daughter of Col. Wm. T. G. Polk and Mary Ann Henry), married November 20, 1886, Henry Lawrence Brittingham. Issue: ^Henry Lawrence Britting- bam, born December 3, 1888; -William Polk Brittingham, born July 26, 1892 ; ^James Francis Brittingham, born July 4, 1894. These all reside at Princess Anne. Md. Joseph Littleton Polk, D. D. Ph. D. (eldest child of Joseph Gilliss Polk and Imogen Gilman), married Mary Wilson of Canons'burg. Pa., daughter of Thomas McKean Wilson and Elizabeth (Murdock) Wilson. They had twelve children, viz: iMary Wilson Polk, born . Residence Wil- mington, Del.; -Alexander Murdock Polk, born ; ^Imogen Gilman Polk, born ; ^Samuel Polk, torn . Residence Galore, Md., ^Joseph Gilliss Polk, born , died in childhood; ^^Elizabeth Murdock Polk, born , died in childhood; '^Laura Gilman Polk, born , residence Fagg's Manor, Pa.; ^Lyde Wilson Polk, 230 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Ijorn , unmarried. Lives at Coatsville, Pa., with mother; ^Thomas McKean Polk, born . Residence Martinsville, Pa.; ^*^'Annie Polk, born ; iiWilliam Thomas Gilliss Polk, born September 6, 1869. Residence Fagg's Manor, Pa. ; ^-Elizabeth Murdock Polk, born October 12, 1882, unmarried. Lives with mother at Coatsx'ille, Pa. Samuel Polk (fourth child, and son of Joseph Gilliss Polk and Imogen Oilman), never married. He was a soldier in the Confederate Army, in the Civil War. Ephraim Oilman Polk (fifth child of Joseph Gilliss Polk and Imogen Oilman), married February 15, 1871, ]\Iary Oliver Culbreth, daughter of Thomas B. and Elmire (Redden) Cul- breth. She was born November 4, 1852, and died June 14, 1881. Ephraim was a colonel on the staft' of one of the Gov- ernor's of Maryland ; a member of the Maryland Legislature in 1S?8; served as a School Commissioner of Somerset coun- ty; was editor of The IMarylander, a newspaper published at Princess Anne. Ephraim Oilman Polk and wife had issue: lEarle Brodie Polk, born January 3, 18?2, residence Princess Anne, where he is Deputy Circuit Clerk of Somerset county. Like Col. \Vm. T. O. Polk, he was a most valuable aid to the author in collecting ancient Polk data in that State. It was he who discovered from the official county, and the Monie Church records, that John Polk's second wife, Joanna Knox, was not the mother of William and Xancy, John's two chil- dren, (as long claimed and as shown on the Polk Tree of 1849) but a first wife whose given name was Jane. Anna Crawford (seventh child of Joseph Gilliss and Imo- gen Polk), married October 1, 18G8, Arthur George Woolford and had issue: i Arthur Woolford, born August 2, 1869, resi- dence Sufifolk. Va.; -Joseph Woolford, born January 21, 1871. died November 26, 188)3; ^Levin Woolford, born November 21, 1872, residence Sunbury, N. C. ; 4Eliza Atkinson Woolford, born August 16, 1874, residence Crisfield, Md.; ^Samuel Wool- ford, born March 29, 1876, residence Norfolk, Va. Imogen Oilman Polk (sixth child of Joseph Gilliss and Imogen Oilman Polk), married October 3. 1867, Wm. Charles Fontaine. They had issue: \Ioseph Oilman Fontaine, born July 4, 1868, died October 12, 1869; ^Imogen Polk Fontaine, POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N 231 born June 27. I8T11, residence Princess Anne; ^Ann Crawford Fontaine, born August 23, 1872, residence Princess Anne; ^Laura Polk Fontaine, born October 9. 1874. residence Prin- cess Anne; '^Berkley Douglass Fontaine, born January 13, 1884, residence Philadelphia, Pa. ; ^Ephraim Polk Fontaine, born February 7, 1886, residence Philadelphia. Pa. ; 'William Gilman Fontaine, born July 1, 1889, residence Philadelphia, Pa. William Thomas Gilliss Polk (eighth child and son of Joseph Gilliss Polk and Imogen Gilman), went to the W^est in 1871 and has not been heard of since. Laura Augusta Polk (youngest child of Joseph Gilliss Polk and wife), never married. John Woolford, Jr. (eldest son of John Woolford, Sr., and Ellen Gilliss Polk, by his first wife), never married. Xor did his brother or his sister, Thomas Gilliss and Ellen Wool- ford, both of whom are dead. Robert Kemp Whittingham Dashiell never married. Sarah Gilliss Dashiell married November 30, 1880, Fran- cis Henshaw Dashiell and they had two children: lEliza. torn April 1883; -Olive, born December 27, 1894, residence Princess Anne. Ella Bell Anna }^laria Dashiell married June 27, 1888, Edward Ornick Smith. Xo issue. Ellen Stewart Bell, married October 14. 1874, first Scott Covington; second. October 6, 1889, Capt. William Mitchell. By the first she had: lErnest Covington, born August 14, 1875, died in infancy; -Frank Harold Covington, born Jan- uarv 2it. ls78. By her second husband, Capt. Mitchell, she had one child, Elizabeth Raleigh Mitchell, born September 28, 1890, residence Hampton, Va. Sarah Eliza Bell, married September 15, 1869, Alfred Joseph King of Pottsville, Pa., and they had: iPauline King, born April 2. 1870; ^Estelle King, born December 10, 1871; ^Edith C. King, born November 5, 1873 ; -^^larian Alice King, born January 6, 1888 ; dead. All of the family reside at Phila- delphia. Littleton Polk Bell never married. 232 POLK F AM I L Y AND KINSMEN Addie Henry Bell, married April 12, 1898, George Allen Kelly, of Baltimore, Md. No issue. John Woolford Dashiell, unmarried. Louis Dashiell, unmarried. William Henry Dashiell, unmarried. None of Addie Henry Polk Jesse's children are married. None of Mary Bredelle Polk Brittingham's children are married. Mary Wilson Polk, married Wm. S. Prickett, of Wilming- ton, Del., and they had issue: ^Josephine Mary Prickett; -Emily May Prickett, died in infancy ; ^William Sharp Pric- kett; '^Florence Elizabeth Prickett. They reside at Wilming- ton, Del. Alexander Murdock Polk, M. D., married Annie Meredith Hurlock, of Church Hill, Md. No issue. Imogen Gilman Polk, married P. A. H. Armstrong, now deceased, a Presbyterian minister. One child, Henry Pleas- ant Armstrong. Samuel Polk (son of Joseph L. Polk) minister, married September 14, 1893, Mary Amos of Muddy Creek Fork, York county. Pa., daughter of Dr. James B. Amos and Rebecca Mitchell. They have issue: ^Joseph Littleton Polk, born July 20, 1894, died January 29, 1906; ^Rebecca Amos Polk, born October 26, 1896 ; ^James Murdock Polk, born November 19, 1902. Laura Gilman Polk married William McClellan of Fagg's Manor, Pa. Issue unknown. Lyde Wilson Polk is unmarried. Rev. Thos. McKean Polk married Gertrude Edwards of Fagg's Manor. Annie Polk, married Charles Cook, of Fagg's Manor. Wm. Thomas Gilliss Polk (son of Joseph L. Polk), mar- ried, name oi wife and of issue, not known. Elizabeth Murdock Polk is unmarried. Earle Brodie Polk (son of Ephraim Gilman Polk and Mary Oliver (Culbreth) Polk, married December 22, 1897. Garnet Alma Chelton, of Somerset county, Md., daughter of Zachary Taylor Chelton and Annie (Ford) Chelton. Issue: iFarle Brodie Polk, born October 12. 189S ; ^Fulbert Culbreth Polk, l)orn March 7, 1908, residence Princess Anne, Md. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 233 Arthur Woolford, married June 21, 1893, Missouri Kelby Withers, of Suffolk, Va. Issue: ^Zouzie Woolford, born April 2, died April 13, 1894; ^Austin Withers Woolford, born August 21, 1S95; ^Nannie Polk Woolford, born October 2-4, 1897 ; ^Arthur Thompson Woolford, born June 30, 1900 ; -John Riddick Woolford, born December 31, 1901; ''jMissouri Taylor Woolford, born December 5, 1908. Levin Woolford, (son of Arthur George Woolford and Anna Crawford Polk), married September 14, 1905, Fannie Smith Costen, of North Carolina. No issue. Eliza Atkinson Woolford (daughter of Arthur George and Anna Crawford Polk), married April 27, 1900, Albert Goodrich. They had issue: ^Albert Edwin Goodrich, Jr., born September 19, 1902 ; -Gilman Granger Goodrich, born November 5, 1905 ; ^Eila Woolford Goodrich, born August 19, 1908. The family resides at Crisfield, Md. Samuel Woolford (son of Arthur George Woolford and Anna Crawford Polk), married April 28, 1907, Emma Ash- bee. One child, Samuel Woolford, born February 29, 1908. Residence Norfolk, Va. Imogen Polk Fontaine, married June 12, 1906, George Hammond Myers of Hagerstown, Md. One child, George Hammond Myers, Jr., born June 14, 1907. Residence, Prin- cess Anne, Aid. Annie Crawford Fontaine is unmarried. Laura Polk -Fontaine, married October 22, 1903, George Barton Fitzgerald, of Princess Anne. Issue one child, Geo. Barton Jr., born July 5, 1908. Berkley Douglas Fitzgerald, married October 28, 1908, May Agnes Wildes Guy, of Philadelphia, Pa. No issue. Ephraim Polk Fontaine is unmarried. Wm. Gilman Fontaine, married August 10, 1907, Lucille Jane Mullendore, of Hagerstown, Pa. One child, Wm. Gil- man Fontaine, Jr., born October 10, 1908. Residence, Phila- delphia, Pa. Eliza Polk Dashiell and Olive Dashiell are unmarried. Frank Harold Covington, married April 6, 1904, Alice Harper Burton. One child, Harold Peyton Covington, born January 17, 1905. Residence, Baltimore, Md. 234 P 0 LK F A M I LV AND K i N S M E N Elizabeth Raleigh Mitchell is unmarried. Pauling King( daughter of Alfred King and Sarah Eliza Bellj, married Joseph N. Short, of Philadelph i No issue. Estelle King is unmarried. Edith C. King, married Dr. Harry Thatcher, of New Jer- sey. One child, Lawrence Smith Thatcher. Marion Alice King died in childhood. Xone of ]\Iary Wilson Polk Prickett's children are mar- ried. Rev. Thomas McKean Polk (son of Joseph Littleton Polk, D. D. Ph. D. and Mary Wilson), married October 34, 1903, Gertrude Edwards, of Fagg's Manor, Pa. Residence Martinsville, Pa., where he is pastor of a church. They have issue: ^Thomas McKean Polk. Jr., born October 10, 190-t; died October 1904; -Katharine Edwards Polk, born March 17, 1906; SMcKean Edwards Polk, born May 30, 1908. Annie Polk (daughter of Joseph Littleton Polk, D. D. Ph. D.), married April 29, 1905, Charles S. Cook, of Fagg's Manor. Issue: ^Mary Wilson Cook, born Januarv K. in ■-. sLin^jgy Ewing Cook, born April 1, 1908. Wm. Thomas Gilliss Polk, of Fagg's Manor (son of Joseph Littleton Polk, D. D. Ph. D.), married September 23, 1903, Anna Pierce Miller of Pennsylvania, born February 14, 1881, daughter of Aaron and Rachael Emma (Kimbel) Miller, of Cochranesville, Pa. Wm. T. G. Polk is engaged in farm- ing. They have two children: iWm. Thomas Gilliss Polk. Jr.. born July (\, 1904; 2Arthur Miller Polk, born Augu'^t 18 1907. POLK FAMILY A S D KINS M E N 235 CHAPTER XXXVII. WHITTINGTON CONNECTION. One of the leading families of Maryland with which the Polks became connected by marriage was that of Whittington. Col. \Ym. A\'hittington came from England during the early settlement of the country, locating in Northampton County, Virginia, close to the Maryland line, where he resided and be- came a leading and influential man in Colonial and local affairs. He first settled at Cherrystone, moving thence to Indian Town. Worcester County. It is said that at his birth he was so small that his nurse put him into a quart measure and closed the lid. When grown to manhood, he measured seven feet in height. He was a strict Presbyterian. The maiden name of his wife is not known. His children were: i\Mlliam Whittington, Jr.. who married Elizabeth Taylor; -Esther, who married Isaac ^Morris ; ^Hannah, who married Huff; ^Atalanta, who married Stephen \\'hite ^Southey, who married Mary Forsett. Children of Atalanta and Stephen White: ^Mary, who married Brinkley ; ^Esther, who married A. Sterling; ^William Whittington White. Priscilla (Polk) Whittington, wife of William Whitting- ton Jr., lived to a great age and w^as regarded as most remark- able woman in many ways. She was a daughter of James Polk, son of William Polk and Xancy Owens, and reputed the youngest child. Born in 1740, she died in 1834, aged 94 years. Several of her husband's kinsmen also intermarried with Polks of other branches, and their kinsmen of Somerset County, Maryland and Sussex County. Delaware. During the Revolutionary A\'ar. a party of British burned her residence on their approach she mounted a horse and with one small child in front and another behind her. rode twenty miles to the home of her brother William Polk. 233 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Southey Whittington, who married Mary Forsett, had issue: ^-Isaac and Stevenson (twins), ^Tabitha, ^Priscilla. and ^Sarah. Isaac married Miss E. Wishart ; Stevenson married Miss Sarah Coulburn ; and Sarah married Benjamin Polk, a brother of Priscilla Polk, who married William W'hit- tington, son of Southey. , The childen of Sarah Whittington and Benjamin Polk were: ^Joshua, who died December 7, 1839 in Sussex County, Del., aged 78 years; ^James, who was lost at sea; -^Benjamin. Jr., married Miss and left issue Southey and Eliza; ^Whittington, married twice, first a widow Chapman, second a Miss ; '^Elenora, untraced ; ^Southey, untraced ; '^Isaac, married Rebecca Dashiell ; ^Nellie, married Wm. H. Harper; ^Jane, married Dr. John Polk, her cousin; i"]\Iary, married Stephen Collins, an elder in old Rehoboth Church, the first Presbyterian church in America, no issue; ^^Sally, married John Whittington ; ^-Betsy, married Michael Clufif, of Worcester; ^•"I'^Rebecca and Norah, untraced; i^William, who married first the widow Chapman and second a Miss Collins. No issue. Isaac Whittington (son of Southey and Mary Forsett) by his wife E. Wishart had issue: ^Hannah, married Hanly Handy, of Somerset Co., Md. ; -Ann. married Wm. Cox, of ]\Iaryland; ^Joshua, married Mary Marshall; ^Lyttleton, married Sarah Hearne, daughter of Jacob Hearne, of Sussex. They had issue ^William Wishart. married Ann Handy, of Maryland; ^Isaac, married Matilda Pusey, of Kentucky; ^Milcah, married James Smith, of Versailles, Ky., son of Wm. Smith and Deborah Hearne; ^Jennie married Warren Hearne. of Kentucky; -^Betsy, married Col. Graham, of Ken- tucky; *' "James and Nannie (twins); James married Miss Lillard, of Kentucky ; Caroline married Richard Taylor, of Kentucky; ^Edward married Cordelia Taylor. The children of Milcah and James Whittington Smith were: ^Amanda Jane Smith, born , died August 1, ls;!.s; -'James Whittington Smith; ^C. Cordelia Smith. James Whittington Smith married Viola McCorkle. Marcli 1. isso. Issue: iWm. Walker, ^Bessie, ^MiJcah, 4 David Drake, -"'CordeHa. POLK FA M I LY A N D K I N S M E N 237 Besides the foregoing, there are a number of other younger descendants of Sarah W'hittington and Benjamin Polk, and W'm. W'hittington 3d, and Priscilla Polk, but they are untraced. Many of them are in Kentucky and the Wes- tern States. DESCENDANTS OF SUSAN LANKFORD. (By Henry Fillmore Lankford, Princess Anne.) Susan (Porter) Lankford was the daughter of John Por- ter and Mary Jane (or Polly) Porter, and Alary Jane or Polly Porter was the daughter of Priscella (Polk) Whittington and William Whittington. The first husband of Mary Jane (or Polly) the mother of Susan, was William Strawbridge, the second William Davis Allen, and the third John Porter Susan Porter married Benjamin Lankford on the '^ith of January, 1822. They are both dead. Susan died in 1883. and Benjamin in 1886. The issue of Susan and Benjamin Lankford are as fol- lows : (1.) Henry Smith Lankford, eldest child, born SOth January, 1823. First wife. Martha Riggin. They had: Emma Florence Lankford. born 11th June, 1852. married Charles E. Gunby. He is dead. Issue: ^Paul Lewis Gunby, born 18th July, 1882; -Harry Porter Gunby. born 22nd July. 1881; ■^Carrie Lankford Gunby. born 3rd August. 1887, and ^Florence Martha Gunby, born 30th September. 1889. Paul Lewis Gun- liy married Jessie A. Wilkins ; issue: ^Paul Benjamin Gunby, born Tth April. 1906. The second wife of Henry Smith Lankford was Mary Dameron Pinckard, of Lancaster County. A'irginia. They are both dead. Their issue is as follows : ^Henry Fillmore Lank- ford, born 21st April. 1856; married Dec. , 1908. Alice Catherine Fitzsimmons of Independence, ^lo. -Clarence Pinckard Lankford, born 8th February, 1861; married Emily Estella Marshall. Issue: Priscilla Pinckard Lankford, born 11th January, 1896. 3},Xarion Daisy Lankford. born 31st Jan- uary, 1870; married Benjamin James Barnes. Issue: ^Mary 238 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N Louise Barnes, born Sth February, 1892; -Marion Frances Barnes, born 21st September, 1S96, and ^Benjamin Lankford Barnes, born 11th October, 1902. (2.) Julia Anne Lankford, second child, born 2.5th Feb- ruary, 1825 ; married George Washington Lankford, both dead. Their issue: ijames F. Lankford, born , died unmarried. -Susan Lankford, born , married Samuel D. Lankford. Their issue: George W. Lank- ford, born , and Samuel D. Lankford, born . ^Sallie A. Lankford, born , died unmarried. (3.) John Louis Lankford, third child, born ll:th Octo- ber. 182G; married ]^Iary A. Lankford. Their issue: i Annie Frances Lankford married Charles A. Aliller, (she was born 1st March, 1857). Their issue: iMollie Jane Miller, born October od, 1883; -Elizabeth Lankford Miller, born Decem- ber 9th. 1894. SRoman Davis Lankford, born January 3rd, 1.S59 ; died unmarried. ^Mary Lankford, born February 2nd, 18G1; married Robert F. ]\Iaddox, and died without issue. •'"'Charles Anthony Lankford, born 28th April, 18G3; married Xancy Leach; issue: ]\Iary Priscilla Lankford, born Feb- ruary 2nd, 1902. *^Benjamm Franklin Lankford. born June 21st, 1865, unmarried. 'Susan Lewis Lankford. born July 15th. 1807; married William J. Hall: Their issue: iBIenry Louis Hall, born January 7th, 1892 ; -]\Iary Elizabeth Hall, born June 23rd, 1897; •"William J. Hall, Jr.. born November 3rd, 1899, and ^Virginia Hall, born September 29th, 19(JG. (4.) lienjamin Franklin Lankford, fourth child, born 2.jth , 1n the subject, Mr. Polk made such a strong impression upon the people that he at once became a popular favorite for the highest office in the gift of the people. NOMINATED AND ELECTED PRESIDENT. -Mr. Polk's views, as expressed in his reply to the Cin" cinnati Cummittec, made a great impression on the National Democratic Convention, which met at Baltimore on May 24:, 1841. After a dead lock over other candidates named, Mr. Polk was brought forward on the eighth ballot as a candidate for the Presidency, and harmony at once followed confusion. On the following l)allot, the ninth, he received nearly all the POLK FAMILY A N D KINS M E N 249 a o U -J THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX AND TiLDEN Foundations. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 251 votes of the delegates and the nomination was next made unanimous. A strong factor in the result, it is said, was the advocacy of Mr. Polk's selection, by General Jackson. George M. Dallas was then chosen as the party's candidate for Vice President, and "Polk and Dallas" became the Democratic war cry. The opposition party, the Whigs, nominated Henry Clay, of Kentucky, fur President, and Theodore Frelinghuysen, of New Jersey, for Vice President. The canvass was a spirited one, and mass meetings and processions filled the land with political exuberance and enthusiasm. Campaign songs of Whigs and Democrats were heard on every hand. As the time for Mr. Polk's inauguration approached he prepared for his journey to the National Capital, accompanied by Mrs. Polk, his adopted son, and Col. J. Knox Walker, his nephew and private secretary. His progress was everyvvdiere greeted with the most unbounded enthusiasm. At Louisville he was escorted to his boat by military companies and a vast throng of citizens. At Cincinnati a like demonstration await- ed him, and after a splendid banquet the party took carriages for the balance of the trip, over the National Road. Three other carriages beside that of Mr. Polk composed the proces- sion. The second contained the Kentucky delegation ; the third that of Louisiana ; and the fourth Tennessee gentlemen. At Wheeling there was also a great demonstration for "Young Hickory," as his admirers called him. The same enthusiasm attended him during the rest of the route. MR. POLK'S INAUGURATION. On March 4, 1845, James K. Polk was duly inaugurated as President of the L'nited States. He delivered an appropri- ate and excellent address on the occasion, in which he set forth his views on questions at issue, and enunciated the principles that would guide him in the discharge of his duties. He chose his cabinet from among the mos^ distinguished men -of his party. The paramount question at that time was that of our title to Oregon, which the Baltimore National Democratic Convention had declared to be "clear and un- questionable." By a firm course on the part of the President, 252 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN this bone of contention with Great Britain was amicably set- tled. It is estimated that thirty thousand people witnessed Mr. Polk's inauguration. The President and Airs. Polk received visitors at the White House the day following the inauguration. Airs. Polk's ease, grace and simple dignity won the admiration of all. Mrs. Polk was assisted in her social duties by Mrs. Walker, wife of her husband's private secretary, a notably beautiful woman. On one occasion Air. Clay, being at a White House reception, remarked to Airs. Polk that, '"although some had expressed dissatisfaction with the administration of her hus- band, not one seemed to have found fault with hers." Immediately after the treaty of annexation of Texas was concluded with the United States, Mexico officially pro- nounced the treaty to be "a declaration of war between the two nations," and Santa Anna, President of Alexico, in June, 1844, declared it to be the firm determination of Alexico to re-conquor Texas. He called for an army of 30,000 men and four millions of dollars for that purpose. The Mexican forces were hurried into the field and pushed to the Northern fron- tier. On the part of the United States, the military forces un- der General Zachary Taylor advanced to the Rio Grande, to prevent invasion by Alexican troops. Congress a short time afterwards declared war against Alexico and called for fifty thousand volunteers. These volunteers were furnished prin- cipally by Kentucky. Tennessee, Alississippi, Arkansas, Alis- souri, Illinois. Indiana and Ohio. The iM-ave riflemen of the West were hurried to Alexico and at the ensuing battles of Pain Alto, Resaca dc la Palma, Alonterey, A^era Cruz, Cha- pu!tei)ec and City of Alexico. they carried the Stars and Stripes to victory, giving to the L'nited States not only Texas. but also Xew Alexico and I'pper and Lower California. As has Ijccn trutlifully said: "\\ hen Americans today look upon the great and wealthy territory secured thereby, it is not probable that any one will fail tn tliank Air. I'ulk fnr his firm position in bringing on the conflict. Tlie \alue of gold alone in California can never be adec|uately estimated." POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 253 Mr. Polk's Cabinet consisted of James Buchanan, of Penn., Secretary of State; Robert J. Walker, of Miss., Sec- retary of the Treasury; William L. ^Nlarcy, of New York, Secretary of War; George Bancroft, of Mass., Secretary of the Xavy till September 9, 1846, afterward John Y. Mason, of Va., Cave Johnson, of Tenn., Postmaster General; Nathan Clifford, of Maine, and Isaac Toucey, of Conn., suc- cessively Attorneys General. CHIEF ADMINISTRATION MEASURES. The chief measures which distinguished the administra- tion of James K. Polk, besides those already enumerated, were the adoption of the low tariff of 1846, replacing the protective one of 1842 ; the establishment of the independent treasury system, by which the revenues of the government are collected in specie without the aid of banks ; the creation of the Department of the Interior; and the admission of Wisconsin as a state of the Union. As one of his biographers, Jenkins, said of him : "Mr. Polk could not have said, with Augustus Caesar, that he found the capital of the republic built of brick, and left it constructed of marble; but he might have claimed that he found her territories bounded on the south by the Sabine and the 42d parallel, and her authority west of the Rocky Mountains existing only in name ; and when he transferred the government to other hands, New Mexico and California were annexed to her domain, and her flag floated in token of sovereisrntv on the banks of the Rio Grande, on the shores of the Straits of Fuca, and in the bay of San Francisco." The acquisition of this territory served to fill out and complete the vast and comprehensive plan of national empire inaugurated by Thomas Jefferson and the American people in the purchase of Louisiana Territory from France in 1806. And the wisdom of both these transactions is attested by the magnificent development in those regions since their acquisi- tion, adding wealth and strength to our country by the dis- covery of vast stores of gold and silver, and the settlement of millions of enterprising citizens. 254 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN The adjournment of Congress at the close of Mr. Polk's administration, took place March 3, 1849. The 4th being Sunday, the inauguration of his successor, Gen'l Zachariah Taylor, took place on ^^londay the 5th. On the same day Mr. and Mrs. Polk took leave of their friends and started to their home in Tennessee. All along the route through Richmond. Wilmington, Charleston, Savannah, New Orleans, and every place they passed, a grand ovation and welcome was await- ing him from vast crowds of admiring citizens. Reaching his beautiful home in Xashville which he had but a short time before purchased, he retired to the comforts and pleasures of his home, and devoted his time to its improvement. DEATH OF JAMES K. POLK. Some time before his return to Tennessee, Air. Polk pur- chased the mansion and grounds formerly owned by his friend and preceptor, Hon. Felix Grundy, in the city of Nashville. Here, in this elegant Colonial home, surrounded by every comfort, he .settled down to spend the rest of his life in ease and quietude ; in the sweet companionship of his devoted wife, liis books, and of his devoted friends. The year of 1849 was made memorable by a second visit to the United States of that dread disease, Asiatic cholera, and many deaths occurred from it in the Mississipi Valley. On his way up the Mississippi River from New Orleans, in the month of March, INIr. Polk had suffered what was considered a moderate attack of the disease, which was warded off by the 'physicians who attended him. He was very much ener- vated l)ut w?s thouglit to have entirely recovered. Btit on his arrixal at Nashville he became more enfeebled, thou2:h gi\ing his constant attention to the improvement of his home, in which work he was often assisted by Mrs. Polk. These constant labors seem to have brought on again his old afflic- tion of dysentery and he was prostrated on his bed. For sev- eral days no apprehension was felt by his friends and kins- men. Dr. Hay. his brother-in-law and family physician for twenty years, came from Columbia to attend him, aided by other skillful medical men. But all that medical skill could do proved futile and 'Mr. Polk continued to sink day by day, POLK F A HI I LY AND KINS M E N 255 JAS. K. POLK MONUMENT, Raleigh, N. C. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX aN'O TILD N FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 257 and he died without a struggle on June 15, 1849. About a half hour before his death his venerable mother entered his chamber and kneeling by his bedside ofifered up a beautiful prayer to the "King of Kings and Lord of Lords," committing the soul of her son to his holy keeping. Air. Polk's death oc- curred in the fifty-fourth year of his age. The funeral exercises took place on the following day and his body was laid to rest in a grave in one corner of the residence yard. Over the grave was erected an imposing structure of marble that long stood and was only removed when the remains were transferred to the State House vard to give place for a large flat building. The funeral was at- tended by nearly the entire population of Nashville and ad" jacent country. Upon the coffin plate the inscription con- sisted simply of his name and the dates of his birth and de- cease. Thus passed from the stage of human action one who was an honor to his family, not only because of his intrinsic merits as a man. but also by reason of the fact that he had attained and filled with advantage to his fellow citizens the highest office in the gift of his country. 253 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTER XXXIX. NUMBERED RECORD OF POLKS. The following numbered record of Polk families was pre- pared and is constantly be'ftnj added to by Col. Geo. W. Polk, of San Antonio, Texas. It includes principally the descen- dants of Col. Thos Polk, of Mecklenburg County, N. C. RECORD No. 1— Col. William Polk, son of Col. Thomas Polk and Susan Spratt Polk. b. July 9, 1758, in Mecklenburg County, N. C. Occupation or profession, Officer of the Re- volutionary Army, Bank President, Capitalist. Col. Polk mar- ried 1st: Grizelda Gilchrist, Oct. 15, 1789. He married 2nd: Sarah Hawkins Jan. 1st, 1801. Issue by his 1st marriage: ^Thomas G. ; -Dr. William Jul- ius ; 3nd marriage : ^Lucius Junius ; -^Lucinda Davis, b. Jan. 13, 1804, d. May 9, 1805; ^Leonidas, ^^Mary Brown; ^Alex Hamil- ton, b. Sept. 19, 1810, d. Sept. 8, 1830; «John Hawkins, b. Aug. 15, 1812, d. Oct. 28,1813; '^'Rufus King; i«George Washington; "Philem&n Hawkins, b. Mar. 26, 1820, d. Aug. 27, 1820 ; ^^Susan Spratt; ^^Andrew Jackson; ^^Sarah Hawkins, b. Mar. 16, 1826, d. Sept. 11, 1826; ^''Charles Junius, b. Oct. 8, 1828, d. Oct. 16, 1831. Col. Wm. Polk d. July 14, 1834, and was buried at Ral- eigh, N. C. His first wife d. Oct. 22, 1799 ; his second wife d. Dec. 10, 1843. Grizelda Gilchrist, first wife of William Polk, was the daughter of Thomas and Martha Gilchrist, whose maiden name was Jones. Grizelda was b. the 24th day of October 1768, in the town of Suffolk, Va. Sarah Hawkins, second wife of William Polk, was the daughter of Phil&meii and Lucy Hawkins, whose maiden name was Davis. Sarah was 1). in \\'arren County, N. C, on the 6th day of March, 1784. RECORD No. 2— Thos. G. Polk, son of Wm. Polk and Grizelda Gilchrist, b. Feb. 22, 1791 at Raleigh, N. C, was a POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 259 COL. ANDREW ]. POLK AND WIFE. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AST©R, LENOX AND TiLDtN FOONDATION8. POLK FAMILY AND K INS M E N 261 lawyer by profession. He was married Oct. 30, 1812 to Mary Eloise Trotter. Children: ^Jane; -Mary; "William; ^Emily, d. Nov. 3, 1907; -^Thomas, (died young); <^Richard ; 'Gilbert. Gen'l Thos. G. Polk d. Mar. 16, 1869 at Holly Springs, Aliss. His wife d. May 25, 18T0. Gen. Thomas G. Polk was a graduate of "Yale." Also of the celebrated Law School at Litchfield, Conn. A courtier in manner and person ; full of the chivalry of his race. Mar- ried a noble woman, celebrated for her learning and piety. RECORD No. 17— Jane Polk, daughter of Gen'l Thos. G. Polk and Mary Trotter Polk, married Dr. Bouchelle. RECORD No. 18— Mary A. Polk, daughter of Thos. G. Polk and Alary Trotter Polk, married George Davis. Issue: \Tunius ; -Mary (died unmarried); ^Emily ; ■*Louis; ^Isabella; ^Alargaret RECORD No. 24— Junius Davis, son of George Davis and Alary Polk Davis, profession lawyer, was twice married. First to Alary Orme Walker; second to Alary Cowan. Issue: lAIary; ^Thomas ; ^^funius ; '^George ; ^Platt ; '^Louis ; 'Robert; ^Eliza. RECORD No. 26— Emily Davis, daughter of George Davis and Alary Polk Davis, was married to Jno. Crowe. Issue: ^George; -Fairfax; ■"^William: -^Emmett. RECORD No. 27— Louis Davis, son of George Davis and Alary Pulk Davis, untraced. RECORD No. 28— Isabella Davis, daughter of George Davis and Alary Polk Davis, was married to D. Shotter. Issue: Isabella. RECORD No. 29— Alargaret Davis, daughter of George Davis and Alary Polk Davis, married Air. , and had issue: ^Isabella; -Cynthia; ^Aleta. RECORD No. 19— William Pulk. son of Thos. G. Polk and Alary Eloise Trotter, was b. Xov. 17, 1821, d. , 1909. Sugar planter, Ashton Plantation, near Alexandria, La. Alar- ried Jan. 20, 1857 to Rebecca Evaline Lamar, by whom he had 262 POLK FAMILY AND KIN S M E N issue: ^AHce, b. March 11, 1858; -William, b. Feb. 6, 1862; ■Wlary Eloise, b. Sept. 4, 18(34. \Mlliam Polk d. Jan. 24, 1898 at New Orleans and was buried at Alexandria, La. His wife died in ll»n!J. William Polk resided from early manhood to his death in Louisiana. He was a man greatly esteemed and beloved and an authority on cane culture. He married into the distin- guished Lamar family, of Georgia, whose name, like the Polk name, is of national fame. RECORD No. 46— Alice Polk, daughter of William Polk and Rebecca Lamar Polk, b. March 11, 1858 at Holly Springs, Miss., married Aug. 4, 1890 at Asheville, X. C, to W'm. P. Flower. Issue: W\'m. Polk Flower, Jr., b. May 26, 1891. This oldest child of William Polk and Rebecca E. Lamar, Alice Polk, a l)eautiful and accomplished woman, was edu- cated in Stanton, \'a.. at Dr. Phillips' celebrated Church School She lived for a number of years at Flenerton Plantation. La., later in Xew ( )rleans, La. RECORD No. 47— Wm. Polk, Jr., son of Wm. Polk and Rebecca Lamar Polk. b. Feb. 6, 1862, at Ashton Plantation, Rapides Parish, La. Residence Alexandria, La., is a promi- nent sugar planter and was married Aug. 8, 189:3 to ]\Iiss Ella Baillio Hayes. Issue: ^Lamar, b. at Rosalie Plantation, La., May 4, 1894; -Ella, b. in Alexandria. La., on June 5, 1904. The only son of William Polk and Rel)ecca E. Lamar, Wm. Polk. Jr., was educated at the University of Louisiana, ]»aton Rouge. He was a man of influence and was several times elected to the Legislature, where he served with ability. He married a beautiful woman, of an aristocratic French family. RECORD No. 48— Mary Eloise Polk, daughter of Wm. Polk and Rebecca Lamar Polk, h. Sept. 4, 1864 in Texas, was manied Jan. 2i), 1,SS5 to David S. Ferris. Issue: ^Livingston Polk. b. Aug. ;;i), is,s6, West Chester County, Xew York, the ancestral home of the Ferris family. This second daughter of \\"illiam Polk and Rebecca E. Lamar, ;i woman of the excpiisite Idonde ty])e, was educated at Dr. iiccket's celeljrated Institute in Columbia, Tenn. She POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 263 COL. \VM. POLK AND WIFE Alexandria, La. PhFnewyorF PUBLIC LIBRARY ASrOR, LFNOX AND TiLDr N FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY A .V D KI N S M E N 265 is noted for a sweet benevolence of character and rare social graces. RECORD No. 3— Dr. Wm. Julius Polk, son of Wm. Polk and Grizelda Gilchrist, b. Alarch 21. i:9;3, at Raleigh. X. C, residence in Maury County, Tenn. He was a wealthy planter. He was married June 1, 181S to ^lary Rebecca Long. Issue: ^Grizelda Gilchrist; -Allen J.; "Thomas G. ; ^Mary Jones; '"Lucius Eugene ; ''Cadwalader Jones ; 'Rufus J. Dr. Wm. Julius Polk d. at his home Buena Vista. Maury County. Tenn.. June, 1860. JMary Rebecca Long was b. in 1T97, at Mt. Gal- lant. X. C, the home of her grandfather, Gen'l Allen Jones, from whom she inherited it. She d. in 1886 at Columbia, Tenn. RECORD No. 54— Grizelda Gilchrist Polk, daughter of Wm. J. Polk and Mary Long Polk, b. ^larch 8, 1819 at ^It. Gallant, Xorthampton County, X. C. was married June 4. 1844 to Russell Houston, of Louisville. Issue: ^:\lary Russell; -Louise Ross, d. Aug. 10, 18.-iO ; ^Allen Polk; ^Lucia Eugene; ^Elise. She d. April 37. 1901 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery, Louisville. Ky. Her husband Russell Houston d. Oct. 1, 1895. For thirty years :\Ir. Houston was chief attor- ney for the L. & X. R. R. RECORD No. 61— ^lary Russell Houston, daughter of Russell Houston and Grizelda Polk Houston, b. March 2:. 1845, was married April 31, 1874 to Lytle Buchanan, of Louis- ville. Xo issue. She d. ^lay 10. 1907. RECORD No. 62— Allen P. Houston, son of Russell Houston and Grizelda Polk Houston, b. ; married Mattie Belle Shreve, of Louisville. Ky. Issue: ^Russell ; -Belle L. ; ^'Allen P. RECORD No. 63— Lucia Polk Houston, daughter of Russell Houston and Grizelda Polk Houston, married George H. Hull. Issue: ^Grizelda H. ; -George H. : -"Lytle B. ; ^Russell H.; -"'Lucia H. Residence, Tuxedo. X. Y. RECORD No. 64— Elise Houston, daughter of Russell Houston and Grizelda Polk Houston, married 1st Joseph L. 266 POLK FAMILY A N D KINS M E N Ferrell ; 2nd Theodore Presser. Issue: By first, ^Grizelda H. ; -Alary Russell. Residence, Philadelphia. RECORD No. 65— Russell Houston, son of Allen P. Houston and Alattie Shreve Houston, was born at Louisville, Ky. Residence, Chicago. He married Dec. 14, 1S98 to Flora P. Harris. Issue: ^Alattie Belle Houston; -Russell Houston, Jr.; •\John Harris Houston. RECORD No. 66— Belle S. Houston, daughter of Allen P. Houston and Alattie Shreve Houston was born at Louis- ville, Ky. She married Ralph Golier Plubbart. Issue: Mattie Belle Shreve. RECORD No. 68— Grizelda Hull, daughter of George H. Hull and Lucia Houston Hull was married Alay 28, 1905 to Capt. Richmond Pearson Hobson of Alerrimac fame. Issue : ^Lytle, -George, ^Russell, ^Lucia. RECORD No. 55— Alajor Allen Jones Polk, son of Wm. J. Polk and Alary Long Polk, was b. Alarch 5, LS24, at Farm- ville. X. C., and died at Helena, Ark. He was a leading planter. Alajor Polk was twice married, first to Alary Clen- denin. Issue: ^W'm. (d. young) ; -Alary. His second wife was Anna Lee Clark Fitzhugh, whom he married June KI, 1859. By the latter he had issue: ^Allen Jones, b. March 22, LSGO ; ^Clark Fitzhugh. h. Alay 10, 1.S61 ; "Susan Huntington, I). Jan. 1, 1864; ^Anna Lee, b. Nov. 28, 1866; -^Grizelda Houston, b. Dec. 8, 1868; ^Robin Ap. Allen, b. June 8, 1879. Alaj. Allen J. Polk died Alarch 17, 1897. Anna Fitzhugh Polk d. Dec. 3, 19U2. Allen J. Polk, Jr., d. Feb. 13, 1875. Clark Fitzhugh. d. ATay 6, 105 and was buried at St. Johns Church, Maury County, Tenn. I ler husl)and died June 9, lS(i2 and was buried at Hills- boro. X. C. RECORD No. 163— .Mary Polk Jones, daughter of Robin Ap. C. Jones and Sarah Polk Jones, b. Jan. 18, 1856, at Hills- lM>ro, N. C. Residence, Nashville, Tenn. Married Jan. 18, 1877 to Duncan P. Cooper. Issue: ^Sarah Polk; -William; ■"Kobin Junes; "'Mary Polk; •'"'Duncan lirown. Alary Polk Jones (1. \)i.'c. 20. ps!):]. RECORD No. 168— Sarah Polk Cooper, daughter of Dun can I'.. Cooper and Mary Jones Cooper, b. June 5. 1878. at Mulbci'iy Mill, .Maui-\- Counlv. 'IVmiu. Residence. Nashville. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 275 RUFUS J. POLK, Son of Dr. \Vm. f. Polk. I THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTtUR, LENOX AND TILD-N FOUNDATIO^S. POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N 277 Tenn. Married Nov. 8, 1899 to Lucius Burch. Issue: John Christopher Burch. b. July 21, 1900. in Nashville. Tenn. RECORD No. 169— \Vm. Cooper, son of Duncan B. Cooper and Mary Jones Cooper, b. Jan. -24, 1880, at Sprin>j Hill. ]\Iaury County. Tenn. Unmarried. RECORD No. 170— Robin Jones Cooper, son of Duncan B. Cooper and Mary Junes Cooper, b. Aug. 15, 1881, in Maurv County Tenn. Residence. Nashville. Tenn. Lawyer. ]\Iar- ried Dec. 15, 191ii to Eva Lee Smith, daughter of President Milton H. Smith of the L. & N. R. R. RECORD No. 171— Mary Polk Cooper, daughter of Dun- can B. Cooper and ^Nlary Jones Cooper, b. Nov. 18, 1884:, at East Nashville, Tenn. Residence, ^Mobile, Ala. Married Nov. 2, 1904 to Beverly Risque Wilson. Issue: Mary Polk Wilson, b. Aug. 21, 1905, Mobile. Ala. RECORD No. 172— Duncan B. Cooper, Jr.. son of Dun- can B. Cooper and ]\Iary Jones Cooper, b. Aug. 28, 188'<". at Nashville. Tenn. Married Nov. 28, 1909 to Dorothy Crowe. RECORD No. 164— Rebecca Edwards Jones, daughter of Robin Ap C. Jones and Sarah Polk Jones, b. Jan. 16. 1857, at Hamilton Place. Maury County, Tenn. Residence. New Orleans, La. RECORD No. 165— Robin Ap Robin Jones, son of Robin Ap C. Jones and Sarah Polk Jones, b. Feb. 18, 1859, at Hamil- ton Place, ^laury County. Tenn. Residence, Nashville, Tenn RECORD No. 166— Sarah Polk Jones, daughter of Robin Ap C. Jones and Sarah Polk Jones, b. Oct. 10, I860, at Hills- boro, N. C. Residence, Nashville, Tenn. Married June 27. 1888 to J. C. Bradford. Issue: ^Thomas H. Bradford, b. Feb. 28, 1890; -Sarah Polk Bradford, b. ^larch 5, 1891. m. Alfred Thos. Shaughnessy. Alontreal, Can., April 30, 1912. RECORD No. 167— Lucy C. Jones, daughter of Robin Ap C. Jones and Sarah Polk Jones, b. Feb. 3, 1862, at Millsboro. N. C. Residence. Mobile, Ala. Married Stanley Bell Herndon. Issue: ^Robin Cadwallader Jones, b. March 278 POLK FA M I L y A N D KINS M E N 13, 1889 ; -Virginia, b. Nov. 20, 1890 ; ^'Rebecca Jones, b. Jan. 2, 1893; ^Lucy. b. April 4, 1899. Stanley Bell Herndon died Nov. 16, 1908. RECORD No. 153 — Mary Brown Polk, daughter of Lucius J. Polk and Mary Eastin Polk, b. March 25, 1835, at Hamil- ton Place, Maury County, Tenn. Married Sept. 2, 1858 to Henry C. Yeatman. Issue: ^Mary Eastin, b. May 25, 1861; ^Henry C. b. March 2. 1866. d. Aug. 7, 1897; ^Russell H., b. April 25. 1869. d. April 26, 1893 ; '^Trezevant P., b. Oct. 13, 1871; •\Tenny Bell, b. March 3, 1875; «Lucia Polk, b. Aug. 7, 1877, d. May 2, 1908. Mary Brown Polk died March 27, 1890. Bur- ied at St. Johns Church, Maury County, Tenn. Col. Henry C. Yeatman was killed Aug. 1, 1910, by a railroad train near his home in Alaury County, Tenn. Buried in St. John's Churchyard. RECORD No. 181— Mary Eastin Yeatman. daughter of Henry C. Yeatman and jNIary Polk Yeatman, b. May 25, 1861, at Hamilton Place. Maury County, Tenn. Residence, near Knoxville, Tenn. Married Aug. 7, 1897 to Thos. S. Webb. No issue. RECORD No. 182— Henry C. Yeatman, Jr., son of Henry C. Yeatman and Mary Polk Yeatman, b. March 2, 1866, at Hamilton Place, Maury County, Tenn. Residence, Mexico. Occupation, Civil Engineer, d. Aug. 7, 1897. Buried at St. Johns Church, ]\laury County, Tenn. RECORD No. 183— Russell H. Yeatman, son of Henry C. Yeatman and Mary Polk Yeatman, b. April 25, 1869, at Hamilton Place, Maury County, Tenn., d. April 25, 1893. RECORD No. 184r-Trezevant P. Yeatman, son of Henry C. Yeatman and Mary Polk Yeatman, b. Oct. 13. 1871, at Hamilton Place. Residence same. Planter. RECORD No. 185— Jenny Bell Yeatman, daughter of Henry C. Yeatman and Mary Polk Yeatman, b. March 3, 1875, at Hamilton Place, Manry County, Tenn. RECORD No- 186— Lucia Polk Yeatman. daughter of Henry C. Yeatman and Mary Polk Yeatman, b. Aug. 7, 1877, at Hamilton Place. Maury County, Tenn., d. May 2, 1908. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S ^[ E N 279 MRS. LUCIUS J. POLK AND MADAME PAGET, Wife of British Minister to United States. PUBLIC LI8RAKY AS/OR^ LFNOX AND 7|LDf N FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY A N D KI X S M E N 281 RECORD No. 154^Kmily D. Polk, daughter of Lucius J. Polk and Mary Eastin Polk, b. March 29, 1837. at Hamilton Place. Residence, Xashville, Tenn. Married Xov. 13, 1860 to j. Minnick Williams. Issue: ^Henry Yeatman ; -J. Minnick unmarried, b. Feb. 8, 1S66 ; ^Lucius Polk, unmarried, b. Xov. 186T; ■^Xannie M.. b. July 18T(). d. April !», 1890; ^Eliza Polk, b. April 18T2, d. July 3, lb91 ; ''Priscilla Shelby, b. Jan. 4. 18:8. RECORD No. 187— Henry Yeatman Williams, son of J. Minnick Williams and Emily Polk Williams, b. March 29, 1863, at Hamilton Place. Residence, San Antonio. Tex. Traveling Passenger Agent of Santa Fe R. R. Married March 8, 189-1 to Louise Pitcher. Xo issue. RECORD 192— Priscilla Shelby Williams, daughter of J. Minnick Williams and Emily Polk Williams, b. Jan. i, 1878, at Ashwood, Tenn. Married March 7. 19iil to Geo. S. Briggs. Issue: George Shelby, b. ^larch 7. 191)2, Xorfolk. Va. RECORD No. 155— William Polk, son of Lucius J. Polk and :\Iary Eastin Polk, b. Feb. 1, 1839, at Hamilton Place. Planter. Married Rebecca Maves. Xo issue. William d. April 5, 190.5. RECORD No. 156— Eliza E. Polk, daughter of Lucius J. Polk and ]\Iary Eastin Polk, b. April 15, 1841, at Hamilton place., d. July 3. 1897. RECORD No. 157— Frances Anne Polk, daughter of Lucius J. Polk and ,Mary Eastin Polk, b. Aug. 4, 1844, at Hamilton Place. Residence Indian Rock, Va. Married Xov. 29, 1866 to Edward Dillon. Issue: Hames Royall ; -Edward; ^Lucius Polk; ^John Cunningham; ^'Eliza Polk; "^Frances Polk : "Francis Cunningham. Frances Anne Polk, d. March 26, 1912, at Lexington, Va. Her husband d. Aug. 11, 1887, at Lexington, \'a. RECORD No. 194 — James Royall Dillon, son of Edward Dillon and Frances Polk Dillon, b. Sept. 2, 1869, at Richmond, Va. Residence, Galveston. Tex. Supt. Houston Belt & Term- inal Ry. 282 POLK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N RECORD No. 195— Edward r3illon, son of Edward Dillon and Frances Polk Dillon, b. Oct. 10, ISTI. at Buchanan, Bote- tourt County, Va. Residence, Indian Rock, Va. Manufac- turer of lime. He married Oct. (!. 1896 to Susan S. Pendle- ton. Issue: ^Edward Dillon, b. July 26, 1898; ^Edmund Pendleton, b. April 27, 1900; -^Alary Unity, b. Nov. 12, 1902; ^William Polk, b. May 13, 1905; '^Susan Strachan, b. Jan. 1, 1909. RECORD No. 196— Lucius Polk Dillon, son of Edward Dillon and Frances Polk Dillon, h. June 8, 1873, at Indian Rock, Va. Manufacturer. ^Married April 2."j, 1899 to 3>Iary Evelyn Morton. Issue: ^Lucius Polk Dillon, b. ^lay 26, 1909; ^Charles Morton, b. Feb. 4, 1911 ; '^Francis Ann, b. Jan. 2, 1912. RECORD No. 197— John Cunningham Dillon, son of Edward Dillon and Frances Dillon, b. May 17, 1875, at Indian Rock, Va. Alanufacturer. Married Jan. 18, 1911 to Miss Mae AlcClurg Childress. RECORD No. 198— Eliza Polk Dillon, daughter of Ed ward Dillon and Frances Polk Dillon, b. July 30, 1878, at Indian Rock, Va. ^Married April 4, 1907 to Robert Scott Spillman. Issue: Frances Polk Spillman and Robert Sco'tt Spillman, twins, 1). Jan. 6, 1908; "''Edward Dillon, b. May 31, 1909. RECORD No. 199— Frances Polk Dillini. daughter of Edward Dillon and Frances I'olk Dillon, I). Jan. 25, 1880, at Indian Rock, Va. I'nmarried. RECORD No. 200 — Francis Cunningham, son of Edward Dillon and Frances Polk Dillon, b. Sept. 17, 1885, at Indian Rock. \a. RECORD No. 158— Susan Rebecca Polk, daughter of Lucius j. I'olk and .Mary Eastin Polk, b. July 7, 1847, at Hamilton Place. Residence, Spring Hill, Maury County. Tenn. Married Sept. 11. 1866 to Campbell Brown. Issue: M.ucius Polk; -Lich;ird I^well ; ^George Campbell; ''Percy; •■'Lizinka. Campbell Brown, d. Aug. ;!0, 1893. POLK FAMILY A N D Kl N S M E N 283 RECORD No. 207— Lucius Brown, son of Campbell Brown and Susan Polk Brown, b. Aug. 1, 1867, at Hamilton Place. Residence. Nashville, Tenn. He was twice married, 1st Jan. 30, 1S95 to Jessie Roberts ; 2nd. Dec. 12, 1903 to Susan Massie. Issue: ^Campbell Huxley, b. Oct. 25, 1896; -Susan Massie Polk. b. Feb. 11, 1906; ^Lizinka Campbell, b. Sept. 2. 1908; ^Lucia Cabell, b. Oct. 28, 1910. His first wife, Jessie Roberts, d. July 2, 1897. RECORD No. 208— Richard Ewell Brown, son of Camp- bell Brown and Susan Polk Brown, b. Jan. 12, 18T0, at Xash ville, Tenn. Residence. Xew York Citv. Physician. He married Sept. 10, 1901 to ]^Iarion Lee. Issue: ^^^larion Lee Brown, b. July 29, 1905. d. May H). 1906; ^Richard Ewell Brown, Jr., b. Feb. 10, 1908 ; "Marion Lee Brown, 2d. b. ]\Iarch 19, 1911. RECORD No. 209— George Campbell Brown, son of Campbell Brown and Susan Polk Brown, b. Sept. 25, 1871, in IMaury County, Tenn. He d. Jan. 23. 1912. at Nashville, Tenn. in the 41st year of his age. He was a planter and unmarried. RECORD No. 210— Percy Brown, son of Campljell Brown and Susan Polk Brown, b. April 6, 1874, in ]\Iaury County, Tenn. Farmer. Married Aug. 6. 1907 to Gertrude Plunket. Issue: ^Jas. Plunkett Brown, b. No. 1, 1909; 2Percy Brown, Jr., b. April 12. 1912. RECORD No. 211— Lizinka Brown, daughter of Camp bell Brown and Susan Polk Brown, b. April 6, 1874, in Maury County. Tenn. Died Aug. 28, 1899. RECORD No. 159— George \V. Polk, son of Lucius J Polk and Mary Eastin Polk. b. July 7, 1847, at Hamilton Place. Maury County, Tenn. Residence. San Antonio, Tex Civil Engineer, and formerly Assistant Land Commissioner, Southern Pacific Company. ^Married Oct. 29, 1885 to Jane Jackson. Issue: ^Kate Jackson, b. Jan. 13, 1887; d. Aug. 23. 1888; ^George W.. b. ^lay 13, 1889; -^lane Jackson, b. Jan. 20, 1893: -^Harrison lackson, b. ^lav 16. 1896. 284 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINSMEN RECORD No. 160— Lucius J. Polk, son of Lucius J. Polk and Anne Irving Polk, b. Aug. 14, 1S54, at Hamilton Place, Tenn. Residence, in Texas. Railroad service. Married Nov. 28, 1878 to Daisey Cantrell. Issue: ^\rmour Cantrell, b. Sept. 13, 1879; -Anne Leroy, b. Dec. 16, ISSI; =^Lucius Junius, b. March 19, 1886 ; ^Margaret Wendell, b. Jan. 13, 1888; ^Daisey Cantrell, b. July 29, 1890; "Ellen Harrell, b. March 15, 1893. d. May 15, 1895. RECORD No. 219— Armour C. Polk, son of Lucius J. Polk and Daisey Cantrell Polk, b. Sept. 12, 1879, at Little Rock, Ark. Residence, New Orleans, La., and Mobile, Ala. Civil Engineer. Married Sept. 29, 1907 to Charlotte Payne. RECORD No. 220— Anne Leroy Polk, daughter of Lucius J. Polk and Daisey Cantrell Polk, b. Dec. 16, 1881, at Little Rock, Ark. Residence, Danville, Va. Married Oct. 10, 1903 to Allen Cuculla. Issue: L\llen Polk, b. Aug. 1, 1904; -Anne Polk, Sept. 9. 1908. RECORD No. 161— Elvira Juliett Polk, daughter of Lucius J. Polk and Anne Irving Polk, b. Sept. 5, 1856, at Hamilton Place, Tenn. Residence, Nashville, Tenn. Mar- ried Jan. 13, 1881 to Horace Steven Cooper. Issue: Horace Polk Cooper, b. Jan. 2. 1887. RECORD No. 6— Leonidas Polk, son of \\'illiam Polk and Sarah Hawkins Polk, b. April 10. 1806. at Raleigh, N. C. Bishop of Louisiana. Lieut. General in the Confederate States Army. Married May 6. 1830 to Frances Devereux. Issue: ^\Iex. Hamilton; -Frances Devereux; ^Katherine ; "^Sarah ; ^Susan R. ; "Elizabeth; "Dr. W'm. Mecklenburg; ^Lucia. Leonidas Polk was killed at Pine ^lountain. Ga.. June 14, 1864. and was ent<)m1)e(l in Epicopal church at Augusta, Ga. His wife d. April K!, 1875. and was laid beside him. RECORD No. 229— Alex. Hamilton Polk, son of Leonidas Pdlk and Frances Devereux Polk, 1). Jan. 27. 1831, at Rich- mond. \'a. Residence. Mississippi and North Carolina. Planter. Married June 15, 1854 to Emily N. Beach. Issue: ^\lex Hamilton, b. Nov. 23, 1855; ^Frank, b. March 17, 1858; ^^George, b. Nov. 17. 18(;i ; ^Hamilton, b. Sept. 15, 1863; ^Leo- POLK FA M I L y A N D K I N S .1/ E N 285 COL. LUCIUS JUNIUS POLK. JR.. WIFE AND TWO CHILDREN, of Texas. THE SE^ PUBLIC UBR^Kt oTrtR LENOX ANO POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N 287 nidas, b. Nov. 27, LsGo ; ''Ueach. b. Sept. 15, 1868. Alexander Hamilton Polk, d. Oct. 2. lsT2, at Hartford, Conn. His wife d. March 9. 1902, at same place and both were buried there. RECORD No. 238— Frank Polk, son of Alexander Hamilton Polk and Emily P.each Polk. b. Alarch 17, 18.58, at New Orleans. La. Residence, North Carolina and Baltimore, Md. Planter. He married Nov. 23, 1897 to Alargaret Calla- way. Issue: ^Emily Hamilton, b. Aug. 23, 1880; -Leonidas Charles, b. July 19, 1883, d. Dec. 30 ; ^Francis Devereux. b. Nov. 6, 1885; ^Magdalen Tasker. b. Feb. 25. 1887; -^Alex Flam- ilton, b. July 16, 1889. Magdalen Tasker d. July 19, 1887, at Asheville, N. C. Frank Polk, d. Sept. 25, 1891 and was buried in Louden Park. Baltimore, Md. RECORD No. 239— George B. Polk, son of Alex. H. Polk and Emily Beach Polk, b. Nov. 17, 1861, at Nashville, Tenn. Residence. Oxford, ]^Id. RECORD No. 241— Hamilton R. Polk, son of Alex H. Polk and Emily Beach Polk, b. Sept. 15, 1863, at Raleigh, N. C. Residence, North Carolina and Baltimore, Md. Drug- gist. He married May 4, 1896 to ^largaret Callaway Polk. No issue. He d. Nov. 9, 1906 and was buried at Louden Park, Baltimore, Md. RECORD No. 242— Leonidas Polk, son of Alex H. Polk and Emily Beach Polk, b. Nov. 27, 1865. at Hartford, Conn. Residence, Asheville, N. C. and Baltimore, Md. He married June 10, 1901 to Charlotte H. Zimmerman. Issue: ^Leon- tine Adele, b. ^larch 10, 1902 ; -Charlotte Patricia, b. Pan. 3, 1905. RECORD No. 243— Nichols Beach Polk, son of Alex H. Polk and Emily Beach Polk, b. Sept. 19, 1868, at Asheville. N. C. Residence, Asheville, Baltimore and New York. He is a bank clerk and unmarried. RECORD No. 230— Frances Polk, daughter of Gen'l Leonidas Polk and Frances Devereux Polk, b. Nov. 27, 1835, at Ashwood. Tenn. Residence New Orleans, La., and Ox ford. Miss. ^larried Nov. 27, 1866 to Peyton H. Skipwith. 288 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Issue : iRate, b. Sept. is, 1867 ; -Frank. Oct. 10, 1872. Frances d. March 15. 188-t. Her husband d. March 13, 1898. RECORD No. 251— Kate Skipwith, daughter of Peyton H. Skipwith and Frances Polk Skipwith. b. Sept. 18. 1867, at Sewanee. Tenn. Residence, Oxford, Miss. Unmarried. RECORD No. 252— Frank Skipwith, son of Peyton H. Skipwith and Frances Polk Skipwith. b. Oct. 10, 1872. at Ox- ford. Miss. Residence. Oxford. Cotton Iniyer. RECORD No. 231— Katherine Polk, daughter of Gen'I Leonidas Polk and Frances Devereux Polk, b. Aug. 16, 1838, at Ashwood, Tenn. Residence, Nashville, Tenn. Married Dec 14, 1858 to Col. \Vm. D. Gale. Issue: ^Frances; -Wm. D. ; "Katharine; ^Leonidas; ^Josephine; *^Ethel. Col. Gale d. Jan. 30, 1888 and was buried at Nashville, Tenn. RECORD No. 253— Frances Gale, son of Col. Wm. D. Gale and Katherine Polk Gale, b. April 1, i860, near Nashville. Residence, Nashville and New York. Married April 30, 1895 to Frank W. Ring. No issue. Mr. Ring d. July 17, 1896 at Portland. Me. RECORD No. 254— A\'m. Dudley Gale, son of Col. Wm. D. Gale and Katherine Polk Gale, b. April 22, 1861, at Yazoo River, Miss. Residence, Nashville, Tenn. Insurance. Mar- ried Jan. 18, 1894 to Meta Orr Jackson. Issue: ^William Dud- ley, b. Feb. 1, 1897 : -George Jackson, b. Sept. 3, 1902. RECORD No. 255— Katherine Gale, daughter of Col. Wm. D. Gale and Katherine Polk Gale, b. Aug. 29, 1862, near Jack- son, Aliss. Residence. Nashville, Tenn. Never married. yShe d. November 24, 1889. at Nashville, Tenn. RECORD No. 256— Leonidas P. Gale, son of Col. Wm. D. Gale and Katherine P. Gale, h. May 10, 1864, at Asheville. N. C. Residence, Nashville, Tenn. Unmarried and d. Sept. Ki, 1890. RECORD No. 257— Josephine Gale, daughter of Col. Wm D. (iaie and Katherine Polk Gale, b. Jan. 22. 1867, at Nash- ville, Tenn. He was unmarried and d. Nov. 13, 1876, at Nash- ville, Tenn. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 289 ■tigm->- -^-^ COL. GEO. W. POLK. WIFE AND SON, San Antonio, Tex. , -j, } ^i THE NEV/ 1. PUBLIC LIBRAn ASTOR, LENOX AND TILD?N FOUNDAT10^48. POLK F AM I L Y A N D KI X S M EN 291 RECORD No. 258— Ethel Gale, daughter of Col. \\m. D. Gale and Katherine P. Gale, b. Xov. 19, 1869, at Nashville. Tenn. Unmarried and d. June 13, 1870. RECORD No. 232— Sallie H. Polk, daughter of Gen'l Leo nidas i*ulk and Fanny Devereux Polk, b. . [Mar- ried Frank IJlake. Une child, Frank. Residence, Xew Or- leans. La. RECORD No. 233— Susan R. Polk, daughter of Gen'l Leonidas I'olk and Frances Devereux Polk, b. April 16, 1842, at Raleigh, N. C. Residence, Xew Orleans. La. [Married June 21, 1870 to Dr. Joseph Jones. Issue: ^Hamilton; -Fanny; •"Laura. Dr. Jones d. Feb. 16, 1896, at Xew Orleans, La. RECORD No. 262— Hamilton Jones, son of Dr. Joseph Jones and Susan Polk Jones, b. Oct. 26, 1872, at Xew Orleans. La., is a physician. He was married June 2-5, 1901 to Caroline E. Merrick. Issue: ^Joseph Merrick Jones, b. Aug. 31. 1903. RECORD No. 263— Fanny Jones, daughter of Dr. Joseph Jones and Susan Polk Jones, b. [May 8, 1871, at Xew Orleans. La. RECORD No. 264— Laura M. Jones, daughter of Dr Joseph Jones and Susan Polk Jones, b. Aug. 26, 1876, at Xew Orleans. La. L'nmarried. RECORD No. 234— Elizabeth D. Polk, daughter of Gen'l Leonidas Polk and Frances Devereux Polk. b. June 29, 1843, at Ashwood, Tenn. Residence, Xew Orleans, La. She was married April 27. 1864 to A\'. E. Huger. Issue: ^Frances; -Lucia ; •"'Emily : "^John : "'Arthur ; ''William ; ' Leonide, b. July 3, 186.5, d. Aug. 11. 1866. Mr. Huger d. July 3, 1901, at Xew Orleans. Birth dates of first six children not given. RECORD No. 266— Frances Huger, son of A\'. E. Huger and Elizebeth Polk Huger, b. ^larch 24, 1867, at Xew Or- leans. La. ^larried Jan. 10. 1895 to H. Laboiusse. Issue: nVilliam, b. March 22, 1896; -John W'.. b. Xov. 24, 1899; ^Henrv Richardson, b. Feb. 11, 1904. 292 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN RECORD No. 267— John Middleton Huger, son of W. E Huger and Elizabeth Polk Huger, b. May 1, 1868, at New Or- leans, La. Cotton broker. JMarried Dec. 18, 1900 to Louise Woeste. Issue: ^Louise Polk, b. March 3, 1903; -John Mid- dleton, b. March 2, 1907. RECORD No. 268— Lucia Polk Huger. daughter of W. E. Huger and Elizal)eth Polk Hug-er. b. October 29, 1870, at Xew Orleans, La. Residence, New York, N. Y. Married Jan. 31, 1894 to Joseph Hardie. Lssue : ^Joseph, b. Oct. 23, 1900 ; -William Huger, b. Sept. 26, 1904. RECORD No. 269— Emily H. Huger, daughter of W. E. Huger and Elizabeth Polk Huger. b. Jan. 11, 1876, at New Orleans, La. Art teacher. RECORD No. 270— Arthur Middleton Huger, son of W. E. Huger and Elizabeth Polk Huger. b. Aug. 26, 1878, at New Orleans, La. Cotton buyer. Married April 24, 1903 to Lillie Charbonnet. Issue: ^Killian L., b. Aug. 3, 1904. RECORD No. 271— William Elliott Huger, son of W. E. Huger and Elizabeth Polk Huger, b. Oct. 22, 1882, at New Orleans, La. Residence, New Orleans, La. Insurance busi- ness. RECORD No. 235— Dr. Wm. Mecklenburg Polk, son of Gen'l Leonidas Polk and Frances Devereux Polk, b. Aug. 1.5, 1844, at Ashwood, near Columbia, Tenn. Residence. New York City. Physician. He was married Nov. 14, 1866 to Ida Lyon. Issue: ^Leonidas, b. Feb. 24. 1868, d. April 29, 1877; -Frank Lyon, b. Sept. 24, 1869; ^John Metcalf. b. May 6. 1875. d. March 29, 1904; -^Serena Devereux, b. Alarch 19, 1877, d. May 8, 1878. RECORD No. 280— Capt. Frank Lyon Polk, son of Dr. William Mecklenburg Polk and Ida Lyon Polk. b. Sept. 24, 1869. in New York. Residence, 129 East 36th St. New York City. He was married Feb. 28, 1908 to ^'S:!^ Elizabeth Stm--/l/ss gis Potter. Issue: \Iolin Metcalf, I). Nov. 18, 1908; ^Eliza- lictli Sturgis, b. July 31, 191U; -Frank Lyun, b. Nov. 3. 1911. POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E X 293 DR. \VM. MECKLENBURG POLK AND WIFE, of New York. iSTi5R, LENdX A POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 295 RECORD No. 236— Lucia Polk, daughter of Gen'l Leo- iiidas Polk and Frances Devereaux Polk, b. Oct. 22, 184S, at Leighton Plantation, La. Residence Xew Orleans, La., and Philadelphia, Pa. She married Jan. 8, 1870 to Edward Chap- man. The latter d. :\Lirch 19, 1883, at Xew Orleans, La. RECORD No. 7— ^lary B. Polk, daughter of William Polk and Sarah Hawkins Polk, b. May 28, 1808, at Raleigh, N. C. Married ]\Iarch 9, 182G to Hon. George E. Badger. Issue: iKatherine ^L; -'Sally Polk. Mary B., d. March 1, 1835. at Raleigh, and her husband on ^lay 11, 186(3, at the same place. RECORD No. 284— Katherine AL Badger, daughter of Hon. George E. Badger and Mary Polk Badger, b. Aug. 9, 1827, at Raileigh, X. C. ^larried Alay 6, 18i(3 to Wm. Haigh. Issue: ^Geo. PL, b. Mar. 24, 1847, d. June 1, 1886; ^Sallie, b. Aug. 9, 1849, d. May 31, 1905 ; ^^lary Polk, b. June 24, 1852, d. June 14. I860. Katherine, d. July 4, 1905, at Fayetteville, X. C., and her husband in June, 1870. Both buried at Fayette- ville, X. C. RECORD No. 286— Geo. B. Haigh, son of Wm. Haigh and Katherine Badger Haigh, b. March 24, 1847, at Raleigh X. C. He was married June 20, 1882 to Dora Williamson. Issue: ^Kate ^lallon. b. Oct. 9, 1883; ^George B., b. June 1, 1886, at Graham, X. C. RECORD No. 289— Kate Mallon Haigh, daughter of George B. Haigh and Dora Williamson Haigh, b. Oct. 9, 1883. at Burlington, X. C. Residence. Reidsville. X. C. Alarried June 21, 1905 to John Xewton Walt. Issue: ^John Xewton Walt. Jr.. b. Oct. 3, 1906. RECORD No. 287— Sally Haigh, daughter of William Haigh and Katherine Badger Haigh. b. Aug. 9, 1849, at Fay- etteville, X. C. Married Jan. 25, 1866 to Jos. B. Underwood, Issue: nVilliam Haigh, b. Xov. 23, 1866, d. July 16, 1870; 2John, b. Feb. 5, 1868 ; ^Joseph Boykin, b. July 9, 1870 ; ^George Badger, b. May 4, 1872 ; ^Kate Haigh, b. Sept. 16, 1874; ^Mary Polk. b. Xov. 7, 1876, d. March 1, 1892 ; "^Ellen Hale, b. Marcn 23, 1879; ^Elizabeth Hinsdale, b. Sept. 20, 18S1 ; « Devereux 296 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINSMEN Haigh, b. Feb. 2, 1SS9, d. Oct. 1. 18s!); ^'Hamilton Polk, b. Jan 18, 1891. Sally Haigh d. May 31, 1905, at Fayetteville. X. C, and J\Ir. Haigh on Jan. 6, 19nT. RECORD No. 292— J.ihn Underwood, .'-on of Jos. Boykin Underwood and Sally Haigh Underwood, b. Feb. 5, 1808, at Fayetteville, X. C. Real estate and insurance lousiness. He was married Jan. 26, 1898 to Annie Mijntgomery Kyle. Issue: ijohn Williamson, b. July 30, 1S99; -'Laura Kyle, b. Oct. 25, 1902; ^^William Emmett. b. Jan. 23, 1905. RECORD No. 293— Joseph Doykin Underwood, son of J. B. Underwood and Sallie Haigh Underwood b. July 9, 1870, at Wilmington, X\ C. Residence, Fayetteville, X\ C. Com- mission merchant and broker. Married April 3(), 1875 to X^elly McGill Pemberton. Issue: \Ianie ]\IcRae, 1). ]\Iay 21, 1896; -Sally Haigh. b. Oct. 30, 1899; -Xellie Pemberton, b. April 10, 1891. RECORD No. 294— Geo. Badger Underwood, son of Joseph B. Underwood and Sally Haigh Underwood, b. May 4, 1872, in Sampson County, X. C. Residence, Fayetteville. X^. C. In railroad service. RECORD No. 295— Kate Haigh Underwood, daughter of Joseph B. Underwood and Sally Haigh Underwood, b. Sept. 16, 1871, at Fayetteville, X. C. Residence, Tarboro and Fay- etteville, X. C. ^larried Dec. 26, 19oo to James A. ]Moore. Issue: \Iames H., b. Dec. 1, 1901; -Joseph Underwood, b. Jan. 18, 1901. RECORD No. 288— ^lary Polk Haigh, daughter of William Haigh and Katherine Badger Haigh, b. June 21, 1852. at Fayetteville, X. C, d. June 11, 1S60. RECORD No. 297— Ellen Hale Underwood, daughter of Joseph Boykin Underwood and Sally Haigh Underwood, b. March 23, 1879, at Fayetteville, X. C. Married Dec. 30, 1903 to Dr. Da\id C. McKethan. Xo issue. RECORD No. 298— Elizabeth Hinsdale Underwood, daughter of Joseph P.. Underwood and Sally Haigh Under- wood, 1). Sci)t, 20, issi. at Fayetteville, X. C. Married Oct. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 297 CAPT. FRANK L. POLK AND WIFE, of New York. THE NEV/ YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASr.^',, LENOX ANO TILD N FOUNDATIONS J POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 299 28, 1903 to Henry ^I. Pemberton. Issue: ^Henry Marshall, b. Dec. U. 1!)04; -Jos. Boykin Pemberton, b. May 22, 1908. RECORD No. 285— Sally Pulk Badger, daughter of Hon. Geo. E. Badger and Mary Polk Badger, b. May 28, 1833, at Raleigh X. C. Married Sept. 25, 1851: to ^^lontford McGehee. Issue: ^Thomas; ^George Badger; "William Polk; ^Lucius Polk. Sally d. Dec. 19. 1903, at Raleigh, X. C. Her husband d. March 31, 1895, at Raleigh, X. C. RECORD No. 311— Thomas ^IcGehee, son of ^lontf^.rd McGehee and Sally Badger McGehee, b. June 9, 1857, at ]vlil- ton, Caswell County. X'. C. Residence, Davidson College, X. C, where he graduated in 18T6. Was cashier of the ]\Iis- sissippi Valley Bank, Vicksburg, ]^Iiss., and afterwards went into railroading. He d. Xdv. 12, 1886. in Xew York Citv and was buried at Oakwood Cemetery. Raleigh, X. C. RECORD No. 312— George Badger .McGehee. son of Muntford IVIcGehee and Sally Badger AIcGehee, b. March 8, 1.S61, at ]\Iilton. Caswell County, X. C. Residence. Fletchei . Henderson County, X. C. near Asheville. Farmer. He was married Fel). 12. 1892 to Eliza M. Skinner. Issue: ^\nnie Ludlow, b. Feb. 6. 1893; -^lary Polk. b. July 3, 1894; ^George Badger, b. Aug. 3, 1904. RECORD No. 313— Wm. Polk McGehee, son of Mont- ford McGehee and Sally Badger ^IcGehee, b. July 14, 1865, at Alilton, Caswell County. X. C. Residence. University of X. C. and Davidson College, X. C. Present residence. Denver. Col. Traveling salesman in drugs. ^Married Dec. 3, 1903, at Kan- sas City, Mo., to Elizabeth DeVeaux Wilson. RECORD No. 314— Lucius Polk ^IcGehee. son of :\Iont- ford McGehee and Sally Badger ^IcGehee. b. May 14. 1868. at W^oodburn. Person County, X. C. Residence. Capel Hill. X. C. Profession, lawyer. Professor of Law in University of X. C. Married Jan. 28, 1903, at Digby, Xova Scotia to Julia Leslie Covert, b. July 6, 1876. His wife d. Aug. 24, 1903, at Xorthport. X. Y., and was buried in Oakwood Cemetery, Raleigh. X. C. 300 r 0 L K F A M I L Y AND KIN S M E N RECORD No. 10— Rufus King Polk, son of William Polk and Sarah Hawkins Polk, b. May 15, 1S14, at Raleigh. N. C. Residence, Alaury County, Tenn. Planter. ^Married Sept. 2. 1840 to Sarah Jackson. Issue: ^Sally Moore. Rufus, d. Feb. 25, 18-1:3, and was buried at St. Johns Church, Maury County, Tenn. His wife d. July 11, 1888, and was buried be- side him. RECORD No. 318— Sally Moore Polk, daughter of Rufus King Polk and Sarah Jackson Polk, b. Sept. 1, 1841, at Fork of Cypress, Ala. Residence, Westbrook, Tenn. She was mar- ried Aug. 19, 1863 to her kinsman, Gen'l Lucius E. Polk, C. S. A. Issue : ^Rufus King, b. Aug. 23, 18()6 ; -Mary Rebecca, b. May 20, 1868; ^Lucius Eugene, b. March 22, 18T0; nVilliam Junius, b. June 13, 1875 ; '^James Knox, b. Jan. 14, 1882. Gen'l Lucius E. Polk, d. Dec. 1, 1892, and was buried at St. John's Church, Maury County, Tenn. RECORD No. 319— Jas. Hilliard I'olk, son of Geo. W. Polk, and Sally H. Polk, b. Jan. 8, 1842, in Maury County, Tenn. Residence, Ft. Worth, Texas. He was married Nov. 24, 1885 to Mary Demoville Harding. Issue: ^Lt. Harding Polk, 8th LI. S. Cav., b. in Maury County, Tenn., March 16, 1887; -George W. Polk, b. Nov. 18, 1888. RECORD No. 11— George W. Polk, son of \Vm. Polk and Sarah Hawkins Polk, b. July 12, l,sl7, at Raleigh, N. C. Resi- dence, Maury County, Tenn. Planter. Married Nov. 24, 1S4(I to Sally L. Plilliard. Issue: ^James Hilliard; -Rufus King; '^Sally H. ; ^Mary Murfree; •'^George B. M.; «Susan S. : ^Lucius Junius; ^Isaac Hilliard; '^Leonidas Polk; ^^William H. ; i^Carolina. Geo. W. Polk, d. Jan. 8, 1892 and was buried at St. John's Church, Maury County, His wife d. July 2, 1894 RECORD No. 320— Rufus K. Polk, son of George W. Polk and Sally Hilliard Polk, b. Oct. 31, 1843, in Maury Coun- ty, Tenn. Married April 28, 1881 to Margaret Philips. Issue: ^Mary Elizabeth Polk, b. July 30, 1883, in Davidson County, Tenn. Rufus K., d. Aug. 27, 1902 and was buried at St. John's Church. POLK FAMILY AND KIN S .1/ £ N 301 THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTCR, LENOX AND / TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FA M I LY A N D K I X S M E N 393 RECORD No. 321— Sally H. Polk, daughter of George W. Polk and Sally Hilliard Polk, b. June 18, 1845, in ^laury Coun- ty, Tenn. RECORD No. 322— Mary ^lurfree Polk, daughter of George \V. Polk and Sally Hilliard Polk, b. June 25, 1847. in Maury County. Tenn. Residence, Berkeley, Cal. ^Married Nov. 29, 1870 to Julius J. DuBose. Issue: ^Juliet B., b. Xov. 29, 1871, d. in infancy ; ^Tasker Polk, b. Jan. 4, 1873 ; ^Mary Hilliard. b. Dec. 26, 1875; "^Alfred Bishop, b. Sept. 30, 1877; ^'•Jessie Mclver, b. Xov. 24. 1S79 ; ^^George W. Polk. b. July 4, 1881; '''Sarah Camilla, b. June 17, 1883; ^Julius Jesse, b. Aug. 18, 1889; ''Juliet Brevard, b. Xov. 29, 1871. ^lary ^lurfree Polk was buried at St. John's Church. RECORD No. 326— Isaac Hilliard Polk, son of Geo. W. Polk and Sally L. Polk, b. Aug. 8, 1854, in ]\Iaury County, Tenn. Residence, Los Angeles, Cal. Isaac was twice mar- red. First, on April 13, 1889 to Ella ^lartha Cook; Second, on April 19, 1897 to ]\Iinerva J. Bradbury. By the first he had issue : ^Sally Hilliard, b. Feb. 24, 1801. By the second, ^Isaac Hilliard, b. April 6, 189.^; -Lewis Bradbury, b. July 30, 1899. RECORD No. 330— Harding Polk, son of Jas. H. Polk and Mary Harding Polk, b. March 16, 1887. in Maury County. Tenn. Lieutenant 8th Cavalry, U. S. Army. He was married Dec. 29. 1910 to Marie Esther Fleming, of Burlington, Iowa. Issue: Mames Hilliard, b. Dec. 13, 1911. at ^lanilla, P. I. RECORD No. 334— Tasker P. DuBose, son of Julius J. DuBose and ^^lary Polk DuBose, b. Jan. 4, 1873, in Maury County, Tenn. Residence. California. Married July, 1905 to Carrey \"an Horn Culbert. RECORD No. 336— Alfred B. C. DuBose, son of Julius J. DuBose and Mary Polk DuBose, b. Sept. 30, 1878, at Mem- iiis. Tenn. Alfred Bishop Cassells DuBose d. April 23, 1892, and was buried in Elmwood Cemetery. ^Memphis. Tenn. RECORD No. 336— Sarah C. DuBose, daughter of Julius J. DuBose and Mary Polk DuBose, b. June 17, 1883, at Mem- phis, Tenn. Residence. Los Angeles. Profession, lawyer She was married Dec. 22, 1903 to George Trowbridge Hockley 304 POLK FAMILY AND KIN S M E N RECORD No. 323— Geo. B. M. Polk, son of Geo. W. Polk and Sally Hilliard Polk, b. Dec. 15, 1848, in Maury County, Tenn.. d. March 25, 1877. RECORD No. 324— Susan Spratt Polk, daughter of Geo. W. Polk and Sally L. Hilliard, b. June 23, 1851, in Maury Coun- ty, Tenn. Residence, St. Louis, Mo. She was married March •;, 1877 to Jas. Yeatman Player. Issue : ^Susan Polk, b. Oct. 25, 1878, d. July 24, 1879; ^George Polk, b. Jan. 21, 1880; ^Jas. Yeatman, b. March 30, 1882 ; ^Susan Trezevant. b. Aug. 8, 1884; ^Thomson Trezevant, b. Sept. 7, 1880; «Sally Hilliard, b. March 28, 1889. RECORD No. 342— Geo. Polk Player, son of Jas. Yeat- man Player and Susan Polk Player, b. Jan. 21, 1880, at St. Louis, Mo. Residence, St. Louis. Pie was married June 17, 1902 to Eva Frank Lumnen. Issue: ^Geo. Polk, b. July 11, 1903. RECORD No. 343— Jas. Yeatman Player, son of Jas. Yeatman Player and Susan Polk Player, b. March 30, 1882, at St. Louis, Mo. Residence, San Antonio, Tex. He was mar- ried Nov. 1, 1911 to Lucile X. Harris. RECORD No. 344— Susan Trezevant Player, daughter of Jas. Yeatman Player and Susan Polk Player, b. Aug. 8, 1884, at St. Louis, Mo. Married Jan. 12, 1007 to Wm. Preston Graves. RECORD No. 325— Lucius Junius Polk, son of George W. Polk and Sally Hilliard Polk, b. April 21, 1853, in Maury County, Tenn. Residence, Ft. Worth, Tex. RECORD No. 328— Wm. H. Polk, son of George W. Polk and Sally L. Polk, b. Jan. 27, 1859, in Maury County, Tenn. Residence, California. Married Mable Vanderbogart. Issue: ^Anna Leah. Wm. H. Polk d. March 20, 1896 and was buried at Riverside. Cal. RECORD No. 329— Carolina Polk, daughter of George W- Polk and Sallie Hilliard Polk, 1). June 26, 1861, in Maury Coun- t\-, Tenn. Residence, Asheville, N. C. Caroline was twice married, first to Isaac Hilliard; second, to Joseph H. Horton. Xo issue. t- O LK FA M I L V A X D K I N S M E A' 305 MRS. KENNETH RAYNOR. Daughter of Col. Wm. Polk, of North Carolina. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBPABY ASTCR, LENOX AND \ TILDEN FOUNDATIONS^ POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 307 RECORD No. 13— Susan Spratt Polk, daughter of Col. W'm. Polk and Sarah Hawkins Polk, b. May 25, 1832, d. July 10, 1909, at San Antonio, and was buried at Fort Worth, Texas. She was b. at Raleigh, N. C. Residence, Raleigh, N. C, Wash- ington, D. C. and in Texas for some time before her death. She was married July 12, 1S42 to Hon. Kenneth Rayner. Issue: ^Sally Polk; -Henry A.; '^Kenneth; -^Fanny ; -^Susan Polk; ^'William Polk; "Hamilton Polk Raynor. RECORD No. 351— Sallie Polk Raynor, daughter of Hon. Kenneth Raynor and Susan Polk Raynor, b. March 30, 1845, at Raleigh, N. C. Residence, Fort Worth, Tex. Married Nov. 13, 1867 to Jos. H. Hyman. Issue : ^Susan Polk ; -Harry ; ^Mary Raynor; ^Sally Josephine Kenneth Raynor; '^Joseph H. Sally Polk Raynor d. Feb. 10, 1905. Joseph H. Hyman d. Feb. 6, 1901. RECORD No. 358— Susan P. Hyman, daughter of Jos. Hyman and Sally Raynor Hyman, b. Aug. 19, 1868, at Mem- phis, Tenn. Residence, Fort Worth. Tex. Married Dec. 3, 1902 to A. L. Matlock. No issue. RECORD No. 359— Harry Hyman, son of Jos. Hyman and Sally Raynor Hyman, b. Jan. 2, 1872, at Forest Home, Miss. Residence, Was'hington, D. C. He is a lawyer and was married ]\Iarch 22, 1906 to ]\Iinna Scott. No issue. RECORD No. 360— :\Iary Hyman, daughter of Jos. Hy- man and Sally Raynor Hyman, b. May 30, 1875, at Stephen- ville, Texas. Residence, Stephenville. Married Nov. 30, 189S to Silas Lee King. Issue: ^Kenneth Raynor, b. Aug. 19, 1902; ^Sallie Raynor; -"Avery Lenoir Matlock, b. Jan. 2-1, 1909. RECORD No. 361— Sally J. Hyman. daughter of Jos. Hyman and Sally Raynor Hyman, 1). Feb. 2. 1878, at Stephen- ville, Texas. RECORD No. 362— Kenneth R. Hyman, son of Jos. Hy- man and Sally Raynor Hyman, b. Dec. 5, 1881, at Stephen- ville, Texas. Grocery merchant. Married April 29, 1908 to Melitona Benavides. Issue: ^Kenneth Raynor Hyman, Jr., b. Oct. 14, 1909. 308 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N RECORD No. 363— Joseph Hyman, son of Joseph Hyman and Sally Raynor Hyman. h. March 19, 1S83, at Stephenx'ille, Tex. Stenographer and bookkeeper. RECORD No. 353— Kenneth Raynor, son of Hon. Ken- neth Raynor and Susan P(jlk Raynor, b. August 1, 1847, at Raleigh, N. C. Married Dec. Ki, IST.s to Eugenia Leach. They have one child, Mary Leach. RECORD No. 355— Su>an L. Raynor. daughter of Hon. Kenneth Raynor and v^usan Pidk Raynor, b. .March 'KS, 1855, at Raleigh. X. C. Married twice, first. Aindl -^8. 18S1 to Dr. Arthur Glennan ; second, to Mr. McMillan. Issue: ^Arthur \V. ; "Susie Polk; -'Kenneth Raynor; '*Pansy. RECORD No. 356— \\m. P. Raynor, son of Hon. Ken- neth Raynor and Susan Polk Raynor, b. Dec. 10, 1857, at Raleigh, N. C. Residence. El Paso, Tex. Married Jan. 30, 1879 to Lula Ragsdale. RECORD No. 357— Hamilton P. Raynor, son of Hon. Kenneth Raynor and Susan Polk Raynor, b. at Raleigh, N. C. He married first, Eliza Xelms ; second, Anna W. Armand. Issue: by first marriage. Kenneth. RECORD No. 14— Col. Andrew J. Polk, son of William Polk and Sarah Llawkins Polk, b. August 10. 18-^4. at Raleigh, N. C. Residence, Ashwood, Tenn. He was an extensive planter and was married January 14, 1846 to Rebecca Van- Leer. Issue: L\ntionette ; -VanLeer; ^Rebecca. Col. An- drew J. Polk, d. March 10. 1SG7, at La Tour de Peilz. Canton de Vaud, Switzerland. His wife d. at Cannes, France. They were buried at LaTour de Peilz. Canton de Vaud, Switzerland. The eldest child, Antionette. married in Paris, France (Dec. 12, 1877) at the Papal Xuncio, Baron de Charette (later Marquis). Commander of a division in the French Army. Also of the Papal troops of Rome when the Italian armv took the citv. RECORD No. 373— Anti^'nette Polk, daughter of Col. Andrew J. Polk and Rebecca VanLeer Polk. b. Oct. 27, 1847. at Nashville, Tenn. Residence, France. She married Dec. 12, 1877 to General I'.aron Athanase de Charette de la Coiatrie. Issue: LA^ntknie de Charette de la ConTtrie. POLK FA M I LY A X D KINS M E N 309 .^mm Cote d'Enjeraudc CHATEAUNEUr D LLr ET-VILAINE I <■ Ch.'.lr.ii ,)..■ I . - : 5 <)- I - 1 1^ '^t I ANTK)XETTE (POLK) DE CHARETTE AND HER HOME, Near Paris, France. PUBLIC LIBMRy POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 3II RECORD No. 374— \'an Leer Polk, son of Col. Andrew J. Polk and Rebecca \*an Leer Polk, b. July 9, 185U, at Ash- wood, r^Iaury County, Tenn. Attorney and journalist. He marred Dorothy Bodine. Xo issue. RECORD No. 375— Rebecca Polk, daughter of Col. An- drew J. Polk and Rebecca \'anLeer Polk. b. Aug. 26, 18.38, at Nashville, Tenn. Residence in .France. RECORD No. 376— Antfsne de Charette de la Cot\trie son of Gen'l Baron Athanase de Charette de la Cot^trie, !\Iar- quis de Charette, was b. at Xantes. France. Sept. 3, 1832, d. at La Basee ]vIotte Chateau Xeuf, Ille Et \'ilaine. France, Oct. 10, 1911. Antt'SJie de Charette de la Cota,trie 2nd. married Nov. 11, 1909 to Miss Susanne Henning, of Louisville, Ky. 3 1? P O L K F A M I L Y A N D K I N S M E N CHAPTER XL. CAPT. JOHN POLK. Capt. John Polk, third son of William I'olk and Margaret Taylor Polk, was Ijorn somewhere close to l?-i(», as he was several years older than his brother Ezekiel. who was born in 1T4T. In the spring of 1765, John Polk was residing on the \ ast Selwyn land grant in Mecklenburg county, and was the author of a petitii»n to the Governur and Coinicil complaining of the oppressive conduct of Henry Eustace McCulloh, Sel- wyn's Chief Agent. On "June ye 7th, A. D. 1766," we find John Polk enrolled in the Clear Creek Company of Mecklenburg Colonial Militia, Captain Adam Alexander commanding, C^harles Polk (John's elder brother), being First Lieutenant. ISy acts of the General Assembly, John Polk was a member of commissions charged with the duty of laying out roads ccninecting the western counties with the towns of Wilmington and Brunswick, the latter being the capital of the province. These commissions were created by acts of the General Assembly of the Province in 17G6, 1771 and 177;!. In 1778, while the Revoluti(jnary War was in progress, the name of John Polk appears as one of the militia officers (rank not given) serving in Colonel Francis Locke's regiment from Rowan county, that county then ad- joining Mecklenburg, These facts are taken from: Colonial Records of North Carolina, Vol. VII, pp. G, 11, 12, i:]. :U and 3-5; the State Re- cords of Xorth Carolina, Vol. XIII, pp. 389 and 390 ; Ibid., Vol. XXn. ])p. 39.-); Vol. XXIII, pp. 75-4, 870. 90S and 920. TAYLOR POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Taylor I'ulk, son of John Polk and Eleanor Polk, married Jency Walker, daughter of Alexander Walker, descended from John Walker and Catherine Rutherford, his wife, of the "Creek POLK FAMILY AS D KINS M E N 313 Xation"' of Walkers, who came from Wigton, Scotland, and settled in Rockbridge County, \'irginia. in 1T41. Taylor Polk and Jency had seven children: ^Benjamin; -Taylor; ^James; ^Cumberland ; 'William Walker ; ''Alfred ; 'Jency ; *^\\'arnell. Benjamin, eldest child of Taylor Polk and Jency his wife, married Peggy Boatright, and had issue: ^Jency ; -Benjamin; •\Iames ; '^Charles ; -nVilliam ; ''Richard : 'Priscilla. All died in childhood and the Benjamin Polk line became extinct. Taylor Polk, second son of Taylor Polk and Jencv his wife, married Prudence Anderson. Issue : ^Anderson ; -Elea- nor; '^Cumberland; '^Sarah Delaney ; '^Mitchell; ''Sylvester \\'alker; 'Henry Clay; ^Taylor; '^Prudence; ^'Wlfred. Anderson Polk, eldest son of Taylor Polk '^nd and Pru- dence, married, first, Eliza Epperson, and had issue: ^Henry, married Ellen Deathrow ; -Sarah, married John Huddleston; "Jane, married Thomas Huddleston ; ^Sylvester, married Sarah Intz. Anderson Polk, married second Alartha Martin, and had issue: ''Texanna, married Thomas Williamson; ''Alatilda, married James Joplin ; "Thomas, married Annie ^^latlock; ^Prudence, d. unmarried. Anderson Polk married, third, Susan Langley, and had issue: ^[Martha, married Jefferson Bugg; ^"Almeda, married Charles Cruger. Eleanor Polk, second child of Taylor Polk, 2nd and Pru- dence (Anderson) Polk, married Daniel Huddleston and had issue: ^Prudence, married Joseph Story; -Daniel, married ]\Iiss Stinson; ^Jane, married Moses \\'aterman ; ■*Rachael, married Jefferson Cunningham; ^T. J., married Jane Polk; ^Katherine, married James Stevens. Cumberland Polk, third child of Taylor Polk, 2nd and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Alnieda Blackwood and had issue : -Prudence, married James Stanford ; -Taylor, mar- ried Ellen Griggs; ^Caldona. married Robert Priest; ^Lucinda, married John Houston; -"^Lawrence, married Penelops Rose; •^Sarah, m.arried Alonza Tracy; 'John. d. unmarried; ^Sylves- ter, unmarried; ''Henry, unmarried; ^'^W^esley, unmarried. It is possible that the latter was the A\'esley Polk, who remov- ed from Xorth Carolina to Missouri, about the date of forma- tion of the latter state, but whose descendants there are un- able to name his ancestors. 314 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N Sarah Delaney Polk, fourth child of Taylor Polk 2nd and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Capt. G. T. Epperson and had issue: ^Henry Peyton, married Miss Rowles ; ^Mary, married Blount Bullock ; ^Taylor Polk, married Victoria Bush ; ^Isabella, married George Jacobs; '^Emma, married Ira Cobb. Mitchell, fifth child of Taylor Polk 2nd and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, died unmarrred. Sylvester Walker Polk, sixth child of Taylor Polk 2nd and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Sarah Large, and had issue: ^Isom, married Lucy ]\Iiller; -Victoria, married H. O. Brockmann ; ^Paschal, married Hannah Jones; "^Isadora, mar- ried W. R. Capps ; ^David, married Jane Burnett; ^Laura, married L. D. Burnett; '^i\lpha, married John Lindsay; ^Maud, married W. L. Kothmann ; ^Claude. Henry Clay Polk, seventh child of Taylor Polk, 2nd and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Mary A. Dickson and had issue: ^Henry, married Annie Gould; ^David, d. unmar- ried; ^Emma, d. unmarried; ^Alice, married Dr. G. B. Green; ^John, married Susan Brown ; "^Anna married John Hawkins ; "Lela, married Dr. John Brown; ^Betty, d. unmarried; ^Roxy; lOLeon. Taylor Polk, 3d, eighth child of Taylor Polk, 2nd and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Mary Petty and had issue: ^Laura; -Augusta, ^Mollie, married T. W. Poole; ^James, married Mary Allison; ^Leta and ^Lota, twins; ■^Henry; ^Leon ; ^Myrtle, married Richard Shegog; ^^Beverl}-. Prudence Polk, ninth child of Taylor Polk, 2nd and Pru- dence (Anderson) Polk, married Benjamin H. Dickson and had issue: ^Charles, married Carrie Young; -Minnie, mar- ried Dr. Oscar Smith; ^Williaim ; "^Pearl, married Russell \Villiams; ^Ethel, married Geoi^ge Holland. Alfred Polk, tenth child of Taylor Polk, 2nd and Prudence (Anderson) Polk, married Sarah ^^'ilson and had issue: ^Sylvester; ^Burt; =^Mable ; *James. James Polk, third child of Taylor Polk, 1st and Jency (Walker) Polk, married, first, Miss Trammell, second, Sallie Cox. His children were: \Tency, married Fielding Tweedle ; -Bettie, married ALirtin Newman ; "Franklin, married Jane POLK FAMILY AXD KI X S M E N 315 Rider; -^Janies, married Lizzie Roberts; 'Cumberland, married Laura Kirk. Cumberland Pulk, fourth child of Taylor Polk, 1st and Jen- cy (Walkerj Polk, married Xancy Cox, daughter of Joel Cox and Frances Bartlett his wife, of Kentucky. Xancy Cox was a sister of Sallie Cox, Vv no married James, brother of Cumber- land. The issue of this marriage was: ^Lucretia; -Lucinda, d. in infancy; ^'Marshall Alexander; -^Elias Rector; ^'William Jackson; '^Louisa Jane; 'Jency ; '^Louis Taylor; '^Prudence; ^^^Mary; "Martha; ^-James Knox. Lucretia Polk, eldest child of Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Coxj Polk, married Edmund Cearley, and had issue: ^Samuel; Reyburn, d. unmarried; -Xewton Fleming; ^]\Iary Jane, d. in infancy; ■^Cuml^erland. d. in infancy; '^Louise Elizabeth, mar- ried George Babcock, no issue ; 'Cyrus Granville, d. unmar- ried; 'John Brackville; ^Emma Cornelia, married Plon. Frank Marion Angellotti. Justice of the Supreme Court of Califor- nia since l!)i)"2, and had issue: Frances Louise, d. in infancy, and ]\larion Polk; ''Charles Lalant, married Rhoda Jeanette Mangrum and has one child, ^lila Mangrum Cearley. ^larshall Alexander Polk, third child of Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk. d. in childhood. Elias Rector Polk, fourth child of Cumberland Polk and Nancy (Cox) Polk, d. unmarried from the eitect of wounds re- ceived in the Confederate Army. He belonged to Col. Ken- nard's regiment. William Jackson Polk, tifth child of Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk, married Esther Woodward, and had two children: ^Thomas; -Julia. Louisa Jane Polk, sixth child of Cumberland Polk and Nancy (Cox) Polk, married Rev. E. J. Billington, and had three children : ^Lucretia ; -Ezekiel ; ■'Julia. Luuis Taylor Polk, seventh child uf Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk, never married. He was killed in the Confederate Army, at Arkansas Post. Jency Polk, eighth child of Cumberland Polk and Xancy (Cox) Polk, married William ()"Xeal and had four children: ^X'ancv; -Gussie ; "Prudence: "*Iohn. 316 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N Prudence Polk, ninth child of Cuml:)erland Polk and Nancy (Cox) Polk, married Frederick Jones and had two children: ^Mary; ^William. Mary Ann Polk, tenth child of Cumberland Polk and Nancy (Cox) Polk, married Charles Jackson. No issue. Martha Robinson Polk, eleventh child of Cumberland Polk and Nancy (Cox) Polk, married Handy \\'alker and had three children: ^Jency; -James; ^Ella. James Knox Polk, twelfth child of Cuml)erland Polk and Nancy (Cox) Polk, never married. William Polk, fifth child of Tayh^r Pulk. 1st and Jency (Walker) Polk, married two cousins, the ^Misses Griffith. Two sons by the first marriage. ^Lewis ; -Cumberland. Both were killed in the Confederate Army. Alfred Polk, sixth child of Taylor Polk, 1st and Jency (Walker) Polk, married, first, Irene Chandler; second Mrs. Ricketts. Issue by first marriage: ^James ; -Josiah ; ^Mary J., married W. W. Garner; "^Mitchell; '^Caroline, mar- ried Iv. Dennis; "^Benjamin; '^Samuel; ^Almeda, married J. N. Stancell ; ''Young. By his marriage with Mrs. Ricketts, Alfred Polk had issue : i^Robert ; inVilliam Part ; ^-Richard. Jency Polk, seventh child of Taylor Polk, 1st and Jency (Walker) Polk, married ^Mitchell Anderson, brother to the wife of Taylor Polk, 2nd. The children of this marriage were : ^Fannie; -James; ^Mitchell; ^Benjamin ; ■'^Abraham ; ^Eliza : '''Stacey; ^Jane ; ^Henry ; ^^Taylor. James, Mitchell, Benjamin and Abraham Anderson enlisted when mere boys, in the Con- federate Army, and were all killed in the war. CAPT. JOHN POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Charles Polk, eldest son of John Polk and Eleanor (vShel- byj Polk, was a soldier in the Revolution. He married Mar- garet Baxter and had issue: ^John ("Jackie"); -Jennie; ^Andrew; K'ol. W'm. ; -^Charles ; *^Cynthia; 'Isaac; «Judge Al- fred Polk. John ("Jackie") married Elizabeth Allen, and had a daughter, Amanda M. Polk, who married Rev. Dr. R. O. Watkins. Judge Albert B. Watkins, son of the latter, is a lead- ing attorney-at-law at Athens, Tex. Jennie married i&t, a Mr. POLK FAMILY A N D K I A" J .V E A' 317 Fowler ; S'e^etttl, John Potts, and settled in Alabama. Andrew married Martha Kimball, moved to Missouri, and later to Cherokee County, Tex. Col. William married Xancy Petty and settled at Holly Springs, ]^Iiss. Charles married Eliza- beth Haynes. Cynthia married her cousin, John Polk, son of John Polk and Elizabeth Oldson. Judge Alfred Polk married Xancy Mclvor. JUDGE ALFRED POLK. Judge Alfred Polk lemoved from Tennessee to Texas in 183T, and lived to be S3 years of age. He settled in San Augus- tine County, to which locality he was followed by his father, "Civil Charley" Polk, and others of the name. Alfred Polk, being a man of superior mental attainments, soon took high lank in his community. He was chief Justice during the Texas Republic, a position similar to that of District Judge of the present day. with concurrent jurisdiction in both civil and criminal cases. After Texas entered the Union. Judge Alfred Polk con- tinued in tlie office of Judge for nine years longer. After a total service of eighteen years in public life he retired to his farm and lived quietly the balance of his days, maintaining to the end, however, a deep interest in all political affairs. He was the father of ten children, including two sets of twins. Three of his children were born before, and the others after his removal to Texas. All of his six sons served in the Con- federate Army. The youngest son. Drew, was killed in the battle of Thompson's Station, and was buried in the Polk cemetery, near Columbia. Tenn., where so many of the family are interred. JUDGE ALFRED POLK'S FAMILY. Judge Alfred Polk, youngest son of "Civil Charley" Polk fson of John Polk and Eleanor Shelby), married Xancy ^Iclvor and had ten children, viz: ^Charles I. Polk. b. , married Victoria Thomas; -John K. Polk. b. , d. 1902, mar ried issl to Alary Thomas. She d. 1909. Charles I. and Jno. K. were twins ; 'Wnn Elizabeth Polk, b. . married P.en E. 318 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Smith; ■*Silas G. Polk, b. , married Althea AIcKnight, no issue ; •''Drew S. Polk, b. , killed in C. S. A. during Civil War; ^Margaret C. Polk, b. , married Dr. A\'m. Browning; "William A. Polk, b. ; «Mary Cynthia Polk. b. ls41, d. , married Ludwell R. Davis, b. 1828, (Wm. A. and Mary C. were also twins) ; ''Andrew Tyler Polk, b. , married Mary Ann Simmons, Oct. 1. 18T4:; ^''Isabella Polk, b. , married George Smith. Judge H. K. Polk, married Ella Burleson and had issue: ^Charles I.; -Jamie; "Hallie; '^John ; '"Carlo; '"Kate ; '^Alamie; *Henry. James V. Polk is unmarried and is a prominent business man and real estate operator at Beaumont, Texas. John K. Polk and wife. Mary (Thomas) Polk, had issue: ^Sudie Gertrude. 1). , 1882, married Murray B. Thomas in 1905. They had issue: \T<>hn Elbert., b. 1906; ^Charles Wes- ley, (daughter), b. 1886. married 1907 to Chas. Francis Soss- man, issue: ^Rubie Estelle. b. 1908; ^John D. Polk. b. 1892, d. 1901. Ben E. Smith and wife. Ann Elizabeth (Polk) Smith, had issue: ^Silas; -Polk; "Eva; ^Ben E., Jr.; ^L. H. ; *^Xannie; ■^M. C. ; ^B. B. The first three named are dead. Silas G. Polk and wife Althea had no issue. Margaret C. Browning had issue: ^Annie Robert; -Kate Priscilla. MARY CYNTHIA (POLK) DAVIS' FAMILY. Mary Cynthia Polk and Ludwell Rector Davis had issue: Uh: Drew S., b. 1868, married Effie May Greer 1901 ; nVilliam Thomas, b. 18T0, married Fannie B. Price 1892 ; ^Elias Kinch- eloe, b. 1872, married Anna Hill, 1909. Xo issue; '^Margaret Isabella, b. is; 1. unmarried; ^^nnie Browning, b. 1876. unmar- ried; ''.Mary Johnnie, 1). 1878. unmarried; 'Alfred Polk. b. 1880, uiiinaiTicd ; ''l.udwell Iv. jr.. 1). 1882, married Hattie Anderson. 190.j; "•'Winnie, b. LSS.'). d. lnn. Xov. 9, 1910. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 323 (8) Holman Cartwright. b. March 26. 1889. (9) Matthew Cartwright, b. Jan. 17, 1892. (10) Bourke Cartwrig-ht, b. Jan. 21, 1894. Elizabeth DeKalb Davenport, daughter of Thomas B. Davenport, married Dr. Samuel Miller Gladney, Oct. 3, 1881. They had issue: ^Donald Ross, b. April 27, 1885; ^Mary Eugenia, b. June 25, 1891; ''Jane Ross, b. ]\Iarch 31, 1895; ^Samuel AL, b. Nov. 25, 1898. Mrs. Eugenia Broocks, married secondly M. George C. Greer.. Her children by her second husband were: ^Louis V. ; -John B. ; ^George C. Mrs. Greer's three brothers, John H.. Lycurgus and Ben- jamin Polk, were all in the Confederate army and the latter fell in battle. Closes Lycurgus. generally called "Curg," was elected to Congress from his district and died after serving one term. John H. is a prominent lawyer and business man, and resides in Beaumont, Texas. Margaret, daughter of Cynthia and John Polk, married James Burleson, a prominent planter and stockman, and they have issue : \Toe ; -Carlo ; ^James ; ^Pip ; -"^Jerome. Joe and James, the only survivors, are noted planters and stockmen of San Augustine. 324 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTER XLI. JOHN D. POLK AND FAMILY. John D. Pulk (second son and fifth child of John and Cynthia S. Polk), was born in San Augustine, Texas, Nov. 10, 18:3i». and married Miss Elizabeth Beles, in Leon County, Texas. Nov. 10, 1S57. John D. served through the Civil War as Captain of Company D., Gould's Battalion, Texas Cavalry (dismounted) Walker's Division. Trans-Mississippi Depart- ment, C. S. A. The children born to John D. Polk and wife were: \Tames H.. b. in Le(-)n County, Sept. 185S, d. in Louisiana, IDOfi ; ^wjniam, b. in Ler)n County, 1863, d. at Eagle Pass, Tex., in 1880; ^Benj. C. 1). in Leon County, 1865, killed in train wreck near Austin, in 1S98; ^Fessonia, b. in Titus Countv, Oct. 27, 1869. Fessonia married David A. Blake. Oct. 27. 1886, and they reside at Lometa. Texas. Their children were: ^Elizabeth, b. at Eagle Pass, Dec. IS, 1887; -Lucile, 1). at Dallas, July 27, 1889; ^David A.. Jr., b. at Brenham. Feb. U. 1892; ^Roscoe, b at Temple. Oct. 9. 1900; -'Alef, b. at Brownwood, July 19, 1902. Elizabeth, the eldest daughter, married Edward W. Pas- sow, at San Angelo, Jan. 20. 1907. One child, Edward Blake, b. Xov. 2. 1907. Residence of family. Chicago, 111. Lucilc Idake married Vancourt Kelly, at San Angelo, June 2;^., 1909. They have one child, Wancourt, Jr., b. "Slay 30, 1910. DESCENDANTS OF EMILY B. POLK. Emily r.. Polk (daughter of "Jackey" Polk and Elizabeth Allen), b. Feb. 25, 1,S27, and d. Jan. ;3, 1875. Emily was mar- ried I'd). 25, 18-i6, to J. T. Childres, b. June 21, 1817, and d. Dec. 10, 1879. hjnily 1*.. Childres and husband had issue: ^Mary Elizabeth, b. Fel). :>, 1847, marrie 1 L. F. I'.ranch, Oct. ;i, 1868; 2John Polk. b. Feb. 8, 1849, married Jennie Gilbert, POLK F A M I L Y A N D K I X S M E N 325 Dec. 2:, IbT-i; '^Chas. \'aulton, b. Aug. 23. 1S51, married Julia Matthews, Dec. 2, IcSTO; ^Joseph William, b. Dec. 17, 1853; •^James Alicajah, b. Aug. 22, 1S5G, married Leta Kirksey, Aug. 29, 1880; ^Richard Jackson, b. April 8, 1859; "Margaret Benia, b. Aug. 9, ISGl. married Frank Powell; ^Emily Blanche, b. June 21, 1864, married J. W. Gilbert, in Jan. 1881; ''Alfred Lee, h. Aug. 13, 1807, married, d. Oct. 10, 1872 ; ^''Ophelia Amanda, b. June 19, 1873, d. Jun.e 2-4, 1894. Emily B. (Polk) Childres and husband. Josiah T. Childres, b. in Tennessee, emigrated to Texas in 1837. JOHN POLK CHILDRES' FAMILY. (1) Willie, b. Dec. 30, 1876; d. July 15, 1878. (2) Clive, b. Alay 20. 1878; married Kate Smith, Feb. — , 1904. Lssue: ^Alary, b. June — , 1906; ^Smith, b. 1909. (3) Ruby, b. Jan.. 1881; married T. E. Collins, Dec, 1901. Issue: ^Milton, b. July, 1903; -Ruby, b. 1905. (4) Verna. b. 1883 ; married her cousin. I. \^. Childres. (5) Elmer, b. Aug. 22, 1886 ; married Cornelia Harrell, Oct.. 1909. Issue: ^'erdell, b. Xov. in, 19ln. (6) Milton, b. ^larch 13, 1896; d. Dec. — , 1893. (7) Earl, b. Sept. — , 1893. CHAS. VAULTON CHILDRES" FAMILY. Chas. A'aulton Childres and wife. Julia Anne ?\Iatthews, had issue: ^Inlow \'aulton, b. : married Verna S. Childres; -Joseph Jackson, b. : married Lillian Ashley; ^Emily Jennett, b. ; '^Charley Lee. b. . JOHN A. POLK AND FAMILY. John A. Polk, fourth son and child of John Polk and Eleanor (Shelby) Polk, was born in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina, and was a soldier under his father in the Rev- olutionary War. and d. in Texas in 1855. Shortly after peace was declared, large numbers of the sons of North Carolina crossed the Alleghenies and settled in Tennessee. John A. Polk and his brothers, '"Civil Charley," 326 POL K F A M I LY AND K I N S M E N Shelby and Taylor, were a part of the emigrating" host, as were also his kinsmen. Col. Ezekiel Polk, the latter's son Samuel, (father of James K. Polk), Col. William Polk, (son of Gen. Thomas Polk), and others of the family. Prompted by the inherent aggressiveness of the Scotch-Irish character, the Polks kept up to the firing" line of civilization as it sw^ept over the mountains and deployed into the fertile valleys of the Tennessee region. Along w'ith his brothers, and kinsmen Ezekiel and Samuel Polk, John settled in the Western sectioi: of Tennessee, near Boli\-ar. Though located in a fertile and attractive region, from the vast section lying between Red River and the Rio Grande, came marvelous accounts of fertility of soil and opportunities for wealth. Yielding to these intluences, John A. Polk and his brother "Civil Charley." started with their familes for the new Eldorado about 1840, and located in San Augustine County, wdiere he died in 1855. Like his brother Charles, John A. had married a number of years before he emigrated to Texas. The maiden name of his wife was Elizabeth Old- son. They had issue : (1) Benjamin D. A. Polk, b. Jan. 1. 1790; d. June 3, 1840. (2) Nancy Polk, b. ; d. ; married Ethelbert Kirby. (3) Evan Polk. 1). ; d. ; married Jannie Aliller. (4) Robert Polk. b. ; d. ; married Alalvina Porter. (5) Elizabeth Polk, b. ; d. ; married Robert Campbell. (G) John (generally called "Jackie,"), who married three times. He first married Cynthia Polk, a cousin, daughter of "Civil Charley" Polk; second, Mrs. INIary (Floyd) AlcClenny ; third, Nancy Newsom, of Alabama. (7) Armstead Polk, youngest child of Benj. D. A. Polk, untraced. John A. Polk's children were all born in Tennessee, and some of them emigrating to Texas, died there. POLK FAMILY AND KI X S M E N 327 BENJAMIN D. A. POLK'S FAMILY. Benjamin D. A. Polk, oldest child of John A. Polk and Elizabeth (Oldson) Polk, b. Jan. 1, 1790, married Sept. 26, 1816, Margaret R. Moore, daughter of James and Catharine Moore. She was b. Oct. 10, 1797. Benjamin D. A. and Margaret (Moore) Polk had issue: ^Elizabeth Ann, b. Oct. 19, 1817; d. Oct. 14, 1843; ^James M., b. March 19, 1820; d. March 24. 1840; ^John A., Jr., b. Alay 12, 1822 ; d. June 1, 1822 ; ^Lucius B., b. June 2, 1823 ; d. Feb. — , 1910; married Maggie Miller; ^Viola C, b. Sept. 4, 1825; d. July 7, 1840; unmarried; ''Franklin A., b. Dec. 1, 1827; d. June 24, 1843 ; unmarried ; 'Mary Ophelia, b. Oct. 13, 1829; d. July 28, 1836; ^John Thadeus, b. ^larch 17, 1832; d. Oct. 16, 1832; ^Margaret Jane, b. Nov. 1, 1833; living at Teneha, Texas, in Jan., 1913, married George Teel one of Austin's Texas colony; ^^Robert Green, b. April 13, 1836; d. Aug. 5, 1852; "Sarah Robina, b. Oct. 19, 1838. Of the foregoing, Lucius B. Polk was married to Maggie Miller, and they had issue: ^Benjamin, d. unmarried, at 30 year of age; -]\Iatthew ; ^Kate; ^Jane ; ^Edna; ^Mollie. Margaret Jane Polk, daughter of Benjamin D. A. Polk and wife, married Wyatt Teel, and had a family, one of whom, John Teel, a commercial traveler, resides at Teneha, Texas. John Teel married Alef Collins, and has issue : ^Yvonne, b. Dec. 4, 1903 ; ^Ydelle, b. Nov. 3, 1906. Mrs. Margaret Jane (Polk) Teel, widow of George Teel, a Texas pioneer of Austin's colony, living on her farm near San Augustine, near where she and her husband located in early days. Among relics in her possession, says a sketch of her in the Houston Post of November 20, 1910, is a Bible presented to her by her kinsman, James K. Polk; a large Bowie knife given by its inventor, Col. James Bowie, to her husband, in Arkansas in 1821, with walnut handle, decorated in silver, broad blade, finely tempered ; and a long rifle with heavy stock, that was shattered against the door of the old stone fort in Nacogdoches, when the Texans were rushing it. 328 POLK F A M I L y AND KINS M E N "CIVIL CHARLEY" POLK'S FAMILY. "Civil Charley" Polk, eldest son of John Polk and Eleanor Shelby, was born Jan. 18, ITGO, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. This date he gave in 1846, in his application for a pension, under the Congressional act of iSo"?, granting pensions to Revolutionary soldiers. In liis declaration, after stating his name, place and date of birth, he says he "served at various times during the Revo- lution in the North Carolina troops, under Captains James Jack, John Polk (his father), Charles Polk (his uncle), Oliver, Wiley and Fletcher, and Colonels Adam Alexander and Thomas Polk (his uncle); also served as Sergeant in a mounted Spy Company for five months and twenty-eight days, in 1814." His application was filed, l)ut no pension was allowed, probably on account of a lack of confirmatory documentary proof, the Revolutionary records of North Carolina being exceedingly incomplete, and, in many instances, entirely lost. He stated, however, to his family in after years, that it never was his intenti(jn to try to collect a pension, but only to secure an of^cial record of his services. From his declaration of serx'ice it is certain that his father, John Polk, and his uncle. Charles Polk, were both Captains in the arm}-, though well advanced in age — probably between forty-five and fifty years old. Colonel Adam Alexander was a near kinsman of the Polks, as were all of that name in Mecklenl)urg. Several of the Taylor girls, of Pennsylvania, (sisters of Margaret Taylor, who married Wm. Polk), intermarried with the Alex- anders, as (lid also some of the Polk women. All of the Alexander men by these intermarriages joined with their kinsmen and neighbors in the Mecklenburg Declaration of May 20. 177."), and in active army service in the Revolution that followed. C. G. l^olk. of Tennessee, writing concerning his grand- father, says: "I have heard ever since I was a boy that my grandfather, who was called 'Civil Charley.' and Thomas, Samuel and Ezekiel Polk, were the boys that raised the POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 329 MRS. MARGARET JANE (POLK) TEEL, of Texas. PUBLIC UBRAR^ 1 POLK FAMIL y A \ D KI N SM EN 331 Liberty Pole at Charlotte, North Carolina." The night before the Mecklenburg Declaration. :\Iay 19. 17T5, it is traditionally stated, was the time the pole was raised by enthusiastic young patriots of Charlotte. As stated, Charles was a soldier in the Revolution, and was twice captured by the British. He had very white hair, and by some was called "Whiteheaded Charley." After his second capture by the enemy, the British officer exclaimed: "Ah. mv whiteheaded fellow, we have caught vou acain, ha\-e we?'' For four days he was given no food, and was half starved when a former slave of his father's, who had gone to the British army expecting freedom, threw him an ear of corn as he passed to feed the stolen stock. On account of his agreeable manner and disposition, he was generally called '"Civil Charley" Polk, in contradistinction to his cousin, "Devil Charley." son of General Thos. Polk and Susan Spratt. who was noted for his daredevil pranks. Possessed of a remarkably vigorous constitution. "Civil Charley" Polk attained to a great age. After many years' res- idence in Western Tennessee, he again decided to emigrate and went to Texas, where he spent the balance of his days, and died. Most of Charles' sons accompanied him to the Lone Star State, in which had also located other Polks, some in Austin's colony. The principal one of the latter was Dr. Thomas Polk, from Indiana, son of Capt. Charles Polk, the Indian fighter, and grandson of Chas. Polk, the Indian trader, at the North Bend of the Potomac, who was a gon of W'm. Polk. Sr., of ^laryland. and brother of that Wm. Polk who emigrated from Carlisle. Pa., to North Carolina and founded the Southern branch of the Polk Tree. "Civil Charley" Polk emigrated to Tennessee, and thence to Texas, about 1842: had issue: \Tane ; -John ("Jackey"); ^Andrew ; "^William Knox, who married Nancy Petty ; ^Cynthia, who married her cousin. John Polk, son of John, brother of "Civil Charley;" '^Charles, who married Elizabeth Hayne: "Judge Alfred, who married Nancy Mclvor. John (or "Jackey") Polk, eldest son of "Civil Charley" Polk and ^largaret (Baxter") Polk, married Elizabeth Allen 332 P O LK F A M I LY A X D K I X S .1/ £ .V about 1814, and they had issue: U\"illiam A., who married Martha Barrett and remained in Tennessee; -Charles Grandi- son, who married ]\Iary Ann Alassey and remained in Ten- nessee; ^PJenina, who married W'm. Alassey, brother of Alary Ann; '^Amanda M.. who married Rev. Richard Overton Wat- kins; '^Emily. wh(j married Josiah Chihh'es; ''Xancy, wdio married Norman Branch ; 'X'ictoria, who married W' m. Bird- well. The latter have two children — Charles and Willie. "Jackey" Polk and all (if his family, except the boys Wm. A. and C. G. Polk, emigrated from Tennessee to Texas, going to San Augustine County, and later settling at Linn Flat, Nacogdoches County. Jennie Polk married John Potts and they settled in Ala- bama. Andrew Polk and wife went to Missouri, removed thence to Cherokee County, Texas, and later to Waco, Texas. Cynthia and her husband, John Polk, removed from San Augustine County to Leon County. Their children mar- ried and remained in San Augustine County. John was married three times, and by his third wife has a daughter li\-ing in San Antonio. Mrs. Ann Smith, (daughter of Judge Alfred Polk), who married Benjamin Smith, lives at Silver X'alley, Coleman County, Texas. Most of Judge Alfred Polk's children mar- ried and located permanently in San Augustine County, leav- ing many descendants who are prominent and influential citizens. DESCENDANTS OF JACKIE AND CYNTHIA POLK. Eugenia Polk, daughter of "Jackie", and Cynthia Polk, married Dr. Thumas B. Davenport, and to them were born two children, ^Mary Cynthia and -'Elizabeth. Mary Cynthia Davenport was b. July -M, isr^ -. married July 26, 18v6, Matthew Cartwright, b. Aug. D, is.^O. and to them were born ten children, as follows: (1) Lennidas Davenport Cartwright, b. }iLay 9, 1877; who married Justa Joiner, (b. , Is-;!)), in December 13, 1899. They have four children: ^Terrel, b. Oct. 26, 1900; ^Leonidas D., b. Nov. 29, 1902; ^Justa, b. July 12, 1909; POLK FA M I L Y A X D K I X S M E X 333 ^Jerome, b. July T. 1911. They live in San Antonio, Texas. (2) Amanda Holman Cartwright, b. Alarch 12, 18T1), mar- ried James Lane Taylor, of Sherman, Texas, Dec. 2(i. l!)()ii. They now live in San Antonio, Texas, and have two children : ^Eugenia Polk. b. Sept. 11, 1901; -^laria Louise, b. Dec. 29, (3) Eugenia Polk Cartwright, b. Dec. 3, 1880, married James Ingram Cartwright, Xov. 8. lOii-t. They are now living in Uvalde, Texas, and have one child, }vlatthew, b. Aug. li, 1905. (■1) Estelle Cartwright, b. July 19, 1881, married W'm. B. Lupe, Xov. 4, 19 hn above mentioned. Charles Polk was born in Charlotte, N. C, January 18, 1760. He fought in the war of the Revolution, and told my father that his father, who was at the time a middle aged man, was also a soldier and an ot^cer. Charles Polk married Miss ^largaret Baxter, in North Carolina, later moved to Alaury County, Tennessee, and not long afterwards moved over near Bolivar, Tenn.,' where he resided until he moved to Texas in lS4t). He lived to l)e quite an old man and died in San Augustine County, Texas, about the year 1S4G or 1847. He was rather a small sized man, light haired and blue-eyed, and quite active and vigorous almost up to the date of his death. John Polk, his l^rother, also came, with at least one son, John. My information is that he was two years younger than his brother Charles. He lived in San Augustine County sev- eral years with or near his son, Jnhn, who had married Cyntliia Polk, before coming to Texas, and they each afterwards moved to Leon Count}^, Texas. He died there, as I have been in- formed, about 1849, and his son John died about six years later. Taylor Polk, their other brother, is said to have moved to Arkansas, and the Texas people know but little of his family, although I am told that the Corsicana Polks are some of his descendants. POLK FA .1/ I LY AND KINS M E N 337 JUDGE ALBERT B. WATKINS, Athens, Tex. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LISRAflY ASr(?R, LFNOX AND TILD'"N FOUNDATIONS. FOLK F A M I L Y A N D K I X S M E N 3£9 CHAPTER XLII. CHILDREN OF CHAS. POLK AND WIFE MARGARET. Of the children of Charles Polk and his wife, Alargaret, I add briefly as to all except John. Jane, the oldest daughter, fiisL niai-rtefl- a yiv. Fowler, and afterwards John Potts, and moved from Tennessee down into Alabama. I can give but little of her family history. William married Miss Xancy Petty and moved from LaCrange, Tenn., to Holly Springs, Aliss. He lived and died in that State. All the other members of the family came to Texas. Andrew, married a Miss Martha Tindle, and after- wards moved to Alissouri, and thence later to Texas, and settled in Cherokee County. He had several children. One of them, a daughter, married James Anderson, a distinguished attorney. They lived at Rusk, and later at Waco. They left children who reside now in Waco and in Austin, Texas . Cynthia Polk (daughter of "Civil Charley" Polk), married her cousin, John Polk, and they moved to Texas about 1840, and settled near the town of San Augustine. With my mother, at least, she had the reputation of being the brainiest of the Polks in this part of the country. Charles Polk, sixth child of Charles and Margaret (Bax- ter) Polk, married Elizabeth Hayne, and moved to Leon County, Texas. I can give but the least information possible about his family. I know he had one son. He died there, and I am of the impression that he did not have a very large family. Alfred Polk, youngest child of "Civil Charley" Polk and Margaret (Baxter) Polk, married Xancy Mclvor. They moved from Tennessee to Texas with several of the other members of the family and settled about four miles west of the town of 340 POL K F A M I LY AND KINS M E N San Augustine. They raised a large family. Alfred Polk, or Judge Polk, as he was most commonly known, represented the highest type of good citizenship. For fifty years he com- manded the undiminished love and esteem of the people of his part of the State. It might be added that his good wife, Nancy, claimed also an abiding place in the hearts of her neigh- bors and friends. JOHN POLK AND FAMILY. John Polk was the second child and eldest son of Charles Polk and Margaret Baxter. John married Elizabeth Allen, who at the time resided in Kentucky. All of their children were born and most of them married while they resided near Boli\'ar. Tenn. They came to Texas with the others of the family and settled firsi near San Augustine, and afterwards moved up into Nacog- doches County, and lived there until they both died. He died in 1866, at about 84 years of age. His wife, Elizabeth, died when 70 years of age. He was, like all the other Polks, in Texas, a slave owner. All of their children came with them to Texas except the two older ones, William A. Polk and Charles Grandison Polk, who remained in Tennessee, near ^yhere they were born. COL. WILLIAM KNOX POLK'S DESCENDANTS. (By Mrs. Grace Hemingway, Jackson, Miss.) Col. Wm. Knox Polk, of Holly Springs, Miss., (son of Civil Charley Polk and Margaret Baxter, of North Carolina, and grandson of John Polk and Eleanor Shelby), emigrated at an early day from Tennessee to Mississippi. In his new lo- cation he became a planter, raising cotton principally. He was married to Nancy Petty, by whom he had six children : ^Isabella Polk, b. Oct. 7. 1815. married 1834 to Dr. C. S. Bowen, d. 1896; ^Emeline Polk, b. about 1817, married Peter B. Jones, d. ; "'Jane Polk, b. about 1819. married Dr. R. S. Lucas, d. 1865; ^Laurentine S. Polk, b. about 1821, d. at 27. at Memphis; ^Amanda Polk, b. about 1823. also died voung; <'\\'illiam I. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 341 Polk, b. about l.s-25. d. , married 1st Alaggie Coopwood, 2nd Alattie E. Moore. Isabella Polk. (b. Oct. 7. 1815). married Dr. C. S. Bowen 1834, d. 18!)(). They had eleven children viz : (Ij Emily Bowen, b. 1835, married in 1853 to Dr. S. P. Lester, of Batesville, Miss. Emilv d. in 18G5 leavins" four children : MJelle. b. 1855, married J. IM. Cox. in 18T4, thev had issue: ^Lillian, b. 1876, d. about 189-1. -William, b. 1879. mar- ried Lois Jackson, in 1905, they had issue: HVilliam Jr., b. 19U8; ^I^ois, b. 1910. ^^ester, b. 1884. married Estelle Kinch- loe. ^Louise, b. 1887, married Jules Tombs in 1905, they had issue ^Bessie, b. 19()G; -Mary Alice, b. 1907, d. 1908; -"John Dudley, b. 1910 ; M^owen. b. Dec. 1889 : '"Leonard, b. Jan. 1897. -Bowen, b. 1857. not married. ^Maude, b. 18G0, married G. H. Watkins, d. 1897. ^Jessie, b. 18G4. married Rev. R. A. X. Wilson, 1892. they had issue: H:,erald. b. 1893, d. 1898; -Lester, b. 1895; ^Robert, b. 1898; ^Dorothy, b. 19ni ; «William. b. 1904 (2) Eliza Bowen. daug-hter of Dr. C. S. Bowen. b. Sey')^ 13, 1837. married Dr. A\'ilbur F. Hyer. April 21. 18G1. d. Oct 11. 1909. Issue: ^Lucy. b. Sept. 5. 18G2. d. 1873. -Jane, b Dec. 21. 18G4. married Richard P. Moore. Aug. 29. 1889. the\ b.ad issue: ^George, b. June 28, 1890; -Richard P. Jr., b. June IG, 1892; '"Grace, b. Dec. 4. 1894. d. June 8. 1896; ^Elise. b. June 10. 1897; Wlarshall. b. ^lay 18. 1899. d. May 16, 1900; ^Frances, b. Nov. 30. 1903 ; 'Wilbur, b. April 24. 1906. ^'Emily. Frances Bowen. b. March 25. 1867. married James H. Price, April' 26. 1904. ^John ^IcRaven, b. ^larch 15. 18G9. d. 1876, '^Grudchen, h. Nov. 11. 1871, married Charles A'. Akin, June 1. 1893. d. Dec. 31. 19(iO. they had issue: ^Lois. b. April 7, 1894; -Aliriam. b. Sept. 21. 1896, d. Dec. 1896; =^Gladys, b. Sept. 5, 1897. "Grace Bowen. b. Jan. 21. 1874. married Wm. Heming- way, June 19. 191)1. they had two chidren who died in infancy. ^Wilbur F. Jr.. (called "Tom"L b. Jan. 22. 1877. unmarried. ^Eric Bowen, b. Xov. 14. 1881. unmarried. (3) David Bowen. b. 1839. married Emma Kay in 1870, d. 1895. Issue: ^Stella, b. 1869. d. 1873. -Wm. Bates, b. 1872, d. 1912. ^Paul Kay. b. 1875. married and had two children, and d. in 1908. ^Emma. b. 1880. married 19imi, had two children, married 2nd time 1909 . '"Annie Rose, b. 18S4, d. 1885. 342 P 0 LK F A M I LY A X D K I M S M E N (■i) Amanda Bowen, b. ISttl, married Van Potts, 1865. Issue: ^William b. 1866, d. 1867. -James, b. 1868, married Mamie Barlow, 1899, d. about 1903, they had two children. ^Robinson, b. 1870, unmarried. -^Bowen, b. 1872, d. 1878. ^Van, b. 1875, married Virgie Lester 1897, they had issue: lAIelvin. b. 1898; , b. 1900, d. 1901; ^Aubrey, b. 1902; ^Noel b. 1905; ^Twins, b. 1907, d. 1908; «T. W., b. 1909. (5j William Polk Bowen, b. 18-L4, married Alice Bost, in 1866. Lives in Texas. Issue: ^Alfred, b. 1868; "Charles, b. 1871; ^Cliff, b. 1880. (6) Alattie Bowen, b. 1846, married James S. Taylor, 1869. Issue :iKatie, b. 1870, d. 1871. -J. G., b. 1872, d. about 1906, unmarried. ^Christopher, b. 1875. '^Ernest, b. 1880, married Effie Tucker, 1906, they had issue: ^Ernestine, b. 1908. ^Guy, b. 1882 is unmarried. (7) Robert Bowen, b. 18-18, unmarried. (8) Christopher Strong Bowen, b. 1850, married Georgia Mims 1879, d. 1885. Issue: ^-Xnnie, b. 1880, married Walter Knotts 1899, three children : Ned, Elizabeth and Walter. -Mims, b. 1881, unmarried. '^Sarah, b. 1883, unmarried. (9) Charles Bowen, b. 1852, d. 1858. (10) Alice Bowen, b. 1856, unmarried. (11) Edward Reese Bowen, b. 1862, married Rosa Eddins in 1891. Issue: one child, Christopher Strong Bowen, Jr. Emeline Polk, second child of Col. Wm. Knox Polk, mar- ried Peter Jones. They had issue: (1) Laura Jones, married Van H. Potts. (2) Kate Jones, married Van H. Potts (2nd wife). For his third wife he married their cousin, Amanda Bowen, daugh- ter of Isabella. Issue by first two wives: ^Kate May, mar- ried Howard Harris, and had issue: Robert, Lois, Van, Karen, Lily, Flavia. (3) Marshall Branch Jones married Ellen Xesbit. He is long since dead and she lives in Memphis. Their children were: ^\nna, not married; -^lay; ^Lelia, married during the winter of 1911-12, husbands name unknown; ^Nina, married Dr. Miller and lives at Hillsboro, Tex., they had two children Dorothy Hyer and Lutie Staiars ; ^Evelyn, married E. B. A\'illiams and lives in ^Meridian, Miss., they had issue: Evelyn, POLK F AMI LY AND KI X S M E N 343 and a son, I think ; ''Lutie Polk, married Mr. Staiars and lives in Xew York City. (4) Lucas Polk, married A'irginia Spencer. He is dead and she resides in the West. Issue: ^Stanley Branch; -Alma; ^Lon Xeal; ^Marshall Drane. (5) :\IolIie Jones, married W. W. Perkins and d. I89r. Issue : ^Howard, married Floy Potts, one child, ]\Iary Ann ; -Florence, unmarried; "Louis, married Louise ; •*Clilt, unmarried; ^Fred. married Ethel Fuqua ; "'Gladys, unmarried. (6) Katie Jones, married Marshall Bouldin. One child Marshall Jones liouldin. He is married and lives in Clarks- dale. {1 ) Lily Jones, married W. D. Porter, of Oxford, and d. several years ago. One child. Earl, who married ]\Iiss Moore. (8) Sue Jones, unmarried, lives in [Memphis. Jane Polk, daughter of Col. \\m. Knox Polk, b. 1S19, d. 1865, married Dr. R. S. Lucas and had two daughters, Mollie J. and Baza, who d. unmarried. Laurentine S. Polk, b. about 18'31, d. unmarried aged 27 years. Amanda Polk. b. about 1S23, also died young. A\'illiam I. Polk, b. about 1825, married first ^laggie Coop- wood, second ]\Iattie E. Moore. He had issue: ^William C. Polk, by first wife ; -Jessie Lee Forrest Polk : ^Frank Folk ; •^Allie L. Polk. William I. Polk resided in ^^lemphis, Tenn., and was engaged in the stock trade. SKETCH OF HEADLEY POLK. (By his daughter, Miss Annie Polk, San Marcos, Texas.) Headley Polk's father was Shelby Polk and his mother, Winifred Colburn. of ^lecklenburg County. X. C. He was a grandson of Col. Thomas Polk, of South Carolina, and ?^larv (Shelby) Polk, grand-daughter of the famous General Evan Shelby, of Xorth Carolina. Headley's great grandfather was A\'illiam Polk, eldest son of \\'illiam Polk and Margaret Tay- lor, and brother of General Thomas, Capt. Ezekiel, Capt. Charles and Capt. John Polk, all of whom bore conspicuous parts in the struggle for Indepedence. Headlev Polk was born in Xorth Carolina Xov. 10, 1812, 344 POLK F A M 1 L Y AND K I N S M E N and moved with his parents, when Init a child, to W'est Tenn- essee, then a new and undevehjped country, wliere he grew to manhood. He was born at a time when men were tested as to what sort they were. Having" hjst his father when young, Headley nobly assumed the responsibility of earning and pro- viding for the family, and though he had all his life longed to "go A\^est," he would not do so until he had secured his mother, brothers and sisters a home. On June 3, 1845, Headley was married to ]\Iiss Eliza Se- bastian, of Maury County, Tenn., and in the fall of the same year he moved to Texas, where he, as one of her noblest citi- zens, ever afterward identified himself with her interests. By his in(lomita])le energy and great perserverance he over- came the great olxstacles that he had encountered, and was a success in the commercial world. Notwithstanding he was about ninety-five years old when he died, Headley was strong in body and mind ; and while (juiet in his manners, his Christian life and walk exerted a power- ful infiuence upon all who knew him. His pastor, in speak- ing of him, said: 'Tt was a joy and an inspiration to be as- sociated with him." WARNELL POLK. Respecting W'arnell Polk, who settled in Texas, and whose ancestry it was somewhat difficult to ascertain. Col. George \V. Polk, of San iVntonicj, says: "In a letter received from J. M. Sears, of San Marcos, this state, one of the family says: 'Your inquiry has been handed me b}' my uncle, Frank M. Polk, of Fentress. In reply I am sending you all the information that he knows in regard to hi< family. Warnell Polk, son of Tay- lor Polk, was born in Ark. Taylor Polk died when Warnell was seven years old ; his mother died four years later. After his mother's death W'arnell came to Texas and stopped in Bastrop County with Jim Weaver, but left him when fourteen years old and was taken by Dr. D. F. Brown, of Prairie Lea, Tex., and lived with Dr. Brown until he married Miss Irene Myers. Warnell \,. Polk and wife had eight children. Fol- lowing are their names in order, and present post office ad- dresses: ^Laura 0., married G. C. Eustace, fP. O. Luling) ; POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E N 345 HEADLEY POLK. San Marcos, Tex., at 90 years old. i U uBLlC KV I .-r*R LENOX AND POLK FAMILY AND KI .V 5 M E N 347 -Frank A!., married Aliss M. A. Chamberlain (P. O. Fentress) ; 3]\Iollie, married Lev. Watts (P. O. Dale), :^Ir. Watts died several years ago; ^Alclver, married B. E. Barber (P. O. Fen- tress) ; ■''Ida P., married J. Will Sears. Mr. and Airs. Sears are both dead; ^Ada L., married W. J. Blackwell. Airs. Black- well d. in 1S8S (P. O. W. J. Blackwell. Lockhart) ; 'C. W., married Aliss Annie Hampton (C. W. was killed in 1904) ; ^Clara Virginia, married Charles P. Smith (P. O. Lockhart). 348 'polk fa m I ly a n d kinsmen CHAPTER XLIII. UNATTACHED BRANCHES. During the early part of the past century, a great many of the Polks emigrated to Western and Southwestern terri- tories and States, most of them going from Xorth and South Carolina and Tennessee. Nearly all of these, presumal^ly, have been located by the writer and placed in their proper positions on the family tree. A few, however, Ijy reason of failure on their part to preserve or to remember wIkj their great grand-parents were, now constitute detached liml)s. Various traditions, however, are rememberefl by them, and these traditions serve to indicate pretty accurately their re- lation to the parent stock. The principal of these detached branches, in point of the number of its members, appears to be located in Southeast Missouri, between Iron ^Mountain and the Arkansas line, all descended from one \\'illiam Wesley Polk, who is reputed to have gone to Missouri from Georgia. The first of these heard of by the writer w^as one William Polk, a Baptist preacher, during the early part of the Civil War, who was murdered by three Federal soldiers. In no border State of the Uninn was so much political bitterness manifested, or so many people ruthlessly murdered by guerilla bands, bushwackers, and other combatants, as in Missouri. In Southeast Missouri, particu- larly in the Ozark Range of mountains, these conditions ex- isted to a most alarming extent. Data relative to this branch was -procured from Capt. Charles K. Polk, of Iron County, a prominent and influential citizen who has filled several positions of honor and trust at the hands of his people. In response to enquiries by the writer, Capt, Charles K. Polk said : "I've long since been sure that the Pulk family sprung from one parent stock. I have never yet met a Polk l)ut what claimed a relation>hip with James K. Polk and Charles Polk, of Tennessee, comnvMilv known as "Devil Charlev." I am POLK FAMILY A N D KI X S M E N 349 not ^^ure of my grandfather's name, but my impression is that it was William Wesley Polk. In talking to an old friend after my father's death, he referred to him (my grandfather) as Wesley Polk. I never saw him, as he died before I was born. He came from Georgia and settled in ^ladison County, Mo. He may have stopped in Tennessee awhile before he came to Missouri, but of this I am not sure. He had two sons and one daug'htgr. I have no knowledge of any others — John W.. the older, and William the younger, and the daughter Sarah. William was the Baptist preacher, of whom you heard when at I ronton during the war. Our family record was burned, and for that reason I cannot give dates of births, marriages and deaths. "^ly father, John A\'. Polk, married Christina Yount. She was German, American born. They had four children to live until grown and to marry and raise families, three daughters and one son. "Matilda, the eldest, married James ^McDowell. To them were born three sons. 'Mv. McDowell and one of the sons died, and she, with her two other sons, returned to her father's home, James the younger boy, died about the age of eighteen. John W. McDowell, the other, lived to be married to Flava Harris. The Harris family emigrated from Kentucky. John W. and Flava (Harris) ^IcDowell had two daughters, Ada and Matilda ^IcDowell. After this Matilda. James' wife, and her son John W. ^IcDowell died, and Flava. widow of the latter, with her two daughters, went to Oregon with the Harris family and settled near Summer Lake. Ada, the eldest, mar- ried Fred Foster and they live at Summer Lake. ]^IatilJa married William Barnes. •■Rebecca, second daughter of John W. Polk and Chris- tiana Yount. married Leroy Matkins. To this union was born fourteen children, six of whom survive. The oldest is \\ m. Matkin, of French ^lills, ^lo.. the second S. A. Matkin, of Ar- cadia, Mo.; the third James Leroy ^Litkin, of Arcadia; the fourth Mary Ann Dunn, of Grandon, ^lo. ; the fifth I'.enjamin L Matkin, of Arcadia ; the sixth Ira ^latkins, of Arcadia. "Talitha O. Polk, third daughter of John W. Polk and Christina (Yount) Polk, married John W. Miller, and both are 350 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN dead. Two children survive them, George Miller, French Mills, Mo., and ]\Iary Simmons, of Brunot, of Wayne Co., ^lo. "Charles K. Polk, was born Oct. IG, 1S39. He was mar- ried Nov. 29, 1859 to Miss Sarah Christ, who died in 1860. On July 1, 1861 he enlisted in the Missouri State Guard for six months, to co-operate with the Confederates. A short time after the organization, the Second Lieutenant resigning, Charles was chosen in his place. At the expiration of six months they were disbanded at Pitman's Ferry, near Arkan- sas Line. He then re-enlisted in the Confederate States ser- vice, in a Cavalry Company, for a term of 'during the war.' At the organization of the company he was elected First Lieutenant. They were formed into a regiment of ten com- panies and designated as the Third Missouri Cavalry, Col. Col- ton Green commanding. Later they were assigned to General Marmaduke's Brigade. On Nov. 1. 1863, Capt. Surridge was elected Major and Lieut. Polk was promoted to Captain, shortly after Col. Solomon Kitchen was ordered to North Arkansas with twelve commissioned officers, Capt. Polk being one of the number, to collect stragglers left behind and to re- cruit others. While in North Arkansas on his duty, he be- came acquainted with one Wm. H. Polk, who had immigrated from Tennessee. His wife, also from Tennessee, was formerly Mary Emerson. Mrs. Polk had a sister-in-law, Rhoda Emer- son, who had one child, Corelia Emerson, and to the widow Rhoda, Capt. Polk was married in July. 1864. During the time he had recruited fifty men and Gen'l Sterling Price had com- menced his march from South of the Arkansas to Missouri. Capt. Polk rejoined the army, reporting to the regiment with the men he had recruited, and again took command of his Company." With his command, Capt. Polk marched into ^lissouri with General Sterling Price, and took active part with him in an aggressive campaign in that State, extending to and North of the Missouri river, and westward to the Kansas Line. Suc- cessful battles took place at Pilot Knob and other points, but Price was forced to retreat back to Arkansas, finally surrender- ing his army in Louisiana, after Lee had surrendered at Ap- pomattox. Capt. Polk then rejoined his wife, in Randolph POLK FAMILY A N D KI .V 5 M E W 35I County, Ark., where he continued for two years. During that time two children were born to them : ^Christiana Lee, b. May 6, 18G6 ; -John William, b. Feb. 10, 1868. With this family, in March of the latter year, Capt. Polk returned to his old home in Iron County. !Mo., and rejoined his parents. For the benefit of his wife's health, he next removed to California, where, on Dec. 1-1, following, she died. On the same day, back in JMissouri. Capt. Polk's mother also died. In Nov. 1875 he again went back to the old home in Missouri, where he has ever since continued to live. On March 4, 1877, Capt. Polk took a third wife, Harriet Isabel Sharp. By his first wife, Sarah Christ, whom he mar- ried Nov. 29, 1859, he had no issue. By his second wife he had Christina Lee and John William Polk. By his third wife, Harriet Isabel Sharp, he had five girls and two boys, viz: ^Charles Henry, b. ^larch 30, 1878; -Hattie Rebecca, b. Sept. 11, 1880; ^Euseba Jane, b. Feb. 12, 1882; ^Thomas Benton, b. Feb. 8, 1884; ^Lula Belle, b. Feb. 20, 1885 ; ^'Annie Theodosia, b. July 15, 1887; "Laura Mae, b. Oct. 5, 1892. Christina Lee Polk, eldest child and daughter by Rhoda Emerson, married ]\Iay 6, 1890, to Lysander Ashlock. Issue: ^Charles, b. 1891, now in U. S. Army; -John William, b. 1893; ^Richard Payne, b. 1895; ^Irl Gerard, b. 1898; ^Joseph Henry, b. 1903; "^Frank Dumont, b. 1905; 'Bertha Alma, b. 19—. The family resides at Silver ]\Iine, ^lo. John William Polk, son of Capt. Chas. K. Polk, by his sec- ond wife, Rhoda Emerson, married Feb. 22, 1893, Laura Eliza ]\Iiller and they had issue: ^\rchie Elmer, b. 1894; -Effie Lorene. b. 1896 ; ^Raymond Otto, b. 1900 ; ^Carrie Edna, b. 1902. John A\'illiam Polk was elected Sheriff of Iron County, in 1902 and again in 1904. While attempting to arrest an out- law, named William Spaugh. he was shot and killed by an- other Spaugh. No people, it is said by the citizens of Iron County, ever had a better or more popular officer than John William Polk. Charles Henry Polk, son of Capt. Charles K. Polk. b. March 30, 1878, joined the Baptist church, studied for the 352 P 0 LK F A M I L Y A N D KINS M E N ministry and was ordained in 19im). He was elected a Renre- sentative to the Legislature in IDnii and re-elected in 190S. He resides at Spring-field, Alo. Hattie Rebecca Polk, fourth child of Capt. Chas. K. Polk, b. Sept. 11. 18SU. married Feb. 1. 190G. Wm. L. Boatmer, of Arcadia, Mo. Euseba Jane Polk, fifth child of Capt. Chas. K. Polk. b. Feb. 1-?. 1882, married May 2, 1909, Oliver Lesley Yount. of Ironton, ]\Io. Thomas Benton Polk. Jr., sixth child of Capt. Chas. K. Polk. b. Feb. 8. 1884, is unmarried and lives at the old home- stead. Lula Belle Polk, seventh child of Capt. Chas. K. Polk, b. Feb. 20. 1885, married April 19, 1908, Francis Otto Thomas, of Granite City, 111. Annie Theodosia Polk, eighth child of Capt. Chas. K. Polk, b. July 15, 188T, is unmarried. Laura ]\Iae Polk, youngest child of Capt. Chas. K. Polk, b. Oct. 5, 1892, is unmarried. John W. Polk, Sr., eldest son of William Wesley Polk, also represented Madison County in the [Missouri Legislature several terms, in one of which he secured the passage of a bill through the House erecting Iron County out of a part of ^ladi- son. He was also elected member of the State Senate for one or two terms. Altogether, he served in public life for twenty- two years. Sarah Polk, (mly daughter of William Wesley Polk, mar- ried a Mr. Williams and they located at Fort Smith. Ark. Be- fore the Civil War they resided at ( )zark. ]\Io. Their descen- dants are untraced. AA'illiam Polk, second child and son of A\'illiam AA'e-ley Polk, was a Baptist preacher and lived in Madison and Iron Counties before the Civil AA'ar. When quite a young man he was married to Miss Maiy Sharp and to them were born six children : William Polk. 1). , (first child and son of Rev. Wm. P(ilk). married Miss Eueeba Hammonds and had six children, four of whom are dead. The two living are Thos. B. Polk, of POLK FA M I LY A N D K I N S M E N 353 St. Louis, a prominent real estate and insurance man ; md v^arah Jane, wife of John Sharp, of Flat River, ^lo. Thomas Benton Polk, b. , (second son of Rev. W'm. Polk), was also a soldier in the Confederate Army. Return- ing home after the war, he married Mrs. Jane Irwin, and to them were born two sons while in Missouri, William and ]\iar- tin. Thomas Benton and family then removed to California, where four more children were born to them, ^Ernest, -Julia, "Thomas and ^Etta. ]\Iartin, Julia and Etta were married. Martin's wife died about 19(1."). He is a Civil Engineer and re- sides at Chico, Butte Co.. California. James K. Polk, b. , (third child and son of Rev. W'm. Polk and wife Mary (Sharp) Polk), was also a Confederate soldier, and resided in Texas County, Mo., where he died. He had several children, l)Ut their names have not been secu/ed. His widow and children still live in Texas County. Trusten Balam Polk. b. . of Arcadia, 3>Io.. (fourth child and son of Rev. W'm. Polk), married Fannie Blanton and they had issue: ^Hattie; -Flava ; "William; ^Lee; ^James ; -'Mil- dred ; 'Edgar ; '^Elmer. Serena Polk, 1). , (fifth child of Rev. Wm. Polk), mar- ried Plartford Hammonds. To them a son was born, and the father removed with his child to Kentucky after his wife's death. Fannie Polk, b. , (sixth and youngest child of Rev. Wm. Polk), married William Blanton and they removed to Cohasset, Cal. Issue unknown. Rev. William Polk was prominent during his life, l)oth as a citizen and as a member and leading minister of the Baptist church in Missouri. He was one of the organizers of Bethel Associates of United Baptists, the oldest Baptist Association in the State, organized when ^Missouri was a territory, almost a century ago. Ever since that time he had many of hi.- kins- men have been active and influential members of the Associa- tion. There was scarcely a pulpit in Southeast and Southern Missouri that he did not fill at some time, the earnestness of his discourses always attracting large audiences, and nu tran.s- 354 POL K FAMILY AND KIN S M E N action of the Civil War was more heinous and unprovoked than that which ended by astrocious murder, the life of this good man. TRAGIC DEATH OF REV. WM. POLK. The chaotic and troublous times that prevailed in Missouri during- the Civil War, wdien vindictiveness and revenge were rampart on all sides among those holding opposite political opinions, has already been alluded to. Hundreds of murders were committed and among these atrocities was the murder of Rev. William Polk, second son of William Wesley Polk, by three Federal soldiers. He lived about eight miles south of Ironton, and on meeting the assassins in uniform, they pro- ceeded to rob him and then informed him that they were go- ing to kill him, and asked if he wanted to pray first. He saw their purpose was to kill him, and in reply said that he had "long before made his peace with God. but he would pray for them." He fell upon his knees, and while asking God to for- give them they shot him in the back, killing him instantly. POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E N 355 CHAPTER XLIV. CHARLES POLKE, THE INDIAN TRADER. Charles Polke, the Indian Trader, who for a number of years in the forepart of the eighteenth century engaeed ni trade with the Indians, at his store located at the North Bend of the Potomac River, in Frederick County, Maryland, was the progenitor of a vigorous and adventurous family that cross- ed the Alleghanies after the Indian barrier to the Ohio V'alley had been removed by the battle of Point Pleasant in October, ITT-i. Descending the Ohio with their families to Kentucky, they planted new homes in the wilderness. Some of them re- mained in Kentucky the Ijalance of their lives, but others moved on to Indiana, Illinois, ^Missouri and sections still fur- ther to the West and Southwest. So steadily progressive was the march of these Polks that in time they reached the Pacific and the Gulf of [Mexico, where many of the latest generation now reside. Charles Polk, the Indian Trader, judging from data pro- cured concerning him, was one of the two eldest sons of \\'illiam Polk, Sr., (second son of Robert and Magdalen Polk) by his first wife, Xancy Knox, said to have been a sister of Joanna Knox, second wife of John Polk, Sr., eldest son of the immigrants. Another son of William Polk. Sr., by the same wife, as the proof adduced indicates, was that \\'illiam Polk who went from Maryland to Carlisle, Pa., where he married Margaret Taylor and moved thence to North Carolina about 1750 and became the progenitor of the Southern branch of the Polk family, which has produced many illustrious sons and daughters. William died west of the Yadkin, a few years after going to North Carolina. These sons, Charles and William, by the first wife of William Polk 1st. appear to have attained manhood before their father's second marriage ; to have been allotted their re- spective portions of his estate, and then to have turned their faces to other fields for the exploitation of their talents. 356 POL K F A M I LY AND K I A' S M E N Charles, after leaving his father's house, proceeded to the North Bend of the Potomac, on the Alaryland frontier, where he built a trading house and residence and for a number of years engaged in trade with the Indians, being known as "Charles Polk, the Indian Trader." Here he lived and car- ried on business until his death in 1753. leaving a widow and six children. He was born in Somerset County, Md., 1700 to 1710, and his brother William just before or after him. In his will Charles calls his wife "Christian." It is be- lieved that her family name was Matson, and that she was a sister of Ralph Matson. who was co-executor with her of the w^ill of Charles, made the same year in which he died. Charles Polk's trading store was one of the principal es- tablishments of that kind on the frontier. In Gist's Journal, p. 140, we find that "Charles Polk's name appears in the list of Indian Traders in 17;U" (Colonial Archives, Vol. 1, p. 425). On ]\Iayo's Map of 1737 his name is marked, with those of four other settlers, at the North I^end of the Potomac, where Han- cock, Maryland now stan'ds. (Also see Colonial Records of Pennsylvania, Vol. 5, p. 7G0). Charles Polk and Christian, his wife, were married about 1735, presumabl_y in Somerset County, but of the exact local- ity of that event, we have no positive proof. In his will of 1753, the six children of Charles and Christian Polk appear as follows: ^Sarah. b. 1730; nVilliam. b. 1738; ^Edmond, b. 1740; •^Thomas, b. 1742; -^Capt. Chas., 1). Feb. 2, 1744; «John, b. 1746. WILL OF CHARLES POLK, INDIAN TRADER. In the name of God Amen. The nineteenth day of March in the year of our Lord One thousan'd Seven hundred and fifty-three. I. Chas. Polk of Maryland and County of Frederick farmer being very sick and weak in body but of perfect mind and memory thanks be given unto God therefor calling to mind the Mortality of my Body and knowing that it is appointed for all men once to die do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament, that is to say princi])ally and first of all I give and recommend my soul POLK F AMI LY A ND KI N S M E N 357 into the Hands of God that gave it, for my Body I recommend it to the Earth to be buried in a Christianlike and decent man- ner at the discretion of mv Executors, nothino- doubtine but at the General resurrection I shall receive the same aeain bv the Mighty Power of God, and as touching- such wordly es- tate wherewith it hath pleased God to bless me with in this Life I give devise and dispose of the same in the following manner and form. Imprimis. It is my Will and I do order that in the first place all my just delfts and funeral charges be paid and satis- fied. Item. I give and bequeath unto Christian, my dearly be- loved wife, the third part of all my movables and the use of the Plantation as long as she remains a widow, and if she should marry then the Plantation to be sold and disposed of as fol- loweth : Item. I give unto my well beloved son AMlliam his horse and saddle as he claims now to be his own and his equal share of my Plantation when sold, and it is my desire it should be equally divided among my five sons and one daughter, that is to say William my eldest son, and Edmond my second son, and Thomas my third son, and Charles my fourth son, and John my fifth son, and Sarah my daughter. And it is my de- sire if any of my children should die before they should come of age then their part to be equally divided between the rest of my children. It is my desire that if my Executors sees proper to send my sons to treads that they should do it. and appoint my be- loved wife and Ralph Matson to be my sole Executors of this my Last A\'ill and Testament Ratifying and Confirming this to be my Last A\'ill and Testament. In Avitness whereof I have hereunto set mv hand and seal the day and year above riten. Charles Polke. (Seal). Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Charles Polk as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us the subscribers, Henry Stewart. John Tictin, Willaim Gilliland. 358 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N On the back of the foregoing will was thus written, viz: June the 20, 1753, John Tictin and William Gilliland two of the subscribers to the within Will being solemnly sworn on the holy Evangels of Almighty God depose and say that they saw the testator Charles Polk sign the v\^ithin as his last Will and Testament and heard him publish and declare the same to be such and at the time so doing he was to the best of their appprehensions of sound disposing mind and memory & John Tictin declares that Harry Stewart subscribed his name at tlie same time as a witness to the within Will and that they sever- ally subscribed their names thereto at the request and in the presence of the Testator. Taken before J. Darnall, D. Com'sy of Fred. Coty. The above will was recorded in the Orphans Court, Anne Arundel Co., Md. in D. B. No. 7, folio 49^—1751-4. A careful perusal of the foregoing will shows that the per- son who drew up the document, in the first paragraph wrote the name Polk, but Charles himself signed his name Polke. The certificates of probate, made by J. Darnall, Deputy Com- missary, also has it the latter w^ay. This diversity further il- lustrates the carelessness with which the name was written in early times, especially by ofificial scribes or copyists. From the will of Charles, it is plain that at the time of his death, between March 19th and June 20th. 1753, none of his children had likely attained to their majority, but Sarah and William were probably almost grown, about seventeen and fifteen years respectively. After the father's death the family no doubt continued for some years to reside on the home plantation and the sons to carry on their father's trading business. Their transac- tions with the Indians, purchasing furs, for which they gave in exchange other goods, no doubt gave them an extended ac- quaintance with the savages ; an acquaintance that in later years seems to have been of great value to Capt. Charles Polke when he rescued his family from captivity, with the aid of Simon Girty, the "White Indian." No doubt it was at the North Bend that Charles and Simon first met, during such trading. Later they scouted together around Fort Pitt, after Charles had settled on Cross Creek. POLK F AMI LY AND KINSMEN 359 THE MURDER OF LOGAN'S KIN. In IT 74, Chas. Polk, Jr., was living on Cross Creek, Vir- ginia, (now West Virginia) about sixteen miles from the Ohio river, where Wellsville is now situated. While living there a transaction occurred that set the frontier ablaze with excite- ment and brought on what is known in history as "Dunmore's War." This transaction was the infamous, unprovoked and inhuman murder of a party of Indians, both men and women, by a band of Christian White Savages, led by one Daniel Greathouse, who later settled in Kentucky. Like the atrocious murder of the Christian Indians at Gnadenhutton, on the Muskingum, in March lv82 by Col. Williamson and party from Pa., the act of Greathouse and companions deserves the exe- cration of mankind. The Indians were first made drunk by Greathouse and then ruthlessly killed. CAPT. CHARLES POLK'S CERTIFICATE. In Thomas Jefiferson's "Xotes on \^irginia," where he speaks of the infamous conduct of Greathouse and party, he introduces the certificate of Capt. Charles Polke relative to that event. In the Appendix to his Notes, p. 26, appears the following : "The certificate of Charles Polke, of Shelby County, in Kentucky, communicated by Hon. Judge Innes of Kentucky; who, in the letter enclosing it, together with Newland's certi- ficate, and his own declaration of the information given him by Baker, says: I am acquainted with Jacob Newland, he is a man of integrity. Charles Polke and Joshua Baker both sup- port respectable characters. Judge Innis, of Frankfort, stated that he had met on the road, November 14, 1799, Joshua Baker, who stated that the murder of the Indians was perpetrated at his house, in 1TT4, by thirty-two men led by Daniel Greathouse. That twelve were killed and six or eight wounded. Among the slain wa-^ a sister and other relatives of the Indian Chief Logan. Baker says Capt. Michael Cresap was not of the party. That two davs before, two Indians on their way home were 360 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN killed by Cresap and a party of land improvers on the Ohio. He had the information from Cresap." The Certificate. "About the latter end of April, or beginning of May, 1774, I lived on the waters of Cross Creek, about sixteen miles from Joshua Baker, who lived on the Ohio, opposite the mouth of Yellow Creek. A number of persons collected at my house and proceeded to the said Baker's and murdered several Indians, among whom was a woman said to be the sister of the Indian Chief Logan. The principal leader of the party was Daniel Greathouse. To the best of my recollection, the cause which gave rise to the murder was a general idea that the Indians were meditating an attack on the frontiers. Capt. Michael Cresap was not of the party ; l)ut I recollect that some- time before the perpetration of the above fact, it was currently reported that Capt. Cresap had murdered some Indians on the Ohio, some distance below Wheeling?'-" Certified by me, an inhabitant of Shelby County, and State of Kentucky, the 15th day of November, 1799." CHAS. POLKE. Just before the perpetration of their infamous deed Great- house and party, by agreement met at the house of Capt. Charles Polke, but Polk took no part in the bloody work. Leav- ing 'his house, they passed down to the Ohio on murder bent. Arriving there, they procured a lot of whiskey and enticed a boatload of Indians across from the South side, getting them drunk and then falling upon and butchering them. Among those slain was a sister of Logan the Mingo Chief, who had long been known as "The White Man's Friend." After this infamous transaction, however. Logan ceased to be a friend of the white man. He took up the hatchet, joined his followers with the tribes under Chief Cornstalk, and the fnmtier families suffered a bloody penalty for Greathouse's infamy. Governor Dunmore called in the surveyors in Kentucky sending Daniel Boone and Michael Stoner to warn them, and on October 10, 1774, after a fiercely contested battle, the em- bittered sa\agc- under Cornstalk were defeated at the mouth POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 361 of the Kenawha by an army of riflemen under Col. Andrew Lewis. The tide of emigration to Kentucky set in strong- the following year (1775) and Mrginia deputy surveyors who had been called back 'home in 177-i, returned to their work in the West, reinforced by others. Capt. Polk, at his home on Cross Creek, grew restive and determined to follow the tide. He had a wife and two children and with them, his sister Sarah Piety and her children, his brothers, William, Edmond and Thomas, reinforced by quite a party of friends and neighbors, set out in the Spring of 1780 for Kentucky, the party traveling together in flatUoats. A sharp lookout for Indians was kept as. they descended the Ohio, but in due time they reached Louisville and land- ed. For a short time they sojourned at the station of Col. Wm. Linn. Proceeding south from there, Capt. Polk and party located on Simpson Creek, in the present Xelson County. Shortly afterward he b^^ilt a station of his own, not far from Kincheloe's Station, the latter the principal defense in the neighborhood, and placed his family in it for greater security. Indian forays into that part of Kentucky from the \\'a- bash tribes of Indians, were quite frequent during that and the two following years. But Capt. Polk's family escaped serious molestation until the early part of September, 1782, when a squad of Wabash Indians, said to be returning from the slaughter of Kentuckians at the Blue Licks, just after the siege of Bryan's Station, near Lexington, appeared in that section. On the approach of the savages. Col. John Floyd ordered out a scouting party of militia to scour the country. Of this party was Capt. Charles Polk. Some of these scouts were from Kincheloe's and some from Cox's and other nearby sta- tions. The inhabitants at Kincheloe's consisted of six or seven families. After scouring the country for several days, and finding no savages, the militia, on September 1st, were dis- banded and returned to their homes, those from Kincheloe's arriving at home late in the evening and retiring to rest. Capt. Polk, wife and four children were among those in this station at the time, but he had not yet arrived, being detained by signs of attack on a neighboring station. 362 POLK FAMILY A N D KINS M E N CHAPTER XLV. CAPTURE OF KINCHELOE'S STATION. Richard Collins, the Kentucky historian, under the head of Spencer County, p. 724, describing this event at some length, among other statements, says : "There had been no alarm at Kincheloe's during the ab- sence of the men, and upon reaching home late in the evening, greatly fatigued and without apprehension of danger, they retired to rest. At the dead hour of the night, when the in- mates of the station were wrapped in most profound sleep, the Indians made a simultaneous attack upon the cabins of the Station, and, breaking open the doors, commenced an indis- criminate massacre of men, women and children. The uncon- scious sleepers were awakened but to be cut down, or to be- hold their friends fall by their side. A few only, availing themselves of the darkness of the night, escaped the tomahawk or captivity. Among those who affected their escape, was Mrs. Davis, whose husband was killed, and another woman whose name is not given. They fled to the woods, where they were fortunately joined by a lad by the name of Ash, who con- ducted them to Cox's Station." After relating the trials and exciting experiences of several other families during the attack, some being slain and others escaping, the historian goes on to say: "Several women and children were cruelly put to death after they were made pris- oners, on the route to the Indian towns. On the second day of her captivity, Mrs. Bland, one of the prisoners, made her escape into the bushes. Totally unacquainted with the sur- rounding country, and destitute of a guide, for eighteen suc- cessive days she rambled through the woods, without seeing a human face, without clothes, and subsisting upon sour grapes and green walnuts, until she became a walking skeleton. On the eighteenth day she was accidently discovered and taken to Linn's Station, where, from kind attention and careful uursing, her health and strength were soon restored. "The situation of Mrs. Polk, another prisoner, with four POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E X 363 children, was almost as pitiable as that of Mrs. Bland. She was far advanced in a state of pregnancy and compelled to walk until she became almost incapable of motion. She was then threatened with death, and the tomahawk brandished over her head by one Indian, when another, who saw it. beooed her life, took her under his care, mounted her on a horse with two of the children, and conducted her safely to Detroit. Here she was purchased by a British trader, well treated, and enabled to write her husband, who was absent at the time of her capture. On the receipt of her letter, the husband immediately re- paired to Detroit, obtained his wife and five children, and re- turned with them safely to Kentucky. After the peace of the succeeding- year, the remainder of the prisoners were also liberated and returned home." The four children of Capt. Charles Polk, captured at Kincheloe's with their mother, were: \\'illiam. aged seven; Elizabeth, aged five ; Sally, aged two ; and Xancy, aged one year. A second son, Charles, was b. at Detroit shortly after Mrs. Polk arrived there. After the return to Kentucky from Detroit, seven more children. Christiana, Edward, Eleanor, ]Mary. Thomas. Robert Tyler, and one that died unnamed in infancy, were born to Capt. Charles Polk and wife. Captain Polk, while living in Mrginia. at Cross Creek, near the Ohio, was married in the winter 1TT4-5 to Delilah Tyler, a sensible, courageous and self-reliant maiden of that vicinity. One tradition is that she belonged to the Mrginia Tyler family that gave to the United States. President John Tyler, but of this we have no positive prouf. At the date of their marriage. Charles Polk was aged thirty and Delilah nineteen years, and their two oldest children, William and Elizabeth, were born there, before they concluded to emigrate to Kentucky. There is a family tradition that Charles Polk was at I'.rad- dock's Defeat, July 9, 1T55, but he could not have been there as a soldier when he was but ten or eleven years of age. If he was present, it must have been as a driver of cattle for the commissary department, a duty that a boy of his age could very well perform. 364 P O LK F A M I LY AND KI N S M E N In a letter to the writer, of date June 5, 1876, from Wm. A. Polk, of OaktoAvn, Indiana he distinctly states that his great- grandfather, "Capt. Charles Polke was born in IT-ii or 45 and was at Braddock's Defeat." Also that "he was a first cousin of Ezekiel Polk, who was the grandfather of James K. Polk." This is additional proof that Charles and William (the latter of whom married Margaret Taylor at Carlisle) were brothers, for their children would be first cousins. This persistent assertion that Ezekiel and Capt. Chas. Polk were cousins has come to the author from several branches of the Polks, who "got it from their grandparents," they all say. It may also be noted that Capt. Bland W. Ballard, who was born near Fredricksburg, Va., October 16, 1761. and died in Shelby County, Kentucky, September 5, 1853, aged ninety- two years, married a sister of Edward Tyler, father of Capt. Charles Polk's wife. Capt. Ballard was a very distinguished Indian fighter in Kentucky's pioneer days. He landed at Louisville in 1779, Avhen eighteen years of age, joined the militia, was in nearly every conflict with the savages, and took part in Wayne's defeat of the hostile tribes at Fallen Tim- bers, an event that terminated the Indian War. From the will of Charles Polk, the Indian Trader, and from other data, we have approximated the dates of birth of his children, Sarah, AA'illiam, Edmond, Thomas, Capt. Charles, and John. From the family bibles and data of Capt. Charles' branch, we learn the followinsf concernino- his own familv. CAPT. CHARLES POLK'S FAMILY. Charles Polke was born Feb. 2, 1745. in Frederick County, Maryland. He died in Knox County, Indiana, September 11, 1823, aged 79 years. Delilah Tyler, wife of Capt. Charles Polke, was born in Virginia, February 10, 1755. She died in Nelson County, Ken- tucky, June 7, 1797. She was a daughter of Edward Tyler and his wife Nancy (Langley) Tyler, of Virginia. A sister of Delilah, Priscilla, married Abner Dunn. Capt. Charles Polk and Delilah Tyler were married in Virginia during the winter of 1774-5, and they had issue: POLK FA M I LY A N D KINS M E N 365 (IJ William, b. Sept. 19, 1T75, d. April 26, 1843, in iiSSe^ ^^ County, Ind. (2) Elizabeth, b. about 1T7T, d. in Knox County, Ind. (3) Sarah (Sally), b. Sept. 9, 1T80, d. Sept. 2, ISIS. in Knox County. (4) Nancy, b. about 1781, d. , in Indiana.' (5) Charles, b. in captivity at Detroit, Oct. 20, 1T82, d. , 1847. ((3) Christiana, b. Nov. 12, 1784, d. , 1850. at "Wood- side," Jackson County, Mo. (7j Edward, b. , 178G, killed in 1814 in the army. (8) Eleanor, b. , 1788, d. . in Indiana. (9) Mary (Polly) b. , 1790, d. . '' (10) Dr. Thomas, b. Feb. 21, 1792, d. Feb. 7, 1872, at Gon- zales, Tex. (11) Robert Tyler, b. about 1796, d. in 1844, aged 47 years. ' (12) A son, b. and d. in June, 1797. just before the death of his mother, Delilah. From the foregoing it will be seen that Delilah Polk died at the comparatively early age of forty-two years, after giving birth to twelve children, most of whom became noted in their day and time. DESCENDANTS OF SARAH POLK PIETY. Sarah Polke, married Austin Piety, about 1763, as they had four children, Elizabeth, Xancy, Sarah and Thomas, the youngest born Dec. 1770 at Fort Pitt. Austin Piety, it is said, was an officer in the British Army and a man of large wealth, a son of Thomas Piety, of Lancastershire, England. After emigrating to Kentucky, Airs. Sarah Polke Piety resided with her daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Cox, and her grand- daughter. Mrs. James Ballard, until the time of her death in 1835. Of the four Piety children, the eldest, Elizabeth Piety, married a Mr. McDonald; the second, Xancy Piety, married a Mr. Massey, descendants of these not ascertained. The fourth child, Thomas, b. Dec. 1770, married Miss Mary Dun- can, Aug. 7, 1792, and d. May 17, 1835. His wife Mary Duncan was b. Xov. 25, 1774, and d. 1836. They lived near Shelby- 365 P O LK F A M 1 LV A N D K I X S M E N ville, Ky., until after the birth of their last child, then removed to Sullivan County, Indiana, and later, in 181-i, to Knox Coun- ty. Both died there and were buried at old Maria Creek Bap- tist church, about fifteen miles north of Vincennes. They had twelve children, viz: Austin Piety, b. Aug. ID, 1793 ; d. . Elizabeth Piety, b. Dec. 10, IT!)!; d. . James D. Piety, b. May 1, l?9(j ; d. . Sarah Piety, b. April (J, 1798 ; d. . Robert Piety, b. March 22, ISOO; d. . Thomas Piety, b. May K), ISOl ; d. . Margaret Piety, b. Jan. 8, 18U3 ; d. Samuel D. Piety, b. June 27, 1804; d. . Nancy Piety, b. Jan. 11, 1807 ; d. . William D. Piety, b. March 19, 1808; d. . Susan D. Piety, b. Nov. 16, 1811; d. . Polly Piety, b. Feb. 28, 1813, d. . Sarah Piety, (third child of Austin Piety, and his wife Sarah Police), is supposed to have been born about 17(59, and married about 1783 Benjamin Cox, who was born in 17G7 and was killed by Indians at the mouth of Indian Creek in 1823. He was only sixteen years of age, and she but 14, at the time of their marriage. They had eleven children, viz: Elizabeth Cox, b. , 1784, d. Nov. , 1838 ; married first Joseph Simpson, second Samuel Miller. Sarah Piety Cox, b. Jan. 9, 1785, d. Jan. 11, 18(30; d. s. p. single. Susannah Cox, b. Sept. 27, 1785, d. July 21, 1858; married Col. James Ballard, of Shelby County, Aug. 2, 1803. Gabriel Squire Cox, b. Aug. 7, 1789, d. Nov. 27, 1836; married Nancy Gaston (1815-1863). Isaac Cox, b. , d. . Joseph Cox, b. , d. , 1862 ; d. s. p. single. Jonathan P. Cox, b. Feb. 18, 1797, d. Feb. , 1874 ; mar- ried Rachel Lemen Tigert, March 6, 1817. Austin Piety Cox, b. , 1799, d. , 1861. John C. Cox, b. , 1801, d. , 1878; married Eliza Garrett, Feb. 18, 1830. Benjamin F. Cox, b. , d. , 1887 ; married Eliza- beth Shepherd. POLK F AMI LY AND KINS M E N 367 Fiiietta A. Cox, b. , 1807, d. Oct. 11, ls;2 ; married Elbridge Arnold, Dec. 6, 1831. Susannah, (third child of Benjamin Cox and wife Sarah Piety), b. Sept. 27, 1785, d. July 31, 1858, married Aug. 2, 1803, Col. James Ballard, of Shelby County, Ky. James Ballard was b. Aug. 15, 1763 in Spottsylvania County, Va., and d. on his farm near Shelbyville, Ky., March 26, 1849. He was a son of Bland Ballard, Jr., who w^as killed in an Indian massa- cre near Shelbyville, Ky., in 1788, and a brother of Alaj. Bland W. Ballard, the celebrated Indian fighter. He had been pre- viously married and by his first wife had a number of chil- dren. By his second wife, Susannah Cox, he had ten children, viz : Elizabeth Ballard, h. June 16, 1804, d. Aug. 9, 1839; mar- ried May 9, 1822, Robert Gregory, Shelby County, Ky., who died about 184:0, leaving three sons, the eldest of whom re- cently died in St. Louis. ]\Io. Benjamin Ballard, b. Jan. 1, 1806, married twice and lived in Shelby County, Ky., until 1836, when he removed to Green County, Ind., where he d. Oct. 4, 1844, leaving seven children. Paulina Ballard, b. July 19, 1807; married first her cousin, Benjamin C. Simpson, and afterwards Archibald Collings, and d. Oct. 4, 1881, in Nelson County, Ky., the mother of nine children. Thomas J. Ballard, b. Jan. 19, 1809, d. a bachelor, Nov. 10, 1852, in Shelbyville, Ky. Sarah Piety Ballard, b. ^lay 12, 1810, d. unmarried Oct. 10, 1834, in Shelbyville, Ky. William Henry Harrison Ballard, b. Oct. 29, 1812, twice married, and d. April 5, 1891, on his farm in Shelby County, Ky., the father of seven children. Andrew Jackson Ballard, b. Sept. 22, 1815. His descen- dants are given below. Barnett Ballard, b. Nov. 26, 1816, d. April 27, 1834. Whilst a cadet at the U. S. Military Academy at West Point, N. Y., he stood at the head of his class, and was a great favorite, his class mates erecting a monument over his grave at Shelby- ville, Ky. Bland Ballard, b. Sept. 4, 1819, d. July 29, 1879. He was one of the leading members of the Louisville Bar. At the out- 368 POLK FAMILY A N D K 1 X S M E N break of the Civil War he was a staunch L'nidii man, and was appointed by I'resident Lincohi as Judge ui the U. S. District Court for the District of Kentucky. During those strenuous times he administered justice with absolute impartiality re- gardless of personal danger in which he often stood, and lived to command the love and respect of all, some of his warmest friends being those who were opposed to him politically. He married Dec. K!, 1846, Aliss Sarah McDowell, of Louis\-ille, Ky., by whom he had six children, and d. July 2U, 1879. Josephus Ballard, the youngest child, 1). Oct. 2'A, 182;5, d. in infancy, Feb. 11», 182-i. Andrew Jackson Ballard, (son of James Ballard and his wife Susannah Cox), b. 1815, in Shelby County, Ky., was one of the leading members of the Louisville Bar, and at the out- break of the Civil War was a staunch Union man, and was appointed by President Lincoln, Clerk of the U. S. Circuit and District Courts for Kentucky which position he resigned in 1870 ; was at one time member of the Kentucky Legislature and declined a renomination. He married on April 27, 1848 Miss Frances Ann Thruston, of Louisville, Ky., by whom he had five children. He d. Aug. 17, 188.5. His children were: Charles Thruston Ballard, 1). June ;'), 1850. Is one of the most prominent business men of the City of Louisville. He married April 24, 1878, Miss Emilina Modeste (Mina) Breaux, of Xew Orleans, La., by whom he had eight children, five of whom are still living. Bland Ballard, b. Oct. 29, 1851, d. Aug. 15, 1852. Abigail Churchill Ballard, b. June 24, 1853, d. in Mentone, France, April 2, 1874, on the threshold of womanhood. Samuel Thruston Ballard, b. Feb. 11, 1855. One of the most prominent men of the city of Louisville. He married Jan. 25, 1883, Miss Sunshine Harris:, by whom he had four children, only one of whom is now living. Rogers Clark Ballard, b. Nov. G, 1858, adopted his mother's family name of Thruston, by order of the Fayette County iKy.) Court, on Oct. 27, 1884. He was for some years Assis- tant on the Kentucky Geological Survey, and has devoted most of his time to scientific and historical subjects. He is a bachelor and resides near Louisville, Ky. POLK FAMILY AND KI N S M E N 369 R. C. BALLARD THRUSTOX, Louisville, Ky., Descendant of Capt. Charles Polk. "the NEW YORK] PUBLIC LIIRARY' ASTCR, LFNOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK F AMI LY AND KI W S M E N 371 Capt. Charles Polk, having served as an officer in the fron- tier militia, while residing in Virginia, on arrival in Kentucky in 1780, at once took rank among his friends and neighbors as a man of high courage and capacity, tilling responsible civic and military positions in Kentucky, and later, also in Indiana, after he removed there in 180S. He was chosen as the first Representative from the County of Breckinridge, in the Ken- tucky Legislature, 1806-7, and immediately after the expira- tion of his term, followed his sons to Indiana Territory, where he became prominent in public affairs, under General William Henry Harrison. He settled in Knox County, near Mn- cennes. Here he lived the balance of his days, active in all that concerned the people, until his death in September 1823. The last regular session of the territorial legislature of Indiana was held at Corydon, in December 1815. On the llith a memorial was adopted praying Congress for authority to form a constitution and State government, which prayer was granted on April IGth, 1816, and approved by the President. In accordance therewith, an election was held to choose mem- bers of a convention to form a State Constitution. Two of the five members from Knox County chosen to this convention were \\'illiam Polke and Benjamin Polke ; and from the county of Perry the single representative was Charles Polke. The latter was a son of Edmond Polk, brother of Capt. Charles, and was born in 1782. Three of the Polks, therefore, helped to formulate and adopt the first constitution of Indiana. Born on the frontier of Maryland, and taking part in the exciting transactions of his day, during the great struggle be- tween the Red Men and Anglo-Saxon invaders of their do- main, Capt. Charles Polk was schooled to hardships and dan- gers that would have deterred men of a less resolute and ener- getic character. His acquaintance with the Indian character began in childhood, while his father was an Indian trader at the North Bend of the Potomac, and his whole life was de- voted, in a greater or lesser degree, to Indian transactions and experiences. His association with Simon Girty, at Fort Pitt, before the Revolution, established between them a friendship which later served him well in the recovery of his wife and chil- dren from capture. That act of Girty's, in behalf of Capt. 372 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Polk, constitutes one of the few humane acts known to have been done toward the whites b}' the "Frontier Butcher." SPOKE INDIAN TONGUE WELL. Charles Polk the Indian trader, being long associated with the Indians in the capacity of a trader, learned to speak their language fluently, as is attested by Capt. Christopher Gist, agent of the Ohio Land Company. In his journal, kept l)y him during his trip down the Ohio, commencing Xov. 4, 1T51, Gist says: "Set out 6 A. ]\I. and went to an Indian camp and invited them to the treaty at Logstown at the full of the moon in May next. At this camp there was a trader named Charles Polk, who spoke the Indian tongue well. Xemecotton, a chief, complained of the white people occupying lands granted to his father Chicoconnecon, and for which he had no pay. Said he: "This trader here, Charles Polke, knows the truth of what I say, that the land was granted to my father and that he or I never sold it, to which said Poke assented." On another page of Gist's Journal is the following: "Charles Polke's name appears in the list of Indian traders in 1734 (Colonial Archives, \'ol. 1, p. 425). On Alayo's Map of 1737 his name is marked w^ith those of four other settlers at the North Bend of the Potomac, where Han- cock, ^Id., now stands. (See also Colonial Records of Pa.) In 1774, he lived on Cross Creek, \\\ Va., about IG miles from the Ohio River, where Wellsville is now situated. He was still living in Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1799 (See his dep- osition in Appendix to Jefferson's "Notes on Virginia," 1801, p. 3GS." The above statement that Indian trader Chas. Polk was living" on Cross Creek in 1774, and moved to Kentucky, is a mistake. Indian trader, Chas. died in June 1753. His fourth son. Capt. Chas. Polk, moved to Cross Creek, married there Delilah Tyler, and came to Kentucky in 1780, settling in Nel- son County. In 1808 he moved to \^incennes, Ind., and died there in 1823. So Chas. Polk, trader, at Loggstown, was the father of Capt. Chas. the Indian fighter. POLK FAMILY A N D K INS M E N 373 POLK LAND ENTRIES IN KENTUCKY. In the list of early land entries made in Kentucky in pion- eer days, filed for record at St. Asaph's (Logan's) Station, in 1780, appears the following: "Charles Polke. by Thomas Polke. this day claimed a pre-emption of l.nOO acres of land at the State price, in the District of Kentucky, on account of marking and improving the same in the year of 1776, lying on Simpson's Creek, a branch of the Town Fork of Salt River, near the head thereof, to include his improvements. Satisfactory proof being made to the Court, they are of the opinion that the said Polke has a right of a pre-emption of l,Oi>0 acres of land, to include the above location, and that a certificate issue accordingly." "Richard Connor Idv Charles Polk, a claim of 1,000 acres, by virtue of improving the same in 177(5, adjoining land of Charles Polk on Simpson Creek." "Thomas Polk, 1,(miO acres, on account of making and improving same in 1776, lying on the dividing ridge between the Town Fork and Rolling Fork of Salt River, on the head of a branch of Cox's land," etc. "Arthur Poak, by Wm. McConnell, this day claimed a pre-emption of 1,000 acres of land at the vState price, in the District of Kentucky, on account of marking and improving the same in the year 1776. Rejected." Who this Arthur Poak was we know not. None of the Polk family records name an Arthur Polk, but it looks like he belonged to the Chas. Polk line, appearing in Kentucky about the time that Capt. Chas. and his brothers did. ^^'m. McConnell, who laid in the claim for him, was one of the founders of Lexington, and the tract he sought to enter for Arthur Poak was, no doubt, in Fayette County, near Lexing- ton. It will also be noticed that the tracts of Chas. Polk and his brother Thomas were "marked and improved in 1776." Therefore Charles and Thomas must have first come to Ken- tucky in that year, making locations on Simpson's Creek. Four years later, in 1780, they all came out to Kentucky and per- manently located on these tracts. 374 POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N CHAPTER XLVI. CAPTURE OF CAPT. CHAS. POLK'S FAMILY. (By Judge William Polk.) The following account of the capture, near Bardstown, Ky., in 1783, of the family of his father, was written many years ago by Judge William Polk, of Indiana, the eldest of the captured children, and pul)lished in The Advocate, a news- paper at Vincennes. William Polk, writer of this account of the captivity of his mother, shared it with her and was the little boy that they dressed in Indian apparel and styled him "the son of the chief." "Charles Polk, a young man, was among the early ad- venturers to western Virginia, on the upper branches of the Ohio River. Hence we find him in his country's service in 1774, in an expedition against the Indian village on the Scioto, and again with Lord Dunmore, in his celebrated campaign in the latter part of the same year. During the succeeding winter he married and settled as a farmer near what was then called the Mingo Bottom, on the Ohio River, some distance above Wheeling, where he con- tinued to reside with his family during the winter and improve his farm, in the spring removing them to the neighboring fort erected by the settlers for the protection of their families while they cultivated their farms, part performing the labor, while another part acted as spies and guards. Having had an improvement made in Kentucky by which he obtained a pre- emption claim, in what is now Nelson County, about seven miles east of Bardstown, he sold his farm for Continental bills (which depreciated in his liands) and in the spring of 1780, descended the Ohio River with his family, with the intention to settle on and improve his land. On landing at Louisville, finding his land so remote and the removal to it dangerous on account of Indian hostilities, at the invitation of his friend and comrade in the days of their boyhood, Col. William Linn, POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 375 one of the bravest among- the western sufferers, he settled at Linn's Station, about twelve miles from Louisville. During the summer Mr. Polk was frequently engaged, as was usual, in guarding against surprise, and in the pursuit of straggling parties of Indians who infested the settlements, and by that means obtained the confidence of his associates, so that they chose him Captain in the campaign which Gen. G. R. Clark led against the Shawnee towns on the Miami that year, and he acted a conspicuous part in the battle of the Pick- away, where the Indians were signallv defeated. Durino- the succeeding winter, he removed to his own land; on his arrival he found it occupied by a small band of emigrants from \'ir- ginia, who had previously settled there, erected a small fort for the security of their families, and cleared some land and had raised a fine crop of Indian corn the preceding year, not knowing that it was a pre-emption claim. Thus situated, he erected a cabin and commenced to improve sufficientlv near, in case of an alarm, to take protection in the fort ; hunting buffalo for the subsistence of his family and improving his farm to enable him to raise suflicient for their support the ap- proaching season. The early part of the year 1T61 passed off' without any serious alarm, until near midsummer, when a Mr. Ash, who, with a large family of sons, having settled a few miles off, alone, on the frontier, being on a visit with his wife and in- fant son at Capt. Polk's on their return early in the after noon, after proceeding about two miles, were met by one of their sons, an active lad of about twelve years of age, who in- formed his parents that while out at work in their corn field, the Indians had fired upon them and had either killed or taken all the rest of the family; he being a little distance from them, had escaped. The aff'licted parents forthwith returned. Cai^t. Pulk. immediately, with his family, took shelter in the fort, dis- patched a runner to the next fort, about four miles, to give the alarm and the same evening with a small party started in pursuit and shortly after dark they arrived at the scene of desolation. They found the eldest son, a young man, and the youngest and only daughter, slain. To their surprise, the 376 POLK F A M I L Y A N D K I N S M E N house had not been burned and on cautiously approaching it, they found the door fastened on the inside. Apprehensive of an ambuscade, they were about to examine, when the voice of a child inquired if it was his father and nidtl^'^'- that Had come. On their reply the child (»pened the door and informed them that he was asleep under the l^ed, wrapped in a buffalo liide to keep oiT the flies, and that seven or eight Indians came into the house and took off all the things they could carr}- \\\i\\ them. That when he was first awakened by their noise he was about to tell them his mother would be angry when she came home, Init that they looked so ugly he was afraid and lay still until after they were gone. Then he got up and fastened the door to keep them out until his father and mother should come home. The boy was al)uut five years old. Having thus learned the ijrubable numl^er of the enemy, next morning, on pursuing the trail, they found they had taken the remainder of the family, five sons, prisoners. With the force they bad, it was not thought prudent to attempt a pursuit, as it might lead to the massacre of their prisoners. They buried the dead and returned to the fort the same day. The remainder of the season passed without further mischief than straggling parties hovering around the settlement and stealing their horses, which from necessity were permitted to roam through the forests. Early in the morning, in the beginning of the spring of 17S2, four persons left the fort with horses loaded with salt for Harrodsburg, the next station, about thirty miles distant. Having traveled about five miles, they were attacked by about thirty Indians; fortunately but one man was wounded and he not dangerously. By instantly throwing cjff the loads and mounting their horses, after a warm pursuit they succeeded in regaining the fort. Expecting an immediate attack, the day and night succeeding was passed in repairing the fort and making such preparations for defense as was in their power. Fortunately, no serious attack was made. After remaining two or three days in the vicinity, stealing horses and killing cattle, the Indians dispersed in small bands for the purpose of stealing more horses from the neighboring fort. Captain POLK FAMILY A N D KIN S M E N Til Polk, with a small party, pursued one of these straggling bands, overtook them, killed their leader and recovered part of the stolen horses without loss. From this time the remainder of the summer passed off without any serious alarm until August, but the attack on Bryan's Station, near Lexington and the disastrous battle of Blue Licks on the 19th, spread general consternation throughout the country, as no one could conjecture where the next blow would be struck. About the time the in- telligence of these disasters was received in what was then termed the lower settlements in the vicinity of Louisville, a young man hunting buiifalo alone, about twenty-five miles from the nearest settlement, discovered on their march in the direction of the fort, in the vicinity of Louisville (as he sup- posed) about a hundred warriors. Not being discovered by the Indians, and being on horseback, he hastened to give the alarm and in a few hours apprised his friends of their danger. It may be proper here to state that the young man above named, still lives in Shelby County, Kentucky, now upwards of eightv years of age, the highly respected Maj. Bland \V. Ballard,\fterwards so well known in the Indian wars and who performed a conspicuous part in the late war, at the cele- brated but unfortunate battle of the River Raisin. Col. John Floyd, the officer in command, immediately started an express to give the alarm to the forts in the vicinity of Bardstown, and requesting assistance to meet the enemy, appointed the place of rendezvous nearly midway between the settlements, which were nearly thirty miles apart, on the evening of the next day, the 29th of August, 1782. Col. Isaac Cox the senior offtcer in these forts, early in the morning of that dav, sent an express to Capt. Polk, at the weakest and most frontier station in that direction ; and that same after- noon with what men could be spared from the defense of the fort he started for the appointed rendezvous, where he arrived the same evening about fifteen miles from the fort The arrangements of Col. Floyd were most judicious and prudent, as his position was such as to afford assistance to whichever of the settlements might be attacked. Early on the morning of the 30th. four of Capt. Polk s 378 POLK FA M I LY AND K I N S M E N men were directed to return to the fort, for the double pur- pose of acting as spies and of strengthening the fort should it be attacked. Two horsemen were directed to make a circuit entirely around the fort, so that they might discover the trail of the invaders, should they have taken that course ; the other two being footmen, were directed to take a more direct route. Unfortunately, the horsemen disobeyed their instructions and after traveling a few miles, made directly for the fort, where they arrived early in the afternoon, thereby quieting in part the alarm of the inhabitants. It was afterwards ascertained that had they pursued their route, as they were directed, they would have discovered the trail of the Indians in time to ha\'e advised Col. Floyd, so that he might have reached the Fort previous to its attack and capture. ATTACK ON THE FORT. On a clear and bright morning, the moon shining in her meridian splendor, the 31st of August, 1783, about one hour before the break of day, the first alarm to the unfortunate in- mates was the war-whoop of the Indians as they assailed the fort from diflferent quarters and obtained immediate posses- sion by climbing the walls and unroofing the cabins, descend- ing from the outside. One man defended his house until his wife and one child were killed, when seizing his other child, a boy about four years old. he made his escape. It was believ- ed that he killed one or two of the Indians. One man and the woman and child, were the only persons slain in the capture. Two white men, four women, and the lad Ash, who had escaped the previous year when his father's family was taken, made their escape in safety. This promising boy grew up highly esteemed and at the early age of 22 fell, bravely figliting for his country at St. Clair's defeat. The remaining inmates, about thirty in number, were taken prisoners and the fort burned. It was known for many years afterward as the "Burnt Station." On the evening of the day of the calamity. Col. Floyd was advised of the melan- choly occurrence. A cotincil was immediately assembled to consult what course would be proper to pursue, and the general opinion was in favor of an immediate pursuit. To POLK F AMI LY AND KI X S M E N 379 ♦his Capt. Polk strongly objected, urging that a pursuit would tend to the massacre of all the prisoners, as the Indians would keep scouts in their rear, on the retreat, so that a sur- prise could not be calculated upon ; and that as it was. it might be possible for him, some time, to recover his family. Known as he was for his determined bravery, perseverance and pati- ence, and from his amiable and conciliatory course, being universally beloved, a pursuit was not attempted. The Indians after taking whatever property of the in- habitants they could travel with, set the houses on fire and consumed the remainder and about daylight retired to their camps. Soon after sunrise, they commenced their retreat with their prisoners, in all about thirty, including Mrs. Polk and her four children, the eldest, William, a boy of seven years of age, the others daughters, the youngest two years old, and herself in that situation that but faint hopes could be entertained that she could bear the fatigue of a forced march through the wilderness, and her second son was born at Detroit, on the 2Tth of the ensuing October. On the first day of their captivity, circumstances occurred which, though of minor importance, it is believed, from wdiat w^as afterwards learned from the Indians, influenced their treatment to Mrs. Polk and her children, and probably was the means of pre- serving her life, which will be detailed in a manner that may appear tedious and unnecessary. The apology is that it is given as an illustration of the Indian character, to show that even among untutored savages there are traits of benevolence and humanitv that are worthv to be preserved. At the first assault on the fort, Mrs. Polk having her two youngest children in the same bed with her, immediately arose and taking a child under each arm attempted to wake up her two eldest children, liut before she succeeded the Indians broke into the house, seized her two children, hurried her dut, and shortly after to their camp, within about half a mile of the fort. After daylight, in looking over the encampment, she discovered all the prisoners except her own two children, from which she inferred that they had not l^een discovered in the darkness within the house, and been left to be consumed, as she saw them set the house on fire before they left the fort, 380 POLK FA M I LY AND KINS M E N which added much to her aft'lictiun that she had not succeeded 111 wakening them out of their sleep. It will here be proper to mention that the Indian Chief had arrived in the vicinity of the fort, previous to the departure of Capt. Polk and his men, and from their hiding places had witnessed his leaving for the purpose of joining Col. Floyd. One of the first inquiries in the morning after arriving at their encampment, was for the Chief's (Capt. Polk's) squaw and papooses. \\'hen pointed out to them, they appeared much pleased that they had taken them prisoners — said the white Chief would be much disappointed on his return to find his family all taken from him. I have heard Mrs. Polk say she could obse4-ve a. marked difference in the treatment of her children and others taken. On the second morning, they painted her son in Indian style, deco- rated him in feathers, and some Indian trinkets, and called liim "The Young Chief of the Long Knife," the name given the Kentuckians by the Indians of that day. Shortly after sunrise they commenced their march, Mrs. Polk carrying her youngest child, and Mrs. Ash, (whose fam- ily had been massacred the preceding year, as I have previous- ly named) carrying hers, only a few months old. After travel- ing a short distance, the Indians took their children from them, lor the purpose, as they supposed, of murdering them, and di- recting them to march, Mrs. Ash observing, if they killed her child she would go no further with them. They rapidly pur- sued their journey for about twelve miles, when they halted. In a short time, the Indian who had taken Mrs. Polk's child, came up to them and handed it to its mother, and, at the same time the two eldest came up and joined her for the first time since their captivity, which much relieved her anxiety on their account. Mrs. Ash repeated that as they had murdered her child she would go no further. Having crossed no stream of water thus far, Mrs. Polk, from her fatigue and thirst, was so exhausted that she could scarcely breathe. The Indians had brought with them many Avatermelons from the fort, and while refreshing themselves with them, she lield out her hand as a request for a part to re- lieve her thirst, which was answered by a general laugh and shout of approbation, and some ten or twelve of them handed POLK FAMILY AND KI X S M E N 3gl her slices which she divided among the prisoners around her, offering Airs. Ash a part, saying it would relieve, her thirst, which she refused by a shake of the head, without speaking. The Indians countenances immediately changed to anger; they began a conversation among themselves, when one came forward, stripped her of part of her upper garments, and in a few minutes started the prisoners, making signs to Mrs. Ash to take her child, a boy two years old and march. After they had proceeded a short distance they distinctly heard the toma- hawk strike her head. She uttered a scream simultaneous with their war-whoop, and all w'as silent. They continued their march until near sunset traveling this day about thirty miles before they encamped for the night. The Indian claiming Airs. Polk and her youngest child as his prisoners, being of a surly temper, proposed killing her that night, saying she could not travel as far next day as they wished to go, to which proposal his brother, of a more humane disposition, objected and pro- posed to defer the council until the next evening and was join- ed bv two or three others, who assigned as a reason why she should be saved, the circumstances of the watermelons, as re- lated above. The next morning the Indian who had first proposed sav- ing her life, in the council of the preceding evening, by signs informed her that in two days they would cross the big water, as they called the Ohio River, where they had horses, and she then should ride. Thus encouraged and stimulated to go as far as she could, a mother's desire to know what would be the fate of her children, the second day passed off as the first, by a rapid march, and contrary to her expectations she made the journey as the day before. The same Indian who had in- terceded for her in council the previous evening, again pre- vailed in suspending a decision until the next evening. The third day passed off in the same manner, until late in the afternoon, when within a few hundred yards of the Ohio river, her foot slipped in a small hole in the ground and being unable to extricate herself, she quietly sat down to await her fate, which she believed w^ould be immediate death. Her ill- disposed master, with a slight kick and surly voice, ordered her to march. She shook her head, signifying she could not. 382 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN He immediately drew his tomahawk frum his scabbard and raised it over her head, for the purpose of dispatching his vic- tim at a single blow, but his more humane brother, who was immediately behind him, caught it in his hand as he drew it back and commenced a conversation in an earnest tone of remonstrance, which Mrs. Polk thought continued two or three minutes, before he let go of the tomahawk, which the other then returned to its scabbard and passed on, while her preserver remained and assisted her to rise and proceed to their bark canoes, in which they had crossed the river in then- advances and concealed a short distance up the Kentucky River, above it junction with the Ohio. He assisted her on board, and observing her feet and legs much swelled, he took his knife and ripped open her moccasins, which they had given her to put on at the commencement of the journey, and wdiich, on account of the swelling, could not be gotten off in any other way. On taking them off, her toe nails came off with a long portion of the skin on the bottom of her feet, which appeared to excite the sympathy of the Indians in the canoe. He then directed her to bathe her feet by pour- ing water on them wdiile crossing. Having crossed over, he assisted her up the bank and brought her child and blanket to her ; then went and brought some oil, or rather, marrow, pro- cured from the bones of buffaloes, which a few Indians wdio had been left to hunt and take care of the canoes had procured, and directed her to rub her feet with the marrow. He then handed her a large, soft pair of moccasins to put on, after which he said she could sleep and would be better in the morn- ing. From her pain and sufferings, she had but little hopes of living to see the morning light, but to satisfy the kind In- dian who appeared to take such an interest in preserving her life, she did as he directed, and, contrary to her expectations, the remedies applied so far relieved her that, for the first night during her captivity, she slept soundly and was so far relieved that I, for many years afterwards, often heard her declare that the wdiole scene of that afternoon and night still appeared to her a most extraordinary and miraculous interpo- sition of divine goodness for her preservation. On the same evenino-, the Indians held another council to POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 383 decide on her fate, believing that she could not live to travel to their villages. At this council an elderly Indian who had not before interfered was the first to object, saying she had lived and traveled so far that he believed the Great Spirit would not permit them to kill her and if they attempted it he would be angry with them and they could not prosper. Be- ing joined by others, his advice prevailed and from this time they gave over all thought of killing her under any circum- stances. This day being the fourth of their captivitv, they traveled but a few miles before they arrived at a camp, where a few old men had remained to hunt during their absence on their war excursion, where they remained the balance of this day; and here were the horses which had been named to ]\Irs. Polk as an encouragement for her to pursue the journey. From this point, the next morning being the fourth of Sep- tember, the Indians separated into small bands for the con- venience of hunting for their support on their journey, J\Irs. Polk and her two youngest children being attached to one band and her eldest two belonging to another, they were sep- arated, much to the grief of the afflicted mother. The party with Airs. Polk proceeded to their villages on the Auglaize River, where they arrived on the tenth of Sep- tember, wdiere, after remaining four days, they started for De- troit with their prisoners, retaining the youngest daughter, as they informed her, to raise as one of their own squaws, which much increased her grief. At the Rapids of the Miami, or Roche de Bout as it was called, they rested one day. Here was a trader from Detroit, who had been acquainted with Capt. Polk previous to the commencement of the Revolutionary A\'ar, to whom the Indians related the result of their council in determining on Airs. Polk's case, who informed her there- of and pointed out to her the Indian who so eloquently plead in her behalf at the last council. While waiting here the Indians came up with Airs. Polk's son, having disposed of her daughter to the Shawnees at one of their villages in the vicin- itv of Piqua, on the Great Aliami, she having been taken sick; and, as they said, they were afraid she would die on the jour- ney and they would get nothing for her. From here they proceeded to Detroit, where they arrived about the 25th of 384 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN September, and gave up such prisoners as they brought with them to Col. De Peyster, the commander of the British forces at that point, who treated them with the kindest attention and humanity. In his speech to the Indians, he stro'ngly insisted on their bringing in such prisoners as they had retained, nam- ing in particular Mrs. Polk's two children, which they had sep- arated from their mother and strongly remonstrated against their practice of murdering women and children. Such was Col. De Peyster's general character for benevolence and humanity, that the prisoners compared him to a kind and in- dulgent parent in his treatment to his children. A comfortable house was provided for Mrs. Polk and her two children, in common with a small and excellent family of prisoners who had been taken by Col. Bird in his celebrated expedition against Ruddell's and Martin's Stations in Ken- tucky in the year 1780, where she lived as comfortably as the nature of the case would permit. But the situation of her two children left with the Indians, her anxiety on their account, and her sufferings and exposure on the journey, had much impaired her health, so that fears were entertained for her life. But a short time after her ar- rival, on the 27th of October, her second son was born, after which her attention to her infant so engrossed her mind, to- gether with the assurance of Col. De Peyster, the commander, and Col. McKee, the Superintendent of the Indian Department, that they would procure the release of her children from the Indians, she became more reconciled to her situation and her health improved. By industry and economy with the use of her needle, she was supplied with provisions by the British Government. She lived much more comfortably during the winter than could have been anticipated. Early in the spring messengers were dispatched to the Indian country by Colonels DePeyster and McKee, in search of her children and such others of the prisoners as the Indians had retained, and on the first of July she had the pleasure of receiving her children un- der her own maternal care, where we wnll leave them in the full enojyment of their happiness for the present and return to Capt. Polk. No immediate pursuit of the Indians having been at- POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 335 tempted, fearing it would lead to a massacre of the prisoners, Capt. Polk, with a few friends about ten days afterwards, fol- lowed on the trails with a view of ascertaining, if practicable, the fate of the prisoners. He found the remains of three child- ren and Mrs. Ash, who were the only prisoners murdered after they left the fort. From the decayed teeth, he was enabled satisfactorily to ascertain that it was not ]\Irs. Polk who had been murdered. General George Rogers Clark having determined on a campaign against the Shawnee villages on the Great Miami, Capt. Polk was among the first to approve of the measure and he commanded a company in that expedition. The Indians having discovered the advance of Gen. Clark's army, a few miles from their villages, fled without making any resistance, so that but few were either killed or taken prisoners. Detach- ments were sent in pursuit to destroy the dififerent villages and their corn and vegetables, being the only method whereby they could be made to feel the distress of war. Capt. Polk took an active part in these excursions, in hopes of recovering some of his family, but was disappointed ; a few prisoners were taken and their villages destroyed. In one of these excursions, Col. AIcKee, the Superintendent of the Indian Department, narrowly escaped being captured, as he afterwards informed Capt. Polk, when at Detroit after his family. On the return of Gen. Clark to his headquarters at Louis- \illy. Ky., he was advised there were strong hopes during the winter of peace being confirmed. He immediately dispatched a messenger with a flag, accompanied by one of his Indian prisoners, with a letter to Col. McKee, proposing an exchange of prisoners ; first of all to release Capt. Polk's family ; after- wards such other prisoners as Col. ]\IcKee might select. Capt. Polk's family, not being under Indian contnil, he could not comply with Gen. Clark's request. He detained the messenger until he could send a letter by express to Col. De Pey^tcr. the commander at Detroit, who, on receipt of the letter, immedi- ately sent for :\Irs. Polk, communicated to her the intelligence received, and the contents of Gen. Clark's letter, at the same time informing her that he could not accede to his proposal for her and her familv to return to the Indian country, as she 386 POL K F A M I LY AND KI N S M E N was now safe, and he could not trust the Indians ; and should any accident happen he would be blamed, and should himself ieel as if he had been accessory to the massacre of her and her children; that he fully believed peace would be restored during the ensuing summer and that Capt. Polk could then safely come for his family; that he would then with pleasure render him the necessary assistance, and advised her to write to her husband and the letter should be sent with his own to General Clark. Mrs. Polk then named a general order that had been re- cently issued, directing all the prisoners at that fort to prepare to proceed by the first conveyance to Niagara, on their return to their own country, stating that those who remained behind would not be supplied with provisions from the King's stores, and informed him she could not possibly support herself and children by her own labor. He then assured her she need have no fears on that account, as the general order was in- tended for the idle and dissolute among the prisoners, of wdiich he was sorry to say there were too many, and not to drive off helpless women and children. He again assured her that he would send into the Indian country and have her children brought in and given up to her, all of which promises he punctually performed. Mrs. Polk, as advised, wrote to her husband, which conveyed to him the first certain intelligence of the situation of his family. Early in the spring. Col. De Peyster was advised of peace, and was instructed to restrain Indian hostilities on the frontier settlements, and so far succeeded that they were peaceable during the year. In the summer following the capture of his family, Capt. Polk ascended the Ohio River to obtain some assistance from his friends, who had promised him aid in recovering his family. And as the safer route to Detroit was through the Indian country, he procured a pass- port, which was indispensably necessary, from Gen. Irwin, who then commanded at Pittsburg. In company with Jona- than Zane. of Wheeling, Va., as his guide, they proceeded through the wilderness to Upper Sandusky, to the residence of the celebrated Simon Girty, so well known at that day as tlie most active partisan leader of the Indians in their wars on POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E N 387 the frontier settlements. They were received with friendship by Girty, and treated with Indian hospitahty for two days, while they remained at Sandusky. Air. Zane had been the guide the preceding year, to the unfortunate expedition of Col. Crawford, whose melancholy fate at the time excited so much sympathy throughout the country. After con^'ersing freely with ]\Ir. Zane on the subject, Girty advised him (as it was generally known among the Indians that he had been the guide to Col. Crawfordj not to proceed any further, but to return immediately, as in his opinion it would not be safe to travel through the Indian country, and promised to send a trusty Indian as a guide with Capt. Polk to Detroit, and would be responsible for his safety. On the third morning after their arrival at Sandusky, they separated ; Air. Zane to return home, and Capt. Polk, in company with his Indian guide, pursued his journey to De- troit, where he safely arrived, the tenth of October, and where he had the satisfaction of meeting all of his family in good health, thirteen months and a few days from the date of their captivity. The humane and benevolent Col. De Peyster reluctantly consented to grant Capt. Polk's passport to return through the Indian country, fearing he might be interrupted by hunt- ing parties of Indians he might encounter on his journey. .At the earnest request of Capt Polk, he consented, sending a con- fidential officer as far as Sandusky, with a speech to the Wyandotte chiefs, to warn their young men not to m.olest them while passing through their country. ]\Iany other itris- oners wished to accompany him on his return, but the c-ni- mander would not permit any except the family of Mr. Whit.% who had resided in the same house with Mrs. Pulk, and three small daughters were taken, and the son of the only man killed at the taking of the fort, whose wife escaped in c om- panv with the widow lady above named, leaving her three small children who were taken : the two youngest were mur- dered after they had left the fort, which children Col. De Pey- ster put under his care to convey to their parents, furnishing them with good clothing, and making a present of a horse and saddle to the eldest daughter, about eleven years of age, who 388 POLK F A M I L Y A N D KINS M E N had lived in his family and been treated as one of his own children. On the loth of October, Capt. Polk commenced his journey on his return. At Sandusky he remained two days, waiting for Thomas Girty, a brother of Simon, who was on a visit to his brother, as it was believed his company would add to the safety of the party. As a further precautionary mat- ter, he employed an aged Delaware Indian as a guide, and a younger relation of the old man as a hunter. From Sandusky Simon Girty accompanied them a few miles, passing over the battlefield of the late lamented Col. Crawford, pointing out the different movements of the enemy, saying that had Col. Crawford continued the pursuit ten minutes longer, at the commencenvent of the battle, he would have defeated them, as at the time he stopped the advance troops (which he did, fearing an ambuscade), the Indians were about commencing a general retreat. The writer has a perfect recollection of this conversation, though only eight years of age at that time. No particular accident happened on the journey through the wilderness, but their progress was slow and fatigueing, as the children that were of sufficient ability had to walk. Early in November he arrived among his friends, who resided near the Ohio River, in what is now Brook County, Virginia, and prepared for descending the same, and safely landed at Louis- ville, Ky., on the evening of the 24th of December, 1?S3. From thence he removed to his late cabin, which, being some dis- tance from the fort, had escaped conflagration. Having by the captivity of his family, expenses in recovering them, and the destruction of his property, been reduced to poverty, he had to sell the largest portion of his land for what it would bring to enable 'him to commence again as a farmer. And havings received no compensation for his services, as Captain in the two expeditions under Gen. Clark, and at that time in the West, there being but little expectation of e\er receiving any thus situated, he assigned his claims on tlie Government for $'200 or $220 w-orth of goods, at an extrava- gant price, being all he ever received in a pecuniary point of view, for all his services and sufferings for his country; yet POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 339 none rejoiced more in her independence, or complained less of the hardships endured. By industry and frugality, he lived to raise a large family of children, who with their descendants, chiefly reside in the States of Indiana and Ken- tucky. Mrs. Polk died at the birth of her twelfth child, in Shelby County, Kentucky, on the 7th day of June, 1797. Capt. Polk kept his family together, until several of the eldest children married and removed to Indiana, where he followed them, living among his children as a patriarch of old, beloved and respected by all his acquaintances, and died as he had lived, with Christian resignation and composure on September 11, 1823, in the 76th year of his age. I have often regretted that more has not been preserved of the early history of the frontier portion of our country. At the request of some friends I have been induced to furnish a plain and unvarnished tale of the captivity of my father's family, as a tribute of respect to my revered parents, and as a drop in the bucket added to the general history of the privations and sufferings of the western pioneers. WILLIAM POLK. 390 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTP]R XLVII. JUDGE WILLIAM POLK, SON OF CAPT. CHAS. POLK. The descendants of Capt. Charles Polk and his wife, Delilah Tyler, constitute one of the most numerous branches of the Polk family and they are, and have been, residents of nearly every State and Territory in the Middle West and Trans-Mississippi States and Territories. And wherever found they are generally people of prominence, socially and otherwise. Judge William Polk eldest of the four children captured with their mother at Kincheloe's Station in Nelson County, in 1782, and who left the foregoing account of that event, was I'Orn on Cross Creek, Virginia (now West Virginia), Septem- ber 19, 1775, a year notable in the annuals of America. Judge William Polk was therefore five years of age when Capt. Charles Polk, his father, moved from Cross Creek, Va., to Kentucky; and, from the cradle on through a great part of his life, he was in constant contact with Indians and frontier civilization. He and his little sister Elizabeth were the only children of their parents at the time they left Virginia, the others all ])eing born in Kentucky. As William grew to manhood he was given advantage of the best schools in Nel- son County and he was an industrious pupil. After reaching manh(jod, he studied law and was admitted to practice. In the War of 1812 he commanded a company in Major Touissant Dubois' battalion of Kentucky ^lounted Spies, and his brother, Thomas, was a member of his company. Born and raised on the border, they were well equipped for such service against the savages. Settling in Knox County, Indiana, Capt. William Polk soon rose to ]:)rominence among the people, by reason of his talents and military services. He is said to have taken part in the battle of Tippecanoe in isil, and his gallant brother- in-law, Cajjt. Spier Spencer, who had married his sister, Elizabeth, fell in that hard-fought engagement. POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E N 391 Indiana was admitted into the Federal Union as a State in 1816. To the convention which formed the constitution of the new State, composed of leading men from each county, Knox County sent John Johnson. John Badollet. John Bene- field, Capt. William Polke, and Benjamin Polke. Perry County sent one representative. Rev Charles Polke, son of Edmond Polke. and also an officer in the Indian War. Speak- ing of these representatives Dunn's Indiana edition of "Amer- ican Commonwealths" Series, says: "The Knox Countv del- egation was the strongest of all in ability, and though it was m a hopeless minority on the party questions that divided the convention, it did a large part of the convention work and w^as entitled to much of the credit for the result." ■ JUDGE WILLIAM POLK AND FAMILY. Judge William Polk, eldest son of Capt. Charles Polk (and also eldest of the four children captured with their mother in Kentucky in 1783), died in Knox County. Indiana, April 26, 18-13. In 1806 he moved from Xelson County Ken- tucky to Knox County. His first wife is said to have been Sally Ashby, of Kentucky, and his second Sarah Cooper. By the latter he had : ^Delilah, b. . d. . married Hans- brough ; -Esther, b. . d. . married H. D. \\'heeler ^Susan. b.- . d. . married G. Lindsay; '^Cynthia, b. d. . married W. D. Shepherd; ■\-\dam G. Polk, b. d. . married Caroline Burnside ; ''Xancv. b. . d. married Hyacinthe Lasalle Jr.; 'Polly b. 1810, d. Jan. 11, 1892 married Judge Jno. B. Xiles of Laporte. Ind. ; ^Benjamin b. , d. , family untraced. (Benjamin was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1816.) ; ''W'm. Tyler b. . d. , family untraced ; ^''Christiana, b. , d. married 13r. Andrews; ^^Eleanor, 1). , d. , untraced. Judge William Polk was a man of distinguished ability, of great influence among his fellows, and stood in the highest esteem with all who knew him. He was also one of the commissioners of the [Michigan Road, and was Register of the Land Office at Fort Wayne at the time of his death. The information furnished to the author about Judge Wm. Polk's marriage is somwhat conflicting. One statement 392 POL K F A M I L Y A N D KINS M E N is that he first married SalHe Ashley, in Nelson County, Ken- tucky. Another is that he married Sarah Cooper. It is pos- sible that he married both of them, Miss Ashby, first. Miss Cooper last. ELIZABETH (POLK) SPENCER. Capt. Spier Spencer, b. , was killed Nov. 7, 1811, at the battle of Tippecanoe. His wife, Elizabeth (Polk) Spencer (a daughter of Capt. Charles Polk and Delilah (Tyler) Polk), was born at Cross Creek, Va., in 1777 and when a child of three years came with her parents to Kentucky, settling in Nelson County, on Simpson's Creek, where she, her brother. William, her sisters Sally and Nancy, and her mother, were captured by Indians, Sept. 1, 1782, and carried to Detroit. Elizabeth was iborn, raised and married on the frontier, and all her early life was in contact with Indians. She essen- tially was a "frontier maiden," and growing to womanhood in Kentucky, was married at sixteen years of age, Feb. 12, 1793, to Spier Spencer, of Nelson County member of a prominent family of that neighborhood. Between the years of 1800 and 1810, nearly all of the children and near kinsmen of Capt. Charles Polk emigrated to Indiana, most of them settling in Perry and Knox Counties. and at other points adjacent. The greater part of them settled in the latter county, near Vincennes, at that time the chief military post on the frontier. With Capt. Charles Polk and children also went Spier Spencer and wife, and all of the family took prominent parts in the affairs of the Territory up to and including its admis- sion as a State in 1816. General Wm. Henry Harrison was the Governor and Military Commander of the Territory during that period, and around him were gathered the ablest and bravest of the pio- neers. Among these were Capt. Charles Polk, his several sons, and his sons-in-law, Capt. Spier Spencer and Capt. Wm. Bruce. These two latter, together with several of Capt. Charles Polk's sons, took part in the battle of Tippecanoe, Nov. 7, 1811 — the real beginning of the War of 1812 — and in that fierce conflict Capt. Spencer was killed while fighting POLK FAMILY A N D K I A' S M E N 393 with great gallantry at the head of his rifle company. So conspicuous were his services that the counties of Spencer, in Kentucky and in Indiana, were named in his honor. This battle was a crushing defeat of the savages, led by The Prophet, who, with his brother, Tecumseh, was then en- gaged in organizing a great coalition of the savages. North and South, with the view of expelling the whites from all parts of the West. In this battle, besides a few United States troops and the Indiana Alilitia companies, were a number of men from Ken- tucky under Col. Joseph Hamilton Daviess, and this gallant officer also fell a short distance from where Capt. Spencer was killed, after being twice wounded and trying to rise again. Richard Collins, the Kentucky historian, speaking of the gallant conduct of Capt. Spencer, under the head of Spencer County, says : "This county was named in honor of Capt. Spier Spencer, a young man of ardent patriotism and undaunted courage, who fell at the head of his company in the battle of Tippecanoe. He commanded a fine rifle company in that severe engage- ment, and occupied a most exposed position. In the midst of the action, he was wounded on the head, but continued at his post, and exhorted his men to fight on. Shortly after he re- ceived a second ball, which passed through both thighs and he fell, but still resolute and unyielding, he refused to be car- ried from the field, and urged his men to stand to their duty. By the assistance of one of his men he was raised to a sitting posture, when he received a third ball through his body, which mstantly killed him. Both of his Lieutenants, Messrs. Mc- Mahan and Berry, were also killed. Capt. Spencer was a warm friend and bosom companion of the gifted and gallant Daviess, who perished with him in the battle." Col. Joseph Hamilton Daviess was a former citizen of Lexington, Ky., and a fine portrait of him, executed by a dis- tinguished artist, hangs in the Masonic Lodge in that city. General Harrison, in his accounts of the intrepidity of the savages at Tippecanoe, said: "The Indians manifested a ferocity uncommon even in them." By the death of Capt. Spier Spencer, his wife. Elizabeth, 394 POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N was left to the sole care and raising of a family of eight child- ren, who grew to manhood and womanhood and became highly respected and most worthy citizens, uniting in marriage with some of the best people in the state. CHILDREN OF CAPT. SPIER SPENCER. By his wife, Elizabeth Polk, Capt. Spencer had the f^^.l- lowing issue: ^George, b. , d. , married ; -'William, b.^ , d. married Caroline Bell ; ^James, b. , d. , married; •*Nancy, b. March 15, 1791, d. , married Daniel Bell, Dec. 24, 1811; ^Jane, b. , d. , married Milo R. Davis ; ^Matilda b. , d. , married General and United States Senator John B. Tipton; "Delilah, b. — — , d. , mar- ried James B. Slaughter; ^Sarah, b. Jan. 13, ISUD, d. July 3, 1885. married Geo. P. R. Wilson, a son of Joshua Wilson of Kentucky, who settled at Corydon, prior to 1816. Delilah Spencer and James B. Slaughter hal the following children : ^William, b. , d. , married Caroline Pell ; -Priscilla, b. , d. , married Golden ; ^Sarah, b. , d. , married Samuel J. Wright They had two children that lived, James E. and Sarah Wright. James E. married Miss Didelotte and Sarah marriad David M. Rowland. The latter had but one child, Mary Rowland, who married William C. Adams of Corvdon. Thomas C. Slaughter married Katherine Jordan and has issue : ^James L. married Lillian Le Mon ; -Harriet married Andrew M. Jones ; ^Clara married William B. demons ; ^Kate married Harry McGrain. Sarah Spencer, by her husband, Geo. P. R. Wilson, had issue : ^James S. married Jane Davis ; -Alary E. married Sam- uel J. Wright (his second wife, the first being Sarah Slaugh- ter) ; ^Joshua T. married Mary C. Jordan ; '^George S. married Sarah Burnett; ^Rosa married Charles H. Reader; •''Fanny and Kitty are unmarried. Joshua T. Wilson and Mary C. Jordan had issue : ^Carrie ; -Lennie; "^Thomas J.; '^Tilla ; ^Kate ; ^Otway D. ; ^Jennings B. ; ^Sidney C. : "George S. ; ^^Bertha. Only Thonias J.. Tilla, Otway D., Jennings B. and George S. are living. POLK FA M I LY AND Kl A' S M E N 395 SALLY (POLK) BRUCE'S DESCENDANTS. James Bruce, accompanied by his brother, George, came from Scotland to America in 17^:5, and settled at Winchester, Va. His wife's maiden name was Margaret McAIahon. From Winchester they moved to the North Branch of the.- Potomac, in Maryland, where a large family was born to them. One of the sons, ^^'illiam Bruce, married ]Mrs. Polly (Lucas) Perciful. Soon after marriage William moved to the Monongahela, set- tling at the mouth of Peter's Creek — "the new store" — now Elizabethtown. Indians prowled throughout that region and forts were the refuge of the people generally, being the only place of safety. During the Revolutionary War, William was frequently called on to perform military service. He was stationed at a place called Catfish (named for an Indian Chief) near Red- stone. He occupied the position of Lieutenant in a company of frontier militia. His next service was under General George Rogers Clark, commanding a company under that great sol- dier in the Illinois campaign of 1777, by which campaign all the territory between the Lakes, the Ohio and the Mississippi were transferred to the American flag. He was still in the service at Louisville in 1784. Leaving Kentucky, Major Wm. Bruce took part under Harrison, as did his brother-in-law, Capt. Spier Spencer and several of the Polks, in the l:)attle of Tippecanoe. Alajor Bruce was married October 23, 1798, to Sally Polk, third child of Capt. Charles Polk and his wife, Delilah Tyler, of Nelson County. Kentucky, and died April 23, 1855, at Bruce- ville, Ind., leaving many descendants. By his first wife, Sallie Polk, he had twelve children, and also a number by his second wife Hettie Richie Holmes. CHILDREN OF CAPT. WM. BRUCE AND WIFE. (1) Charles Bruce, b. , d. .married first Ange- line Wright, of Ohio, by whom he had three children. His second wife was Nancy P. Harrison, of Montgomery County, bv whom he had ten children. 396 P O LK F A M I L Y AND KINSMEN (2) William D., b. , d. , married Betsy Polk. They had six children. (3j Delilah, b.— — , d. , married Rachael Chambers, by whom he had nine children. His second wife was the Widow Light. (5) Mary (Polly), b. , d. . married Squire Bruce, of Ogle County, Illinois. Twelve children. (6) Elizabeth (Betsy) Bruce, b. , d. , married John La Follette. Putnam County, Ind., twelve children. (7) Lucinda b. Feb. 7, 1809, d. Feb. 21, 1870, married John Henderson Scroggin, of Knox County, Indiana, and they had six children. The Scroggins moved from Kentucky to Indi- ana. ^Joseph Hamilton, b. May 17, 1836, d. ; nVilliam Bruce, b. Sept. 3, 1838, d. June 4, 1857; ^Henry Harrison, b. Sept. 11. 18-10, d. ; ^Geo. Wilson, b. May 5, 1842, d. ; ^Sally Jane b. Jan. 3, 1845, married Dec. 20, 1868, James Wm. Clark, of Nebraska. Four children. When the Civil War began in 1861 three of the sons of John Plenderson enlisted in the Union Army — Joseph H., Henry H. and George. Six months afterward, Henry sickened and died. Joseph H. also fell ill, was in the hospital for over a year, and was discharged. George served over three years, but at the battle of Nashville, where Thomas defeated Hood, De- cember 15, 1864, he was severely wounded and died a few days later. Sally Jane Scroggins and her husband, James W. Clark, who was born Oct. 4, 1846, had issue: ^Geo. Edgar, b. -, Oct. 13, 1869 ; 2Addie Lucinda, b. May 19, 1872 ; ^Rebecca Maude, b. Dec. 10, 1874; ^Edith Caroline b. Dec. 10. 1876; ^Ashby Bruce, b. Oct. 3, 1879, d. Nov. 13, 1880. JOSEPH HAMILTON SCROGGIN'S FAMILY. Joseph Hamilton Scroggin, b. May 17, 1836, married, 1867, Nancy Gano, b. July 24, 1837. They had: ^Mattie Bruce, b. Feb. 15, 1868; ^^ucinda May, b. Nov. 28, 1869; ^George Washington, b. Dec. 12, 1871; ^Sally Ann, b. Oct. 17, 1873 ; sRosa, b. July 10, 1875. Capt. Joseph Scroggin, by birth an Irishman, was an of- ficer in the English Navy at a time when it was assisting POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 397 Spain in one of her wars. While in Spain he met and became enamored with the Princess Fantalina, eldest daughter of Philip v.. first Bourbon "King of Spain. Philip was a grand- son of Louis XIV of France and Maria Louise Gabriella of Savoy. Capt. Scroggin eloped with the Princess to England, where he married her and came to America in 1714, landing at Baltimore. Receiving grants of land, he settled at Snow Hill, ^Maryland, where both of them died, leaving one child, Joseph Scroggin, Jr.. born K15. Joseph Scroggin, Jr., married in 1740, in Maryland, Sarah Ann Caldwell, whose sister. Martha was the mother of Hon. John C. Calhoun, distinguished as an American Statesman. Joseph and Sarah Ann (Caldwell) Scroggin had a family of thirteen children, viz.: ^Xancy, b. May 13, 1711; -Capt. John, 1). Xov. 13, 1743; ^'-Mary, b. Xov. 13, 1745; ^Joseph, b. June 17 1747 ; ^Samuel, b. June 14, 1749 ; ^Sarah, b. Sept. 14, 1750;'Robt. Caldwell, b. ilarch 1. 1753; ^William, b. April 24, 1755; "Mildred, b. June 15. 1757; I'^Philip, b. Sept. 5, 1751); "Annie Caldwell, b. June 18, 1761; i-Thomas Clark, b. July 4, 1762; i^'Matilda, b. August 21, 1764. Sarah Ann (Caldwell) Scroggin, mother of the foregoing children, died Dec. 31, 1770: Capt. John Scroggin, second child of Joseph and Sarah Ann Caldwell was an officer in the Revolutionary War. He married (in 1767) Eunice Jane Polk, daughter of John Polk, of Deleware, second son of Ephriam Polk, 1st, who was the third son of Capt. Robert Bruce Polk and wife, Magdalen. In Xovember, 1793. in company with a number of kins- men. Ephraim Polk, 3rd, the Morris', Xutters', Hopkins', and others he emigrated to Kentucky, all settling not far from each other in the present counties of Fayette, Harrison, Bourl)on, Woodford and Scott, where they have many descendants. Many of the latter emigrated to Missouri, Indiana, Illinois and other Western territories, but a large number of their descendants are still to be found in Kentucky. Being descended from a daughter of King Philip \' of Spain, the Scroggins are probably the only family in Kentucky descended from roval blood. 398 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N CAPT. JOHN SCROGGINS' FAMILY. ^Elizabeth, b. Oct. 10, ITGS; -William, b. Jan. 29, 1770; ^Samuel, b. Dec. 30, 1771; ^John, b. May 12, 1774; ^Sarah Ann Caldwell, b. Oct. 9, 1776 ; ^Joseph, b. Feb. 9, 1779 ; ^Levin Polk, b. March 26, 1782. Joseph, the sixth child of John and Eunice Jane (Polk) Scroggin, married Nancy Jane Holmes, a sister of Hetty R. Bruce, and they emigrated to Knox County, Indiana, locating at Bruceville, near Vincennes, where they have many prom- inent descendants at this day, as also many Bruce kinsmen. Joseph died Nov. 4, 1S43, and his wife, Nancy (born Aug. 20, 1783), died died Dec. 8, 1846. They had the following child- ren: ^Eunice, b. July 23, 18(i7, in Kentucky, died young; 2John Henderson, b. Feb. 6, 1809, d. March 3, 1848; HVm. Weston, b. Dec. 7, 1810, d. unmarried, Oct. Id, 1842; ''Ann Elizabeth, b. March 28, 1873, d. unmarried; ^Josiah Love, b. April 8, 1815, d. unmarried ; "^Sallie Jane, b. Feb. 16, 1818, mar- ried , and had a son ; '^Hetly, b. June 15, 1820, d. unmarried; ^'Nancy Ann, b. May 23, 1823, died unmarried; ^Joseph D., b. Dec. 20, 1825. John Henderson Scroggin married Lucinda Bruce, a daughter of Capt. Wm. Bruc'e and his wife, Sallie Polk, daugh- ter of Capt. Charles Polk and Delilah Tyler. Lucinda Bruce Scroggin died Feb. 21, 1870. John Henderson Scroggin and wife had issue: ^Joseph Hamilton, b. May 17, 1836; ^Wm. Bruce, b. Sept. 3, 1838, d. June 4, 1857; ^Henry Harrison, b. Sept. 11, 1840; ^George Wilson, b. May 5, 1842; ^Sallie Jane, b. Jan. 3, 1845, married James Wilson Clark and lives in Nebraska. They have four children. OF SCOTCH-IRISH BLOOD. Col. John W. Polk, of Kansas City, Mo., son of Robert Tyler Polk, and grandson of Capt. Charles Polk, in a letter of May 20, 1893, referring to his elder kinsman, stated: "The people named above were all of Scotch descent and formed a vScotch Colony in and around a village named Bruce- ville about five miles from Vincennes, where they settled soon POLK FA M I LY A X D K I N S M E A' 399 after Indiana, a part of Xew France, was acquired by the United States, and many years before the territory was ad- mitted as a state. "William Bruce, for whom the village was named, was called "Uncle" by all my aunts and uncles. My recollection is that he married a sister of my father's mother. Therefore, he must have married a Tyler. I remember him and his wife when I was a small boy, say about 182(j. They were then old people. He was a stately old aristocrat, looked up to bv all the family. He claimed to be a descendant of the royal blood of Scotland. All the Tylers of Kentucky, most of whom are at Louis\ille, are of the same family. I have met many of them. I remember Levi Tyler very well. The mother of Isaac Sturgeon, of St. Louis, was a Tyler, Capt. Silas Bent, of the Navy, married one. During the Civil War, John Tyler, a son of President Tyler, and mvself, served in the same armv (Confederate) and were messmates a long time. We often talked over our family relations. I recall that he was very familiar with his family history ; that they were Shropshire people of note and dis- tinction. On the Polk side of our family, I have a clear his- tory. Both families are entitled to a crest and a coat of arms." QUARRELED OVER BABY'S NAME. There is a tradition in the family that Capt. Joseph Scrog- sin. in abducting the Princess Fantalina from the tower in which she had been confined, in order to prevent her fr.mi meeting him, rowed close to the tower, and that she lowered herself to him from a window to which she attached a ntpe. Some months after their arrival in Baltimore, it is said they quarreled over the naming of their child, and she. in her anger, threw all their valuable papers into the fire, he being able to rescue only one land grant. The child was named Joseph, and early in youth manifested a most unfortunate temper. He possessed all the irascibility of his Spanish-Irish blood. When about seventeen years old, he quarreled with his mother and ran away. Finally he married Sarali Caldwell, a daughter of John Caldwell, and became a little more settled. 400 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Sarah's sister, it is said, was the mother of Hon. J(jhn C. Cal- houn of South Carolina, the eminent American Statesman. NANCY RUBY'S FAMILY AND CHAS. POLK, 3rd. Nancy Polk (fourth child of Capt. Charles Polk), born about 1781 in Nelson County, Kentucky, married Peter Ruby and had a family of eight children, viz: ^Delilah, b. about 1SU4. d. , married John Keath ; -Jane, b. about 1806, d. , married Rol)t. Johnson; "MJenjamin F., b. about 1808, d. , married Lucy Lemmon ; '^Spier Spencer, b. about 1810, d. , married Polly Shepherd; ''Charles, b. about 1812, d. , mar- ried Airs. Nichols, 2nd, Mrs. Wade; *^John Ochiltree, b. (3ct. 2(), 1814; d. Oct. 7, 1868, married Deborah Fade, of Vincennes, Ind., June 25, 1836; 'Sally, b. about 1816, d. Jan. 18, 1817, '^Robert, about 1818, d. Jan. 21, 1856. John O. Ruby and wife. Debby, had issue: ^Capt. Wil- liam F., La Fayette, Ind., b. Dec. 2, 1838, who married Vashti Borden, Sept. 25, 1866, and had issue Aimee J., b. Oct. 14, 1878, and Edna Browning, Oct. 28, 1879. W illiam F. Ruby was a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War, serving nearly four years in the Tenth and One Hundredth and Fifty-fourth Indiana Infantry as Com- pany Commander, Commissary and Quartermaster. After the Civil War he was appointed Quartermaster at the Indiana State Soldiers' Home, La Fayette. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 401 A^i\eE J. RUBY AND EDNA B. RCBY^ * La Fayette, Ind. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIgRARY ASTSH, LPNOX AND TILOEN FOUNOATIONS. | POLK FAMILY A N D KI X S M E N 403 CHAPTER XLVIII. EDMOND POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Edmond Polk (second child and son of Charles Polk, the Indian trader of Frederick County, Maryland), was born in that colony in 1740, and died in Xelson County, Kentucky, 1824-5. He was a youth of thirteen when his father died in 1753, leaving a widow. Christian Polk( whose maiden name is said to have been Alatson), and six children. As they at- tained to manhood, these children all appear to have left the old homestead and gone further toward the frontier. Edmond located for a time at Fort Pitt (Pittsburg) or in that vicinity, where he was married in 1765, but we have no record of the maiden name of his wife. It is said that he and his three brothers all took an active part in the x'Vmerican Revolution by service on the frontier as rangers, against the British and their savage allies. Of the children of Edmond and wife, the first six were born in Pennsylvania, and possi- bly, also, the seventh, Polly, who was born in 1780, the year he settled in Kentucky. The two youngest, James and Nancy, were born in Xelson County, Kentucky. Edmond and brothers, determining to descend the Ohio to find homes in a richer and more fertile land, did so in the spring of 1780, landing at the Falls of the Ohio (now Louis- ville) where they sojourned a short time. They were ac- companied to Kentucky by their sister. Sarah (Polk) Piety, who had married Austin Piety, a British subaltern officer at Fort Pitt some years before, and who deserted her and her children and returned to England when the Revolutionary War began. After a brief sojourn in the vicinity of Louisville, the Polk brothers moved southward and settled on the head waters of Salt river, in what are now Shelby, Spencer and Xelson Counties, in which section numerous blockhouses or ''Stations" were erected by an adventurous company of pio- 404 POLK F A M I LY A N D KINSMEN neers from Virginia and Pennsylvania, who came just before and at the time of the Polks. There is no doubt, however, that some of the Polks had visited Kentucky before 1780. This is shown by the records of the Virginia Land Office, wherein are recorded grants to people by virtue of locations made for them by Charles. Thomas and other Polks, in 1775 and 1776, on the waters of Cox Creek and Simpsons Creek, in the present counties of Spencer and Nelson and also in Fayette County, near Lexington. Hence, some of these Polks came with the first parties of pioneers who descended the Ohio the year following the defeat of the Indians under Cornstalk, at Point Pleasant, w^hich event took place in October, 1774. This defeat cowed the Indians and permitted the surveyors and land locators who had abandoned Kentucky in the summer of 1774 on the ap- proach of the Indian War, to come 'back and resume opera- tions in the Spring of 1775. And with them, as the Virginia Land Office records show, came several of the Polk brothers, who not only picked out locations for themselves, but also marked locations for others, acting as deputy surveyors under the laws of Virginia. A recent historical sketch in the Kentucky Standard, published at Bardstown, says: "Thomas Polk, David Connor and others settled on Simpson's Creek and built Polk's Station, which was passed into history as the Burnt Station, and stood on the farm of the late A\\ D. Huston. Cox's Stati(3n was set- tled in the Spring of 1775, by Col. Isaac Cox, who came from Pennsylvania, and Bardstown in 1776 by the Bairds also of Pennsylvania. In 1784:, l)y act of the A'irginia Legislature, the County of Nelson was erected out of a part of Shelby County, the latter being one of the original counties of Ken- tucky District. Isaac Cox and Charles Polke were three of those appointed l)y the Governor of Virginia as Justices of the Peace, Justices of Oyer and Terminer, and Justices in Chancery of the new county. The first term of court was held in May, 17S5, and an order was made for the erection of a prison for debtors, a ])rison for criminals, a whipping post, pillory and stocks. Capt. Charles Polk was one of the mag- istrates appointed to fix locations and make contracts for POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 405 such, and Edward was one of the committee of three to re- port on the character of the work. Col. Wm. Polk, of Vicksburg-, Miss., writing in iSTo, to the author, stated: "Grandfather Polk moved from Penn- sylvania to what is now Nelson County. Kentucky, about one- hundred years ago, where he lived till his death, which oc- curred near Bardstown in the year IS'^l or 1S25. His children were Thomas, Charles, Edmond and James on the male side, and Hannah. Kitty, Sally, Polly and Nancy on the female side. "Thomas and Charles moved to Indiana early in life say sixty or seventy years ago, and lived and raised large fami- lies upon what was, and is now, called "Polk's Bottom," upon the Ohio river, opposite the mouth of Cloverport, Ky. At a later day Edmond, Jr., moved to Illinois with a large family and entered 160 acres of land upon which a part of Chicago now stands. "James lived for many years almost in sight of the place on which he was born and raised, and died near Bardstown. James' sons sooner or later all moved to Indiana. Grand- iather Edmond Polk had a brother, Charles, who lived near Vincennes, and was a conspicuous officer in the army in the first settling of the countrv. The Polks are still numerous in that region, and altogether you may perceive there is a large sprinkling of Polk blood in Indiana. "The memlbers of our branch of the Polk family have never been famous for oratorical powers or talent, nor much mclined toward officers, yet somewhat talented in the way of mechanical genius and general industry; wdiat you may call plain, old-fashioned, sober, good common-sense people almost invariably doing well : very largely Baptists in religion and Jackson and Jeffersonian in politics." How long the Polks remained in Kentucky after their first visit in 1775, we do not know\ Doubtless they went back up the Ohio in the late fall to their homes (as most of the pioneers did), and made other locating trips to Kentucky in the years following. It is also likely that, the American Revo- lution coming on in 177G. some of tliem joined companies in the frontier service. l>ut we ha\-e slight record of their serv- 406 POLK F AM I LY A N D KINSMEN ices, other than the partially known exploits of Capt. Charles Polk, after his arrival in Kentucky, in combatting Indian forays onto the waters of Salt River, in one of which attacks his wife and four children were taken captive in 1782 'by a band of Wabash Indians going home from the Blue Lick -Massacre of Aug. 19, of that year. Edmond Polk died near Smithville. Bullitt County, Ken- tucky, in 1824:-2.5, and his sons, Thomas and Charles, later fol- lowed their uncle Capt. Charles Polk, and his sons, to Indiana Territory. Edmond's son, Charles, became a noted Baptist preacher, and located at Polk's Bottom, on the Ohio, in what is now Perry County, Indiana. He was an officer under Gen. Harrison in the Indian wars in that section, and was in the battle of Tippecanoe in 1811; also a representative from Perry County in the Territorial Convention of Indiana in 1816, and helped to induct that territory into the Union. The youngest son of Edmond. James Polk, lived all his life in Kentucky, dying about 1850. As James Polk's eldest child, William, was born in Feb.. 1805. his marriage to Nancy xA.bell must have occurred the year previous, 1804. His tomb- stone in the family graveyard in Indiana bears only the name "James Polk," without dates of birth or death. James Polk's wife, Nancy Abell, it said, was a sister of Ignatius Abell, who married Kitty Polk, his sister. A number of families who intermarried with the children of Capt. Charles and Edmond Polk also emigrated to Indiana, settling near each other in Perry and Gibson, and also in Knox County, near Vincennes, then the military and civic capital of that frontier, presided over by General Wm. Henry Harrison, Terri- torial Governor. Under him the Polks and their kinsmen, the Bruces, Spencers and others served with marked credit in the Indian Wars, and later in the W^ar of 1812. EDMOND POLK'S CHILDREN. The children born to Edmond Polk and wife were: (1) Thomas, b. 1768, d. , married Lucy . (2) Rev. Charles, b. Sept. 26. 1770. d. July 25, 1836, mar- ried Willey Dever, Aug. 3, 1790. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 407 (3) Edmond, Jr., b. about 17T2, d. July 28, 1861, at Chi- cago, 111. (4r) Hannah, b. about ini:, d. , married Adam Guthrie, of Nelson County. Kentucky. (5) Kitty, b. about 1776, d. , married Ignatius Al)ell, of Nelson County, Kentucky. (6) Sallie, b. about 1778, d. l&io, married Zach Fowler. (Some say Thomas Tobin, of Tobinsport, Ind.) (7) Mary (Polly), b. about 1780, d. unmarried at Bloom- field, Ky. (8) Nancy, b. about 1783, d. unmarried at Bloomfield, Ky. (9) James, b. about 1784, d. 1850, married Nancy Abell, of Nelson County, Kentucky. Of the above children of Edmond Polk, Thomas and Rev. Charles left Kentucky in 1808 and removed to Polk's Bottom, Perry County, Indiana, on the Ohio River, where they pur- chased and settled on fine tracts of land and raised larsre fam- ilies. Charles represented Perry county in the first Consti- tutional Convention of Indiana, in 1816, when that territory came into the Union. He was a Baptist minister, and a man of recognized ability and influence among his fellows. Ed- mond Polk, Jr., moved from Kentucky to Indiana, w^here he married Esther Tobin, and later to Illinois, entering 160 acres of land that is now a part of the site of Chicago. He raised a large family of children and died there. Hannah Polk married Adam Guthrie, of Nelson County, and had a number of children, one of whom was Hon. James Guthrie, a wealthy financier of Louisville, who was Secretary of the United States Treasury, under President Pierce. Their descendants are numerous in Kentucky and other states. Kitty Polk, wIto married Ignatius Abell, of Nelson County, had a number of children. They settled at Corydon. Sallie Polk, who married Zach Fowler, also had a number of children, says Col. A\'. A. Polk, of Vicksburg, Miss. One of Sallie's descendants, however. Mrs. Jacy P. Simons, of Tobinsport, says Sallie married Thomas Tobin. If so, he was likely a second husband. 408 P O LK F A M I LY A N D KI N S M E N GRANDCHILDREN OF EDMOND POLK, SR. Thomas Polk (first child of Edmond, Sr.) married Lucy , and had a family, but the name of but one, Edmond, is preserved. The latter married, in ls21, Esther Tobin, and had a son, Edmond, 3rd, b. July 31, 1S31, who is living at Tob- insport, Ind., where his son, George L. Polk, is a merchant. In 1856, Edmond married Lucinda Winchell and had issue: ^Lizzie; -Abbey; ^George L. ; "^Alinnie. The latter married Jarrett Kinder ; George L. married Susan A. Crow, in 1S92, and had issue: ^Lloyd; -Ma3nTie ; '"^Alabel; ''Alma. George Polk (second son of Edmond and Esther (Tobin) Polkj, b. , married Amanda Ryan and had issue: ^Riley; ~Mary; "Xancy ; ■*Emma ; •''Robert ; all of Cloverport, Ky. Rev. Charles Polk (second son of Edmond Sr.), who mar- ried Willey Dever, had ten children viz.: (1) Polly, b. Aug. 6, 1791, d. Sept. 11, 1818. (2) Edmond, b. May 19, 1791, d. July 28, 1861. (3) Richard, b. Oct. 11, 1796, d. . (4) Greenville, b. Nov. 12, 1798, d. . (.5) Ilion, b. March 14, 1802, d. :\[arch -5, 1803. (6) Thomas, b. Jan. 22, 1804, d. . (7) James, b. Jan. 22, 1806, d. 1873. (8) Aaron, b. Jan. 11. 1808, d. Aug. 1, 181.5. (9) Ephraim, b. Feb. 18, 1810, d. July 27, 1815. (10) Helen, b. Dec. 5, 1811, d. Aug. 29, 1815. Their Children. Polly Polk (first child of Rev. Chas. Polk), married — Tobin and had issue. Edmond Polk (second Child of Rev. Chas. Polk), married Polly Winchell and had: Margaret and Avery (twins), b. 1794. Avery still living in June, 1911. Richard Polk (third child of Rev. Chas. Polk), married Patsy Sterrett. Issue, unknown. Greenville Polk (fourth child of Rev. Chas. Polk), married Matilda Sims, Dec 5, 1827, she b. June 12, 1806 at Springfield, Ky. They had issue : ^A son, who married and had a daugh- ter, Addie, who married a Mr. Payne, of Tobinsport, Ind. ; FOLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E .\ 409 HON. JAS. GUTHRIE, Louisville, Ky., son of Hannah Polk, daughter of Capt yChas. Polk. pubuc POLK FAMILY AND KIN S M EN 4] 1 -Aaron, untraced ; ■^Edmond and Alary (twins), untraced ; ^Nancy, married Henry Miller, Feb. 8, 1859. William Henry and Jane, two youngest children, untraced. Nancy and Henry Miller had a daughter, Ada, b. March 18, 186U, married James H. Payne and they had: ^Xancy Helen; -Anna Mary; •'^Xellie Stewart; '^Lloyd Aliller; ^Janie Beatrice; ''IJernice Taylor. Thomas (sixth child of Rev. Chas. Polk), married Mal- vina Ryan. Issue, unknown. James (seventh child of Rev. Chas. Polk), married Char- lotte Humphrey and had: ^W'm. Riley; -Rosina ; ^Lavinia ; ^Willia ; ^Commodore ; ''Dorinda ; 'Edwin ; ^Eliza. W'm. Riley, b. July U, 1839, married Eliza Gilbert, in ]8(JS. They had issue: ^Bertha, b. ; -Anna, b. ; ^Mary, b. ; '^Eliza and Jacy (twins), b. . Bertha is now (1911) living, but the others are dead. W'm. Riley's daughter. Jacey, married a Mr. Simons and resides at Tobins- port. (8) Aaron (eighth child of Rev. Chas. Polk), b. Jan. 12, 1808, d. Aug. 11, 1815. (9) Ephraim (ninth child of Rev. Chas. Polk), b. Feb. 18, 1810, d. July 27, 1815. (10) Helen (tenth child of Rev. Chas. Polk), b. Dec. 5, 1811, d. Aug. 29, 1815. CHILDREN OF JAMES POLK. The children of James Polk and his wife. Nancy (Abell) Polk, were : (1) Felix AI., b. about 180:3, d. winter 1877-8. (2) William, b. Feb. 9, 1805, d. Dec. 18, 1877. (3) Maria A., b. about 1807, d. 1878. (4) Claiborne, b. June 20, 1811, d. at Fort Branch, Ind., Sept. 20, 1901. (5) Geo. Washington, b. 1813, d. . (6) Rev. Alexander Hamilton, b. May 5, 1818, d. at Lake- land, Fla., Alarch 1, 1900. (7) Jas. Madison, b. July 31, 1820, d. Aug. 17, 1900. (8) Matilda, b. June 22, 1830, d. June 16, 1850. 412 ' POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Felix married his counsin, Frances Matilda Polk, and left a dauarhter. His widow married secondly a Mr. Lane. In 1878 his daughter and her mother (Mrs. Lane) resided near Paoli, Ind. William Polk married Sarah Shoptaw, of Nelson County, Kentucky. They moved to Indiana in 18.56 and she died Feb. 3, 1890. They had issue : ^John A., of Greenwood, Ind., b. March 12, 1825, d. Feb. 13, 1910. He married ^lartha Em- bry, of Richmond, Ky., and had issue: ^Clay, b. , married Anna King. One child, Otta ; -Sallie, b. Jan. 5, 1862. married Willard Harmon. One child, Florence E., b. 1895; ^Edward, b. 1869; ^Robert, b. 18T3, married Cora Sheeks. No issue; ^Augusta, b. 1867, married Linley Hester. One child that died young; *'Lee, b. 1877, unmarried in 1910. John A. Polk was a meml^er of the Indiana Legislature and made a large fortune in the canning of vegetables. (2) Col. Burr H. Polk (second son of Wm. Polk), b. Jan. 15, 1835, d. May 15. 18S7. He married Eliza Ann Mont- gomery (b. Oct. 20, 1837, d. June 13, 1909) and they had issue: ^Carrie Sidney, b. Dec. 17, 1858, married James Mc- Clelland Irwin, of Ouincy, 111., Oct. 10, 1883. They had children: Annie, b. Oct. 1, 1884, d. Aug. 18, 1885; Burr Irwin, b. Dec. 25, 1885; Jas. Matthew Irwin, b. March 7, 1889; -Idsi, h. May 6, 1861, d. May 8, 1863; ^Frank Mont- gomery, h. Feb. 2S, 1864. At the l)eginning of the Spanish- American War he entered the army, with rank of First Lieu- tenant, and served in the Philippines, He was transferred to the Regular Army as a Second Lieutenant, and died in serv- ice, April 30, 1901. (4) Edna, b. Dec. 31, 1S74, married Burton W. AMlson, Attorney-at-Law, June 17, 1902, and they now reside in the City of Mexico. They have three children : ^Donald, b. bee. 9, 1903; -Burr Polk, b. at Lincoln, Neb., Sept, 25, 1905; ^Mary Elizabeth, b. in ^^lexico City, June 16, 1909. Col. Burr H, Polk was a man of prominence in the Civil War and subsequent thereto. In the Army of the Cumlier- land he bore the rank of Colonel and served on the staffs of General George IT. Thomas, and others. After the close of the war lie resided for a time at \"icksburg, as special cor- POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M E N 413 respondent of the Cincinnati Commercial, his talents tending strongly to journalism. Later he made a tour of Europe, an account of which, graphic and highly interesting, was pub- lished in book form in 1879. The United States Army Register gives the following data concerning the military positions held by Col. Burr H. Polk: "Polk, Burr H., Ky.-Ind. ; Capt. 33d Ind. Inf., Sept. *;, 18(il; Capt. A. A. G. Vols., March 11, 1863; Major A. A. o. Vols., April 20, 1864; Bvt. Lt. Col. and Col. Vols., March 13, 1865, for faithful and efficient service. Honorably mus- tered out Feb. 27, 1866. (3) James Polk, of Waterford, Spencer County, Ky., (third child of \\'m. Polk and Sarah Shoptaw), b. Aug. 15, 1837, d. , married and had five children : ^James Guthrie; -Nathan; ^Christopher; ^Charles; ^Madison. (4) Eliza Polk (fourth child of Wm. Polk and Sarah Shop- taw) b. Feb. 5, 1841, was twice married. Her first husband (Dec. 10, 1867) was H. C. Wood, of Taylorsville, Ky., by whom she had a son, Harry Wood. Her second husband was Dr. Zachariah Carnes, of Greenwood, Ind. By the latter she had a daughter, Floy Carnes. Dr. Carnes died Jan. 10, 1!J10. Harry is unmarried. Floy married Mr. Moll, an attorney-at- iaw of Indianapolis, and they have three children. (5) Wm. Lancaster Polk (fifth child of Wm. Polk and Sarah Shoptaw) b. May 8, 1844, moved from Indiana to Mississippi in 1869, engaging in planting and the business of a civil engineer. He resided at his death at Vicksburg. He married Alice Howe, of Indiana, by whom he had issue: nValter Howe, b. in Indiana, Dec. 3, 1867; -Paul M., b. Nov. 12, 1878, married Alice Garth Downing, of Yazoo City, Miss., Nov. 29, 1911; ^Clara Graham, b. March 11, 1882; ^Lancaster, b. Sept. 14, 1884, d. June 30, 1907. Walter Howe Polk married (June 14, 1894) Lillian Mont- gomery, daughter of Major W. E. Montgomery and grand- daughter of Chas. Clark, War Governor of Mississippi, 1860- 1865. Issue : ^Montgomery Howe, April ,4, 1895 ; ^Clara May, b. Oct. 23, 1896; ^Walter Howe, Jr., b. Oct. 10, 1898; ^Lillian Graham, b. June 18, 1901 ; ^Alice Gertrude, b. June 14, 1903, d. July 21, 1904; ^Horace Stuart, b. Aug. 17, 1905 ; ^Wm. Paul, 414 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N b. Nov. 16, 1906. Charles and Elialieth Polk (twins and young- est children of Win. Polk and Sarah Shoptaw) were born June 16, 1847. Chas. died Aug. 7, 1903, and Elizabeth, May 25, 1908. Charles married a Miss Dickerson and had: ^Dolly; -Stella; ^Opal ; '^Nettie. Elizabeth married Daulton Wilson and had: Mjurr; -Susie; ^Clifton; "^Bessie; ^Hal. Susie mar- ried John Guthrie. Hal married Lenore Harmon and they have one child, Jane. George Washington Polk (fifth child of James Polk, born in Nelson County, Kentucky, about 1816, married Mary Em- bree and after the Civil \\'ar moved to Greenwood, Indiana, where he established a vegetable canning factory and accumu- lated a fortune. The business is still carried on by his son, James Thomas Polk, The children of George W^ashington Polk and wife were: ^Wm. F. ; -Frances Jones; ^James Thomas ; ^Alice ; •''Florence ; ''Perry E. Maria Polk (daughter of James Polk), b. in Nelson County, Kentucky, about 1807, married William Bivin of Hardin County, Kentucky. They removed to Princeton, Ind., both dying in 1878, and left issue : . Matilda Polk (daughter of James Polk), b. June 27, 18:30, d. June 16, 1850, married first, Jno. B. Worrell of Jackson County, Missouri. No issue. Secondly, married Jas. F. Cun- ningham, a pork merchant of Mobile, Ala., later of Cincin- nati, and left issue : , , , . James Madison Polk, youngest son of James Polk, was born in Nelson County, July 31, 1820, died Aug. 17, 1900, in Spencer County, Ky. He married Minerva Cochran, born Dec. 27, 1824. She died May 20, 1898, in Spencer County. CHILDREN OF JAMES MADISON POLK. The children born to James Madison Polk and wife were: (1) Frances Matilda, b. in Jefferson County, Kentucky, Feb. 13, 1849. (2) James Guthrie, b. in Bullitt County, Kentucky, Feb. 25, 1851. (3) Nathan William, b. in Bullitt County, Dec. 24, 1852. (4) Mary Catherine. 1). in Bullitt County. Dec. 10. 1854. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E .V 415 (5) Henry Hamilton, b. in Indiana, Feb. 9, 1857. (6) Alvin Crist, b. in Spencer County, Kentucky. Dec. 4, 1859. (7) Sarah Isabella, b. in Spencer County, April 16, 1863. (8) Charles Pelham, b. in Spencer County, March 23, 1865. (9) Aladison Cochran, b. in Spencer County, Jan. 30, 1868. Sarah Isabella, Chas. Pelham and Aladison Cochran, liv- ing and unmarried. James Madison and Minerva Cochran were married Sept. 24, 1846. James Guthrie and ]\Iary Elizabeth Baird were married Xov. 16, 18T4. Frances Matilda and Felix 'M. PdIIv were married Aug. 31, 1882. He was a son of James Polk and Ann Abell. Nathan Wm. and Carrie Cochran (no relation) were married Jan. 19, 1887. Henry Hamilton and Rosa Ely were married Sept. 24, 1891. The other children of James 3*1. and ]\Iinerva Cochran are yet unmarried. Frances 'M. Polk, who married Felix M. Polk, died without issue, at Princeton, Ind., Oct. 15, 1888. James Guthrie Polk and wife had six children, all born in Spencer County, Kentucky: ^Elida Bertie, b. Aug. 24, 1875; 2Annie Elizabeth, b. May 20, 1878; ^Charles Weldon. b. Jan. 1, 1881; nVilliam :\Iadison, b. Feb. 11. 1883; ^Jacob Boswell, b. Sept. 28, 1884; «Harry Glover, b. July 8, 1887. Elida Bertie, first child of James Guthrie Polk, married Chas. ]\Iuir, Jan. 30, 1900; one child. William Madison Polk, above named, was killed by an accident on board his ship, the U. S. S. Prairie, at Old Point Comfort. A'a., Xov. 9, 1904. He was a Xaval Apprentice on that ship. Elida Bertie Polk, first child of James Guthrie Polk and wife, married Charles Muir Jan. 30, 1900. They have one child, Peter Brown Muir, born July 2, 1903. Nathan W. Polk and wife had issue: ^Roy Cochran, b. in Spencer County, Jan. 8, 1888; ^Burr Herring, b. in Spencer County, Sept. 10, 1889; 2:\Iary Ruth, b. in Spencer County, Nov. 28, 1891; ^Xellie Lee, b. in Spencer County, Sept. 16, 1893 ; •'^Charles Broadus, b. in Spencer County, Sept. 26, 1895. These are all unmarried. Mary Catharine, fourth child of James M. and Minerva (Cochran) Polk, died unmarried, Dec. :!1, 190 !. 416 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN ' CHILDREN OF HENRY HAMILTON POLK. Henry Hamilton Polk and Rosa Ely, who were married Sept. 24, 1891, had issue. ^Maude Catharine, b. at Louisville, Ky., Aug. 1, 1892 ; ^Alvin Crist, Jr., b. at Louisville, Ky., Jan. 4, 1895; ^Burley Demsey, b. at Louisville, Ky., Feb. 16, 1897. None of the above are married. Alvin Crist, sixth child of James M. and Minerva (Cochran) Polk, is unmarried. Sarah Isabella, seventh child of Jas. M. and Minerva (Cochran) Polk, is unmarried. Charles Pelham, eighth child of Jas. M. and Minerva Polk, also his brother, Madison Cochran, the young- est son of James M. and Minerva Polk, are both unmarried. DEATHS. The family Bible of James Madison Polk shows the fol- lowing deaths: James Madison, in Spencer County, Ken- tucky, Aug. 17, 1900. Minerva (Cochran) in Spencer County, Kentucky, May 20, 1898. Frances Matilda ,at Princeton, Ind., Oct. 15, 1888. Mary Catharine, in Spencer County, Kentucky, Dec. 31, 1904. Mary E., wife of Jas. Guthrie Polk, in Spencer County, Aug. 8, 1891. Wm. Madison, by accident on board ship, Nov. 9, 1904. NEW SALEM CHURCH. New Salem Baptist Church, near Samuel's Depot, Xelson County, Kentucky, was organized Nov. 38, 1801. The first members were Emund Polk, Jr., Wm. Chenoweth, Mary Chen- oweth, Thomas Polke, Lucy Polke, Lucy French, Thomas Polke, Jr., and Mary McNeal. These eight persons met and drafted a constitution. Four were subsequently dismissed by letter, Chenoweth and wife ; Thos. Polke and Mary McNeal died in the fellowship of the church. Wm. Chenoweth gave the land on which the church was built. Rev. Warren Cash was the first pastor, preaching once a month, and Edmund Abell and Thomas Polke were the first deacons. The former was a kinsman of Ignatius Abell, who married Kitty Polk and of Nancy Abell, who married James Polk, daughter and son of POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E N 417 Edmond Polk, Sr. For many years the church was known as Wilson's Creek Church, being located at the head of Wilson Creek. Not long- after the founding of Salem Church, some of the Polks of that vicinity (Capt. Chas. Polk's sons) emigrated to Indiana, followed later by himself (1808), and several of the children of Edmond Polk. Sr. Some of them afterward found- ed Maria Creek Baptist Church, in Knox County, they and their kinsmen by marriage constituting most of the member- ship. Deacon Edmond Polk, Jr., emigrated from Indiana to Chicago, where he died. His farm of 160 acres is now in- eluded in the bounds of that city. 4ig P O LK F A M I LY A N D K I N S M E N CHAPTER XLIX. CLAIBORNE POLK AND DESCENDANTS. Claiborne Polk (son of James Polk and Nancy Abell, of Nelson County, Kentucky), born June 20, 1811, married Sept. 25, 1834, at Lexington, Ky., to Rachael Shoptaw. She was born in Nelson County, June 2, 1812, and died Aug. 20, 1855, in Gibson County Indiana. Claiborne Polk died Sept. 20, 1901, at Fort Branch, Ind. The children of Claiborne and Rachael (Shoptaw) Polk were : (1) Irwin C, b. July i, 1835, in Nelson County, Kentucky. (2) Mary Catherine, b. Jan. 2, 1837, at Taylorville, Ky., d. May 22, 1841, in Gibson County, Indiana. (3) John William, b. Feb. 18, 1838, at Taylorville, Ky., d. July 18, 1839. (4) Ann Elizabeth, b. May 30, 1840, in Spencer County, Kentucky, d. Aug. 22, 1855, in Gibson County. (5) Isabella, b. July 20, 1842, in Gibson County, Ind. (6) Theodore, b. Jan. 29, 1844, in Gibson County, Indiana, d. Oct. 29, 1844. (7) Francis Marion, b. Oct. 25, 1845, in Gibson County. (8) William Albert, b. Aug. 6, 1848, in Gibson County, Indiana. (9) Caleb Clark, b. June 9, 1850, in Gibson County, In- diana. (10) Sarah Jane, b. Jan. 13, 1852, in Gibson County, Indiana. (11) Geo. Calvin, b. Dec. 19, 1853, in Gibson County, d. Sept. 17, 1860. Claiborne Polk was married to his second wife, Mary Mc- Mullen, May 15, 1856. To this union one child was born, Etta A. Polk. Mary McMuIlen Polk died Jan. 15, 1899. Etta A. Polk, born July 21, 1858, was married Dec. 8, 1874, in Gibson County, Indiana, to James Thomas W^ither- spoon. Mrs. Witherspoon resides at Princeton, Ind. Their POLK FA M I LY AND KI N S M E N 419 CLAIBORNE POLK (top); ALEXANDER HAMILTON POLK (bottom), sons of James Polk and Nancy Abell, of Kentucky. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 421 children, all born in Gibson County, were : ^Cora, b. Dec. "28, 1875. Residence, ^^'ebster Grove, ]\Io. ; -Maude, b. Feb. 19, 1878. Residence, St. Louis, AIo. : ^George, b. March 24, 1880. Residence, Kansas City, Kan. ; -^Charles, b. July 3, 1882. Residence, 79 Julia St., Edmonton, Canada ; ^Lucelia, b. Jan. 29, 1884, d. April 14, 1885; «Eva, b. Jan. 26, 188(3. Residence, 527 Fox St., Edmonton, Canada ; 'Grace, b. Sept. 15, 1888. Residence, No. U E. 44th St., Chicago, 111. ; ^Alae, b. Alay 2, 1901. Residence, Stony Plain, Canada ; ^Stella, b. Dec. 3, 1898. Residence, Princeton, Ind. IRWIN C. POLK'S FAMILY. Irwin C. I'olk, son and eldest child of Claiborne Polk, married Sept. 15, 1853, at King Station, Ind., to Elizabeth Marlotte, b. Nov. 4, 1830. She died Dec. 30, 1908, at Harri- sonville, AIo. Their children were: ^Dovie Estella, b. Jan. 27, 1852. near Princeton, Ind., married Jan. 27, 1876, James Lewis Pringle, b. near Dayton, Ore., Dec. 10, 1853. Residence, 2342 Calumet Ave., Chicago. Issue: C\gnes, un- married; -Henry, b. , married Anna Isadore Rapkoch ; ^Jessie Pringle, b. , unmarried ; ^Lillian Pringle, b. , unmarried. Harry resides at 607 Woodland Park. Chicago. These children were all born at Danville, 111. -William C, b. . Present address, Roswell, New Alexico; =*Edward J., b. . Present address, Harrisonville, AIo. ; ^A. P.., b. ; ^C. E., b. ; '^C. L.. b, , The Pringle family are all musicians, and organized the Pringle Concert Company, which has toured the country and delighted lovers of good music. Going to Europe to finish their musical education, they studied under the best masters. In Berlin, Lillian studied under Anton Hekking. Jessie had several eminent voice teachers, among them George Furgeson and Frantz Prochowsky. She also studied thoroughly the French, German and Italian languages, which she speaks fluently. The present address of the family is Sanford, Fla. ISABELLA (POLK) KENDLE. Isabella Polk (daughter of Clail)orne Polk), born July 20, 1852, Gibson County, Indiana, married Sept. 25, 1862, at 422 POLK FAMILY A K D K I A" S M L X King Station, Ind., to I. Robert Kendle, 1). Se])t. 1 I, isiii, and died Jan. 5, 1905, at Princeton, Ind. They had no children. The present address of Mrs. Kendle is Princeton, Ind. FRANCIS MARION POLK. Francis Marion Polk (son of Claiborne Polk) was born Oct. 35, 1, at Lakeland, Fla., to which place he removed from Indiana in 1886. He first moved from Kentucky to Gibson County, Indiana, in 1836, where he en- gaged in farming and surveying until 1865, v.hen ne was or- dained as a minister of the Baptist church. He continued in the pulpit for seven years, and then quitting it, engaged agam in the work of surveying, and was chosen County Surveyor. Altogether, he was in the surveying business for over tlurly years. On Oct. 34, 1839, he was married to Miss Julian Em- bree, of Princeton, whose family had emigrated to Indiana from Kentucky. She died June 38, 1857. His secnd wife. I\Iiss Barshaba H. Green, he married ^larch 9, 1858. Issue bv first wife : (1) Felix Alilburn, b. Oct. 17, 1841, married in 1873, Julia Brown; 3nd, Fanny Polk; 3rd, Fanny Huddleson. (3) Silas C, b. ^larch 3. 1843. married Dec. 35, ls6(i, Emily J. Mc^Iullen, of Princeton, Ind. Silas C. was a soldier during the Civil War in the 80tli Indiana Infantry and was 426 POL K F A M I LY A K D K I X S M E N badly wounded in the head at the l)attle of Perryville and still suffers from the wound. He settled at ]\It. Vernon, 111., in 1S74, engaging in the real estate business. (3) Mary, b. Oct. 28, 1845, d. Aug. 31, 1906, married Dec. 2. 1869, John F. Cleveland. (4) Matilda, b. Jan. 18, 1841, married David M. Wright, of Mt. Carmel, 111., about 1867-8, now a widow livine at Al- bion, 111., no issue. (5) Albert Alills, b. Dec. 2, 1849, d. Nov. 3, 1860. (6) Sarah, b. :\Iarch 13, 1848, unmarried, and living at Lakeland, Fla. (7) Edward Bates, 1st, b. Dec. 29, 1862, d. Feb. 11, 1863. (8) Lucius, b. Sept. 25, 1854, d. Dec. 12, 1854. Laura and Lucius were twins. (9) Rosetta, b. 1855, d. in infancy. (10) A son. b. June 4, 1857, d. at birth. (11) Fannie B. Polk, b. Feb. 19, 1859, d. Aug. 6, 1873. (12) Laura Ellen, b. Sept. 25, 1854, married Sept. 1873, Isaac Spore. (13) Edward Bates, 2d, b. Dec. 29, 1862, unmarried, and living at Lakeland. Fla. Civil Engineer. (14) Olive, b. Nov. 17, 1864, d. Oct. 17, 1865. GRANDCHILDREN OF ALEXANDER H. POLK. Silas C. Polk and wife, Emily, had issue: (1) Vesta, b. 1867, married John F. Bogan, an attorney of Alt. Vernon, 111. They had no issue. (2) Julia, b. Jan. 25, 1870, married C. Elmer Rutherford. Issue: ^Raymond E., b. April 8, 1895; ^Dorothy, b. April 16, 1899. (3) Lucius, b. Alarch 1, 1875, married, 1903, Alinnie Hodges, of Cannon City, Col. Issue: ^Orville ; -Harold. (4) Euseba, b. July 4, 1877, unmarried. Residence, Bir- mingham, Ala., school teacher. (5) Laura, b. Feb. 11, 1879, married Aug. 1, 1903, Robt. E. L. Dickson, of Virginia. Issue: ^A.lbert E., b. May 20, 1907; ^Sidney, b. Feb. 2, 1908; ^Virginia, b. Tulv 28, 1909. POLK FA M I LV A N D K I N S M E N 427 (6) Albert H., b. Sept. 1, 1873, married Sept. 190^ to Ollie Lanham, of St. Louis, ]\Io. Issue: ^Lillian; -Evelyn. Mary Polk Cleveland, wife of Jno. F. Cleveland, had is- sue: ^Roger P., b. 187t), married Mary Hopkins; -Fannie, b. Sept. 12, 1872, married, 1893, Benjamin Benson; ^Flossie, b. 1874, married J. \'aden Lee; ^Charles, b. about 1876, mar- ried, 1906, Mabel McDonald. Felix Milburn Polk and his first wife, Julia (Brown) Polk, had one child, Laura Maud. ^Laura Maud, b. ]\Iay 15, 1873, unmarried; -Frank Em- bree, b. Xov. 1875, married Rose , and has two children, who live in Illinois; ^Fred Harrison, b. Dec. 32, 1877, unmar- ried; ^Lester, b. 1880^ unmarried. Residence, Momence, 111. He is said to be the only child of the family. Now at Perdue L^niversity, Indiana. Laura Ellen Polk and husband, Isaac Spore had issue: iHarvey, b. Aug. 1874, d. July 9, 1876; -Fanny, b. May 5, 1877, married, 1896, Oscar Woodson, of St. Louis, Mo.; ^Florence E., b. 1880, unmarried, residence, Owensville. Ind. ; ^Della May, b. 1893. The first ten children of Rev. Alexander Hamilton Polk were by his first wife, Julia Embree : the four last l)y his second wife, Bursha B. Green. 428 P O LK F A M I LY A N D K I .V S M E N CHAPTER L. DESCENDANTS OF REV. ISAAC M'COY AND WIFE. Rev. Isaac McCoy was born June 1:5, 17S4, at L'niuntown, Pa., and died June 21, 184(3, at Louisville, Ky. His wife, Christiana Polk, daughter of Capt. Charles Polk, was born in what was then Shelby County, Kentucky, Nov. 12, 1787, and died at Woodside, Jackson County, Mo., in 1850. They were married Oct. 6, 18(:);5, in Shelby County, Kentucky, and emi- grated to Indiana in l8ls, where he enlisted in Indian Mission- ary work, in which he continued throughout life. He was an earnest, zealous IJaptist preacher and in his missionary duties was devotedly assisted l)y his wife. To them were born thirteen children, viz. : (1) Mahala, b. Aug. ]n, 1804, d. .Vug. ;n, 1M8. (2j Dr. Rice. 1). Jan. 27, 1807, d. May 26, 1833. (3) Dr. Josephus, b. April 13, 1808, d. June 27, 1831. (4) Delilah, b. Nov. 24, 1809, d. -. (5) John Calvin, b. Sept. 28, 1811, d. Sept. 2. 1889. (6) Elizabeth, b. Aug., 1813, d. . (7) Sarah, b. April 13, 1815, d. previous to July 30. 1835. (8) Christiana, b. Oct. 19, 1,S17, d. Feb. 10. 1837. (9) Nancy Judson, b. Feb. 2(i, 1819, d. 1S50. (10) Eleanor, b. July 29. 1821, d, Jan. 11, 1839. (11) Maria Slaughter, b. Nov. 29, 1823, d. . (12) Isaac, Jr., b. April, 1825, d. May, 1849. (13) Charles Rice, b. Feb., 1821, d. in earlv vouth. \[^) So- b. » Jl- t\ ?. % I .v. Compiled by William H. McCoy in 1915 Edited by Elizabeth Hay ward The Tuttle Publishing Co., Inc., Rutland, Vt., 1939. 20 pp. and Index. Genealogical and biographical data on 250 descendants of James McCoy, who settled in Pennsylvania before the Revolution. Eight generations of this family have lived in the United States. The majority of those listed here are from Indiana and other midwestern states. Outstanding members of the family are: Isaac McCoys missionary to the Indians from 1817 to 1846, John Calvin McCoy, a founder of Kansas City, Mo., and Col. John C. McCoy, a founder of Dallas, Tex. The family has been closely identified with the Baptist denomination, as evidenced by the inclusion of the names of six Baptist ministers, three missionaries and such Baptist leaders as Deacon John McCoy, a founder of Franklin College. Names other than McCoy which figure prominently in this record are: Huston, Little (or Littell), McCormick, Payne and Taggart. Price: $1.00. Please send remittance with order to: Mrs. Sumner H.\yw.\rd, 224 Richards Road, Ridgewood, New Jersey. siding- at Kansas City; ^lohnson i.ykms, b. Aov., i.^.., re- siding at Arizona. Tnlia Louis Russell married Samuel Barn- hill and thev had four children : 'Wm. Allen Barnhill, b. : ^Claude Barnhill, of Los Angeles, b. ; -'Harlow BarnhiU, b ; -'Bernice Barnhill, b. . Theodora Case Russell mar- ried Elijah Havs Bettis. and they had issue: ^Francis Allison, 428 POL K F A M I L Y A N D K I N S M E .V CHAPTER L. DESCENDANTS OF REV. ISAAC M'COY AND WIFE. Rev. Isaac McCoy was born June lo, HSI, at L'niontown, Pa., and died June 21, 184(5, at Luuisville, Ky. His wife, Christiana Polk, daughter of Capt. Charles Polk, was born in what was then Shelby County, Kentucky, Nov. 12, 1787, and died at W'oodside, Jackson County, AId., in Ls.jD. They were married Oct. (), 1803, in Shelby County, Kentucky, and emi- grated to Indiana in isis^ where he enlisted in Indian Mission- ary work, in which he continued thrdUL'hout life. He was an The eldest child, :Mahala, and the last one, Charles Rice, died in youtli, as above shown. Dr. Rice, Dr. Josephus, Eliz- abeth, Xancy Judson and Maria Slaughter are said to have all died unmarried. Delilah McCoy married Feb. 29, 1828, Dr. Johnston Lykins. lie was of a Virginia family and was POLK FAMILY A K D K I X S M E N 429 born in LSUU in Virginia, dying at Kansas City, AIo., Aug. 15, 1856. They had issue: ^William Hall Richardson, b. Xov. 29, 1828, in Lexington, Ky., died June 15, 1893, at Kansas City, Mo.; -Sarah, b. , d, ; ^Charles :\IcCoy, b. , d. in in- fancy; •^Julia AlcCoy, b. Xov. 14, 1839, at Louisville, Ky., d. Sept. 14, 1872, at Kansas City, Mo. Wm. Hall Richardson Lykins was married Dec. lU, 185T, in Kansas City, to Cornelia Victoria Smith, b. Jan. 16, ls3s, at Charleston, S. C. now (1911) residing in Kansas City, ^lo. Sarah Lykins, b. , married Egbert Freeland Russell. Julia McCoy Lykins, b.- , married Oct. 12, 1858, in Kansas City. Dr. Theodore Spencer Case, b. Jan. 26, 1832, at Jackson, Ga., d. Feb. 16, 1900, in Kansas City. \\'illiam Hall Richardson Lykins and his wife, Cornelia A'ictoria has issue: Mohnston Franklin, b. Oct. 16, 1838 d. unmarried at Kansas City, Feb. 3, 1887; -Susan Elizabeth, b. Nov. 29, I860, at Lawrence, Kan., d. May 21, 1892, at Kansas City; ^Delilah McCoy, b. June 24, 1863, at Lawrence, Kan., now (1911) single and residing at Kansas City. Susan Elizabeth, married Nov. 6, 1881. Vm. Whitehead Thacher, of Kansas City. They had two children : Nina Etta Thacher, born Feb. H), 1883, died July IT, 1884, and Lilah Case Thacher, born Oct. 24, 1885, died November 19, 1904. They live at Pennington, \t. Sarah Lykins and her husband, Egbert Freeland Russell had issue: ^Zenette Freeland, b. , d. about 1886; -\\'m. Lykins, b. , d. at 18 years of age; '''Julia Louise, b. ; ^Effie, b. , d. in infancy; ^^Mattie, b. , d. in infancy; ^'Lillian, b. , d. in infancy; "Theodora Case, b. , resid- ing now (T911 ) at Independence, Mo. ; ^Cornelia A'ictoria, b. . Zenette Freeland Russell married Harlow Johnson Boyce, May, 1870. He was b. April 17, 1844, at Castalia. Ohio. They had issue: ^Chas. McCoy, b. Nov. 18, 1873, re- siding at Kansas City ; -Johnson Lykins, b. Nov., 1877, re- siding at Arizona. Julia Louis Russell married Samuel Barn- hill, and they had four children: ^W'm. Allen Barnhill, b. : -Claude Barnhill, of Los Angeles, b. ; ^Harlow Barnhill, b. ; '^Bernice Barnhill, b. . Theodora Case Russell mar- ried Elijah Hays Bettis, and they had issue: ^Francis Allison, 430 P ^ L '-^ P --i -1^ ^ ^ ^' --^ ^V D KI N S M E N h. April 11, 1SS2, married Daisy Barwick, Dec. 18, 11)01). Res- idence, Independence, AIo. ; -Sarah Lucas, b. , d. in in- fancy; ^Alexander Erwin, ]). Dec. Ki, iss.'i, married ]\Iabel Pickett, Oct. 30, 1907. They have one child, Russell Hunting- ton, b. Oct. 23, 1908; ^Zenie Russell, b. . Cornelia Victoria married Isaac N. Brown, and they have issue ^Lillian; -\Vm. Russell; '^Sarah ; '^Theodora ; ^Helen; ^'Julia, and a son, aged four years. Julia McCoy Lykins and her husband, Dr. Theodore Spencer Case had issue: ^Alattie Lykins, b. June 26, 18'U), d. Jan. 20, 18G5 ; -'Emily Arabella, b. Sept. 15, 18G1, d. March 8, 1865; ^'Olive Spencer, b. Sept. 3, 1865, d. Feb. 9, 1869; ^Delilah McCoy, b. Aug. 25, 1867. Delilah married Dec. 25, 1889, Geo. Carroll Cowles, b. Jan. 16, 1862, in lUitler, Ky., now residing in Kansas City. They had issue : ^Theoduie William Cowles, b. Sept. 21, 1890, d. April 26, 1892; -A .>on who died at birth, Oct. 13, 1895; **Margaret Cowles, b. ( )ct. 29, 1896, d. Oct. 31, 1896; Johnston Lykins Case, b. Feb. 15, 1870, is living in Mexico, and said to be unmarried. ■''Ermine Cowles Case, b. Sept. 11, 1871, married June 23, 1898, Mary Margaret Snow, b. Aug. 9, 1872. They live at Ann Arbor, Mich., and have issue: ^Francis Huntington, b. April 4, 1899, is unmarried; -Theo- dore Johnston, b. March 16, 1911. \(\vt John Calvin McCoy, fifth child of Rev. Isaac and Chris- tiana (Polk) McCoy, married twice. His first wife, to wh.)m he was united Jan. 23, 1838, in Westport, Mo., was Virginia Chick, b. Dec. 22. 1820, d. May 28, 1849. Rev. Isaac McCoy, his father, performing the ceremony. His second wife, Eliz- abeth M. (Woodson) Lee, was born in Jessamine County, Kentucky. She was the widow of Gary Lee. By his first wife, Virginia Chick, John Calvin McCoy had issue: ^Jose- phus, b. Dec. 6, 1838, d. Sept. 2, 1843; ^Eleanor (Nelly), b. July 2, 1840, residence. Rich Hill, Mo. ; •"'Juliette, b. Feb. 16, 1842, residence, 805 Olive St., Kansas City Mo.; ^Spencer Cone b. July 25, 1844, killed Jan. 8, 1863, in battle at Spring- field, Mo.; -nVm. Chick, b. Feb. 21, 1846, d. May 12, 1848; ^'Virginia, b. Aug. 22, 1848, living in Texas. By his second wife, Airs. Elizabetn Lee, John Calvin POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 431 McCoy had issue: 'Evelyn Byrd, b. Feb. 21, 1851 now livincr at Kansas City; ^Voodson, b. Sept. 26, 1855, residing at Wilder, Kas ; ^John Calvin, Jr., b. ]\Iarch 8, 1853, d. Dec. 11 1905. ' THE CHICK FAMILY. William 2\Iiles Chick, born Aug. .'31. 1?91; died April 7, 1847. Ann Eliza Smith, b. Sept. 25. 1796, d. July 24, 1876. They were married April 11, 1816, and had issue: ^Mary Jane, b. ; -\\'m. Sidney, b. ; Virginia, b. Dec. 22, 1820, married Jno Calvin McCoy, Jan. 2:3, 1838; ^Sarah Ann, b. March 12, 1823, d. Jan. 2, 1846, married April 6, 1841, Col. Jno. W. Polk: ''U'ashington Henry, b. ; ^Joseph Smith, b. ; 'Martha Matilda, b. ; ^Pettus Wales, b. ; ^Leonidas, b. . No dates of birth, marriage or death was furnished with above names. INTERMARRIAGES OF JNO. CALVIN M'COY'S CHILDREN. Eleanor ]\IcCoy, second child of John Calvin McCoy, mar- ried April 14, 1859, Dr. Wm. Warren Harris, of Rich Hill, Mo., who was born in Bedford County, A'a., Oct. 14, 1834. They had nine children, viz : ^Mrginia Spencer, b. May '2^, 1862, residence, Kansas City; -William Warren, Jr., b. Alarch 3, 1864, d. in infancy; "Calvin ]\IcCoy, b. Jan. 31. 1866, d. Sept. 5, 1868; ^Thomas Hector, b. Oct. IT, 1868, d. June 23, 1870; ^Catharine Alexander, b. Dec. 11, 1870, residence, Kansas City, Mo.; ^Eleanor Tyler, b. June 19, 1873, residence, Rich Hill, I\Io. : '''Harry Innes, b. May 17, 1875; ^Spencer Francis, b. Aug. 1, 1877, residence Kansas City, '\lo.\ ^Wm. W'oodson, b. Oct. 14, 1880, residence, Kansas City, IMo. Of the foregoing children of Dr. W' m. AVarren Harris and Eleanor McCoy, A^irginia Spencer married March 20, 1883, Robt. Taliaferro Thornton, b. July :5], l.s59, residence, Kansas City. Eleanor Tyler married Oct. 22, 1902. Jdlm Otto Krause, of Rich Hill. Mo., b. July 10, ls73, residence, Kansas City. Harry Tnnes Harris married April 1 I. 1903, 432 I' O L K FAMILY A X U K I .V 5 M E -V in Nevada, Mo., Helen Byrde Cramer, b. Feb. l(i, 1880. Spen- cer Francis and W'm. Woodson Harris are still untrammeled by matrimonial cares. Robert Taliaferro Thornton and wife had issue: U\'ar- ren Thomas, M. D., b. Feb. 1, 188-i, d. March 17, IDlU, unmar- ried; -Harriett, b. Jan. 21, 188(3, married Dec. 5, 19U8, Laur- ence Hannan Phister, b. April 21, 1885, at Maysville, Ky., residence, Kansas City. They have one child, Warren Thorn- ton Phister, b. Jan. 20, 1910; ''Robt. Taliaferro, Jr., b. Jan. ;50, 1888, residence, Kansas City; '^Eleanor, b. Feb. 19, 189(), resi- dence, Kansas City; '^Virginia, b. Dec. 8, 1892, d. Jan. 13, 1894. Harry Innes Plarris and wife, Helen Byrde Cramer had issue: ^Harry Innes, Jr., b. Xov. 18, 190-4; -Margaret, b. Jan. 14, 1907. Juliette McCoy, third child of John Cahin McCoy n-id wife, married Feb. 16, 1864, at Glasgow, Mo., Robt. Thomas Bass (b. Feb. 4, 1841), and they had issue: ^Lizzie, b. Jan, 13, 1866, in Boone County, Missouri, d. July 6, 1872; -Sally Cay, b. May 9, 1867, married Henry Lacy Tomlin (Oct. -"i, 1888), residence Kansas City; -"'Felix Spencer, b. Oct. 27, 1869, d. June 20, 1876. in Kansas; '^Calvin McCoy, b. April 3, 1873, married twice. First wife, Lalla DeMars (b. Autr I, i.878) in Wyoming', d. July 28, 1901, at Prescott, Ariz. By her he had one child, Lalla Marg-aret, b. July 28, 1901. Resides with her father in Arizona. Calvin's second wife was Clare Russell ; ^Robert Thomas, Jr., h. Sept. 11, 1877, married (Oct., 1908) in Carson City, Xev., Kitty Cavanaugh, b. in Ireland, resi- dence, Golconda, Xev.; "^Margaret Virginia, b. July 12, 1876, d. Sept. 12, 1876; ^Juliette Spotswood, b. June 17, 1881, married (July 25, 1905) Levi Wilson, b. Xov. 16, 1876. They have issue: ^Robert Lee, b. April 20, 1907; -Virgina, b. June 2, 1910, residence, Kansas City. Wm. Chick McCoy, b. Feb. 21, 1846, d. May 12, 1848. Virginia McCoy, sixth child of John Calvin McCoy and \'irginia Chick, b. Aug. 22, 1848. married July 3, 1870. Alexan- der Travis Grimes, of Jackson County, Mo., and they had issue: ^Harvey McCoy, b. 1871, in Texas; ^Cora, b. 1875, d. in infancy; •''Eleanor May, b. ]\Iarch 15, 1876, married Nov. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M E N 433 :^i^ 1891, Herbert Hanson. He d. Feb. 28, 1908, residence Fort Worth, Texas; '^Alexander Travis, Jr., b. April 1(), 1878 residence. El Paso Texas; ^James Gordon b. Sept. 4, l88n, at Westport, Mo., residence, Belzonia, Aliss; ''Chas. Lister, b. Sept. 13, 188:3, at Kansas City, married (Dec. 18 190!)) at [Memphis, Tenn., Lenora Yancey. One child, Gordon Yancey, b. Sept. 30, 1910; "X'irginia Lee, b. Sept. -^5, 1887, at Fort W^orth, Texas, married Eugene Ashe, one child, b. June "•^8, 1910. d. in infancy, residence. Fort Worth Tex. Evelyn Byrd McCoy b. Feb. 21, 1852, married (April 29, 1875) James Montgomery Holloway (b. Feb. lo, 1847 j and they had issue : ( 1 ) Elizabeth Scott, b. May 15, 1879, at Wichita, Kan., m. Oct. 1, 1903, Kidder Woodson Woods (b. 1875 at Frankfort, Ky. ) and they had issue: ^Wood- son Kidder, b. Aug. 14. 19o4; -James Holloway. b. July 12, ]!)08; (2) Kate Lee. b. July 30, 1881, married (April 2(5, 1905) Alexander John Atchison Alexander (b. 1875) of "ANoodburn Farm," Woodford County, Ky. They have issue: -Alexander John, b. Jan. 13, 1907; -James Holloway, b. April IL 1909. Woodson McCoy, b. Sept. 26, 1855, married (June 3, I8!)(i) Atiiies English, of Platte County, ^Missouri, and they have is- sue: ^Spencer English, b. Feb. 9. 1892, residence. Wilder, Kas; ^Martha, b. Aug. 18. 1893, d. Dec. 24, 1894; ^Elizabeth Woodson, b. Nov. 15, 1897, residence. Wilder, Kas. [uhn Calvin, Jr.. 1). JivW 8, 188^ residence, Kansas City, married Florida Mason (b. Xov. 2, 1854). They have issue: ijohn Calvin, Jr., b. July 8, 1888; ~^lary Agnes, b. Xov. 18, 1890; ^Matt ^lason. b. July 23. 1892. Sarah, seventh child of Rev. Isaac McCoy and his wife, Christiana Polk, married Thomas Givens, Fayette. M'>. Com- monwealth Attorney for Eastern District of Missouri, and they had one child, Sarah, Jr., b. in 1832, d. at 14 years of age. Sarah, Sr., d. before July 30. 1835. Christiana McCoy, daughter of Rev. Isaac and Christiana (Polk) McCoy, married Wm. Ward, of ibiward County, Missouri. Thev had two children: ^Margaret Ward. b. 1832. d. in infancy; -Thomas \\'ard. b. 1834. d. 190!). Tlmmas married Miss Talbot, a sister of Bishop Ethelbert Tall^nt. and they had issue: ^Thomas, b. , married May Hamilton, and 434 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN they have a son and daughters, Alice and Margaret; -Margaret, b. , unmarried, residence, Den\er, Colo ; •'^Ethelbert, b. , married Ada Smith, three children ; ■*Jno., Episcopal clergyman, b. , married , two children, Polly and Peggy. Resides at Wilkesbarre, Pa. ; '^Elsie, a noted sculptress, b.- , married Henry Herring, a sculptor. Xo issue; ^'William, b. . mar- ried. He is a mining engineer and li\es in South America. ''^Ralph, b. . Lieutenant in I'. S. Army. Married in Den- ver, about 190(S. Nancy Judson, ninth child of Rev. Isaac McCoy and Christiana Polk, 1). Feb. 2(3, 1819, d. unmar- ried 1850. Eleanor, tenth child of Rev. Isaac McCoy and wife. Christina, b. July 29, 1821, d. Jan. 11, 1839. She married Wm. Donahoe, of Howard County. Missouri. Xo issue re- corded. Maria Slaughter, eleventh child of Rev. Isaac ^IcCoy and wife, Christiana, b. Xov. 29, 1823, d. unmarried. Isaac, Jr., b. April, 1825, d. May, 18-1:9, married Martha Stone, of Jackson County, Missouri. They had a son, Isaac, 3rd, 1). Aug., 1849, d. 18(31. Charles Rice, thirteenth and youngest child of Rev. Isaac McCoy and his wife, Christiana (Polk) McCoy, b. Feb., 1827, d. in his youth. The remains of Chris- tiana McCoy, Sr., and of the deceased members of her son, John- Calvin McCoy, rest in the Union County Cemetery, Kansas City. A book entitled "Earlv IndiaTi ^T,"^sions," a memorial written Ijy Walter X. Wyeth, D. D., of Philadelphia, and published by the Baptist Publication Society, tells of the lives and the mission work of Rev. Isaac McCoy and his wife, Christiana (Polk) McCoy. Another work, "The Eliza ^IcCoy Memoir." w^'itten by Calvin McCormick, of Dallas, Tex., tells of the life of Miss Eliza McCoy, a daughter of John ]\IcCoy, 'd brother to Rev. Isaac McCoy. And a third work, called "History of Baptist Indian Missions," written by Isaac ^Ic- Coy, (612 pages) published in 1840, gives almost a complete account of the life of Christiana Polk. In the room of the Kansas Historical Society in the capitol at Topeka, is one of their most ])rized collections, kept separate in a vault, and called the "Isaac McCoy Collection." It comprises the origi- nal manuscript, of the many accounts written l)y Rev. Isaac McCoy concerning the North American Indians, and of pioneer days in the Middle West, then the "Far West." These ac- POLK FAMILY A X D K I N S M E .V 435 counts also tell much about his wife, Christiana (Polk) ]^Ic- Coy. John Calvin McCoy, second son of Christiana, was one of the most noted persons in the early history of Kansas City, and of Western Missouri. He was a Government Civil Engi- neer, employed to allot lands to the Indians and to act as atz^ent of the United States in transactions with them. A recent his- tory of Kansas City states that if any one was the "father of Kansas City," John Calvin McCoy was entitled to that dis- tinction. He made the first plat of the city and was a member of the original town company. There he lived for more than fifty years, loved and honored to an unusual degree. He was educated at Cincinnati and Transylvania University of Lexing- ton. Kv. Eleanor McCoy Harris, wife of Dr. A\'. W. Harris, of Rich Hill, AIo., eldest daughter of John McCoy, by his first wife, Mrginia Chick, is a woman of literary taste and ability and has written much for the press and magazines. Although a great grandmother, she is a regular contributor to the Kansas City Star, and is collaborating in the preparation of a history of Jackson Countv. Missouri, in which Kansas City is situated. She is still alert, vigorous in body and mind, and a good musi- cian. In his book. "Baptist Indian Missions," published in 1840, Rev. Isaac McCoy says, among other things: "In the fore- part of October I attended, at Chicago, the payment of an annuity by Dr. Wolcott, U. S. Indian Agent, and through his politeness addressed the Indians on the subject of our mis- sion. On the 9th of Oct., 1825, I preached in English, which, as I was informed, was the first sermon ever delivered at or near that place. Between our place and Chicago was a wilder- ness, in which we took five nights lodging on our tour."' 436 P 0 LK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N CHAPTER LI. CHARLES POLK, 3rd, AND FAMILY. Charles Polk, 3rd (fifth child of Capt. Charles Polk) was born Oct. 37, 1T82, in an Indian Camp at Detroit, where his mother and her children, William, Elizabeth, Sarah and Xancy were taken by their savage captors in Sept., 1783. Here the little white papoose remained until his father recovered his family the following year, through the kindly assistance of his old time anti-Revolutionary acquaintance and friend, Simon Girty. After the return of the family to Xelson County Kentucky, Charles grew up to be a vigorous and active youth, sooii be- coming skilled as a hunter and alert pioneer, and obtaining the ordinary country school education of that period. He served under General Harrison at Tippecanoe, in 1811, in the Quartermaster's Department, and later was an officer of Indiana ^lilitia, in the \\'ar 1813. He took an acti\e part in all the civil and military afifairs of his district, and, in 1816, was the single member from Perry County of the first Con- stitutional Convention of Indiana, when the Territory assumed statehood. He died in Perry County in 1847. Charles Polk, 3rd, married ^largaret McQuaid in 1803, and to them were born thirteen little Polks, viz; ^James, b. in Shelby County, Kentucky. Sept. 5, 1804, d. 1890. He mar- ried Harriett Shepherd, in 1839; -Delilah, b. Jan. 1, 1806, d. 1874, married Alexander Blackburn ; ^Lucinda, b. Jan. 6, 1808, d. Aug., 1873, married Obed ^lacey in 1836 ; ^William Bruce, b. about 1810, d. 1814; ^Nancy, b. about 1813, d. unmarried; •^Elizabeth, b. about 1814, d. , married Chas. Short; "Ed- niond, b. about 1816, d. , married Jane Elliott; '^Isabel, b. about 1818, d. 1837, unmarried; "Charles, b. about 1830, d. 1839; i^Christian, b. 1833, d. 1848, married first, James Piety Cox, eldest son of Jonathan Cox, of Kentucky. Christian also married two other men. Holden and Samuel ]\Iaxwell ; r () l.K P A M I 1. y ,1 X I) K I X S M I- X 437 BENJAA'IIN F. POLK. of Princeton. Indiana, son of Isaac, son of Charles Polk. 3rd. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AST«R, LENOX AND TILDFN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FA M I LY A X D Kl X S M E X 439 "Isaac, b. Xov. i, IS'-^S, d. July •?:, l,s!)s. He married first, in 1843, Mary Cox, second, in iSGl, 3*Irs. ^Martha (Couchman) Ferguson. By these wives Isaac had twelve children ; ^-John :\I., b. Feb. 26, 18degraff; -Polly, b. . d. , married John Maxwell; ^Elizabeth, b. . d. . married, fir-t. Wni. D. 440 POLK FA M 1 LY AND K I N S M E N Bruce, second, Jonathan Macey ; "^William V., b.— married Polly Haddon ; -^Isaac, b. , d. . married Mrs. Palmer. Eleanor Polk (eighth child (*f Capt. Charles Polk), '■. about 17S8, John Hollingsworth and had : ^George, who mar- ried Hannah Hill; -Elizabeth, who married Harry Palmer; ^Joseph, who married Airs. Palmer; '^Delilah, who married Aloore; ^Eleanor, who married Selby ; ^Isaac, who married Miss Underwood; 'Christiana, wln) married James McClure. Mary (Polly) Polk (ninth child of Capt. Charles Polk), b. about 1790. d. , married Philip Bell and they had: ^Charles, who married Lydia 1 'artley ; -Emeline, who married David Kipper; ^William, who married Nancy Lemmon ; *Sallie, who married Burns; ^Betsy, who married . DESCENDANTS OF DR. THOMAS POLK. Dr. Thomas Polk, tenth child of Capt. Charles Polk anl Delilah (Tyler Polk, was born Feb. 'I, 1792, in Nelson County, Kentucky, and died Feb. 7, 1872, at Gonzales, Texas. His wife, Sarah Sloan, was born in Nelson County in 1796, of North Carolina parents, and died March 4, 1873, only thirty- three days after her husband's death. Their children were ^Sarah Ann, b. Dec. 27, 1831; -James, b. about , 1833 "William, b. about , 1835; ^Milam Benjamin, b. Feb. 39 1836 ; ^Eliza, b. about , 1837 ; "^ , and d. in infancy, 1838 ^Elizabeth, b. about , 1839 ; ^Charles, b. about , 1840 ^ , b. and d. about , l,s41 ; ^^Mary Jane. b. , 1845, d. at four years of age. INTERMARRIAGES. The intermarriages and the descendants of the foregoing of Dr. Thomas Polk were: Sarah Ann, b. Dec. 27, 1831, d. June 16, 1876, married James D. Anderson, of Gonzales, Texas, Nov. G, 1856. They had issue: ^Thomas James, b. Sept. 10, 1857, d. at one year old ; -Frances Gelhorn, b. Feb. 20, 1860, married (Sept. 3, 1874) James D. Darst, of Gonzales, Tex; POLK FAMILY A X D KINSMEN 441 SRobert Lee, b. Aug. 9, 1864, married (Feb. 21, 1893J Alary Crosby. The children of Robert Lee Anderson and ALiry Crosby are: LMary Crosby, b. Oct. 31, 1893; -J. D. Houston, b. April 10, 1896; ■^'Robert Lee, b. June U, 189?. James Polk (son of Dr. Thomas Polk), b. about 1833, d. at one vear old. William Polk, b. about 1835, married Jane Campljell and died soon afterward, aged 28 years. No issue. Alilam Benjamin Polk, b. Feb. 29, 1836, d. July 1894, mar- ried Julia Caroline Price, Feb. 20, 1ST3. She was b. Jan. T, 1847. They had issue: ^Omi, b. July 26, 18T4, married Jno. Charlton Heaton, Jan. 1, 1900. They had one child, John Polk Heaton, b. 1901, d. in infancy; -Charles Stover, h. Aug. 6, 1876, married Lottie Pickett. Oct. 6, 1908, residence, Liberty, Tex. ; '^Bessie Thomas, b. Feb. 3, 1879, married Frank B. Salter, June 26, 1907; ^Milam Benjamin, Jr., b. Feb. 11, 1882, d. May 17, 1883 ; ^Patti, b. Aug. 17, 1885 ; ^SNellie, b. Sept. 17, 1887. Eliza, daughter of Dr. Dr. Thomas Polk, b. about 1837, married Felix Chenault. She died Sept. 9, 1870, he on Oct. 25, 1872. They had issue: (1) James Reed, who mar- ried Sophia Henson and had issue: 'Edna, b. ; -LaSalle, b. ; ^May, married Akyle, one child, Bernelle, b. : "*Jef- ferson, b. ; •'*Felix, b. , married Ruby Arnold; ''Reed, b. . Felix had two son, Felix, Jr., and Reed. (2)John Bass, b. Feb. 14. 1846, married Lilla J. Harrison. Issue: ^Emma, who married Burrows; -Clarence. (3) Charles Polk, b. Aug. 8, 1848, married Jane Tes- tard. Issue: ^Charles Adrian, b. , 1880; -Anna Letitia, b. Sept. 13, 1882, married Wood Caperton ; ^Whitson, 1). Oct. 16, 1884 .married Lula Simmons. (4) Benjamin Peck, b. Feb. 20. 1852. unmarried. (5) Lucien La Salle, b. Dec. 15, 1853, married Xarcissa De ^Vitt. Sept. 16, 1874. Issue: ^Cora. 1).. May 20, 1877, mar- ried Herbert Green. Issue: Herbert, b. Dec. 2, 1906 ; A\'ilfred, b. March 18, 1910; ^Clinton, b. May 28, 1881, unmarried; ^Lucien James, b. Oct. 6, 1883 ; ^Dora, b. April 15, ]ssrK d. Mav 28. 1886. (6) Medora, b. May 7, 1855, married James Dunn lluu<- 442 POLK FA M I LY AND KINSMEN ton, Dec. 1873. Issue: ^Augusta, b. Dec. 28, 1874, d. March 12, 1885, married August Kline; -George L., b. , married Alice Thompson. Issue: ^Kennon, b. Sept. 26, 1895, d. March &, 1896; -Doris, b. Aug., 1896; ^^Aileen H. B., Oct. 18, 1898; ''Katharine, b.. Oct. 12, 1906. Letitia Chenault, b. Aug. 9, 1857, married Samuel L. Fore, of Gonzales, Tex., Feb. 20, 1889. Issue: ^Blake Davidson, Cuero, Tex., b. Jan. 9, 1890; -Sam Lane, Cuero, Tex., b. \lay 3, 1891. Blake Davidson Fore and ■Mary Lease were married Nov. 28, 1909. Loren Blake Fore, son of Blake and ^lary Fore, b. July 7, 1910, residence, Florasville, Tex. Eizabeth Polk, daughter of Dr. Thomas Polk, b. about 1838, aged 66 years, married William B. Cavitt. and they had : ^Cora Millie, b. , d. ; -Miles Edward, b. , married Mollie Booth, and had a daughter, Elizabeth Booth. Frances Gelhorn Anderson, 1). Feb. 20, 1860, married James D. Darst, of Gonzales, Tex., Sept. 2, 1871. They had issue: (1) Imogene E., b. July oL 187(), married W. G. Mulligan, of High Prairie, Alberta, Canada. Their children are: ^Lucille Annie, h. July 3, 1895; -Thelma Sue, 1). June 27, 1897; "Imo- gene, b. Dec. 13, 1900. (2) James Anderson, b. Sept 19, 1878, married Aug. 11, 1908, Mary Lou Hogan, of Lufkin, Tex. They have one child, Dorothy, b. Nov. 6, 1909. (3 ) Sue Lee, b. Oct. 3, 1880. married J. Wm. Cobb, of St. Louis, Mo. Their children are: -^Frances Cobb, b. Aug. 19, 1900; 2B. N. Darst, b. June 27, 1902; ^J. Wm., Jr., b. Aug. 18, 1904; ^Susan Lee, b. , 1905; ■nVhitfield, b. Dec. 23, 1907; «Mary Ethel, b. , 19(19. John Jacob Darst, b. June 27, 1885, unmarried. Sarah Ethel Darst, b. Dec. 30, 1882, married J. G. McRea, Aug. 29, 1906. They have one child, Wm. Darst, b. June 18, 1909. Thomas Roswell Darst, b. Sept. 8, 1888, married Lucille Lois Houston, Jan. 28, 1909. Eleanor Alma Darst, 1). July 6, 1890, married James C. Smith, Hearne, Texas, April 18, 1908. Mary Jane Polk (daughter of Dr. Thomas Polk), b. about 1845, d. at four years of age. POLK FA M I L Y A \ D K I .V i- .1/ E .V 443 SKETCH OF DR. THOMAS POLK. (liy his Grandaughter. Mrs. Frances G. Darst.) Dr. Thomas Polk, tenth child of Capt. Charles Polk and his wife, Delilah (Tyler) Polk, was born in Nelson County, Kentucky. Feb. 2, 1792. He died Feb. T, 1872, at Gonzales, 'l^exas, where he had resided for over fifty veai>. When Thomas was 16 years of age, his father, Capt. Charles Polk, removed from Kentucky to near Vincennes, Ind., where he and his sons became prominent in civil and military affairs m that Territory. Amid the stirring scenes of the frontier Thomas grew to manhood, studied medicine and began prac- tice. In 18 — he married Miss Sarah Sloan ( b. 17!>6 in Xelson County, Kentucky), who proved through a long life on the frontiers a brave and loyal helpmate. Like his father and uncles, however, Thomas could not resisit the lure of the fields that lay toward the setting sun, with their opportunities for adventure and wealth. He decided to go to the Southwest, and in 1820 emigrated to Arkansas Territory. The following year, 1821. attracted by the marvelous stories concerning the Republic of Texas, to which a strong tide of hardy emigrants flowed, he moved forward to that country and settled permanently. Descended from an adventurous line. Dr. Thomas Polk was soon absorbed into the exciting transactions of that pe icd under Col. Stephen F. Austin and General Sam Houston. As a surgeon he served in the ranks of the army of the Repubbc and acquitted himself with bravery and distinction. He was in the whole of the long struggle between the Texan patriots and the Mexican forces that opposed them. On the cohnrn that stands in the Statehouse at Austin, erected to the memory of the "Heroes of Texas," his name is inscribed with those of other prominent actors in that struggle. The story of Dr. Thomas Polk's life and adventures in the Southwest is most interestingly told in a letter to the author, by his granddaughter, Mrs. Frances G. Darst. of Gonzales. Texas. Her account furnishes a striking picture of the trials and sufferings of Americans who formed the Texas Republic and battled long against the Alexicans to hold it, finally plant- ing the Stars and Stripes over all the rich territory north of the Rio Grande. Says Mrs. Darst: 444 ^ ty L K F A M I L V A ^■ D KINS M E N "Dr. Thomas Polk and wife, with sexeral small chil.Iren, left A incennes, Ind., and emigrated to Arkansas Territory in 1820, where they sojourned for al^out a year. Texas was then a part of Mexico. Lured by adventure and prospective land grants, they came to this state in 1821 and w^ere a part of Col. Stephen F. Austin's Colony, settled near Bahia Crossing", near what is now Austin County. There they lived until after the Mexican Revolutionary War. "Dr. Polk was a surgeon in the Army of the Republic, l)Ut he had practiced medicine and eng-aged in farming and ranching for many years previous to the war. The country was full of wild animals, and also Indians, the latter making fre- quent raids on the settlers, stealing horses and cattle, and killing and capturing all the white people they could. Yet, these savages were always friendly to the Polks, because grandma. Dr. Thomas Polk's wife, often gave them food and aid. There was a cane l)rake near Dr. Polk's house and one day when the family were at dinner — one of the seldom days when they had a pudding — an immense Indian in war paint and feathers came out of the cane brake and stood in the door, uttering a loud grunt: "W'-a-a-u-g-h." The children all screamed and ran away and hid, some of them crawling under the bed. Grandma was not excited a bit, and going to the big chief, led him to a seat at the tal)le, in\iting him to eat. vShe helped him liberally to everything. Pie was particularly pleased with the pudding, and after eating what was given to him, helped himself to the rest of it. Then after dispatching it, he ])atted himself on the stomach, exclaimed, "Heap good" and l)ecame playful, v^eeing Eliza's little bare toes sticking out from under the l)ed, whither she had fled for safety at first appearance, he reached down and ptilled her out Idv the foot, seemingly greatly pleased by her screams and frantic efforts to get away. Grandma ran to her rescue, but the Indian patted her on the shoulder and left the house. "Grandpa Dr. Polk, afterwards learned tliat the canebrake was full of Indians, with hostile intentions, but becau^'e this one was treated so kindly, they never molested the family at that or an\- other time. The big Indian often came afterwards, sometimes l)ringing an<»ther with him and frequently brought POLK FAMILY A X D KI X S M E X 445 presents of game and fish, and grandma always cooked a goodly portion for him to eat. He would signify his satisfaction by patting and rubbing his stomach. I will now tell you how^ this particular pudding was made, and all cakes and sweets at that time : Grandma sifted the cornmeal through a muslin cloth, to obtain the finest fiour. She then shortened it with bear's fat and sweetened it with wild honey. This was before the day of baking powder, or even soda, so when grandma had no saleratus. she dripped strong lye from wood ashes, which, combined with sour milk, made a very good leaven. She was a good manager and a hospitaljle housekeeper. She often regaled the wayfarer and sometimes guest, with this cake and refreshing drink made of cold water poured on preserves made by stewing wild plums in honey. Game was plentiful — bears, deer, turkeys, duck, quails and an abundance of honey was to be found in the hol- low trees. Also berries, pecans, grapes and various wild fruits in their season. Grandpa killed several bears in the yard and grandma also killed one that was trying to kill a shoat. "As all supplies were shipped from Xew Orleans, and often delayed unaccountably, the people were obliged to subsist mainly on the game wdiich they found in the woods, and fear of the Indians made it difficult to kill game. Once during a corn famine, they were a long time — many weeks — without bread. But their most serious misfortune occurred about the close of the war for Independence. "Grandpa was at home, on a furlough, to welcome the arrival of :\Iilam Benjamin, the youngest child. The people had not recovered from the fear and gloom cast over the coun- try by the terrible Goliad Massacre, when came the direful news of the fall of the Alamo, with a necessity for every family between San Antonio and Houston to leave their homes and flee for their lives— the "Great Runaway," as it has been called. "'Just at daylight, one morning, Mr. Brown, a faithful nearest neighbor who lived two miles away, galloped to the door shouting, "Get up, Doctor ! Get up (|uick ! The Mexicans are coming! Everybody has gone l)Ut you. I missed y(ju 446 POLK FAMILY A N D KINS M E N and came back. Hurry! Hurr_v!" Within two hours they had secreted the cooking utensils and such bedding and pro- visions as they could, in hollow trees and logs, and packed up the few things they could carry, and set out. Grandma, with an infant of but a few days old in her arms, and a son behind her, Grandpa and Charles on the pack horses, and three litile girls on a bobtailed pony that hitherto had l^een regarded as perfectly safe ; l)ut, he may have scented danger, for he ran away at the outset and scraped his precious burden from off his back as he ran under the swinging limb of a black-jack tree. The children were not hurt much ; the pony was cap- tured, all three piled on again, and they hurried forward to catch up with their fleeing neighbors. Recent heavy rains had made travel difficult, and when they reached the Brazos River, it was out of its banks and unfordable. So the men set about building a raft to carrv the women, children and baggage over. The horses swam across. Grandma was sit- ting on a fallen tree, with her Ijabe on her lap, when her child- ren were placed on the raft for the first trip across the swollen, rushing stream. She threw up her liands, screaming: "Bring them back to me! Aly children will be drowned" But she was assured the danger was far less than if they remained on that side, to be butchered by the Mexicans. All were finally rafted across safely and they trudged on through the woods f'r life and liberty. At length night came upon them, a dark, starless night — and rain pouring in torrents. The men cut brush and j)iled it high, for the women and children to sleep on. The water ran ankle deep on the ground and they cut large pieces of bark from a fallen tree and threw it over Grandma in lieu of an umbrella, to keep her and her little babe dry. The next day the party reached Donahue's Ranch, tired, wet and hungry, but comparatively safe, and found a large number of people already encamped. Here they met Uncle \\'illiam who had marched with the Regular Army. But In a few days he was thrown from a horse, which fell on him, strik- ing him in the breast with the pommel of the saddle, from which he suffered greatly. He had several hemorrhages of the lungs, for several days, and Grandpa was detailed with him, and other sick soldiers, when the San Jacinto l)attle took place. POLK FAMIL Y A .V D KI X S M E X 447 "On the eve of the battle, General Sam Houston was pressing horses into service to draw cannons to the battlefield. An orderly came for the horse grandma had ridden from home; their best horse, a splendid animal. But grandma remonstrated. Nevertheless, he led the horse away. Shortly afterward, grandma followed with a butcher knife, and see- ing" her horse hitched to a cannon, proceeded to cut him out of harness. General Houston saw her in the act, and said : 'Aladam, I fear this is a bad omen." But she told him her husband and son were in the army, and she needed the horse to help earn a living for her little children. So when General Houston saw she was determined to have her horse, he as- sisted her to mount and she rode the animal back to camp. San Jacinto was the victorious, decisive battle. Santa Anna was captured and Texas became a Republic. But as the country was still in an unsettled, dangerous condition, many families returned to the States. Grandma was urged to go wth them ; but she would not leave grandpa, and Uncle William was too ill to leave Donahue's Ranch. But when he was convalescing, she did return (alone, except for her little children) to her home in Austin County, as grandpa's serv- ices as surgeon were needed elsewhere, and with Uncle \\ il- liam, and was fortunate to find that their home had been passed by the Mexicans, who pillaged and burned every other house and village in their way. On account of their exposure and many deprivations, the children sickened with typhoid fever soon after their return home. Two of them were dano-erouslv ill and grandma attended them unaided for weeks, with no means of communicating her distress to grandpa. One day :\Ir. Brown (who had also been detained at San Jacinto) and a Mexican rode up to the gate, supporting a man between them, on a horse ; a man limp from sickness, with his head swollen to immense proportions. When grandma went to the door, Mr. Brown asked: Mrs. Polk, do you know this man?' She shook her head and ans- wered that she had never seen liim before. 'Oh, yes you have; this is Dr. Polk.' "Grandpa had had cholera and afterwards was badly 448 t' O L K F A M I L y A N D K INS M E N salivated, and his head and face were swollen until he was unrecognizable. They carried him into a room apart from the children. The next day, Irxin, a boy of twelve years, died. Mr. Brown and a more distant neighbor, named Alford, dug a grave in a thicket below the house. They placed Irvin in a little board coffin, put it on a slide to which a rope was attached, and dragged it to the grave. "Eliza finally recovered, I)Ut all oi her hair came out. In time, grandpa got well, l:)Ut was ne\er able to hear well again. They finally became dissatisfied and moved away, living a short time at Brazoria, San Philip])i and Cuero and at last located in Gonzales County, where he ceased to prac- tice medicine and engaged in farming and stock raising to a ripe old age. "A great part of the time during those experiences. Dr. Thomas Polk was busy professionally. The country being but sparsely settled he made long journeys on horseback, so that his practice and his services as Surgeon ii; the Texas Revolution kept him away from home much of the time. While he had many thrilling adventures, he was reticent on the subject at home; perhaps to keei) grandma from being- anxious when he was away. He evaded, rather than sought honors or publicity in any form. Grandma could never quite forgive him for bringing her to raise her family in a wilder- ness, and tears would course down her cheeks when she lamented their want of schools, religious and social advan- tages ; yet she was a staunch helpmate, standing loyally by him through every battle of a long life, and died of grief a few months after his death. Grandpa would look upon his broad acres, fine stock, and handsome, healthy children, and declare he had nothing to regret. "As are the other Polks, we are nearly all Presbyterians, and all Democrats. Some ha\'e wealth and some have not, but all are comforta'ble. There are two old bachelors on our l)ranch, l)ut no old maids; only one divorce and never a case of insanitv." POLK FAMILY AND KIXSMEN 449 CHAPTER LII. EPHRAIM POLK, 1st, AND DESCENDANTS. Ephraim Polk, 1st, progenitor of most of the Polks in Delaware, Kentucky. Iowa. Ohio. California, and some other of the Western and Southern States, was the third sun of Capt. Robert P.ruce Polk and his wife. Magdalen (Porter) Polk, nee Tasker. Ephraim Polk, 1st. was born in Ireland about the year 1671. and was a rhild of tender aop when hi<; narpnl-^ pini- (Polk Family and Kinsmen) p* 449. Charles Williams was brother of Elizabeth wife of Jciphraim Polk, Elizabeth Williams (no relation to Henry Williams, as shown by his will), daughter of Miohael and Ann his wife, was born May, 29, 1674, at Anamessix, Md. (Stephney Parish Kecords, at Somerset Go,, Md. ) Information supplied by Dec. 11, 1933 448 POL K F A M I LY A N D KIN S M E A' salivated, and his head and face were swollen until he was unrecognizable. They carried him into a room apart from the children. The next day, Irvin, a boy of twelve years, died. Mr. Brown and a more distant neighbor, named Alford, dug a grave in a thicket below the house. They placed Irvin in a little board coffin, put it on a slide to which a rope was attached, and dragged it to the grave. "Eliza finally recovered, l)ut all of her hair came out. In time, grandpa got well, but was never able to hear well again. They finally became dissatisfied and moved away, living a short time at Brazoria, San Philippi and Cuero and at last located in Gonzales Countv, where he cea«pd to nmr- POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 449 CHAPTER LII. EPHRAIM POLK, 1st, AND DESCENDANTS. Ephraim Polk. 1st, progenitor of most of the Polks in Delaware, Kentucky, Iowa, Ohio, California, and some other of the Western and Southern States, was the third sun of Capt. Robert Bruce Polk and his wife, Magdalen ( INirter) Polk, nee Tasker. Ephraim I'olk, 1st, was l)orn in Ireland about the year 1671, and was a child of tender age when his parent> emi- grated to America, settling in Somerset County, Maryland. Ephraim died in IT 18, as show^n by the fact that on March 19th of that year his widow gave bond in the Somerset Court as Administratrix of his estate, with Charles Williams (pre- _k.- sumably her father, or a brother) and Dennis Driskett as sureties, in the sum of two hundred pounds each. Her maiden name was Elizabeth Williams, a descendant of Henry Williams, a Virginia planter, who settled there in Hi is, and who had property in Somerset County, ^Maryland. Many of this Williams family resided on the Eastern Shore, their an- cestors being among the first colonists wdio came over with Lord Baltimore. Elizabeth is also said to have been a sister of Mary \\'illiams, wife of her husband's brother, James Polk. Ephraim and Elizabeth were married about the year Hoo. when he was a little less than thirty years old, as their eldest child, Magdalen IManlove P'olk, who died unm;irricd, was born in 1702. After Ephraim's death his widow married John Laws, of another prominent colonial family, several of whose mem- bers were intermarried with the Polks, and she was his wile in 1!^24, as the records show. Tudeine from the entries of record in the Land ( )ffice of the Colony at Annapolis, and also from oilier offici.-d documents in the Clerk's offices of Marylanrl and Delaw.ir'. Ephraim appears to have been the most alert and enterpris- 450 POLK FA M I LY AND K I N S M H N ing of the sons of Capt. Robert Bruce I'olk in the acquire- ment of real estate and other property. The Colonial Land Office records show the following grants from Lord Balti- more to him : Ephraim Poalk. "Clonmell,"" H'O acres, lying in Somerset County, Isetween Manokin Liranch and Pidgeon House or Little Creek, Sept. 20, 1700. Recorded in Liber D. D. No. r. folio, 73. Ephraim Poalk, "Long Delay," 274 acres, lying in Som- erset County, in Dame's Quarter, on W. side of Ball's Creek, ALarch 2(;, 1705. Recorded in Liber D. D. No. 5, folio 36(). Ephraim Poalk, "Chance," 200 acres, lying on E. side of Chesapeake Bay, in Dorchester County, May 27, 171-'). Re- corded in Liber E. E. No. 6, folio 235. Ephraim Polack, "Poak's Chance," 2n(i acres E. side Chesapeake Bay, Dorchester County, Sept. l ; George Frederick, d. June 1, 1832; Ellen Ann, d. Dec. 1-t. 1832; Anna May, d. Aug. 4, lSi)3, unmarried. Of those who attained to manhood or womanhood, Mary Elizabeth Manlove married Jan. 11, isb"). to John Bailey, of Kenton, Del. Issue ^Charles, b. June ^j, 1848; -\\'m. An- drew, h. Aug. 18, 1849; ^Mary Anna, 1). April !!». 185T. James Henry Polk married in ls.-)8 Mary Masten. Tie died Oct., 1867. Offspring: ^Sallie ^laria, b. Aug. 23, 18(51; -Theodore E., b. Oct. 13, 1S(;2 ; ''John P., b. Feb. 17, 1864. W'ni. Alexander Polk, born June 1<>, ls](i, died unmarried, at Georgetown, Del., Feb. "< . l.sDU. He was a farmer, but a man of fine intelligence and greatly esteemed. He was elected a Representative in the Legislature of Delaware in 1866, and chosen speaker of that body. His residence was in Nanti- coke Hundred. In 1841 he was an Aide to Governor Cooper; Deputy Register of \\ills, ls41 to 1853; Commissary U. S. A., 1864-5, to General Sully; Register of Wills for Sussex County from 1881 to 1871. John Purnell I'olk was appointed Xov. 1, 1849, to the position of Clerk in the Department of State, at Washington City, serving about thirty years, or until a short time before his death. By steady promotion he became Chief Clerk of Division C, having charge of correspondence with the Bar- bary States, China, Ecuador, Egypt , Greece, Hawaiian Islands, Japan, Liberia, San Domingo, Turkey, and other countries not assigned, and miscellaneous correspondence relating to those co/untries. ^ John Purnell Polk never married. He resided for many years, from 1".M, aged 4-L years. He was a man adorned with almost on ery virtue. He inherited a good estate, and made two fortunes afterwards. But through his kindness to and confidence in .^11 men. he died poor. Though long in trade he was never known to sue anyone. He was a member of the Legislature, and the suavitv of his manners and the purity of his heart marie 494 POL K FAMILY AND KIN S M E N him a favorite wherever he went and gave him uncommon popularity. John Polk, son of John P'olk and Polly Dolbee (and half brother of William afore-mentioned), was born in 1771) and died in 1843, a bachelor. He was a merchant in Laurel. No man, perhaps, ever enjoyed the confidence and affections of those who knew him. in a higher degree. He possessed a very vigorous mind, and business habits that crowned his labors with a handsome fortune. He died in 18-13, at the age of 63. Josiah Polk, second son of John Polk and Polly Dolbee, was a farmer in Sussex and Captain of militia. He marched to Lewistown during the war of 1S12, to defend it against the attacks of the enemy. He was born about 1781. and died in 1839, unmarried. Levin Polk, third son of John Polk and Sarah Vaughan, died at the age of twenty-two years, unmar- ried. Eunice Jane Polk, eldest daughter and fourth child of John Polk and Sarah Vaughan, was born Oct. 2, 1743, in Sus- sex County, and died in Woodford County. Kentucky, May 12. 1809. On account of her primness and amiable manner she was popularly called "Nicey" Polk. She married Capt. John Scroggin, one of seven gallant brothers who were offcers in the Revolution. In the fall of 1793, Capt. Scroggin and family emigrated to Kentucky with several kinsmen — Ephraim Polk, 3d, the Morris. Xutters, Coverdales and others. Betsy Polk, second daughter of John Polk and Sarah Vaughan. married Lowder Sirman, of Sussex County. Dela- ware. Their children were: ^Lowder; -Betsy; ^Levin ; **John. Lowder Sirman. Jr.. married Sally Calloway, of Essex, and they had issue : ^William ; -James ; ^John Polk ; ^Lowder ; ■^Nancy ; ^Maria ; '''Sarah. William married Lovey Smith, and they had but one child, Sarah Elizabeth. W^illiam, second wife was Polly Smith, sister to Lovey, by whom he h-ad Wil- liam L. and Lovey Ellen. James Sirman, son of Lowder Sir- man, Jr.. married Lovey Elliott and had issue: ^Eleanor; -Samuel; ^W^m. Spicer; ^Benjamin. John Polk Sirman, son of Lowder Sirman. Jr.. married Elizabeth Staten. daughter of Rev. Thomas W. Staten. of Worcester County. Md. Issue: POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 495 ^Isaac Warner; -John William; ^Sarah Ellen. Betsy Simian, daughter of Betsy Polk and Lowder Sirman, Sr., diel unmar- ried. Levin Sirman married Betsy Vaughan and had: ^George; ^Joseph; ^Elizabeth; nVilliam H. ; ^John C. ; *^Elea- nor; ^Mary. George married Aliss Leonard, of Somerset County, Alary- land. Joseph married, first, Sarah Morris, of Sussex; second, Ann Thompson. William H. married Hannah ]\Iorris. Eliz- abeth married Stewart Shockley, of Somerset County. Eleanor married Levin Sullivan, of Sussex. Mary married John Leon- ard, of Somerset County. John, the youngest son of Betsy Polk and Lowder Sir- man, Sr., married Mary Derickson, daughter of General Sam- uel Derickson, of Sussex, a man of distinction. John died without issue. Sally Polk, youngest child of John Polk and Sarah Vaughan, married John Bacon, of Sussex, and had one child. Henry Bacon, a substantial, highly respected farmer and citi- zen, who was three times married ; first, to Mary Parker, daughter of George Parker, of Somerset County, Maryland, by whom he had issue: (1) Sally Bacon, who married Wm. Knowles, of Laurel. Del. They had issue: ^George; -Mary A.; ^Martha J.; '^Sally ; ^Olivia ; «Emma ; {2) George Bacon married and settled in Missouri, and had a family; (3) !Mary Bacon marriel David A. Moore anl died without issue; (4) William Bacon married ]\Iaria Dashiel, daughter of Winder Dashiel, of Laurel. Del., and settled in Somerset. They had is- sue: ijohn; -Mary; ^Winder; ^Rebecca; (5) Xancy Bacon married Thos. Philips, of Seaford, Del., and had one child. James; (6) Elizabeth married Henry Brereton, of Somerset, and emigrated to the Southwest. Issue not known. Henry Bacon's second wife was Priscilla Fookes, of Worcester, Mary- land, by whom he had issue: ^Henry, died unmarried; -Jona- than, who married a widow \'ickers, daughter of Thomas Fookes, of Delaware. He died leaving a daughter. Henry Bacon's third wife was Alary Hearne, of Sussex County. Dela- ware. Lssue: flames; -John; ''Thomas; ^Samuel; "'Levin; ^Lavenia; 'Henry. Several of the Hearne's emigrated tn Cen- tral Kentuckv and have numerous descendant.-, there. 493 P O LK F A M I LV A N D K I N S M E N CHAPTER Ll\\ POLK-SCROGGIN KINSHIP. On the arrival of Capt. John Scroggin and Eunice Jane (Polk) Scroggin, his wife, in Kentucky in the fall of 1793, they established themselves on a fine farm in Bourbon County, about twelve miles from Cynthiana. There they lived, pros- pered, raised their children and died, and their bodies were interred in the family burying ground on the farm. It is said that Capt. Scroggin's brother, Samuel, accompanied by Ephraim Polk, 3d, and several others from Sussex, had pre- viously come to Kentucky fin 1786) to view the land and fix on locations for their respective families. And when they came in 1193, they fixed their homes not far apart, some locat- ing in Bourbon and some in Woodford County. John and Samuel settled in what is now Blarrison — then a part of Bour- bon— and Robert and other brothers in Woodford County. All the related families that came — the Scroggins, Xutters, Polks and Morris — brought with them from Delaware slaves and live stock. The descendants of the Scroggin family are among the very few people in Kentucky or the A\"est who can claim that royal blood flows in their veins, as they descend directly from the Princess Fantalina. daughter of Philip V, of Spain. The genealogy of the Scroggin family, which has been carefully preserved, and a copy of which w^as given to the author of this book a quarter of a century ago, is as follows : GENESIS OF AMERICAN SCROGGIN FAMILY. An Irish naval officer, named Joseph Scroggin, who was in the service of Philip V, of Spain, became enamored of that monarch's daughter, the Princess Fantalina. She reciprocated the aiTection of the impetuous Hibernian, who abducted her, took her on board his vessel, and sailing away, married her. POLK FAMILY AND KI N S M E N 497 In 1711 they came to America, landing at Baltimore, l)rinL;ing land grants, diamonds, gold snuft boxes and other jewels. Having several grants of land, Joseph settled near Snow II ill, in the Colony of Maryland, where he died. Their only child, Joseph Scroggin, Jr., was born in 1715. In 1740, at the age of twenty-five, Joseph Scroggin, Jr., was married to Sarah Ann Caldwell, whose sister, Martha Caldwell, was the mother of Hon. John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, one of America's greatest men. Doubtless, 'by reason of the fact that the high temper of both the Irish and Spanish races w^ere united in him, Joseph Scroggin, Jr., appears to have been a self-willed and uncon- trollable youth, falling out with his mother, leaving her, refus- ing to speak to her, or to submit to her control ; and. it is said, not even the taming yoke of matrimony could cool his fiery nature. Joseph Scroggin, Jr., and his wife, Sarah Caldwell, had thirteen children: ^Nancy, b. May 13, 1741; -John, b. Nov. 13, 1743; 3Mary, b. Nov. 13, 1745; ^Joseph, b. June 17, 1747; •'^Samuel, b. June 14, 1749; •'Sarah, b. Sept. 14, 1750; "Robert Calwell, b. March 1, 1753; nVilliam, b. April 24, 1755; ^'Mil- dred, b. June 15, 1757; ^ophilip, b. Sept. 5, 1759; "Annie Cald- well, b. June IS, 1761 ; ^-Thomas Clark, b. July 4. 1762 ; i":\Iatilda. b. Aug. 21, 1764. Princess Fantalina, the mother of Joseph Scroggin, Jr., died Dec. 31, 1770. Of the foregoing "baker's dozen" of children: Nancy married James Polk, in Delaware. Capt. John, as stated, mar- ried Eunice Jane Polk. Mary married Capt. Revel Wharton, who was killed on his own vessel in an engagement with the British, in the War of 1812. She afterward married Wm. F. Boone, of Philadelphia. Mary's only child (by her first mar- riage) married Elisha English, of Kentucky, grandfather of Hon. Wm. H. English, of Indiana, wdio was candidate for Vice President on the ticket with General Hancock. Mr. Eng- lish's daughter, Rosa English married Dr. Wllloughl)y Wall- ing, formerly of Louisville, now of Chicago, who was United States Consul at Edinburgh, Scotland, under President Cleve- land Dr and Mrs. Walling have two sons, Willoughhy George and Capt. W' m. E. English. Capt. Wm. E. iCngli.^h re- 498 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN sides at Indianapolis, and is a very wealthy man. Hon. Wva. H. English left a large fortune, devising $750,000 to Mrs. Rosa Walling, his daughter, and the balance of his property, in realty, to his son, William. The latter served as Captain in the U. S. Army, in the Spanish-American War. He was on the staff of Maj. Gen. Joe Wheeler. At the battle of San Juan his horse was shot and fell on his leg, badly injuring him. Taken to the field hospital, he contracted fever and came near dying. He refused to take pay for his services in the army. Samuel Scroggin married Betty Collins. He was a Lieu- tenant in the Revolution, from Delaware. He came to Ken- tucky, as stated, first in 1786, to view the country, and again in 1793, and located in Bourbon County. Sarah married Samuel Davis, of Fayette County, Ky., and lived in or near Lexington. Robert Caldwell Scroggin, born 1753, married Ann Culver. Robert was an Ensign in the Revolution and emigrated to Woodford County in 1790, com- ing from Snow Hill, Md., the same locality where his father, Joseph Scroggin, Jr., had settled. Mildred Scroggin was devotedly attached to an officer who was killed in the Revolu- tionary War, and faithful to that attachment, she died un- married. Philip Scroggin, also a Captain in the Revolution, came to Kentucky in 1793. In the \\'ar of 1S12 he again joined the army to fight the old enemy, the British, and was killed in battle. Annie Caldwell Scroggin married James Davis, a brother of Sarah's husband, and lived in or near Lexington, Ky. Thomas Clarke Scroggin, who was a Lieu- tenant in the Revolution, married Isabella Buchanan and emi- grated to Kentucky. Mathilde Scroggin married a Methodist preacher, Rev. Joseph Collins, of Baltimore. The seven Scroggin brothers were all over six feet in height and all were officers in the Revolution. They seemed to inherit the religious tendencies of their mother (Sarah Caldwell), who was of a French Huguenot family, grafted onto Scotch-Irish Presbyterians. Her descendants generally followed the lat- ter faith. An interesting incident is related of Capt. John Scroggin, while he was on his way to Kentucky in 1793, which showed' POLK FAMILY A N D KI N S M E N 499 his courage and kindness of heart. The Indian War was then in progress under General Anthony Wayne, and emigrants bound down the Ohio River were in constant peril from bands of savages who infested the north shore of that stream. Frequent attacks w^ere made on the boats of emigrants, and many were killed. White men who had been captured in childhood by the Indians, and raised up to become veritable savages, were employed as decoys. While dscending the Ohio, a white man appeared on the Ohio shore, and begged piteously to be taken aboard. Al- though vigorously opposed by his companions, who suspected the purpose of the appeal, Capt. Scroggin insisted on succor- ing the man, saying he could not find it in his heart to leave a fellow creature in distress. The boat was turned toward the shore, and when close to it a band of ambushed Indians fired on the party, wounding several, but killing none. The boat immediately put off and its occupants escaped further miury. Capt. Scroggins' wife, Eunice Jane Polk, urged him to secure a large body of land, but he said it was useless, there oeing so much land, which he could get at any time. Rol)eit Caldwell Scroggin's grand-daughters, Miss Scroggin and Mrs. Judge Haviland, reside at Cynthiana, Ky. They are children of Robert Culver Scroggin. Robert had a grandson, John Henderson Scroggin, son of Joseph Scroggin, whose wife, Lucinda Bruce, was a daughter of Capt. Charles Polk's daugh- ter, Sallie, who, \\nth her mother and three other children were captured by Indians in Aug., 1782, in Nelson County, Ky., and taken to Detroit and sold to the British Commandant. For' account of this capture, and of the Bruce kinsmen, see chapter relating to Capt. Charles Polk, the Indian fighter, who came from Pittsburg to Louisville in 1780 and afterward moved to Indiana and died near Vincennes, 182:5. The muster roll of troops from Kentucky in the War of 1812, show the following: "Levin Polk Scroggin, First Cor- poral in Capt. Maurice Langhorne's Bourbon County Com- pany, First Rifle Regiment Kentucky Militia, commanded by Lieut. Col. John Allen. Mustered in Aug. 15; mustered out Oct. U, 1812." , , , M , r Levin Polk Scroggin was the seventh and last child ot 500 POL K F A M I LY AND K I N S M E N Eunice Jane Polk and Capt. John Scroggin. On ^lay "-^dtli, Rolbert Scroggin again joined the army to hght the British, and Indians, with the rank of First Lieutenant of Capt. Richard Alatson's Bourbon County Company, Col. Richard M. Johnson's Kentucky Mounted Infantry. He was in the bat- tle of the Thames (Oct. 5, 1813) won by the army of Ken- tuckians under Gen. Wm. Henry Harrison and Governor Isaac Shelby. Col. Allen's regiment, the First Regiment Kentucky Rifles, of which Levin Polk Scroggin was a member, w^as in the battle and massacre at River Raisin (Jan. 22, 1813), where Col. Allen, Capt. McCracken and many others were barbarous- ly slain after being made prisoners. The late John A. Scroggin, of Versailles, Ky., a prominent merchant of that place, was a son of Levin Polk Scroggin. GALLANT OFFICERS OF THE REVOLUTION. All the seven Scroggin boys (sons of Joseph Scroggin, Jr.) joined the patriot army under Washington and were offi- cers in the Revolutionary Army, acquitting themselves with distinction. Capt. John Scroggin died at his home in Wood- ford County, Kentucky, Dec. 14, 1812. In a letter to the author, of date Feb. 25, 1892, J. H. Scroggin, of Bruceville, Knox County, Indiana, says : "Capt. John Scroggin married one of my grandmothers, Eunice Jane Polk, daughter of John, and grand-daughter of Ephraim Polk, 1st, third son of Capt. Robert Bruce Polk and Magdalen (Tasker) Porter. Eunice was born Oct. 2, 1743, in Maryland, and died in Kentucky, May 29, 1809. They had the following children: ^Elizaibeth, b. Oct. 10, 17G8; -William, b. Jan. 29, 1770; ^Samuel, b. Dec. 30, 1771; ^John, b. May 12. 1774; ^Sarah Ann Caldwell, b. Oct. 9, 1776; ^Joseph, b. Feb. 9, 1779 ; ^Levin Polk, b. March 26, 1782. "Joseph Scroggin (sixth child of John and Eunice Jane (Polk) Scroggin married Xancy Jane Holmes, an elder sister of Hetty R. Bruce, my stepmother, in Kentucky. Joseph died Nov. 4, 1843. Nancy Jane, his wife, born Aug. 20, 1783, died Dec. 8, 1846. They had the following children, born in Ken- tucky: ^Eunice Jane, h. July 23, 1807, d. young in Kentucky; -7r,hn Henderson (my father), b. Feb. 6, 1809; ''William Wes- POLK FAMILY A N D KINS M E N 501 ton, b. Dec. 7, 1, 171)o, probated November 16, 1797, he mentions Joseph's children as \\'illiam, Sallie, Elizabeth. Augusta and !Molly AI. Emanuel dying without issue, under Ephraim's will his (Emanuel's) lands fell to Joseph. Probably with a view of breaking or nullifying the entail by Ephraim of the two hundred acres lying on Bowman's Branch, or for some other reason not now known, before Emanuel's death he sold this two hundred acres on Bowman's Branch to his nephew Augusta Polk, one of the sons of Joseph. This name is written Augusta in the will ; but as Augusta is the feminine of Augustus, it is evident that it should ha^'e been spelled the latter way. Augustus Polk dying intestate and without issue, some time after Emanuel's death, his sisters, Sallie Polk, Elizabeth Polk and Molly AI. Polk on October 22d, 1801, for a valuable consideration sold their respective interests in this tract to their brother William Polk. 516 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N CHAPTER LVI. EPHRAIM POLK, 3rd. Ephraim Polk 3d (youngest of the eight children of Eph- raim Polk 2d and Mary Ooverdale), was b. in North West Fork Hundred, Sussex County, Delaware, November 24, 1758. Just as Ephraim attained to manhood the troubles be- tween the American Colonies and the mother country had culminated in armed conflict. 1 British fleets ravaged the coasts of Delaware, bombarding towns, while British soldiers and their Tory allies in Sussex and other counties harried the patriot inhabitants. The hastily embodied American sol- diers consisted of militia regiments, later put on Colonial es- tablishment, with little drill, discipline or equipment. The close of the first year of the Revolution (1776) found the American cause shrouded in gloom. The army of Wash- mgton had been defeated in a number of battles. Menaced by the proximity of the enemy, on December 12th, the Con- tinental Congress quitted Philadelphia and retired to Bal- timore. Notwithstanding reverses sustained, the firmness of the patriots was unshaken and the Colonies exerted them- selves to sustain W^ashington with added troops. Foremost in this work was the little Colony of Delaware. Many of her sons also went to other colonies and entered the service. Among this class were Joab Polk and his youngest brother, Ephraim Polk 3d, the latter then just past the age of eighteen. Joab was ten years the senior of Ephraim, and with his elder brothers, Emanuel, Joseph and Jehosephat, had been serving the patriot cause as members of the Sussex ^lilitia, and were chiefly employed in the repression of Toryism. An opportunity was soon presented the following year (1777) for Joab and Ephraim to gratify their desire for a larger field of action. Washington, then at Philadelphia, being in need of horses, some of these animals was dispatched by Eph- raim Polk 2d to that place, in charge of his sons Joab and POLK FAMILY AXD KIXSMEN 517 Ephraim. On arrival at the Quaker City, the animals were duly delivered to the proper officials. Joab then crossed the river into New Jersey and enlisted in the service, apparently for a short term each time. The Colonial Records of Xew Jersey show that he first joined the company of "Captain Joseph Pancoast, First Regiment, of Burlington." He next appears as a "Corporal in the First Battalion, Second Estab- lishment, also Militia." Finally he is registered: "Joab Polk, Captain Bateman Lloyd's Company, Second Regiment Con- tinental Troops." According to the statement of Dr. Jefiferson J. Polk, of Perryville, Ky., a son of Ephraim Polk 3d, the latter and his brothers all served throughout the war, returning home only at the conclusion of peace. This fact. Dr. Polk stated, he heard from the lips of his father, when, with his family seated around he would recount instances of the long struggle for American freedom. Soon after Joab and Ephraim reached Philadelphia, the British army under Lord Howe defeated Washington (Sept. nth) at Brandywine. The following day Washington's army fell back to Philadelphia, retreating further to Reading. On Sept. 26th Howe occupied Philadelphia, the Continental Con- gress having migrated to Lancaster. Howe stationed the main division of his army outside of the city, at the village of Germantown, while Washington was twenty miles away awaiting developments. Finally he decided to attack the British division at Germantowni, which he did on October 4, the contest lasting nearly three hours, the Americans losing about 1,000 men in killed and wounded. Among the troops engaged in this battle was Nash's Brigade, from North Car- olina, in which w^as Lieutenant Colonel William Polk, a de- scendant of William Polk 2d, son of Robert and Magdalen Polk. Also his father. Col. Thomas Polk, of '"Mecklenburg Declaration" fame, who commanded a squadron of two hun- dred cavalry and escorted the American baggage train of seven hundred wagons out of the city to P)ethlehem for safety. Among the articles carried away were the bells of the city churches and public buildings, including the State House bell, now known as the "Libertv Bell." Lord Howe threatening 518 POL K F A M I L y A N D KINS M E N the city, all citizens capable of bearing arms were embodied into a regiment commanded by Colonel William Will, known as the Fonrth Class Philadelphia ]\Iilitia. With this raw or- ganization CcjI. W ill joined \\ ashington's army. In this regi- ment, beside Ephraim Polk od, was Capt. Charles Wilson Peale, one of the most noted artists of his day, founder of Peale's Aluseum of that city, and whose sister, Elizabeth Uigby Peale, married Capt. Robert Polk, of Maryland, Commander of the privateers "Black Jake" and '"Montgomery." fitted out at Annapolis, and who was killed on board his vessel by a British cannon shot. Capt. Polk was a descendant of Robert Polk, fifth son of Robert Bruce Polk and Magdalen Porter Ephraim Polk ;3d enlisted vSept. K), 1T7T, in Capt. Joseph Rhodes' Company, Col. Will's Regiment, receiving his "luip- tism of fire" at Germantown on October 4th following. As a matter of interest to his descendants and kinsmen, the fol- lowing partial muster roll is copied from "Pennsylvania Ar- chives, Second Series, A'ol. i;3, p. GTo : CAPTAIN RHOADS' COMPANY. Captain Joseph Rhoads, commissioned Sept. 10, 1777. First Lieutenant Adam Bohl, commissioned Sept. 10, i I t . Second Lieutenant, Conrad Rubert, commissioned Sept. 10, 1777. Sergeant, William Henry, appointed, commissioned Sept. 10, 1777. Corporal, Henry Kains, appointed, commissioned Sept. 10, 1777. PRIVATES. Paradon Peterson, enlisted Sept. 10, 1777. Ephraim Polk, enlisted Sept. 10, 1777. Anthony Hanna, enlisted Sept. 10, 1777. Thomas Robinson, enlisted Sept. 10, 1777. William McElroy, enlisted Sept. 10, 1777. Then follows a list of 32 other privates whose names we omit. Ephraim Polk, it will be seen, was the second man on the list of privates of his company. POLK FAMILY A\D K I X S M E N 519 As the Third Pennsylvania Regiment of Foot. Col. Will's regiment passed into the Continental Line and served through- out the war. The powder-horn which Ephraim put on when he enlisted at Philadelphia in September, ITT?, was presented to the writer by his aunt, Airs. Polly Wolfe of Indiana, in 1873, and by him in 1913 to Harry H. Polk, of Des Moines, Iowa. VALLEY FORGE. The battle of Germantown was practically a "drawn fight."' While the British held the field, it was at the expense of a heavy loss of officers and men. The Americans fell back leisurely to their camps on Skippack Creek, retiring later to W^hite Marsh. Here began the sufferings of the patriot army tor food and clothing. Early in December the British essayed an attack on the American army, but they changed their pur- pose and retreated. After another council of war. it was decided to remove the American army to a greater distance from the enemy. Three days later it crossed the Schuylkill — many of the soldiers marching through the deep snow with bare feet — and on December 19th commenced building winter quarters at A'allev Forge. There they erected log huts and spent that long, bitter winter freezing, starving and suft'ering as no troops on earth ever before had suffered. Congress being unable to alleviate the desperate situation of the suft'ering troops at \^alley Forge. Washington turned to one man who indeed proved a succoring angel to his country in her hour of greatest need. That man was Robert Morris, the merchant prince of Philadelphia, a large ship owner, who also maintained a fleet of privateers. Robert IMorris was at that time the wealthiest man in America, his fortune being estimated at eight millions. He had already advanced large sums to the Congress for war expenses, but, when appealed to bv ^^'ashington, he raised by great effort the funds re- quested. This great benefactor of his country, but fiir wliose monetary aid at critical junctures the American cause would doubtless have been a failure, was a kinsman to Rhoda Morris, the wife of Ephraim Polk 3d, and of the Aforris family of Kent and Sussex Counties, Delaware. 520 POLK FAMILY A N D KINS M E N EPHRAIM EMIGRATES TO KENTUCKY. At the close of the Revolution Joab and Ephraim Polk returned to their home in Sussex. After their return Ijoth of them remained for a time under the parental roof, assisting their father in his affairs until his death in March, 1791. This e\ent necessitated a separation of the family. The old homestead was sold and the proceeds distributed in accord- ance with the will of Ephraim 2d. The eyes of the younger Ephraim, some years before his father's death, had been turn- ed toward the region which lay beyond the Alleghanies, and stretched westward beyond the Mississippi. Determined to first explore it, he set out for Kentucky in the spring of 1785, accompanied, it is said, by some of the Scroggins, and Nutters, kinsmen, and others. Arriving at Limestone (now IMaysville) they fell into the "Great Buffalo Road," which crossed the Ohio at that poin: and led South into the rich grazing lands of Central Kentucky. Following this general route into Ken- tucky, they arrived at Bryan's Station, the scene of a siege by Canadian troops and Indians, in August, 1782. They also visited Lexington and adjacent stations, and explored on the waters of North Elkhorn and the upper branches of Eagle Creek. Ephraim chose a location on Lain's Run, a branch of the North Elkhorn, in what is now Scott County, a few miles north of Georgetown. The others also satisfied themselves as to locations and the party returned to Delaware. Events at home, however, delayed Ephraim in his purpose of emigration from Sussex. After his return from Kentucky. Ephraim cast his glances about for a partner in his joys and sorows of the future. His gaze finally rested on a fair cousin, Rhoda Ann Alorris, daughter of Daniel Morris, Jr., and Ann Polk his wife, of Sussex. Daniel's father was also named Daniel — (Daniel Alorris, Sr.), who had a biblically named progeny, viz: Hezekiah, Daniel Jr., Nathaniel. John Masten, Martin, Deborah, Comfort and Mary Morris. Ephraim Polk 3d and Rhoda Morris were married on March 8, 1792. A year before this event Ephraim's father had died, and the estate had to be settled by himself and his brother Eman- uel, executors named under the will. This work was not final- POLK F AM I L Y A N D KI A" S M E K 52I ly disposed of until the summer of 1793 had passed. Ephraim now l^egan his preparations for emigration to Kentucky, lie- fore this, on February 16, of that year, Asenath, their lirst child, was born. The company of emigrants, In additiiin to Ephraim and his family, consisted of a numl)er of kinsmen, persons related by blood or marriage. Among these were : Captain John Scroggin, a brave soldier of the Revolution, \\\\o had married Eunice Jane Polk ; David and Thomas Xutter ; one of the Coverdales ; several of the ^Morris family, kinsmen of Rhoda, and others. In the fall of 1793, Ephraim Polk and wife, and the other members of their company, took up their line of march for Kentucky. Good wagons, with strong teams, carried such household effects as were considered indispensable. Other horses were ridden by members of the party and they l)id fare- well to the old homes in Sussex and started toward the \\'est. A\'ith Ephraim went the negroes received from his father's estate, and Capt. Scroggin and others also took slaves with them. Several kinds of stock, fruit and garden seeds, were also taken along, the people and animals all forming quite a little caravan. Ephraim Polk, Capt. Scroggin and others of the party being veterans of the Revolution, were not discon- certed by rumors of danger from Indians on the Ohio. They were all well armed and prepared for any emergency. Traveling by steady stages the immigrants passed through the northern part of Maryland and thence into Pennsylvania. Falling into "Braddock's Road," they pursued it westward past Chambersburg and Bedford, across the Alleghanies, and on to Redstone Old Fort, (now Brownsville) on the Mononga- hela. At this point, where a large boat-yard was turning out covered flat-boats known as "Kentucky Broadhorns," for sale to those bound down the Ohio, the party purchased a commod- ious craft, put aboard their animals, farm implements, wagon>, household effects and slaves, and started l^y water to accom- plish most of the distance yet to be travelled. Accompanying them, also, was a squad of friendly Delaware Indian> wh(. joined them at Redstone. Reaching the Ohio, and entering that stream, in due time they arrived at Limestone, escaping murder at the hands of the alert savages. 522 POL K F .^ M 1 L y A X D K 1 X S M L .V It is said that while descending" the CJhio they came near being entrapped and slain. At a point on the river a white man appeared on the north bank of the stream and called to them, claimed to iiave escaped from the Indians, and begged pietously to be taken on board. Captain Scroggin, not wish- mg- to leave a fellow man in distress, urged that they take the supplicant aljuard. Some of the others, suspecting a ruse, opposed the sugge;tion. I'.ut at last the boat was turned to- w'ard the shore and when near it a band of ambushed savages arose and tired a volley into the boat, slightly wounding one or two, but killing no one. The boat was urged out into the stream again and jMirsued the balance of the journey to Lime- stone unmolested. At the latter place the party disembarked, sold their boat, and loading their plunder again into the wagons, and on pack- horses, they followed the "Great Ikiffalo Road" to the w^aters of Lain's Run. Here at the head of this small tributary of North Elkhorn. K])hraim I*olk "drove his stake." And while the negro men felled trees for the cabin, and it was in course of erection, the -quad of Delaware Indians who came with them and had camped nearby, hunted game and maintained the most friendly relations. By this time they had become quite attached to the party, and adopting the name of "Polk" they returned to the Ohio by the way of Kentucky River and pursued their course down that stream and on beyond the Mississippi. After Ephraim had completed a substantial log house, all hands set to work vigorously to clear a cornfield, burn the brush and prepare for planting a crop the ensuing spring. And while Ephraim was busy in these matters, the other meml^ers of the emigrant party had dispersed to different lo- calities and were similarly employed. AN INDIAN RAID. Kentucky at that time had quite a numerous population and Indian invasions or attacks were no longer feared. But, notwithstanding this fact, wdiile Wayne's Indian War was in progress, small ])arties occasionally crossed the Ohio and POLK FA M I L Y A N D K I N S M E N 523 . C5 O t^ o u ? I a I THE NEV/YORK PUBLIC Ubi^ARY AST®R, LFNOX ANO TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 525 Stealthily approached the frontiers of the central part of the State, travelling by night, and here and there stealing horses and murdering people in exposed situations. Such a party ascended the Licking and attacked a family just over the ridge, at no great distance from Ephraim Polk's home, killing all the family but two women whom they took captive. Ephraim had been out hunting, and nearing home at the close of the day, noticed feathers scattered along the trail. On seeing the feathers along the trail Ephraim suspected an Indian foray and shortly after news of the massacre was received. He Cjuickly joined a well armed party of men and pursued the savages, but they escaped down the Licking with their pri- soners, and the pursuers returned. That was about the last Indian raid into Kentucky. W^ayne's victory over the allied British and Indians at Fallen Timbers, in August 1T94:, ended the Indian \\'ar in the country lying between the Alle- ghanies and the Mississippi, and the settlers of Kentucky were no longer harassed by a stealthily, savage foe. In their new home Ephraim Polk and his wife industriuu-- ly exerted themselves to render their situation as comfortable as possible, and in a few years had their plantation well cleared and fenced. They planted the seeds of fruits, which they had brought from Delaware, and in the course of time their apple orchard became famous as the finest in Kentucky. Dr. Jefferson J. Polk, of Perryville, Ky., fifth child of Ephraim, 3rd, and Rhoda (Morris) Polk, a man of keen intel- lect and fine intelligence, published his autobiography in 186T, a few years before his death. Speaking of Ephraim Polk, 1st, Dr. Polk says: "Shortly after his arrival in America he dropped the l-o from his name, (Pollock) and from that time his proper cognomen became Polk. This change may have been accidental, but is was most probably designed. In his new home his family increased in number, and enjoyed all the sweets of domestic happiness. At his death his youngest son, who was also named Ephraim. became possessor of the old manor house. lie married and became the father of four sons and two daughters." In this Dr. Polk was slightly in error, as his grandfather, Ephraim Polk 2d. had eight childen. five sons and three daughters, liut 526 POLK FA M 1 LY A .V D KINS M E N he was writing fr(im memory of what he had heard in cliihl- hood. "Like his father," says Dr. Polk, "he was for the times, a rich man. His youngest son he likewise named Ephraim. He had scarcely seen all the members of his family reach the years of maturity before the struggle l)etween the colonies and the mother country began. At the first sound of war, father and sons flew to arms in defense of their homes. Through the whole contest they bore unflinchingly their full share of dangers and privations. "\'ictory had hardly crowned our arms and peace been declared, when the family was scattered, each member of it seeking a new home. A number of them came to the West, to peril their lives again in a war with the red men of the forest. Aly father Ephraim Jr., was among the emigrants. After a tedious and dangerous journey, three families arrived at what was then called Limestone (now ]\Iaysvillej in the then Territory of Kentucky. Following the most direct trail of emigration, the path made by the wild buiTalo as he moved from the Ohio to the saline regions of the interior, they found their way to Bryan's Station, near Lexington. Here separated those who had traveled together eight hundred miles on a flat- boat, and many miles through unbroken forests. "My father moved northeast and located on Lain's Run, in Scott County, five miles north of where Georgetown now stands. The family at that time consisted of father, mother, and one daughter. Hostile Indians were frequently seen in the neighborhood, and about the time of his settlement they murdered two members of a family a mile from his house, and carried the remaining two into captivity. One of these, a woman, having made her escape some time afterward, re- turned to the neighborhood : the fate of the other was never known. As soon as it was known that the murders had been committed, pursuit was made, but without overtaking the sav- ages. Their danger from that source was now at an end, but new hardships from another quarter. The dense forests were to be cleared, and the virgin soil prepared, before proper sus- tenance could 1)6 obtained for the family. "Soon the parents were blessed with another daughter, POLK FA M I LY A K D K I X S M E A' 527 then a third, and afterwards a son. \\'hen two rears had elapsed, a deep gloom was thrown around them by the acci- dental drowning of this son, (Ephraim) in a spring near the house. Another son was given them in the place of the one that was taken, Jefferson J. Polk, b. ]\larch lu, 1802." In the second chapter of his autobiography Dr. Polk says : "J\Iy first recollections of parental government and teachings commenced at six years of age. My father, still bearing implacable hatred to kings and kingly power, took great pains to instill the same spirit into the minds of his sons. His leisure hours and the long winter evenings were employed in rehearsing the conflicts between the Whigs and the Tories, and in giving an account of the hard fought battles in which he and his brothers had participated during the Revolutionary AA'ar. He was very particular to make his sons pledge fidelity to the government constitution, and laws of the United States, and especially to Mr. Jefferson's administra- tion. Taught by such a father, and imbibing such ])rinciples, it might reasonably be expected that my infant mind would be completely Americanized. Love of country, hatred of George in, of British red-cuats, and of American aborigines, were the first emotions of my young and patriotic heart. "Only a few years passed before I witnessed in per.-on the drilling of soldiers for another sanguinary conflict witli the British and Indians. I was then ten years old. The crowning victory was the battle of Xew Orleans; and the news of Jackson's triumph over Packenham determined my father to join the Southern Army in the Spring. He set about making suitable preparations for the intended campaign. But Providence interposed, and before the middle of March, ISlo, the disease called the cold plague deprived the army of an ex- perienced soldier and his family of its head. It was the first death I had ever witnessed." 528 POL K F A M I LY AND K 1 N S M E N CHAPTER L\^II. THE MORRIS FAMILY. The Morris family was quite a large one in Maryland and Delaware, many of them residing in Sussex, and it was the latter branch which intermarried with the Polks. They were all of original Quaker stock that came over with William Penn. One of the most distinguished patriots of the American Revolution, Robert Morris, the Philadelphia financier and mil- lionaire, was of the same family. As before related, Ephraim Polk 3d and Rhoda Morris, daughter of Daniel Morris Jr., and Ann (Polk) Morris, of Sussex County, Delaware, were married March 8, 1792, and their first child, Asenath, was born some months before they emigrated to Kentucky. Rhoda Polk's father, Daniel Morris Jr., who married Ann Polk in 1754, was a son of Daniel Morris Sr., of Kent County, adjoining Sussex, who died about 17S5, leaving children : ^Hezekiah ; -Daniel, Jr. ; ^Nathaniel ; ^John ; ^Masten; "^Deborah ; ^Comfort; «Mary Clifton; ^David. Hezekiah evidently deceased before his father, judging from the fact that Elizabeth Morris, widow and administratrix of Curtis Morris, of Sussex, in a petition filed by her against the estate of Ann (Polk) Morris, August 27, 1812, in the Fay- ette County, Kentucky, Circuit Court, sets forth that Daniel Jr., "was the eldest son of said Daniel Morris deceased, having by the laws of Delaware the right to his father's lands, upon paying the co-heirs the value of their respective portions." From this statement it appears that Curtis Morris and his wife, Elizabeth, (whose maiden name is said to have been AVright). did not come to Kentucky; but remained in his old home, and died there, his widow instituting suit in the Fayette Circuit Court for an equitable share in the estate of his mother, Ann (Polk) Morris, who had devised most of her property to her youngest son. David Morris, who had charge of her during her great affliction from paralysis for some years be- fore her death. The fact that a subpoena issued for Elizabeth to appear in the Fayette Court was returned "Not found ; not POLK FA M I LY A N D K I .V S M E N 529 a resident of this Commonwealth, '" further prove^ that she and Curtis did not come to Kentucky with the others in 1T[)3, In her petition Elizabeth also states that Curtis was "a resi- dent of the State of ^Maryland;" probably in the same neigh- borhood with the Alorris and Polk families of Delaware, but just across the State line. So it appears that Daniel Morris, Jr., inheriting his fath- er's manor place, sold it in 1793 and came to Kentucky, his brother, Curtis, remaining in Maryland, and dying there in 180-1, as stated by his widow. Elizabeth also deposed that ■■\\'m. McXitt married a daughter of Daniel Morris, Sr., and brought suit for a part of the latter's estate" and that David ^lorris, another son of Daniel, Sr., also filed suit against the estate and they recovered the amounts asked for. Daniel Morris, Jr., and his wife, Ann. prospered after coming to Kentucky, being an industrious and frugal couple. Daniel Morris, Jr., did not remain in Deleware until he could satisfy the respective claims of the co-heirs of his father's estate, but delegated that duty to his eldest brother, Curtis, and the latter dying before this satisfaction was rendered, the co-heirs brought suit against the estate of his mother, he also having previously died at his home in Scott County, in 1805. In November, 1807, Ann (Polk) Morris, widow of Daniel, Jr.. purchased a beautiful tract of land near Payne's Station, Fayette County. Kentucky, from Hayden Edwards, and tlie following year erected thereon a substantial two story l)rick residence, where she continued to reside until her death. She was a member of old Bethel Presbyterian Church, one of the first churches established in Fayette County after the settle- ment of Lexington in 1779. In the old family graveyard, on this farm, Ann, her husband, their children — Rebecca. Robert, ^lary. Ann. John, William, Sarah, David — and a number of the grand children were buried. CHILDREN OF DANIEL MORRIS, JR. The children of Daniel Morris, Jr., were: (1) Daniel Morris, b. Sept. 18. 17.-').-', ; d. Dec. 18()(i, in Kentucky. 530 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N (2) Curtis Alorris, b. Alay 31, 1757 ; d. 18U4 ; married Miss Wright, a relative of the wife of Joseph Polk. Issue unknown. (3j Rebecca Morris, b. November 2, 1759; d. unmarried. (4) Robert Morris, b. August 17, 1761; d. unmarried. (5) Brinkley Morris, b. September 15, 1763 ; married, and moved to Rush County, Indiana, in the '3U's, and left descend- ants. (6) Mary (Polly) Morris, b. July 2, 1765; d. in Scott County, Kentucky. Married John Hopkins and had issue: ^John, Jr., -Robert, ^Betsy ; also several others untraced. (7) Ann Morris, b. November 23, 1767 ; d. unmarried. (8) John Alorris, b. November 26, 1769; d. 1817; married Miss Lotiin. Issue: ^William, -Thomas, ^Daniel. (9) William Morris, b. June 6, 1772, d. , married Miss Beauchamp, of Scott County, daughter of Jesse Beau- champ. Issue ^John, -William, ''Jesse. William last named removed to Rush County, Indiana, during the '3U's. He mar- ried and left a family. (10) Rhoda Alorris, b. October 27, 1773; d. October 22, 1839; married Ephraim Polk 3d. For issue see list under heading "Children of Ephraim Polk 3d." (11) Sarah Morris, b. August 12, 1775; d. , married William Beauchamp (brother of Jesse Beauchamp, father of Wm. Morris' wife) of Scott County. Issue: ^Jesse. -Susaa«iah, ^Betsy, "^John, '"'Mrs. Rucker, ^'Agnes Gray, 'Hettie Hopkins, ^Polly Morris, '^William. ( 12 ) David Morris, Jr., b. January 14, 1779 ; d. , married Hannah Risque, of Scott County. Issue: ^Daniel, 2John R., ^James, ^David C, nVesley, ^^Julia Ann, '^Robert. The four last all died unmarried, at the old home place, near Payne's Station, Scott County. Of the children of the foregoing sons and daughters of Daniel Morris, Jr. and Ann Polk. Robert Hopkms (son of Polly Morris and John Hopkins) was married twice ; first to , by whom he had issue: John Hopkins, who married Lizzie Doughertv, and Robert Hopkins, who married Alice Dunnington, daughter of Dr. Dunnington, of Paris, Kentucky. Their chil- dren were: . Robert Hopkins, Jr., before the Civil \\^\\ POLK FAMILY A X D K I .V 5 .1/ £ .V 531 was a large owner of stage lines in Kentucky, noted for his enterprise and elegance of dress at all times. Broken in fortune by the Civil War, he went to Texas, and later to V'inita, Indian Territory, where he established stage lines and owned a hotel. He left several children. r.y his second wife, Almira Risque (or Risk). Rol^ert Hopkins, Sr., who was a wealthy farmer and distiller of Wood- ford County, had issue: ^Henry Hopkins, of Payne's Station, who married Miss Josie Nichols; -George Johnson Hopkins, who married Miss Griffith ; "'William Hopkins, who did not marry; '^Cabell Breckinridge Hopkins, who married !\liss \'an Pelt, of Lexington ; ^Mary Hopkins, who married James Gaines of Fayette County; *^Thomas Hopkins, who married Miss Lowrv ; 'fames Hopkins, who married Miss ^loore of Midway, Daniel Morris (son of David Morris, Jr., and Hannah Risque (or Risk) married Miss Tilford, a daughte of Col. Tilford, of Lexington. Ky., by whom he had issue : ^Lizzie, who married first, James Brown; secondly, ^^'m. Payne. No issue by either. W^illiam Morris, son of James and Davidella (Messick) Morris, was a soldier in the Confederate Army during the Civil War, in General John H. Morgan's Cavalry brigade. His elder brother. James C. Morris, served in the Union Army as Captain of Company "D" Twentieth Kentucky Infantry. CHILDREN OF JAMES MORRIS, SR. James Morris, Sr., married Davidella ^Messick, of Lexing- ton, and had issue : (1) Zephaniah Morris, b. March 6, 1836, married Mary E. Spencer, of Warsaw, Ky. They had : ^Preston Hampton ; -Sarah C. ; ^Wm. B. ; ^Margaret R. ; -''James .Messick; ''Frank C. ; "Charles S. (2) Jas. C. Morris, b. July 7, 1838, married Lillie Reed, of Maysville, Ky., and they had : ^James L. ; "Lillie R. ; ^Martha D. ;'4Mary B. ; ^\llen B.; ^Carrie M. (3) Wm. Henry Morris, b. Oct. 3L 18 K». married Annie Martin. He d. Aug. 22, 18?.-). No issue. 532 P O LK F AM I LY A N D KI N S M E N (4) Margaret Hannah ^Morris, b. April (!, 184:8, married John Russell; no issue. He d. March 19, 1890. (5) David Morris, b. Feb. 5, 1847, married Mary Moore, of Midway, Ky., she dying he next married Miss Lou Rey- nolds, of Indiana. Issue : ^David R. ; ^Mary Moore ; ^Hunter. (6) John Morris, b. July 26, 1852, married Tillie Gilbert, of Lexington. One child, Margaret R. (7) Alfred Russell Morris, b. May 7, 1855, married Ora Bell Durham, of Danville, Ky. They had issue: ^Milton W. ; -Robert M. ; ^'Alfred C. ; ^Chas. W. ; ^Mary D. James Morris Sr., (son of David Morris and Hannah Ris- que) was for many years a leading merchant of Lexington. Of his 'Other sons beside Rev. James C. Morris, William was engaged in the chinaware trade; Zephaniah was a merchant at Beards, Ky. John, cashier of a bank at Milton\'ale, Kansas; David and Alfred R. were popular and widely known travel- ing representatives of wholesale houses. CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM POLK, 3rd. The children l^orn to Ephraim Polk ;3d and his wife Rhoda (Morris) Polk, were : (1) Asenath Polk, 1). in Delaware, February 16, 179;3 ; d. October, 18-42, at ^ladison, Indiana. She married Wm. A. Burch and left one child, Anderson Burch, who was a soldier in Col. Marshall's Kentucky Cavalry, in the [Mexican ^^'ar, and also in the Confederate xA.rmy in the Civil \\q.v. He was wounded at Buena Vista. (2) Mary (Polly) Polk, b. in Kentucky, October 12. 1794 ; d. August 22, 1874, at Liberty, Indiana, leaving a family of eight children. (3) Ann (Xancy) Polk, b. August 9, 1796; d. Alarch 11, 1850, near Greenfield, Indiana, leaving a large family. (4) Ephraim Polk 4th, b. in 1798; drowned in big spring near house, in May, 1801, in Scott County, Ky. (5) Jehosephat Polk, born ]\Iay 3, 1800; died October 25, 1864, at Spring Station, Woodford County, Ky. (6) Jefferson J. Polk, b. March 10, 1802 ; d. May 23, 1881, at Perryville, Kv. He had a familv of eisrht children. POLK FA .1/ I LY A N D KI N S M E N 533 (7) Daniel Polk, b. June 25, 1804; drowned at Frankfort in Kentucky River, September IT, 186, 1872. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 541 (3) Edward P. Adams, b. August 21, 1S22 ; d. November 18, isyy. (4:) Alary Adams, b. November 26, 1823; d. October 26, 1897. (5) Hester Adams, b. January 1, 1825; d. October 6, 1892. (6) Malinda Adams, b. April 26, 1826 ; d. March 26, 1827. (7) A son, b. January 24, 1828 ; d. January 27, 1828. (8) Daniel Adams, b. May 26, 1829 ; d. January 31, 1845. (9) Rhoda Adams, b. February 19, 1831; d. January 5, 1893. (10) Sarah Jane Adams, b. April 10, 1832 ; d. . (11) Marcellus Martin Adams, b. November 12, 1834; d. — . MARRIAGES. James !M. Adams, and Phoebe J. Johnson, were married January 19, 1841. Amanda Adams and John White were married February 11, 1841. Hester Adams and Allen ]\IcMichael were married January 25, 1844. Edward P. Adams and Elizabeth Six were married Feb- ruary 7, 1847. Mary (Polly) Adams and Dr. James 'SI. Ely were mar- ried June 11, 1847. Rhoda Adams and Hiram Hufford were married April . 1851. Sarah J. Adams and Thos. A. Gant were married August 17, 1864. Alarcellus SI. Adams and Miranda \'. Bailey were mar- ried October 20, 1858. He was married secondly to Nancy Hinchman, :\Iarch 12, 1874. James SI. Adams married December 20. 1864 to Belinda Johnson, a sister of his first wife. DR. JAMES M. ELY'S FAMILY. Dr. James AI. Ely, b. September 18, 1821, at Columbia, Tenn.. d. December 13, 1905, at New Palestine. Ind. 542 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN Alary Adams Ely, b. November 'l^, 1^'1'6; d. Uctubcr 26, 1897. Dr. Ely and AJary Adams married June 11, 1847, and had the following- children : (1) Manora Arabella Ely, 1). Alarch •l\), 1848. (3) Eucien C. Ely, b. March 1, 1855. (3) Ada Mae Ely, b. July lu, 1859. Manora Arabella Ely was married November 5, 1868, to Dr. Chas. H. Kirkhoff, who was b. February 15, 1847, and d. February 11, 1S99. They had issue: (1) Charles Kirkhofif, b. April i:!. 1S(;9. {'Z) Anna Kirkhoff, b. December lU, 1874; died January 4, 1881. (3) Harry Kirkhoff, b. April 30. LS,S3. Harry Kirkhoff" and Fanny II. Studa, were married June 8, 1903, Fannv was b. in Cincinnati, ( )hi(), October 5, 1S81. They had issue: ^Maxine Kirkhoff', b. September IS, 1903; ^Mary Kirkhoff, b. June 29, 1905. Dr. Lucien C. Ely, b. Alarch 1, 1855, was married October 10, 1.S78, to Ida J. Anderson, I). Novemljer i;>, 1X57. They had issue : (1) Harry Ely, b. August 5, 1879, married Deceml)er 25, 1901. to Myrtle Hunter, by whom he has one child, Kenneth Ely, b. June 14, 1904. Ada Mae Ely, b. July 10, 1S59, married March 11, 1878, to W. H. Carver, b. August 11, 1857, in Hamilton, Butler County, Ohio. To them was born a daughter who died shortly after birth. FAMILY OF DR. JAMES M. ADAMS. Dr. James M. Adams (eldest child of Isaac and Nancy (Polk) Adams), was b. in Scott County, Kentucky, Jan. 15, 1820, and d. in Shelby County, Indiana, September 20, 1894. He was married twice, his wives being sisters. His first wife, to whom he was united January 14, 1841, was Phoebe J. John- son, of Shelby County, b. x\pril 22, 1824. By her he had issue : (1) Sarah Ann Adams, b. Alay 17, 1843. (2) Mary Alelissa Adams, b. February 16, 1846. POLK FAMILY AND KIXSMEN 543 (3) John Quincy Adams, b. November 26, 1848; d. Julv 29, 1850. (i) Marcellus W. Adams, b. September 30, 1851. (5) Martha B. Adams, b. June 6, 1854. (6) Emma Adams, b. February 15, 1857 ; d. . (7) Frank Adams, b. June 3, 1861 ; d. December 13, 1862. Phoebe J. Adams died in Shelby County, June IS, 1864, and on December 20, 1864, Dr. Adams was married to Behnda Johnson who was born May 15, 1832. By the latter he had : {S) Charles W. Adams, b. ]^Iarch 21, 1866. (9) Will Cumback Adams, b. April 6, 1868. (10) Dr. Ovid Adams, b. April 8, 1871. (11) Catherine Adams, b. March 26, 1873; d. December 18, 1879. (12) Jesse Adams, b. , 1875. Most of these children live at Shelbyville, Indiana. INTERMARRIAGES. ]^Iarv Melissa Adams, married Theodore F. X'andergrift, March 2s, isTl, and to them were born: ^Harry \'andergrift ; -Kitty Vandergrifi. !\Iarcellus A\'. Adams was married December 28, 1871, to Sarah Chapler, and to them was born seven children : ^Fred, -Arthur. ^Earl, '^Emma, ^Roland, *'Bessie. "^James. They all reside in Wabash, Indiana. Alartha B. Adams married John Calvin Tyner, of Wabash County, August 21. 1873, and they had issue: ^Cora, -Fred, ^Frank, ^Oma, ■''Jack. Cora married Elva Signs. They have one son, aged nine years, and they reside at Butler, Indiana, All the other children of John C. Tyner and wife live at Wabash. FAMILY OF JOHN WHITE. Amanda Adams, b. ^larch 17, 1821: d. February 26, 1872, was the second child of Isaac and Xancy (Polk) Adams. She was married February 11, 1841, to John White, a most excel- lent gentleman of Wabash, Indiana. He was b. December 19, 1815, and d. March 29, 1870. They had issue: (1) ^lary Jane White, b. January 11, 1842; d. December 25, 1857. 544 POL K F A M I LY A N D K INS M E N (2) Parmelia Alice White, b. June 30, 1843. (3) Daniel \\hite, b. January 28. 1845. (4j Ann .Alarie White, b. April 1, 1847. (5) Lealdis \Miite. b. December 21). 1848 : d. , 1880. (6) John W. White, b. October 12, 1858; killed in 1877 by highwayman, in Rush County. (7) Lydia \\4iite. b. December 14, 1851. (8) Mattie Amanda \\'hite, b. January 17, 1854. ( 9 ) Sarah India White, b. July 29, 1869 ; d. in 1881. Parmelia Alice White (second child of John and Amanda Adams White), married on July 10, 1872, Lieut. Harry H. \\'heeler, of Wal)ash. a veteran officer of the Seventy-fiftli In- diana A'ol. Infant, in the Civil \Wir, who was b. August 5, 18 1>, They had issue: ^Gertrude Wheeler, b. A'ugust 26, 1874; d. January 30, 1908; ^Anna Wheeler, b. October 16, 1877; res- idence Lexington. Ky. ; ''Lee H. Wheeler, b. March 16, 1881 ; d. July 18. 1,S81. Anna Wheeler was married February 22, 1899. to Homer H. Lamport, of Wabash, a son of Rev. A. W. Lamport of Pasadena, Cal. They have no children. Homer Lamport re- moved from A\'abasli to Lexington. Ky.. in 1902 and was made General Foreman of the ^Mechanical Department of the Lex- ington & Eastern Railway Company. Lieut. AA'heeler was a widower at the time he married Par- melia Alice A\'hite. His first wife was a Miss Martha Lessig, of Wabash, to whom he was married July 10, 1863. They had one child, Edith AA'heeler, b. February 16, 1865. She married Bland Baldwin, a leading jeweler of Wabash, and they re- moved a few years later to Winchester. Kentucky, his native place. They have three children : ^Lee Wheeler, 18 ; -Cora, 16 ; -Wlbert Rand Baldwin, 10. Daniel White (third child and eldest son of John and Amanda (Adams') White), was married November 10. 1869, to Ellen Tyner of Hancock County. Indiana, by whom he had issue : (1) Bessie Tyner White, b. July 31, 1872. She married Frank Porter and they have no children. Residence. Enid, Oklahoma. (2) Earl AA'hite. b. January 4. 1876. POLK FA M I I.V A X D K I X S M E N 545 ELIZABETH TYNER WHITE, granddaughter of Nancy (Polk) Adams. La Fayette, Ind. „ LENOX. AND POLK FAMILY A N D K I .V i' .1/ £ .V 547 (3) Grace White, b. April 11, 188J:. Single and resides with parents in La Fayette. Indiana. Earl White grew to manhood in La Fayette, and took a course in Perdue University, graduating therefrom in June. 189G. When the Spanish-American War began he enlisted in the army, joining an Lidiana battery, but his company did not reach the seat of war, its services not being necessary. After being mustered out, he took a position with a leading- manufacturing firm in Chicago. He was sent to firemen, Ger- many, to look after the firm's business there, where he re- mained for five years. Coming l)ack to America, he located in Indianapolis. \\'hile living at Bremen, Earh married a Ger- man lady, Lottie Hess, and they have one child, William. Bessie Tyner AA'hite. Earl's sister, also attended Perdue Uni- versity. Ann Alarie A\'hite (fourth child of John and Amanda (Adams) White), was married October 5, 1865. to Alden Xew- som, who was b. June 7, 1842. The issue of this union was: (1) Winona Xewsom, h. January 30, 1867. (2) Samuel Lee Newsom, 1). February 15, 1869. (3) Cora Belle Xewsom. b. July 16, 1872. Winona is not married. Samuel Lee Xewsom married Anna Henley, of Carthage, Ind.. and they have one child. Catherine, now grown. Cora Belle married Frank McCarthy, of Carthage, but they have no children. Lealdis White, (fifth child of John and Amanda (Adams) White), married December 7, 1871 to Sarah Boone. He d. in 18811. leaving no issue. lohn W. AVhite. f sixth child of John and Amanda (Adams) A\'hitej, was murdered and robbed by a highwayman named Foxwell in 1S77. in Rush County. Indiana. His mur- derer was captured, tried for the crime, but escaped froni the penitentiary and fled. Lydia A\'hite, (seventh child of John and Amamla (Adams) White), was married Se])t. IS, 1872, to Samuel Shank, and to them were born two children. (1) Clarence Shank, b. Xov. 2(t, 1S85. 548 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN (2) Bernice Shank, b. Feb. 'i^, 1892. Bernice married Dec. 24, 1908, Mr. Shelby, of Beatrice, Nebraska. Mattie Amanda White (eighth child of John and Amanda (Adams) White), married Feb. 22, 1873, James Williams, of Sigourney, Iowa. The}' have three children: ^Ora, b. 18T8; 2Ray, b. 1882 ; ^Alice, b. 1885. Sarah India White, b. July 29, 1869. d. Xov 4, 1873, when twelve years of age. FAMILY OF ALLEN McMICHAEL. Hester Adams, (fifth child of Isaac and Nancy (Polk) x\dams), was b. Jan. 1, 1825, and d. Oct. 6, 1892. She was married Jan. 25, 1844 to Allen ]\IcAlichael, by whom she had issue : (1) James Madison McMichael, b. Dec. 28, 1844, d. April 27, 1884. (2) William J. McMichael, b. Sept. 8, 1846, d. Oct. 19, 1853. (3) Nancy Ann McMichael, b. Jan. 20, 1884, d. Feb. 9, 1870. (4) Marcellus ^IcMichael, b. Oct. 17, 1850, residence, Des Moines, Iowa. (5) Alonzo McMichael, b. April 1, 1853, residence, Des Moines, Iowa. (6) Mary J. McMichael, b. April 5, 1856. (7) Sarah Alice McMichael, b. July 23, 1858. (8) Martha A. McMichael, b. Oct. 5, 1861. (9) Laura L. McMichael, b. April 5, 1866. MARRIAGES. James Madison Alc^^Iichael married in 1868 to Eli'-^a C. Howard, of Des Moines, Iowa., and had issue: ^Anna ; -Wil- liam N. ; ^John Wesley ; *Charles ; ^George. The latter is dead but the others live with their mother at Des Moines, Iowa. Nancy Ann McMichael was married in 1859 to W. H. Hendrix and died without issue. Marcellus N. McMichael is Chief Engineer and Superin- POLK FAMILY AND KIN S il E N 549 tenclent of the Des Moines Water Company, Des Moinc-. Lnva, and is regarded as a highly efficient officer. He was married in 1874 to Miss A. F. Houstin, and had issue: 'Minnie ^1.; -'Lucien P. ; ^Winfield S. ; ^Marcellus 'M. Luc'en L\ lives in Xew York, the others in Des Moines. Iowa. Marcellus ^\. McMichael was married secondly, in 1893 to Hattie E. Savage, by whom he has no issue. iVlonzo McMichael was married in 18T5 to Araminta Ilob- son, by whom he had one child. Mary J. Mc^^lichael was married Feb. 32, 1877 to George G. Carter, (b. Nov. 23, 1853) and they live at Nevada, Iowa. To them were born nine children, viz. : (1) Alta Carter, b. ^larch 4, 1878. (2) Daisey L. Carter, b. June 23, 1879. (3) Frederick Carter, b. April 3, 1881. (4) Edwin O. Carter, b. May 18, 1883. (5) Clarence Carter, b. Jan. 15, 1885. (6) Bessie Carter, b. Jan. 28, 1886, d. March 8, 1887. (7) Frankie Carter, b. Dec. 23, 1888, d. Aug. 25, 1893. (8) Laura Carter, b. Sept. 28, 1890. (9) Laurence Carter, b. Sept. 11, 1897. Alta Carter married Ed. Hague, June 29, 1898. Frederick Carter and Halley were married April 19, 1906 ; residence, Tacoma, Washington. Daisy Carter and Dr. W. D. Mason were married Dec. 20, 1907. Residence, Ogden, Utah. Edwin O. Carter and Anna Addison were married Nov. 5, 1908. Edwin is a graduate of Iowa University, and a promi- nent physician of Iowa Falls, Iowa. Clarence Carter was married to Ruth McCollum, Dec. 30, 1908. Residence. Tacoma, Washington. Sarah Alice McMichael was married Sept. 27, 1876, to George Miller Breeding, of Winterset. Iowa, and they had issue: (1) Lulu Breeding, b. Aug. 31, 1877. (2) George Allan Breeding, b. April 30, 1879. (3) Elinor Breeding, b. July 9, 1880. George M. Breeding d. Sept. 27, 1880, and his widow was married July 14, 1883 to Elza Peak, by wlmm slic liad: 550 POL K F A M I LY A N D KINS M E N (4j ^Martha Peak, h. Jan. IS, 18SG. (5j Frank Peak, b. July 20, 1888. (6) Ralph Perk. h. July 20. 1891. (7) Bruce Peak, b. Xov. 28, 1892. (8) Ruth Peak. b. June lo, 1897. (9) Hugh Earle Peak. b. April 22, 1900. Martha ^IcMichael was married to William Conway, Nov. 3, 1885. They had issue : (1) Laura Conway, b. Dec. 30, 1887. (2) Frank Conway, b. July 20, 1889. (3) Edward Conway, b. vSept. 12, 1890. (4) Fred Conway, b. June 25, 1898. W illiam Conway, d. Xov. 3, 1885, and his widow was mar- ried Dec. 2;!, 190S, to a Mr. Sinke. They all reside in Des Moines. Laura !McAIichael married William Kimball, in October, 1883, and they had issue : (1) Bessie Kimball, b. May 7, 1885. (2) Nellie Kimball, b. Dec. 0, 1886. (3) Myrtha Kimball, 1). Aug. 15, 1889. (4) Katherine Kimball, b. Sept. 4, 1892. (5) Clyde Kimball, b. Dec. 30, 1901 ; d. July 24, 1902. Bessie was married in November 1908 to Hartley Worden and they reside on a ranch near Wiljeau, Montana. The other children live in Des Moines. JOHN H. HUFFORD'S FAMILY. John II. Hufford, b. Dec. 25, 1828, in Rush County, Indiana. Rhoda A. Adams, b. Feb. 19, 1831. They were mar- ried April 10, 1851. Issue: (1) Nancy E. Hufford, b. July 7, 1852, d. March 17, 1853. (2) Arkansas Hufford, b. July 18, 1854, d. Dec. 14, 1859. (3) Ann M. Hufford, b. Sept. 19, 1855, d. Sept. 24, 1855. (4) Laura Huft'ord, b. March 24, 1857, married, lives in Rushville. (5) John ]\I. Hufford, 1). July lo, 1S59, residence, Green- field, Indiana. (6) Amanda F. Hufford, b. May 3, 1861, married Havens, Greenfield. POLK F AMI LY AND K I N S M E .\ 551 DR. M. M. ADAMS AND WIFE, Greenfield, Ind. ^PUBLIC UBR^RV POLK FA M I L Y A N D K I K S M £ X 553 (7) Lot Adams Huft'ord, b. Sept. 3, 1863. Prof. College. (8) William T. Hufford, b. Dec. 5, 1865. id) Bennie O. Hufford. b. Dec. 13, 1867. (lOj Edward Polk Hufford, b. Oct. 10, isT-i. Edward P. Adams and his wife Elizabeth Six, had born to them a son, John W. Adams, , 1850. FAMILY OF THOMAS A. GANT. Sarah Jane Adams, (popularly called "Sadie"), was the tenth child of Isaac and Nancy (Polk) Adams. She was 1). April 10, 1832, and was married Aug". IT, 1861 to Thomas A. Gant, a grocer, of Greenfield, Ind.. by whom she had five chil- dren : (1) Annie Lile Gant, 1). July 4, 1865; d. Sept. 2, 1866. (2) Minnie Gant, b. April 10, 1868; d. Sept. 30, 1869. (3) Dora Gant, b. July 29, 1869. (1) Marcellus Frank Gant, b. Feb. 11, 18<2. (5) John Gant, b. July 1, 18T1. DR. MARCELLUS M. ADAMS' FAMILY. Dr. ^vlarcellus M. Adams, b. Nov. 12, 1831, was the eleventh and youngest child of Isaac Adams and his wife Nancy (Polk) Adams. Dr. Adams was twice married. His first wife was Miranda V. Bailey, of Freeport, Ind., to whom he was united Oct. 20, 1858, and by whom he had the following children : (1) Clara Adams, b. Oct. 19, 1859; d. Dec. 2, 1863. (2) Fannie B. Adams, b. Jan. 28, 1862, d. March 1:5, . (3) Nettie Y. Adams, b. Dec. 1, 1866; lives in Los An- geles, Cal. Miranda (Bailey) Adams d. June 11. 18T3, and on March n, 1871, Dr. Adams married Nancy Hinchman, of Rush Coun- ty, Indiana., b. Oct. 17, 1817. Her family emigrated from \'ir- ginia to Indiana. Issue: (4) Olive Adams, b. Jan. 15, ls75, married Sani'l I'.rown. firm of Brown Bros., beef and pork packers, ln(lianapoli>. ind, (5) Mary Hester Adams, b. Feb. 15, 1877. (6) Ellen May Adams, b. Jan. 8, 1882. 554 POL K F A M I LY AND KINS M E N FANNIE STUTSMAN'S FAMILY. Fannie B. Adams, b. Jan. 28, 18(52, d. ^larch 13, 1895, (second child of Dr. ]\Iarcellus ]M. Adams by his fifst wife, Miranda V. Bailey), married AI. P. Stutsman, Jan. 2, 1885, by whom she had issue : (1) George Edgar Stutsman, b. Aug. 5, 1885. (2) Nancy Hazel Stutsman, b. October 24, 1886. (3) Benjamin H. Stutsman, b. Aug. 12, 1888. (4) Nellie St'utsman, b. Nov. 25, 1891 ; d. at 2 years of age. (5) Fred Adams Stutsman, b. March 7, 1893. (6) Nettie Leona Stutsman, b. February 10, 1895. SKETCH OF DR. MARCELLUS M. ADAMS. Dr. Marcellus Martin Adams, of Greenfield, Indiana, b. Nov. 12, 1834, was the eleventh and youngest child of Isaac and Nancy (Polk) Adams. Marcellus grew to manhood on the farm, taking an active part with his brothers in all the duties incident to an agricul- tural life. ^Marcellus read medicine with Dr. James M. Ely, while living at his house, and attended lectures at the Rush Medical College, Chicago, in the winter of 1860. He later attended the Medical College of Indiana, from which he was graduated. The Civil War breaking out, and Dr. Adams being a zealous friend of the Union, he enlisted in a three monthe regi- ment, but the quota of Indiana in the 75,000 call of Mr. Lincoln was filled before his company had time to don the habiliaments of Mars. Dr. Adams was postmaster at Freeport at that time and returned for a short time to the sale of postage stamps and delivery of letters. After a call was made by Mr. Lincoln for 300,000 more troops. Dr. Adams again enlisted (in July, 1862), going to Camp Joe Reynolds, at Indianapolis. On arrival there he was put on duty as Dispensary Sargent with three barracks full of volunteers to look after and also draw rations for. In Septem- ber following he was detached from his company (First Indiana Cavalry), and put in charge of recruits and drafted men as surgeon. He served in that capacity for about a year POLK FA .1/ I LY A X D K I X S M E X 555 ELLEN. MARY. OLIVE AND NETTIE ADAMS, daughters of Dr. M. M. Adams. Greenfidd. Tnd. pSbUC UBRA.RV .Sr^R. LENOX AND POLK FAMILY AND K INS M E N 557 at Camp Carrigton, Indianapolis and was then commissioned as Assistant Surgeon of the IKith Indiana \'ohinteer Infantry, six months troops, performing the entire medical duties for that organization until their return home in Februar\-, 1SG4 At the close of the war Dr. Adams returned to Indiana, setting up in practice at Greenfield, where he accumulated a competency and resided thereafter, giving a portion of Iiis time to his farm near that city. Dr. Adams was recognized as one of the ablest physicians in the State of Indiana, and for many years he enjoyed a large practice. He was quiet, genial and agreeable of manner, some- what inclined to humor, and very popular. Dr. Adams, in ad- dition to his medical researches and duties took great interest in paleontology. He had one of the largest private collections of the kind in the West, including skeletons, armor, and imple- ments of prehistoric and Indian races ; enough Indian bones and relics and curios of all kinds to equip a large museum. Dr. Adams died at his home in Greenfield, Ind. DR. JEFFERSON J. POLK AND DESCENDANTS. Dr. Jeft'erson Johnson Polk (sixth child and third son of Ephraim 3d, and Rhoda (Morris) Polk), was b. at the old Polk homestead on Lain's Run, Scott County. March 1(>, 1802, and d. at Perryville, Kentucky, May 23, 1881. His wife, whose maiden name was Eliza Tod, was a daughter of Wm. Tod, a leading manufacturer of Lexington. She was born in that city and d. April 13, 1867. Jefiferson first attended the neighborhood school and being apt and clear headed, soon mastered the simpler studies, work- ing on the farm in season and going to school in Uic fall and winter months. The balance of his education Jefiferson I'olk obtained in a printing office, one of the best schools a boy can attend ; a school in which he learns not only spelling, intnclu- ation. the meaning of words, grammatical construction of sen- tences, geography, history, etc., but in which he is daily brought into contact with the l)est thought and intellect of tlie dav, and of current events. At the age of fourteen Jefferson was apprenticed by Ins 558 POLK F .1 .1/ ! L y A N D K 1 .V i^ .1/ H N mother. Rhoda Polk to Ctilonels Richard ^i. and James John- son, who owned the Georgetown Patriot (Major W'm. Sehrce, editor), to "learn the art and trade of a jirinter." The paper suspending" puljlication after he had worked on it for three years, Jefiferson was given a release and an excel- lent letter of recommendation to all editors and printers. Armed with this, he went to Lexingtmi in is-^o, securing em- ployment on the Kentucky Gazette, which had been founded b}' John Bradford in August, 1787, the second newspaper estab- lished west of the Alleghanies. Mr. r>radfi)rd was a man of great erudition. He also pul)lished almanacs, books and pamphlets. This position presented a broader held of the printing art, and Jefiferson Polk soon learned every intricacy of the "art preservative of arts." Jeiierson now began a regular course of reading, procur-. ing books on all subjects from the library of Transylvania University, which contained several thousand volumes. Being an omnivorous reader, he explored the domains of history, art, science, literature, and other departments of human know- ledge. \\ ith a view of making medicine his profession, he read up on that science and attended lectures at the Medical Department of Transylvania. After he had completed the necessary length of service imposed by the craft he took charge as foreman of the office of Wm. Gibbs Hunt, publisher of The Modern ^Monitor, and later assumed a like position with Thomas T. Skillman, publisher of the Western Luminary, a Presbyterian journal, and also of books, pamphlets and bibles. About this time Jefiferson concluded to don the matrimo- nial yoke. Miss Eliza Tod was the name of the fair one whose lovely face and form transfixed his palpitating heart. The preacher, the celebrated Rev. Nathan H. Hall, fastened on the yoke. In February, 1826, Jefiferson Polk moved to Danville and purchased the Olive Branch printing plant, of Edmund Shipp. At the time Kentucky was just emerging from the excitement of the Old and New Court question, but a fiercer controversy soon ensued. Henry Clay had voted in Congress for John Quincy Adams, in preference to General Jackson, for Presi- dent, and was appointed by Mr. Adams Secretary of State. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 559 DR. JEFFERSON J. POLK, of Perryville, Ky., son of Ephraim Polk r5rd. ''the new tcrk PUBLIC LIBRARY AST«R, LENOX AND TILOeN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY A X D KINSMEN 561 ••Bargain and corruption" were charged. The Olive Branch had been a Jackson sheet, but Jefferson Polk now hoisted the banner of Mr. Clay. The great cholera scourge of 1833 killed many citizens of Danville and great numbers of others fled, but Jefferson Polk remained, waiting on the sick, giving them medicine, praying with them, and helping to bury them, lie sold his newspaper and printing plant to S. S. Dismukes. who con- ducted it for some time, aided by Clement Polk, also a printer, and brother of Jefferson Polk. James G. Birney, a strong advocate of Abolitionism, and then a resident of Danville, induced Dismukes to prmt an Abolition sheet, he, Birney. writing the editorials. The pop- ulace was incensed; a mob was organized, and it ])r()ceeded to the office with a view of destroying the plant and driving the editor and printer from the town. Dismukes had purcliascd the paper from Jefferson Polk on credit, after which the latter purchased a book store and added to it a stock of drugs. While the mol) was assembling, Jefferson Polk demanded the keys of the office from Dismukes and received a hasty transfer of the property back to himself. Then mounting a balcony, he announced to the mob that he had re-purchased the property; that he had sold it on credit and it liad not been paid for by Dismukes. This appeased the crowd and it (piict- ly dispersed. Birney, in deep disgust, left Kentucky, went tu Michigan, and was afterward the first candidate of the Aboli- tion Party for the Presidency. Clement Polk, who favored peacible. not forcible emancipation, was also disgusted, and emigrated to Springfield, Illinois, where he bought a farm, established a newspaper and erected a large grist mill. And there he died in 1.S49. During his residence there he was an intimate friend and associate of A])raham Lincoln, then a young lawyer at that bar. After taking back the Olive Branch and ])lant. Jefferson Polk conducted the paper for fifteen months and again dis- posed of it. He also disposed of his book and drug store and purchased a farm near Danville. The Methodist Quarterly Conference licensed him to preach the Gospel, and this he commenced, at the same time pursuing his medical studies. 562 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N In November, 1839, he matriculated in Transylvania Medical College at Lexington, and after much hard study graduated therefrom. In 1840 Jefiferson Polk sold his farm, removed to Perry- ville, and commenced a regular practice of medicine. The citizens of Perry\ille, in 1831, led by Dr. Polk, organized the first temperance society in Kentucky. Dr. I'olk's eldest son, \\'illiam Tod Polk, also studied medicine, graduating from Transylvania Medical School in 1848, and entering into partnership with his father. The latter's son, Thomas Polk, and his daughter Margaret Polk, also became physicians. Thomas removed to Kansas, and practiced and died there. Margaret graduated at the Women's Hospital of Philadelphia, became a ^Missionary Doctor, and for many years she has been at the head of a big Methodist Hospital at Soo-Chow, China. Her neice, Miss Ethel Polk, daughter of her brother, Dr. Thos. Polk, deceased, also grad- uated at the Philadelphia Woman's Hospital, and went to China as a Missionary Doctor, at the same hospital with her Aunt Margaret. Jefferson Polk's family is largely a family of doctors and lawyers. When the Civil War l^egan, Dr. Jefferson Polk strongly espoused the cause of the Union, his views being supported by his daughters. The sons all sympathized with the South, but took nu actix'e part in the armed conflict. The battle of Perryville, October 8, 1863, brought the horrors of war to their doors. There were Polks on both sides in that battle. Lieut. General Leonidas Polk of Louisiana, commanded the Confederate troops, the Commander-in-Chief, General Brax- ton Bragg, being absent. Under General Polk were numerous other descendants of Robert and Magdalen, belonging to Southern commands. On the LTnion side was Col. Burr Har- rison Polk, of Indiana, and others of the name from that state, and Illinois. Dr. Polk and his son, Dr. Wm. Tod Polk, rolled up their sleeves and worked hard in aid of the wounded. Dr. Polk's house was filled with wounded men and he was put in charge of them. He and his son continued their aid to the wounded for some time after the battle. POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E X 563 DR. WAI. TOD POLK, Perryville, Ky., son of Dr. Jefferson J. Polk. THE MEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY A8T®R, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY A\D KIX^MEN 565 Dr. Jefferson Polk retired from active practice on account of the precarious condition of his heahh. and died Mav •^:> 1881. FAMILY OF DR. JEFFERSON J. POLK. The children born to Dr. Jeft'erson Johnson Polk and his wife, Eliza (Tod) Polk were: (1) Martha F. Polk, b. October 15, lcS->4; d. July S, liUl. (2) William Tod Polk, b. Tanuarv 3, IS'^T; d. April 2i, 1890. (3) Ephraim Jehosephat Polk, b. January 16, lS->il ; d. June 17, 1896. (1) Jeft'erson B. Polk, b. March 3. 1831; d. February 5, 1833. (5) ^Margaret Grant Polk, b. March 7, 1833 ; d. unmarried, July 9, 1911. (6) John M. Polk, b. November 22, 1835; d. May 2, 1898. (7) Rosa F. Polk, b. September 5. 1839; d. May 23, 1888. (8) Thomas Jeft'erson Polk, b. March 17, 1812 ; d. January 18, 1886. (9) Eliza Bell Polk, b. October 18, 1845; living at Perry- ville, unmarried. Dr. Jeft'erson J. Polk, b. ^^larch 10, 180-> ; d. at Perry ville. Ky., March 23. 1881. Eliza (Tod) Polk, his wife, d. April 13, 1867. The intermarriages and families of Dr. Jeft'erson J. Polk's sons and dauehters were as follows : MARTHA F. DUNCAN'S FAMILY. Martha F. Polk, b. at Lexington, eldest child of Dr. Jef- ferson J. Polk, was married February 11, 1852, to Rev. William ^^^ Duncan, teacher and Presbyterian minister. .Mr. Duncan was a graduate of Center College, Dan\ille, Ky. lie (illerl a number of pulpits in dift'erent parts of the State, and fnr a number of years conducted an academy at Taylorsvillc, Ken- tucky. The issue of their marriage was one child, IJla Mildred Duncan, b. November 10, 1852, who grew up to be a most 566 POLK FAMILY A N D K I .V .S" M H N lovable wtnnan and married Samuel il. W'akelield, of Xelson County. Mr. Wakefield died at Chattanooga, Tenn., May 6, 1899, and Lila's father. Mr. Duncan, April 7, 1900. To S. H. Wakefield and his wife, Lila, were l)orn two children: ^Steel Duncan Wakefield, and -Tod W^akefield. FAMILY OF DR. WILLIAM TOD POLK. Dr. Wm. Tod i'olk (eldest son and second child of Dr. Jefferson J. Polk), was b. at Lexington, Ky., January ;>, 1827. Before he had attained ttj his majority he commenced reading medicine under his father. He next took a course of lectures at the Medical College of Transylvania University, graduating therefrom in the class of 1848. He then settled in i)ractice with his father, at Perryville, continuing in ])artncrshii) until the latter retired in 1859, on account of failing health. He practiced at Perryville during a period of forty-two years, or until his death, and none had a rejjutation for higher profes- sional skill. Dr. William Tod Polk was twice married. First, on De- cember IS, IS.")!, to Miss Maggie A. Briscoe, of Boyle County, who d. June 2'-'). issi. Second, to Airs. Lou. Wliarton, of Danville. By the latter he had no issue. By his first wife Dr. Wm. Tod Polk had issue : (1) John B. Polk, b. December 2, 18.52; d. April (j, 1858. (2) Dr. Thomas P. Polk, b. September 15, 1855; d. . (3) Margaret H. Polk, 1). March i:'), 1862 ; living at Soo Chow, China. (4) Jefferson Polk, Vet. Surgeon ; b. 1864. Dr. Thomas Polk, the second son, after graduating in medicine, practiced for some time at Perryville with his father. He then moved to Kansas, establishing himself near Kansas City, where he died. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Catharine Camp, of Boyle County, by whom he had issue : ^Paul Eve Polk, -Jennie Polk. By his second wife, Jennie Camp, sister of Catharine, he had : ^Ethel Polk, ^Fay Polk. Paul Eve died young. Ethel graduated at the Scarritt Bible and Training College, Kansas City. She next entered the Philadelphia Woman's Medical College, and after graduat- POLK F A M I L V A N D KI X S M E N 567 ing in medicine went to China in September, 1912, as a Doctor- Missionary, to join her aunt ^Margaret Polk, who has charge of the large Methodist Hospital at Soo-Chow. It will be observed that she makes the fifth physician in her line, including her grand-father, Dr. Jefferson J. Polk. 568 POL K FAMILY AND K 1 N S M E N CHAPTER LYIX. FAMILY OF EPHRAIM J. POLK. . Ephraim Jehosephat Polk, (son of Dr. Jefferson J- Polk), 1). January Ki, lS-39, at Lexington, Kentucky; d. suddenly from heart trouble in his law office, June 17, IHOG, at Harrodsburg, Ky., where he had resided and practiced law for many years, with the exception of a few years residence at Louisville. While residing at Louisville he made a race for Congress, on the Prohibition ticket. After attending the schools of Perryville, Ephraim was a student at Center College and graduated therefrom. He then went to Georgetown and read law under his cousin, Marcellus Polk, a leading attorney at that bar. Locating at Harrods- burg, he was admitted to the Mercer County bar in 1858, and soon enjoyed a good practice. On Jan. lo, 1858, Ephraim J. Polk was united in marriage to Miss Mary Ellen Newton, only child ^f Mrs. Kitty Newton, and a member of one of the pioneer families of Kentucky. The young wife was a beautiful girl, whose personal charms were equalled only by her amiability and loveliness of character in every respect. CHILDREN OF EPHRAIM J. POLK. (1) Martha Ferguson Polk, b. December 2, 1859. (2) Eliza Catharine Polk, b. August 21, 1861. (3 ) John Newton Polk, b. November 17, 1863. (4) Jefferson Johnson Polk, b. (3ctober 8, 1866. (5) Ella Polk, b. December 3, 1868. (6) Margaret Scott Polk, b. November 24, 1870. (7) William Goddard Polk, b. December 24, 1872. Martha, the eldest child, was married December 30, 1886, to Prof. Harry Asbury Evans, of Harrodsburg, Ky. After marriage Prof. Evans and wife went to Texas, establishing a female academy at Sulphur Springs. His wife, who was POLK FAMILY AND KIXSMEX 569 W'M. GODDARD POLK, Louisville, Ky., son of Ephraini J. Polk. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AST«R, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E X 571 very proficient in mathematics, taught that department. While conducting this school, Prof. Evans died, August 15, 189S. They had no children. 2^Irs. Evans continued to conduct the school for some years after the death of her husband, then retiring and returning to Kentucky. She now resides at Louisville. Eliza Katharine ('"Kitty") Polk (second child of E. J. and Mollie (Xewton) Polk), was married March K), 18.S2, to Leslie L Coleman, of Harrodsburg, a young man of the high- est character, and a fine business man. who for a numl)cr of years was engaged in the commission business at that place. Later he removed to Louisville, wdiere he was General Agent for several big coal mines of Tennessee, and from there to Knoxville, where he is now engaged in coal mining. Leslie L and Kitty Coleman had issue: (1) Alary Coleman, b. July 30. 18S;l (2) Julius Polk Coleman, b. June "2. ls,s.3. (3) Nellie Birnie Coleman, b. November 9, 1887. The latter graduated at the Semple Collegiate School, Louisville, in the class of 1905. John Newton Polk (third child of Ephraim J. Polk and Alary Ellen Newton), was married November 24, 188G, to Julia Phillips, of Lebanon, Kentucky, daughter of a prominent citi- zen and proprietor of the large Roller Mills at that place. John was en2:a2ed in commercial business for some time, but later purchased a farm near Salvisa, in Mercer County, where he lived until his death. To John Newton Polk and wife were born : (1) Elizabeth Seymour Polk, b. October 13, 188T ; d. No- vember 23, 1891. (2) George Latimer Polk, b. Alay , 1889. (3) Leslie Coleman Polk, b. December 30, 1892. (4) Ephraim John Polk, b. September 2, 189G. (5) Annie AlcChord Polk, b. August 21. 1899. Jefiferson Johnson Polk 2d, (fourth child and second s(;n of Ephraim J. and Alary Ellen Newton), was married January 3, 1889, to Miss Louise Wheat, by whom he had is.sue: (1) Alary Lynn Polk, b. Alay IL 1890. (2) James Guthrie Polk, b. August 20. 189G. 572 P O LK F A M I L Y A N D K I N S M E N (3) Emily Louise Polk, I). Xovember ;!(», 1808. (4) Charles Edward Polk, h. October IT, 1901. (5) Elizabeth Polk, b. September 6, 1892. Mary Lynn, the eldest, a lovely young woman, is instruc- tor in Expression and Physical Culture, at Louis\-ille, in con- nection witii a-^rominent Seminary. Ella Polk (fifth child of Ephraim J. and Mary Ellen (Newton) Polk), married Harry Crump Montgomery, of Louisville, October 19, lcSU->. At the time of their marriage, Mr. Montgomery had charge of one of the dei)artments of the large jewelry establishment of Win. Kendrick & Sons, and afterward became one of the lirm, with his wife's brother, William Goddard Polk, in the Southern Optical Company. They had issue : (1) Harry Polk Montgomery, 1). January 3, 1895. (8) Eugene Jefferson Montgomery, 1). March 'M, 1897. (3) Eleanor Montgomery, b. March \2, 1900. (4) Mary Catharine Montgomery, b. March 2(i, 1902. Margaret Scott Polk (sixth child of Ephraim J. and Mary Ellen (Newton) Polk), is unmarried. She is an accomplished artist and was for several years, art teacher at Margaret Hall, a female seminary at X'ersailles, Ky. William Goddard Polk (seventh and youngest child of Ephraim J. and ^lary Ellen (Newton) Polk), is unmarried. He is a prominent l)usiness man of Louisville, largely interest- ed in Kentucky and Tennessee mountain lands and coal mines, in which he has accumulated a handsome fortune. Margaret Grant Polk (fifth child of Dr. Jeflr'erson J. and Eliza (Tod) Polk), b. INIarch 7, 1833, never married. She lived, until her death, at the old homestead, in Perryville. For a number of years she was a teacher of mathematics in Godby ■Institute, Perryville, and also in an Academy conducted at Taylorsville by her brother-in-law, Rev. William W. Duncan. She died July 8, 1911. Maggie, as she was called, was an amiable and highly educated woman and universally l^eloved. John AL Polk (sixth child of Dr. JelTerson J. and Eliza (Tod) Polk), after a good education emliarked in the dry goods business at Danville, and later at Harrodsburg. He married Miss Mary Tilford, of Danville, and going to Eliza- POL K F A M I LV A .V D K I X S M E X 573 bethtown, Ky., during the 80"s. became cashier of a bank, and also a partner in same. After continuing in the banking busi- ness for some years, John AI. retired and removed in May 1887, to a farm near Clarksville, Tennessee, where he embarked in the Jersey cattle business, and died ^lay 2, 1898. CHILDREN OF JOHN M. POLK. The children of John M. and ^lary (Tilford) Polk were: (1) Tilford Polk, b. June 10. 1873 ; d. June 13, 1873. (2) John Proctor Polk, b. September 26, 1875; residence Xashville, Tenn. (3) Anna Tilford Polk. b. August 15, 1877; d. November 30, 1877. (4) Minnie Tod Polk, b. December 13. 1886; living with mother at Mt. Pleasant, Tenn. John Proctor Polk, was for some time L. & X. R. R. Sta- tion Agent at Columbia. Tenn.. and later Chief Xight Opera- tor of that road at Xashville. He married at Columbia, No- vember 12, 1902, to ]\Iiss Anne Fleming, of that place. Issue: (1) John Proctor Polk, Jr.. b. September 18, 1904; d. July 29, 1906. (2) Kate Polk, born August -1. 1907. Rosa F. Polk (seventh child of Dr. Jefferson J. and Eliza (Tod) Polk), b. September 5. 1839; d. May 23. 1888. Gentle of manner, sweet and amiable always, she was loved by every one who knew her. After an excellent academic education she engaged for some years as a teacher in Godby Institute, at Perryville. On May 12, 1868, Rosa was married to George R. Latimer, a dry goods merchant of Perryville. who later was engaged in business at Kansas City, but returned to Kentucky and opened a dry goods store at Lebanon, wliere he now resides. X(j issue . Thomas Jefiferson Polk (eighth child of Dr. Jefferson J. and Eliza (Tod) Polk), b. March 17. 1842, d. January 18, 1886. After attending the local Academy, he matriculated at Center College, Danville, where he finished his education. lie then located at Harrodsburg and engaged in the dry goods busi- 574 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N ness for some years. He next studied law at Harrodsburg with his brother Ephraim J. Polk and entered practice at that bar in partnership with him. Thomas was a most excellent man in every respect. On March Id, 1869, Thomas J. Polk was married to Aliss F. Alice Walker, daughter of Rev. Walker, a prominent min- ister of the Alethodist Conference of Kentucky. They had issue : CHILDREN OF THOS. J. POLK AND WIFE. (1) William Tod Polk, Jr., b. , 1871; d. June 9, 1888. (2) Edward B. Polk. b. about 1873 ; d. in Texas . (3) Rose Latimer Polk, b. about February, 1875, married Clarence Hancock and to them was born a son, Alarcus A. Han- cock. (4) Anna Coleman Polk, b. . Eliza Belle Polk (ninth and youngest child of Dr. Jeffer- son J. and Eliza Tod Polk\ b. October 18, 18-15, in Boyle County, is unmarried and lives at the old homestead in Perry- ville. She received a fine academic education at Godl:)y In- stitute and is a woman of wit and intelligence. POLK FAMILY A N D K 1 .V ^^ .1/ £ A' 575 CHAPTER LX. DANIEL POLK AND DESCENDANTS. Daniel Polk (seventh chikl antl fourth sun nl' I'.phraim 3d, and Rhoda (Morris) Polk), was b. June "i."), isiU, at ihe old Polk plantation on Pain's Run, Scott County. Kentucky. He was drowned in Kentucky River, near Frankfort, Sept. KI. 1862, while that city was occupied by the Confederate forces under General Kirby Smith. He had loaned his seine to a party of soldiers, who were tishing. It became hung on a snag and Daniel went into the river to loosen it. In this altem])t he became entangled in it, and being a large man he was dniwncd. On the day following Daniel Polk's death, and while all the family were absent attending his burial, the Confederate forces at Frankfort retreated across Kentucky Ri\er and uut toward Lawrenceburg, followed closely by (jeneral Sill's di- vision of Gen'l Buell's army. In this division were a nunibcr of new regiments of Federal troops that had joined riuell at Louisville, and who, with little training or discipline, com- mitted many outrageous depredations on the people of Ken- tucky, not stopping to inquire whether such citizens were loyal or disloyal. Following the retreating Confederates, and reaching the house of Daniel Polk while all the family were ab- sent at his funeral, a number of uniformed vandals l)rokc into the house, robbed it of all they could carry away and destroyed all else. Daniel Polk was twice married, fu^t. on Oct. C, ls-i!». to Sally Ann Tanner, (b. Jan. 24, 1812), daughter of David Tan- ner, of Cane Ridge, Bourbon County, Ky. She was a lirst cousin of Joel Tanner Hart, the noted American Sculptor, who died in Florence, Italy in 1877, where he had liver! an-I wrought for many years. His celebrated masterpiece, •'Woman Truim- phant," purchased by the ladies of Lexington for Sr,.00(i. was destroyed in the burning of the Fayette County Court I louse, May U, 1897. Joel's mother was a si^ter of Davi.l Tanner. 576 POLK FA M I LY A N D K INS M E N Losing his parents when he was a child, he was adopted by his uncle David, and he and Sally Ann grew up together as foster brother and sister, until they were separated by her marriage to Daniel Polk. DANIEL POLK'S CHILDREN. By his first wife, Sally Ann. Daniel Polk had issue: (1) Luvisa Polk, b. Oct. -11, is;5() ; d. Oct. -^G. 1837. (2) David Tanner Polk. b. Mar. 16, 1832 ; d. May 30, 190L (3) Rhoda Ann Polk, b. Dec. 15, 1833; d. Sept. 1, lOUl. (4) Thomas P. D. Polk, 1). Feb. 4, 18;^G ; residence, Indianapolis. (5) Willis Webb Polk, b. May 12, 1838; d. Nov. 29, 190«. (6) Sardius Gilead Polk, b. Nov. 21, 1840; d. May '^^, 1882. (7) Mary Jane Polk, b. June 2(5, 1843; d. :\Iarch 29, 1875. (8) Margaret E. Polk, b. April 14, 1845 ; residence, Louis- ville, a widow. (9) Sarah C. ("Kitty") Polk, 1). Aug. 10, 1847; d. Dec. 13, 1891. (10) James K. Polk, b. March 27, 1850; residence, Louis- ville. Sally Ann (Tanner) Polk dying on June 15, 1851, Dan- iel Polk married his second wife, Ann E. White, May 6, 1852. She was b. April 27, 1827, d. , 1912 at Frankfort. She w^as the daughter of Judge David W'hite, of Donerail District, Fayette County. By his second wife, Ann (W'hite) Polk, Daniel Polk had issue : (11) Charles L. Polk, b. Alarch 27, 1853; residence, Louis- ville. He married Bettie Sue Franklin. (12) John C. Breckinridge Polk, b. Aug. 3. 1854. (13) Luretta Polk, b. April 18, 1859; d. Jan. 25, 1872. After the death of Daniel Polk, his widow, Ann Polk mar- ried Thomas Dunlap. FAMILY OF DAVID TANNER POLK. David Tanner Polk, second child and eldest son of Daniel Polk, was married ]May 12, 1858 to Elizabeth Guthrie, of Platte POLK FA M I LY A K D K I N S M E K 577 County, Mo., daughter of ^^^ A. Guthrie, a kinsman of lion. James Guthrie, of Louisville, Ky., Secretary of I'. S. Treas- ury, under President Pierce. She was b. Oct. li>, is I I, ami d. Aug. IS, 1901. They had issue: (1) Mary Polk, b. Nov. 30, 1S59 ; married Sept. 'I'l, issi). to Canby Hawkins, of Platte County, banker and farmer. Mr. Hawkins is a kinsman of Gen'l Canby, at one time a distin- guished officer of the United States Army. Also of Major Gen'l Hawkins, U. S. A. (2) Veva Polk, b. Oct. 20, ISGl ; d. Nov. 14. ISSl. (3) Eliphalet Polk, b. Nov. 24, 1863; d. Sept. 2(1. lS(il. (4) Ida Polk, b. Aug. 15, 1865; d. Feb. 24, ISTo. (5) David Tanner Polk Jr., b. July 20, ISTl ; married Xov. 24, 1898 to Elnora Cox. (6) Lee Polk, b. Sept. 17, 1867; d. Feb. 22, 1870. Of the six children of David Tanner Polk, the only two surviving are Mary Hawkins and David Tanner Polk Jr., of Excelsior Springs, a prominant dental surgeon. FAMILY OF DAVID TANNER POLK, JR. Dr. David Tanner Polk Jr., (son of David Tanner IN 'Ik Sr.. and his wife Elizabeth Guthrie), was b. July 20, 1871, and married Nov. 24, 1898 to Elonora Cox, b. Sept. 22, 1877. They had issue: ^Graham Polk, b. Feb. 9, 1900; ^Elizabeth Jane Polk, b. Aug. 27, 1902; ^'Lucille Merideth Polk. b. Nov. 11. 1904; 4Iris Lenore Polk, b. Oct. 15, 1S06. Dr. David Tanner Polk Jr.. resides at Excelsior Springs. Mo. FAMILY OF RHODA ANN RODGERS. Rhoda Ann Polk (third child and second daughter of Daniel Polk and Sally Ann (Tanner) Polki, l)orn Dec. 15. 1833, was married Aug. 1, 1854 to James Tlar.lin K-dgers (b. Auo-. 11, 1832) a farmer of Franklin County. l)y wlioui i»G. at P.lakely. Cal., and her husband, Willis W. Polk Sr., followed her to the grave not long after. Xov. 29. llXKi. Willis W. Polk Jr., was married at San Franci^co to Mrs. Christine Aloore. nee Barada a Spanish lady and niece of the wife of President Diaz, of Mexico. They have no issue. Daniel Polk, brother of Willis, was married Dec. 25. is'.i; in Brooklvn. Xew York, to ^liss Alice Grimm, of Topton. I 'a. He died m Xew York City in 1!mi:i. 'i'hey had a daughter. Endemial. Daniel was also an architect, his specialty being classic work and interior decoration. Me was also a noted muscian. playing numerous instrumets. Miss Daisey Polk, sister of Willie and Daniel, is a han.l- 586 POLK FA M I LY AND K I N S M E N some woman, and also a fine musician, playing on the violin with remarkable skill. She was a pupil while in Italy of Caesar Thompson and other noted violin teachers. Prompted by the artistic inclinations of his children, while residing- at St. Louis, A\'illis A\'. I'olk Sr., took his family to Europe in order to give them the best advantages in art and music culture, spending al)out seven years there. After a short residence in London he went to Rome and finally lo- cated at Florence, the great art center, where his sons could study the classic styles of architecture, and the daughters pur- sue their studies in music. Llere the eldest daughter, Endie, at the age of eighteen became known as a young woman of extraordinary musical talent, her voice being conceded the equal of that of Patti or any other great singer, according to statements of her teachers. She was the idol of her parents and family. A date was fixed for her debut in grand opera, at Paris, France. She was heralded l)y critics and the press as "a coming great prima donna." But, alas ! the fond hopes of her devoted family were doomed to disappointment. A few days before her intended debut the Angel of Death waved his dark wand over the happy, expectant ones of Willis Polk's household, and the voice of the beautiful and idolized daughter was stilled forever. She died in Paris, France. May 20, 1890, from a sudden attack of appen- dicitis. Crushed and sorrowing, her father and family re- turned to the L'nited States the following year, going to San Francisco and erecting on a hill overlooking the sea a beauti- ful residence which was destroyed by the great earthquake. During his residence in St. Louis, Willis W. Polk, Sr., was President of the Mechanics Exchange. In the early 80's he was a candidate for Congress, being defeated by Thomas Allen. Referring to his death, the St. Louis Globe-Democrat of Dec. 1, liMHi, paid him a flattering triljute as a man of high intelligence and decided talents. Of the Civil War record of AVillis W. Polk, lack of space prevents a full account. Like his father, AMllis was a strong Southern man and decided to follow the Stars and Bars. He joined a company of the Missouri State Guard, and was with General Sterling Price at the battle of Lexington, where POLK FAMILY A N D KI X S il E N 537 the Federal troops under Col. ]^Iulligan surrendered. ■ Several months later he entered the regular Confederate service as a member of Company K., Third Missouri Volunteers, and was appointed Second Sergeant of the Company. At the battle of Pea Ridge, a Federal bullet gave Willis a scalp wound and his comrades jokingly told him the missile would have killed him, but it happened to strike a "Hard-Shell'" Baptist, which religious faith he professed. He was one of a small force that captured a Union battery at Elkhorn Tavern, together with a big supply of Commissary stores. He was in all the battles of General Price's command — Farmington, luka, Corinth, and others. At luka a stalwart Federal knocked him senseless with the butt of a gun. believing he had killed him. lUit Willi- revived and escaped capture. After the war was ended. Willis settled at Lexington, Ky., in the business of architect, later going to Hot Springs, Arkansas, and afterwards locating in San Francisco. FAMILY OF SARDIUS G. POLK. Sardius Gilead Polk (sixth child of Daniel and Sally Ann (Tanner) Polk), was b. Xov. 21, 1840 near Xewtown, Scott County, Kentucky, and died at Plattsburg. :\Io., May U, 1SS2. As he grew to manhood. Sardius divided his time between farming and managing the mill, which was chiefly employed in the production of lumber. He also attended school at Frankfort during the fall and winter months. In 1858 he also decided to emigrate to the \\'est and went to Weston, i Matte County, Missouri, where his elder brother. David Tanner Polk, had settled some years before. Sardius engaged for some time in contracting and buildmg and afterward located in Fort Scott, Kansas, where he formed a partnership with a man named Grant and continued the same line of business with marked success. During the Civil War he was connected for a time with the U. S. Quartermaster's Department. After the war he resumed contracting, which bu-ine-^ he continued until his death. On Feb. 28, 1805, Sar- dius was married at Salem, Nebraska, to Miss Xancy Russell (b. Oct. 29, 1843). He was a prominent Odd Fellow, and >ev- 588 POL K F A M 1 LV AND K I N S M E N eral times State Representative of that order at its annual con- ventions. The children of Sardus G. and Xancy (Russellj Polk were : (1) Carrie Polk, b. Dec. 27, 1865. (2) Mary Ann Polk. b. Feb. 29, lS(nS. (8) Oscar Polk. b. ^larch 2, 1870. (4) John Edward Polk, b. Dec. 8, 1872; d. Feb. 15, 1873. (5) Jessie, b. , married Edward Zink. (6) Frank Polk, 1). . INTERMARRIAGES. Carrie Polk, the eldest child, married John Oliver Johnson, of Erskin, Clinton County, AIo. They have two sons, Ellis and Oliver. Alary Ann married George Ellenberger, a Dunker preacher, of Turney, Clinton County, Mo., and they have a numl^er of children. They now reside at Peru Nebraska. Jessie, the third daughter, married Edward Zink. They have n() children. Air. Zink is a railroad station agent and telegraph operator in Nebraska. FAMILY OF JAMES KNOX POLK. James Knox Polk, b. Alarch 27, ls5() (tenth and youngest child of Daniel and Sally Ann (Tanner)' Polk), was twice mar- ried. His first wife was Mattie Dicks, who d. Alarch 4, 1874. By her he had one child, Sardius, b. Oct. 11, 1873. His sec- ond wife was Mrs. xAlice Howard, of PTica, Ind., by whom he had four children, viz: ^Maud Ellis Polk. b. July 4, 1S85 ; =^George Howard Polk. b. Jan. 12, 1887; ^Mary Durbin Polk, b. June 4, 1881); -^James Orville Polk, b. Dec. Ki. 1891. The fam- ily all reside in Louisville. SARAH (KITTY) POLK'S FAMILY. Alice Everett Anderson, daughter of John H. and Sarah Catharine (Polk) Anderson, b. Oct. 7, 18G8 at Jefifersonville, ind., married Aug. l(i, 1890, Joseph V. Zartman and they had POLK FAMILY A i\ D KI N S M E .V 539 issue: ^Joseph Zartman, 1). Sept. 2^), 189-1; -i'aul Zartnian. 1). , 1903 ; ^Joseph Zartman, b. Feb. 21. 1905. Clarence Crawford Anderson, son of John 11. and Sarah Catharine (Polk) Anderson. 1). April 22, 18T1, at Jeffersonville. Ind.. married March 23, 1892, Annie ]McMann, and they had issue: ^Ralph Clarence Anderson, b. September lo. 189;}; -Myrtle Marie Anderson, b. August 1. 1896; •''Clarence .\nder- son, b. July 28, 1899; ^Frank Anderson, 1). August 24. limi. Arthur Field Anderson, son of John H. and Sarah Cath- arine ( Polk) Anderson, b. September 19, 18'('3, at Jeffersonville. Ind., married March 11, 1896, Caroline ^^lagdalena Kunkel, and they had issue : ^]\Iildred Louise Kunkel, b. February 24. 18!»9 ; -'Edward John Kunkel. b. March 26, 1901; ^Dorothy Anna Kunkel. b. Dec. 24, 1904. Laura Maud Anderson, daughter of John II. and Sarah Catharine (Polk) Anderson, b. February 21. 1875, at Jeft'er- sonville, Ind.. married January 31. 1901, Oliver P. Morten Lane. Estella Blanche Anderson, daughter of John 11. and Sarah Catharine (Polk) Anderson, b. March 31. 1878, d. May 13. 1880. Ellis Ezra Anderson, son of John H. and Sarah Catharine (Polk) Anderson, b. March 6, 1884, at Jeffersonville, Ind.. not married. Charles L. Polk, son of Daniel Polk and his second wife, Ann (White) Polk, was born :\Iarch 27. 18r);}. He married :\Irs. Bettie Sue Duke, nee Franklin, who died suddenly De- cember 25, 1908. John Breckinridge Polk (youngest son of Daniel Polk by his second wife. Ann (White) Polk, was twice married. His first wife was Fannie Watts, of Woodford County, whom he married December 5, 18T8. By her he had one child. Hen- rietta Polk. b. December 25, 1879, d. March 28. 188L Fannie (Watts) Polk died February 12. 1891, and on February Ki. 1892. John Breckinridge Polk was married to Susan (^od- sey. of Hazel Green, Ky. John resides at Frankfort. Kentucky. Margaret E. (Maggie) Polk. b. Apri' 11, is 15. (eighth child of Daniel and Sally Ann (Tanner) Polk), married Henry Pollock, a widower, of Jeffersonville, Indiana, who wa- b. 590 POLK FA M I LV AND K I N S M E N Feb. 27, 1835 and d. Feb. 28, 19(»;>. They had no issue. She lives at Louisville. Sarah Catharine (Kitty) Polk (ninth child of Daniel and Sally Ann (Tanner) Polk), was b. Aug. 10, 1847 and d. Dec. 13, 1891, at Indianapolis. She married March 21, 18()(;, John H. Anderson, of Jeffersonville, Ind. He was b. Sept. 18, 1842, and d. Jan. 10, 1901. They had issue: Mlarry E. ; -Alice E. ; ^Clarence C. ; ^Arthur P.; "'Laura AI. ; "Estelle P..; "Ellis E. Mary Jane Polk, b. June 2(1, 1813. d. March 29, 1875 (sev- enth child of Daniel and Sally Ann (Tanner) Polk), was mar- ried to Cornelius Anderson, of Jeffersonville, Ind., and they had issue: Hico. AW Anderson, residence, Lewiston, Mont.; -Kitty Anderson, who married first a Mr. Smith; second a Mr. Anderson ; ^Xettie Anderson, who married a Air. McAdoo, and lives at Hamilton, Mo.; ^William Anderson, who married Nannie Anderson and is dead. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S .1/ E X 591 CHAPTER LXI. FAMILY OF HESTER D. COLLINS. Hester D. Polk (fourth daughter and eighth child of l{i)h- raim Polk 3d, and Rhoda (Morris) Polk), b. Jan. 11, ism;, d. at Danville, Kentucky, , 1885. She married George \\\ Collins, a hardware merchant of that city, a highly resi)ect- ed man, beloved by everybody. To George AV. and Hettie (Polk) Collins two children were born: ^John Ephraim Collins, b. July 30, 1831; -George \\\ Collins Jr., b. . John Ephraim Collins, during his youth, attended the private schools of Danville, followed by a course at Center College. Later he finished his educational course at the Kentucky ^lilitary Institute. Frankfort, where he became quite proficient in militery drill and tactics. Me next went to St. Louis, I\Io., where he was engaged in l)usiness for some time, going tlience to AVoodbury, X. J. In the latter place he was married, April 12, 1854, to Miss Emma Clarissa Tatum, of St. Louis, some of whose family were extensively ens-aged in the steamboat business when steamboating on the jMississippi and Ohio rivers when traffic by water was at its height and few railroads had been built in the West. When the Civil War came on, George A\'. Collins and wile espoused with intense earnestness the cause of the I'nnui. When Col. Fry's Fourth Kentucky Infantry Regiment was mustered into service and joined General Hurnsides' .\rniy. it followed a beautiful silk flag that was made by Mrs. C<>llin> and other Union ladies of Danville. Shortly after the war began Battery C, Capt. John M. Hewett, a company of light artillery was raised and mustered into service. George Collins Jr., the youngest of the two s..n>. joined it and he was made Trum])eter, serving with it through- out the war. John E. Collins, the eldest of the two sons of George W . and Hetty (Polk) Collins, also entered the Union Army, en- 592 POLK FAMILY A .V D K I N S M E N listing in the Twenty-third Pennyslvania Infantry. His com- mission as Adjutant of the regiment bore date of .Aug. 2, LSGl. On Sept. 25, of the same year, he was transferred as First Lieu- tenant to Company 4. On Octol:)er 31, 1S61, he resigned his office and went l)ack to Missouri, where he assisted in raising the Sth Missouri Cavah-y, of which he was commissioned Alajor on June 24, 1862. With this regiment he served in the Western Department, attaining to the Colonelcy, and was mustered out of service on April 3, 1863. FAMILY OF COL. JOHN E. COLLINS. The record of Col. John E. Collins, as furnished l)y his son, Harry S. Collins, of St. Louis, is as follows : John Ephraim Collins, b. at Danville, Ky., July 30, 1831 ; married Emma Clarissa Tatum, of St. Louis, at Woodbury, X. J., April 12, 1854. Emma Clarissa (Tatum) Collins, b. Jan. IS. 1836, in St. Louis; d. Xov. 1, ISTO, in Kansas City, Mo. COL. JOHN COLLINS' CHILDREN. ^Cora Emma Collins, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., March 13, 1855; married in St. Louis April 23, 1877, Mathew Ryan Draper, of Dodge City. Kansas; d. in Dodge City, Nov. 2, 1881. ^Alay Collins, b. in St. Louis, Nov. 5, 1857 ; d. Nov. 22, 1857. •■^Fiertha Clara Collins, b. in St. Louis, Sept. 23, 1859 ; mar- ried Henry Lovell, of Billings, Montana; d. in Oakland. Cali- fornia, March 22, 1887. He died in the winter of 1892. ^Harry Stiles Collins, b. in St. Louis, Dec. 22, 1861 ; mar- ried Emma Matlock Murdock, Oct. 25, 1882. Residence, St. Louis. ^Joseph Tatum Collins, b. July 14, 1864; d. July 16, 1864. GRANDCHILDREN. Mabel Lucille Draper, b. March 18, 1878; d. Oct. 9, 1878. Cora Edith Draper, b. Feb. 18. 1881, in Dodge City, Kan- sas. Residence, Colorado Springs, Col. POLK FA M I LV A .V D K I X S M E N 593 \\'illiam Tatum Lovell, b. in Hillings, :^Iontana, Julv -^li, LS85. Living on his ranch in Wyoming. Willard's father, Matthew Ryan Draper, was born in Cincinnati. O.. and died Aug. -i, lb91, at Colorado Springs, where his daughter, Cora, by his first wife, and two other daughters by his second wife, reside. Roy Murddck Collins, son of Henry Stiles Collins, b. in Potosi, AIo., ^larch 9, 1884. Residence, St. Louis. After the death of his first wife, Matthew Ryan DrajKn- was married in 1886 to Sarah Watson Clark, l)y whom he had two children: ^Lulu Wilcox Draper, b. Sept. 7, 1887, in War- saw, III. ; -Matthew Ryan Draper, b. Oct. 10, 1889, at Colorado Spring's. The latter is also a girl, and being born only two months after her fathers death, she was named for him, l)ut is called Alattie. Mrs. Lulu Wilcox Sawyer, a cousin of the second wife of Matthew Ryan Draper, was made executrix of the es- tate and guardian of the children, and they all reside in Colo- rado Springs. Cora Edith Draper, the only living child of Mallliew Ryan Draper by his first wife, was a lovable and popular young woman of Colorado Springs, Col. She gew to woman- hood and was educated there, graduating from the Colorado College in June, 1902, with the degree of Ph. H. She after- wards took up kindergarten work and engaged in teaching it in a private school. She was an active member of the Woman's Club of her city and was made Secretary of the Art and Literature Department. Several years ago she joined the Catholic church and taking the veil, became a sister in the convent of that city. DESCENDANTS OF CLEMENT M. POLK. Clement Madison Polk (fifth son and ninth child nf I-.ph- raim Polk 3d, and Rhoda (Morris) Polk), was b. Sept. 11. ls(is. at the old Polk place, at the head of Lain's Run, Scott County. Kentucky, and died at Springfield, 111., .May 21, 1849. Like his brothers. Clement spent his boyhood on the farm, taking part in all its duties. After receiving the u. F. Richardson, a planter, where she remained during the Civil ^^'ar and until married. Iler sons are graduates of leading colleges and her daughters Ijeautiful and accomplished wo- men. Just before the outl^reak of the Civil War William H. Polk, son of Clement AI. Polk, went to Indiana, where he en- listed in the Twenty-secmid Indiana, a heavy artillery, which saw such service in the Southern campaigns. By reason of his conspicuous gallantry in battle, William rose to the rank of Captain of his battery. Ill health, however, compelled him to quit the ser\'ice l)efore the end of the conflict and he re- moved to California with the purpose of trying to benefit his health. Those who served with him in the army all unite in saying that he was a man of distinguished bravery. DESCENDANTS OF GILEAD POLK. Gilead Polk (sixth son and tenth child of Ephraim 3d and Rhoda (Morris) Polk) was born at the old Polk home- stead, in Scott County, x*\ugust KJ, isKi. and died suddenly of heart disease at Midway, Woodford County, in April, 1855, He attended the neighborhood school, taught in a log school- house near his home, and being an apt student, acquired a knowledge of reading, writing, arithmetic, geography and grammar. AWien eighteen years of age, Gilead was appren- PULK FAMILY ^ .V D K I X S M 1- X 603 EDW. HUBBERT TATL'M. son of Susan C. Tatuni. THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY I A- J m; lfnox and TILDtN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY AND K INS M E N 605 ticed to learn the trade of architecture, building, and Uridine construction. He planned and built some of the finest old Colonial residences in Kentucky during;- the middle of the last century, and was especially skilled in bridge building. Some of the most noted bridges across Elkhorn and its triliutaries were planned and built by him. and many of them are still in use, though erected nearly three quarters of a century ago. Gilead Polk's first wife was Marietta Givins. a daughter of John Givens, a farmer of Harrison County, wIm residctl near Jacksonville, and whose wife was a ]\Iiss Craig, member of a prominent pioneer family. Her kinsman. Capt. John Craig, commanded the defenders of Bryan's v'^tatinn when it was besieged in August, lTS-2. by British Canadian- and Indians. John Givins' father. Major Alexander Gi\ins. came trom \'irginia to Kentucky in pioneer days and settled in Harrison, then a part of Bourbon County. John Gi\ins was a member of the Kentucky Legislature in 1., PUBLIC LIBRARY AST®R, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY AND KI A' S M E X 609 grated to Kentucky, from Augusta County. \'a.. in pioneer days. Bettie Johnson (b. June 9, 1831. d. July D, lS(i(i), sister of Margaret Johnson Polk, was considered one of the hand- somest woman in Bourbon County ; as beautiful in character as she was fair in person, she was a universal favorite. Coming to Paris in 1S2S. John Lyle Walker learned the trade of printer, in the office of the "Western Citi/.en."' a pa- per founded in ISON, and which, after the Civil War. was con- solidated with "The True Kentuckian" and the name changed to "The Kentuckian-Citizen." This is the oldest newspaper of continuous circulation in Kentucky, or in the West. John L. Walker purchased an interest in the paper and printing f)ffice, and for a period of nearly forty years he and his partner, Wm. C. Lyle. conducted it. The latter was suc- cessor of his father. Rev. John Lyle. who founded the pa])er. 610 POLK F A M I L Y A N D KINS M E N CHAPTER LXII. THE JOHNSON FAMILY. The record of the Johnson family is incomplete, as to some of the dates of marriages and deaths. The names of the children of Joseph and Ann (x\lexander) Johnson, and the years of their birth, are as follows: Joseph Johnson, b. about 1785 ; d. 1S4(). Ann Alexander, b. 1789; d. at Paris, Kentucky, May '21, LSoO. Joseph John- son and Ann Alexander were married in 1816. Their children were : (1) Zarada Johnson, b. 1817; d. 18:](i. (2; Louann Johnson, 1). 1.S19 ; d. July 14, 1872. (3) Robert Johnson, b. 1821; d. . (4) William Harrison Johnson, b. 1823; d. . (5) Mary Prudence Johnson, b. 1824; d. November 2, 1843. (6) Eliza Jane Johnson, b. October 22, 1817 ; d. Alarch 9, 1854. (7) Apaulean Johnson, b. 182G ; d. October 12, 1843. (8) Margaret Ann Johnson, b. 1S27; d. October 9, 1851. (9) Amanda Fitzallen Johnson, b. March 23, 1828; d. :vlarch 24, 1851. (10) John Johnson, b. , 1829; d. , 1874. (11) Bettie Johnson, b. June 9, 1831 ; d. July 9, 186(i. (12) Malvina Curry Johnson, b. , 1837; d. May , 1904. John L. Walker, b. January 22, 18i)7; d. March 19, 1873. William A. Walker, b. September 22, 1805; d. April 19, 1878. ^^'illiam Walker, Jr., son of Wm. A. ^^'alker, b. January 28, 1854; d. October 11, 1864. Jennie (Walker) Rion, h. Alay 3. 1846; d. October 4, 1866. Joseph AW-ilker, son of Jno. L. AA'alker, b. , 1848 ; d. . POLK FAMILY AKD K I X S M L X Gil Bessie A. Walker, daug^hter of Joseph Walker, b. Novem- ber 2d. 1871; d. July lU, 1871. THE ALEXANDER FAMILY. The Alexanders were a prominent family of Bourbon County, one of whom was the late Charlton Alexander. Sr.. a wealthy and influential financier and large land owner, who for many years was Cashier of the Paris Branch Xorthern luink of Kentucky. \\'illiam Alexander, Sr.. father of Ann ( Alex- ander), Johnson, mother of Gilead Polk's second wife, was a manufacturer of hemp rope and bagging for cotton baling, shipping it South in large quantities. William Harrison John- son was also a large manufacturer of hemp at Paris. Another prominent member of the family was William ^^'. Alexander, son of William Alexander. Jr. William W. Alexander married Jane Stamps, his cousin, daughter of Wm. Stamps, and a niece of Jefiferson Davis, President of the Con- federate States, to whom she bore a most striking resemblance. \Wlliam AW Alexander was a brilliant lawyer and noted ad- vocate at the Paris Bar. THE HOLLADAY FAMILY. William Holliday. son of Capt. John llolliday emigrated to Kentucky about 1795, settling in Fayette County, where. shortly after, was born to him a son. Thomas Holladay. While the latter was quite a youth the War of 1812 commenced and he and his brother. William Holladay. Jr.. enlisted in the army. The Holladays were intermarried in Virginia with the Lewis. Littlepage and Hawes families. Major Lewis Holla- day (b. 1751), served through the Revolution. Lewis Little- page, going to Spain with the L'nited States Minister, quitted the Legation, joined the Spanish army, and took part in the siege of Gibralter. Later he fought against the Turks. In the conquest of Poland by Russia, he sided with Poland and was made a General by King Stanislaus. He was private secretary to that monarch when dethroned. That Steni.slaus loved him as a son. is shown l>y a letter, a copy of which is in pos.se.ssion of this writer. 612 POLK F A M I LY AND K I .V 5 M E N Col. Samuel Hawes, of the 4th \'n. Continentals, received a grant of 4,20U acres of land in Bourbon County. His daughter married Capt. Robt. Buckner, and the latter's daughter, Char- lotte Buckner. married Thomas Holladay, grandfather of Mrs. W'm. 11. Tulk, of Lexington, Ky. (3n this large tract, at the old Holladay mansion, ^lary Holladay, mother of Mrs. Polk, was born. Thomas Holladay's Ijrother, Benjamin llolladay, went to Utah as an army contractor in the 5()'s with Col. Albert Sid- ney Johnson's army. He made a large fortune in the West and founded the Overland Stage Line and Pony Express. He Iniilt the Portland cv California Railroad, established a steam- ship line, and engaged largely in mining. John Buckner Hol- laday. son of Thomas Holladay, was a Major in Col. Ezekiel Clay's Kentucky regiment, C. S. A., and after the war served several terms as sheriff of Bourbon County. He married Sally Alorgan. of Carlisle, Ky., and left issue: ^Lulu, -'Lottie, ^Katy, ■* Bruce, •''May me. Lula married John Miller and died. The others live at Paris, Ky. FAMILY OF WILLIAM H. POLK. William Harrison Polk (eldest son of Gilead Polk), was married September 24, 1867, to Charlotte Buckner Talbutt, oldest daughter of Col. Jesse H. Talbutt and his wife, Mary (Holladay) Tall)utt, of "The Meadows," near Lexington. Col. Jesse H. Talbutt's father, Charles Talbutt, Sr., was a noted hotel keeper at Paris, Ky., in the early part of the last century, and represented his county in the Kentucky Legislature in 184:8. The Talbutt family was one of the largest in Bourbon County, their ancestors coming in pioneer days from Virginia. Chas Talbutt's son, Dr. Chas. Talbutt, a surgeon in the Con- federate Army, married Iva Wharton, daughter of Gen'l Thos. J. WHiarton, Attorney General of Mississippi. Jesse H. Talbutt. father of Mrs. Wm. H. Polk, though a strong W^iig and residing in a Democratic county, on account of his great popularity was elected several times to the office of Sheriff of Bourbon Countv. He accumulated a fortune POLK FA M I LY A X D K I X S .V £ .V 613 MARY (POLK) BOULDIN AND VVM. C I'OI.K. children of W. H. Polk. Lexington. Ky. ASTCSR. LENO" °'"^ nrN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY AXD KIXSMEN 615 in trade, at Paris and in Cincinnati. After the war he pur- chased the beautiful old Elisha Warfield estate, -The ^^leadows," near Lexington, which he lost by security debts for others. To Wm. H. Polk and his wife, Charlotte lUickner (Tal- butt) Polk, were born seven children, viz: (1) Jesse Talbutt Polk, b. September 23, 1868; residence Lexington, Ky. (2) William Clay Polk, b. December lo, LSTO; residence Lexington, Ky. (3) John Early Polk. b. August 25, 18:3; d. januarv 18, 1895. (4) Tasker Polk, b. November 25, 18T5 ; residence Wash- ington. D. C. (5) Mary Alice Polk. b. August 2, 1879; d. Februarv 27, 1910. (6) Lillie Bryan Polk, b. December 23, 1881; residence Lexington, Ky. (7) Margaret Polk, b. August 4, 1884; d. September 11, 1888. William Clay Polk was married to Eva Miller, of Irvine, Kentucky, February 6, 1904. Their first child, Mary B., b. October 9, 1904, d. in infancy. Their second, ]\Iyrtle Lee, was b. September 3, 1911. John Early Polk was married June 16, 1892, to Linda B. Wooldridge, of Versailles, Ky., daughter of John Major Wool- dridge, a prominent lawyer. They had one child, a son. Mau- rice Wooldridge Polk, b. March 30, 1893. He is a student at Center College, Danville, Ky.. and his mother resides in Col- orado. John Early Polk d. at Houston, Texas, January 18, 1895, from injuries received in a fall down an elevator shaft. Mary Alice Polk was married April s, 1902, to Powhattan Wooldridge Bouldin, a son of Col. David fJouldin, of the Confederate Army. Col. Bouldin was one of the pioneers of Sedalia, Mo. His w ife was a sister of John Major Wooldridge, father of Linda B. Wooldridge, wife of John Early Polk. Mary (Polk) Bouldin had no issue. Tasker Polk (youngest son of William II. Polk), was married November 8, 1904, to Corinne Curtis, of Fayette 616 POLK FA M I LV AND K I N S M li K County. He resides in W'asliington City. They have one child. Henry Tasker Polk, b. July nc\er off duty a day or wounded, though he had some "close calls." The last two years of his service he was detailed as body- guard and also as orderly to generals Jeff. C. Davis and Davis S. Stanley, division commanders, and was chielly cm- ployed as a bearer of messages in camp, on the march, and in battles. The 21st Ills, having completed its term of ser- 618 POLK FA M I LY AND K 1 N S M E N vice, came back from the front, and was mustered out at Chattanooga, and paid off at Louisville. And when the regi- ment started to Illinois for disbandment, William left it and proceeded to his "Old Kentucky Home,"" where he was in- troduced to his two brothers and kinsmen. Xot long after- ward he was appointed clerk in the Paris post office, and short- ly after, on recommendation of President Andrew Johnson and General U. S. Grant, was made postmaster. He was reap- pointed after the latter became President, but resigned and went to Kansas, and thence to Sherman, Texas, taking the position of City Editor on the staff of the Sherman Daily Register. After three years experience in Texas journalism he re- turned to Kentucky, and took the position of City Editor on the Lexington Daily Transcript. Shortly afterwards he was made Managing" Editor. Some months later he purchased the Daily Transcript, in partnership with Major P. P. Johnston, an ex-Confederate officer of Lee's Army, continuing as Man- aging Editor. Selling his interest to his partner, he founded The Evening News. He next sold his interest in that paper and went back to the staff of the Daily Transcript. In boom days he founded The Middlesboro Daily Democrat. By the collapse of the big boom, his enterprise was swamped, along with others. Returning to Lexington, he purchased The Drummer and tried to conduct a "funny paper." Exhausting his stock of "fun" which did not produce any deaths from laughter among his subscribers, he launched the W^eekly Globe, and later the Weekly Observer. Heavy competition induced him to suspend his publications and he went on the staff of the Daily Leader. In July, 1908, he "reformed the error of his ways," and quit journalism to engage in literary work. POLK FAMILY AND KIX S M E \' 619 1. THEODORE C. POLK JR.. 2. THOS. liARLOW I'Ol.K, sons of Theodore C. Polk Sr. .■!. JAMES W I ELI A M.S. Chief Turret Capt. L'. S. N.. grandson of Tlieodore C. Polk Sr. 4. MARGARET \\TLLL\MS. granddaughter of Theodore C. Polk Sr. THE NEV/YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY AST(!)R, LENOX AND TILDE N FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY A N D KI X S M E X 621 CHAPTP]R LXI\'. FAMILY OF THEODORE C. POLK. Theodore Clay Polk (second son of Gilead Polkj, was married September 9, 1S6T, to j\Iaggie Hart Barlow, of Mid- way, Kentucky, second daughter of Capt. Milton Barlow, an officer who served in the Confederate Army. She died at Den- ver, Colo., January 1, 1911. CHILDREN OF THEODORE CLAY POLK. Theodore Clay and Maggie (Barlow) Polk had issue: (1) Lottie Barlow Polk, b. December 28, 18(38; living at Denver, Colorado. (2) William Milton Polk, b. October 25, 1871); living at Denver, Colorado. (3) John Milton Polk, b. February 9, 1874; d. March 29, 1907. {i) Theodore Clay Polk, Jr., b. February 8, 187G; living at Goldfield, Colorado. (5) Milton Barlow Polk. b. , 1878; d. in child- hood, at Great Bend, Kansas. (6) James Knox Polk, b. August 10, 1882 ; living in Den- ver. (7) Thos. Barlow Polk, b. August 26, 188(3; real estate Agent, Seattle, Washington. (8) Archie Duncan Polk, b. ; d. in infancy. Lottie Barlow Polk was twice married; first on March 23, 1887, to George Williams, of Denver, a .'^on of Dr. Male .nib W^illiam's of New Orleans. They had two children: 'James Malcomb Williams, b. January 29, 1888; ^Marguerite I'.arl-.w Williams, b. December 17, 1890. Lottie B. married secondly James Husk, c.f Denver, and thev reside in that city. ' James Malcomb Williams served as an .\pi)rentice m the g22 POL K F A M 1 LY A N D KIN S M E N United States Navy. He enlisted a second lime, was pro- moted to the position of Chief Tnrret Captain, U. S. Navy. Enlisting" w^ith him at the same time, and serving on the same ships, was his uncle, Thos. Barlow Polk, only two years his elder. Thomas Polk was married September 2G, 1907, after quit- ting the Navy, to Miss Carita Nedrey, of Denver. They have one child, Margaret Esther Polk, b. June 27, 19U9. Theodore C. Polk, Jr., (son of 'JMieodore C. Polk. Sr.), was twice married. His first wife, to whom he was united February 8, 187G, \vas Miss Viola Brown, of Denver; no issue. His second wife was a widow, Mrs. Emma Williams, of the same city. They live at Cripple Creek, Colorado. John Milton Polk (son of Theodore C. and Maggie Bar- low Polk), a splendid and handsome young man, who measur- ed six feet two inches, enlisted in the Colorado Heavy Artil- lery, in the Spanish-American War. His regiment saw hard service in the Philippines. At the close of the war he returned to Colorado and settled at Pueblo. While ascending a stair- way he accidentally dropped a pistol, which was discharged, producting a mortal wound from which he died. He was Drill Master of several secret orders having a military corps. Marguerite Barlow Williams (daughter of Geo. W. Will- iams and Lottie Barlow r\)lk), married in 1910 Dr. Caypless, and afterwards, in September, 1912, to Frederick Lewis Sam- uels of Denver. THEODORE C. POLK. Theodore Clay Polk, after the emigration of his brother AMlliam H. Polk, to Illinois, continued for several years to reside with his L^ncle Daniel. At the beginning of the Civil War, he enlisted in Captain Daniel Garrard's Company F., Twenty-second Kentucky Infantry, Col. Daniel W^ Lindsay. The battalion of which company F. formed a part was sent to Camp Swigert, in Greenup County, Eastern Kentucky, where other companies from that section were added until the regi- ment was completed. The regiment then joined the division of Gen'l James A. Garfield, operating in the Big Sandy Val- FOLK F A M [ LY A X D K I X S M E X 623 JOHN MILTON POLK, Denver, Col., son of Tlieodore C. Polk Sr. ^USLfC LIBRARY I AST»R, LENOX AND T'LDEN FOUNDATIONS. ' POLK FAMILY AXD KIXSMEX 625 ley. It took part in the battle of ^Middle Creek and other en- gagements. It then went to Cumberland Gap and joined the division of Gen'l Geo. W. ^vlorgan, assisting in fortifying the Gap. Here they remained until Bragg started from Chatta- nooga on his invasion of Kentucky, in August, 1S()2. From Cumberland Gap, Morgan's Division proceeded to West Vir- ginia, campaigned there for some time, after which it was ordered South, going by steamers to Memphis. Joining Gen- eral Sherman's forces, it was in the campaign on the Yazoo and at Chickasaw Bayou. In assaulting the enemy's works at Hayne's Blufif, the Twenty-second lost heavil\-. Among the killed was Capt. Garrard of Theodore C. Polk's Company. Lt. Col. ]\Ionroe and a number of other officers were wounded. Theodore C. Polk was also severely wounded by a ball through the right groin and hip. Falling, when shot, he placed his knapsack in front of his head to protect it, and several balls lodged in the folded blanket. He laid under fire for several hours, until night permitted of his removal from the field. Taken to Paducah, Kentucky, Theodore lay in hospital for nearly a year, and in February, 1863, he was discharged from the service. After recovery Theodore entered a dry goods store at Frankfort, later engaging as a traveling salesman with a Philadelphia house. In March, 18'('3. he removed to Great Bend, Kansas, where he located a land claim, and was elected the first District Clerk of Barton County, serving as such for several years, then resigned, sold his farm, and engaged in the commission business at Colorado Springs. Retiring from this, he went to Denver. He now resides in that State. FAMILY OF JOHN KNOX POLK. John Knox Polk (b. August ^o, 1847), third and youngest son of Gilead and Margaret (Johnson) Polk, after tlie death of his father lived for several years with his uncle and guar- dian, Daniel Polk. He attended the public schools of Frank- fort, acquiring a good education, after which lie entered a store in that city, where he continued for several years, lie was but fourteen years of age when tlie Civil War began, too 626 POLK FAMILY A X D K I N S M E X young tu enlist as a soldier. Zealuu>, lio\ve\er, to enter the service in some capacity, he sought and obtained a position in the Quartermaster's Department, at Lexington, then mili- tary headquarters for the Federal forces in Kentucky, where he continued until the close of the war. After the war John settled in Paris, Kentucky, where his oldest brother resided, and engaged as salesman in a shoe store. Later he was made U. S. Storekeeper in the Revenue service. AN'hile a resident of that city he was married, August 29, 1S72, to Miss Amanda lUirford, a handsome young lady of Harrodsburg. The result uf this unimi was four children, viz: iDavis H. Polk, b. September 1, 1873; -Effie Polk, b. ; ^'Howard Polk, b. ; "^Percy Polk, b. . While the family resided in Kansas City, the eldest son, Davis H. Polk, clerked in the post-ofifice for several years, at the same time taking up the study of medicine. After grad- uation from the Medical College of lliat city, he l^egan prac- tice. At the outbreak of the Spanish-American War he was appointed to the position of Contract Surgeon at the Presido, near San Francisco, where he remained during the war, minis- tering to the sick and wounded. Effie, only daughter of John Knox and Amanda (Purford) Polk, was educated at Kansas City. After graduation she was appointed to the position of teacher in one of the city schools. SARAH ATKINS AND EPHRAIM POLK, 5TH. Sarah Polk (next to the youngest child of Ephraim and Rhoda (Alorris) Polk), b. June ^L 1S12, removed to Liberty. Indiana, about 1830 with her sister, Mrs. Polly Wolf. She was married to a gentleman named Atkins, and had one daughter. The latter was married and had a son named John, born aboiit LS62, but the writer is informed that all of them are now dead. Ephraim Polk 5th (twelfth and youngest child of Ephraim and Rhoda (Morris) Polk) was b. at the old Polk place in Scott County, August 10, 181L Going to Springfield, Illniois, to reside with his brother Clement, he died there unmarried, on September 3, 1840. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 627 MRS. SARAH (POLK) ATKINS, Liberty, Ind., daughter of Ephraim Polk :jd THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 629 CHAPTER LXV. DESCENDANTS OF JEHOSEPHAT POLK. Jehosephat Polk (or Hosea as he was generally called), fifth child and second son of Ephraim, 3d. and Rhoda (Morris) Polk, was born at the old homestead on Lain's Run, Scott County, Kentucky. May 3, 1800, and died at Clifton Farm, near Spring Station, Woodford County. Oct. 25, 1864. The child preceding Hosea, Ephraim, b. in U9S, was drowned in 1801 in a large spring near the house. This death leaving Hosea the eldest son, and his father dying in 1814, as he grew to manhood he was accorded the management of the farm l)y his mother and attended to her business affairs. Soon after the death of Ephraim Polk, 3d, his widow Rhoda. being of Quaker stock and opposed, like all Quakers, to slavery, set free her slaves and placed her sons at trades, two becoming printers, several architects and builders, and Hosea a cabinetmaker. This trade he plied with great vigor and acquired a considerable competence. He then bought a iarm near Oxford, Scott County, and soon became known as the most successful planter in Kentucky, making a specialty of raising and water rotting hemp for the Southern cotton planters use in baling cotton, and for ship cordage. He also established a bagging factory and rope walk and when at the pinnacle of success lost all by security debts for others. Having such a great reputation as a farmer, and as a man of great business capacity. Hosea accepted the position of general manager, for Robt. A. Alexander, of the extensive Woodburn Farms in Woodford County, which position he still occupied at the time of his death Oct. 25, 1864. In 1840 Hosea, before he lost all by security endorsements, sold his farm and bought the Peak farm, near Georgetown, in order to have his children convenient to colleges. While liv- ing there his sons and daughters entered the colleges and grad- uated therefrom in due course. 630 POLK FAMILY AND K I N S M E N In 1822 Hosea Polk married Sarah Jane Aloore, daughter of James Moore, Sr., of the same neighborhood, a family from Virginia. Hosea's wife, like himself, was a person of great energy and business ability, an ideal wife, mother and mana- ger of the home. She was born Oct. 13, 171)-) and died March 1, 1882, in S. Pasadena, California. The remains were brought to Kentucky and interred beside those of her husband in Georgetown cemetery. FAMILY OF HOSEA AND SALLY POLK. The children born to Jehosej^hat and Sarah J. (Moore) Polk were : (1) Marcellus Polk, b. Jan. 11, 1824, d. Sept. 11, 1885 at St. Joseph, Mo. (2) Sally Ann Polk, b. Aug. 19, 1825; married June 4, 1846 to Joseph G. Deming, of Edin'burg, Ind. (3) James E. Polk, b. Aug. 16, 1827, d. June 16, 1808. (4) Melissa Polk, b. July 21, 1829 ; married Edw. M. Hub- bert, Sept. 9, 1852. (5) Jefferson Scott Polk, b. Feb. 18, 1831, d. Nov. 3, 1907. (6) Mary Susan Polk, b. Nov. 29. 4833, d. Dec. 1910 at Orange, Cal. (7) Elizabeth Jane Polk, b. April 3, 1836. d. Jan. 1, 1843. (8) Margaret Polk, b. June 29, 1839. d. March 2, 1909, at Los Angeles, Cal. INTERMARRIAGES. On June 4, 1846, Sally Ann Polk to Jos. G. Deming, of Edinburg, Ind. On March 4, 1852, Jas. E. Polk to Margaret Y. Payne, of Lexington, Ky. On Sept. 9, 1852, Melissa Polk to Edward M. Hubbert, of Edinburg, Ind. POLK FAMILY AND KI N S M E N 631 son of Ephra JEHOSEPHAT POLK. im Polk. rul. and his wife Sally Ann i ulk. THfSfWTORK PUBLIC UBHARY TILDE N FOUMO' POLK FAMILY .4 X D K I X S M E X 633 On Oct. — , 1853, Marcellus Polk to Ella G. Samuell. On Jan. 25, 185i, Jefferson Scott Polk to Julia A. Herndon. On Sept. 9, 1867, at New Albany, Ind., Mary S. Polk to Rev. Alexander Parker, of Connersville. Ind. On Aug. 13, 1875, at Columbus, Ind., Margaret Polk to O. R. Dougherty, of Indianapolis. MARCELLUS POLK'S FAMILY. Alarcellus Polk, eldest child and son of Hosea and Sarah J. (Moore) Polk, was married Nov. 10, 1853 to Ella G. Samuell, of Scott County, and to them were born eleven children, viz: (1) Xannie Polk, b. Aug. 12, 1854, d. unmarried, July 11, 1877. (2) James Scott Polk, b. April 16, 1856; married Olivia Ford, of St. Joseph, April 9, 1885. (3) Wm. Barber Polk, b. Sept. 1, 1857; married Lillian Stewart, of St. Joseph, Alay 8, 1883. (4) Sallie Polk, b. July 7, 1859. (5) Ella Oft"ut Polk, b. Feb. 22, 1861; married Wm. H. Brown, of St. Joseph, Feb. 5, 1884. (6) Samuel Polk, .b. Dec. 25, 1862; married Josephine Wakefield, of Savannah, Mo., Oct. 29, 1890. (7) Maggie Polk, b. Dec. 8, 1864, married Thos. W. Pack, of St. Joseph, Dec. 29, 1886. (8) Edmonia W. Polk, b. March 24, 1866, d. June 25, 1882 at St. Joseph. (9) Melissa Hubbert Polk, b. June 10, 1868; married July 13, 1893, Robert C. Whittinghall, of St. Joseph. (10) Mary Lou Polk, b. Dec. 7, 1869. (11) Lillie Belle Polk, b. Sept. 25, 1871. All these children were born at Georgetown. Ky., SKETCH OF MARCELLUS POLK. Marcellus Polk was raised on the farm and took an active part in all its w^ork and duties, attending school during the tall and winter months. After his father purchased the Peak 634 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINSMEN farm near Georgetown. Marcellus entered Georgetown College and his sister Sally Ann attended Aliss Tuck's Female Semi- nary, both graduating with honors of their classes. After graduation. Marcellus accepted the position of tutor to the children of Col June Ward, who, besides a splendid Kentucky home, owned a large plantation at Lake Washing- ton, Miss., at which latter place Marcellus conducted most of his work while a tutur. He next returned to Kentucky and read law under Hon. Jas. F. l\()l)ins(in, later Governor of Ken- tucky. While so employed he was otitered the chair of JVlathe- matics in a college at Shelbyville, Ky.. but deciding to stick to the legal profession opened a law ofifice in Georgetown, se- curing a large practice. He was also devoted to farming, adjoining the town. A few years after the Civil War, he re- moved to W-'interset. Iowa, and later in ISS-i to St. Joseph, Mo., w'here he practiced law until he died in Sept., 1885. Marcellus Polk's wife, nee Ella Samuell, was from one of the leading pioneer families of Scott County, a handsome, lov- able woman and devoted mother, and with her children she still lives at St. Joseph. Mo. SARAH A. DEMING'S FAMILY. Sarah (Salh'j Ann Polk (second child of Rosea Polk), b. Aug. 19, 1835, was married June 4. 1846 to Joseph G. Deming, of Edinburg, Ind., and they had issue : (1) Mary Melissa Deming, 'b. March !i, 1847, d. Sept. 1, 1859. (2) Cornelia Florence Deming, b. Jan. 18, 1849; married June 13, 1879 to Rev. H. L. Nave. (3) Zannetta C. Deming. b. March 11, 1851, d. Feb. 4, 1853. (4) Marcellus G. Deming, b. Jan. 2, 1853 ; married 1st in 1887 to Hattie Rowley, who d. March 30, 1889; 3nd May 19, 1893 to Ida Landis. (5) Joseph J. Deming. b. Sept. 33, 1854; married Aug. 1, 1881 to Nettie Morey. POLK FAMILY A X D K I .V 5 .1/ £ .V 635 POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E N 637 S\RAH AXX DEMIXG AND HUSBAND. JOSEPH G. DEMlNG. daughter of Hosea and Sally P'-lk- rliu^'*^ UuHA^.^ o-r*« U£NO>C AND POLK FAMILY AXD K I X S M E X (6) Margaret Deming, b. Feb. 4, 1856, d. 639 (?) James E. Deming, b. Sept. 9, 1858. d. March 31. 1878. (8) Charles Deming, h. April 6. 1862, d. July 8, 1863. (9) Janie Polk Deming, b. May 6, 1864. (10) Julia H. Deming, b. Aug. 13, 1866. By his second wife, Ida Landis, :Marcellus G. had issue: ^Miriam, b. June, 1895; ^Dorothy, b. IMaroh. 1900. Joseph Jefferson Deming and wife had issue: ^Horace; ^Jane; ^Cjeorge and ^Edward, twins. Cornelia Florence (Deming) Xave had issue: (1) Marcellus Deming Xave. b. April 3, 1880. (2) Henry Dewey Nave, b. April 13, 1881. (3) Karl Kondit Nave. b. Oct. 1. 1882. (4) Mary Grace Nave. b. April 6. 1885. d. April 9, 1900. JAMES E. POLK. James Ephraim Polk, third child and second son of Hosea Polk, b. Aug. 16, 1827, on attaining manhood entered the mer- cantile business at Lexington, Ky.. where his affable manners made him many friends. Later he became a partner in the wholesale drygoods house of McAlpin. Polk 8c Hibbard. Cin- cinnati, amassing a fortune. Selling his interest, he and his wife went to Europe and lived for a number of years in France. Returning to America, he lost a fortune on Wall street. James married March 4, 1852, Miss Margaret Y. Payne, of Lexington, Ky., daughter of Judge Henry Payne, but they had no issue. She died June 29, 1901, in New York City, and he 1908 at Des Moines, Iowa, at the home of his brother. Jeffer- son S. Polk. The remains of both were entombed in his family vault in Lexington, Ky., cemetery. FAMILY OF EDWARD M. AND MELISSA HUBBERT. Edward M. Hul)bert, b. Sept. 25. 1828. at Martinsburg, N. Y. Melissa, b. in Scott County, Ky., July 21, 1829. Their children were : (1) James E. Hubbert. b. at Georgetown, Ky., July 17, 1853. 640 POLK FA M I LY A X D K I N S M E N (2) Charles H. Hubl)ert, 1). in Xevv Albany, Ind., Feb. 8, 1856. (3) Cornelia liubbert, b. at Xew Albany, Ind.. Oct. 31, 1858. (4) Mary Hubbert, b. at Xew Albany, Ind., March 1, 1863. (5) Marc Hubbert. b. at Xew Albany, Ind.. Nov. 25, 1864. (6) Ella Polk Hubbert, b. at Xew Albany, Ind., Jan. 11, 1867. MARRIAGES. At New Albany, Ind., Oct. 5, 1880, James E. Hubbert to Libbie B. Gorsuch. At Birmingham, Ala.. April 30, 1884, Thos. O. Smith to Cornelia Hubbert. At Louisville. Ky.. July 5, 1888, Marc Hubbert tu Caro- line Tellon. BIRTHS. Hubbert Smith, in Xew Albany, Ind., Jan. 17, 1885. Chas. Edward Hubbert. in Xew Albany, Ind., July 26, 1882. Julia Smith, in Birmingham, Ala., July 15, 1890. Frances Hubbert. in New Albany, Ind.. June 17, 1891. Thos. O. Smith, Jr.. in Birmingham, Ala., Nov. 25, 1891. DEATHS. John Hubbert. in Columbus, Ind.. April 25, 1869, aged 72>4 years. Cornelia Hubbert, in Columbus, Ind., Nov. 23, 1888, aged 86 years. Mary Hubbert. in Xew Albany, Ind., Sept. 4, 1864. Chas. Edward Hubbert. at Sweet Springs, W. Va., June 25, 1891. Edward M. Hubbert. at New Albany, Ind., Aug. 4. 1897. James E. Hubbert. at Chicago, 111.. Feb. 4, 1911. POLK F AM I L y A K D KI N S M E N 641 TAAIES E. POLK AND HIS WIFE, MAGGIE (PAYNE) I'OI.K. TliE KEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY A8T®R, LENOX AND JJLDEN FOUNOAT/ON8. POLK FAMILY A N D K I H ;V S M li N 643 MELISSA (POLK) HUBBERT AND HUSBAND, EDW. S. HUBBERT, New Albany, Ind. PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTftR, LENOX AND POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN 545 MARY SUSAN POLK'S FAMILY Mary Su.an Polk (sixth child of Hosea and Sallv Polk) b^Nov. 29, 1883 cL Dec. -. 1910 at he. home in Califor . ! She was married Sept. 9, 1868, to Rev. Alexander Parker Presbyterian minister, of Connersville, Ind. They removed to Orange. California, where he was pastor of a church for a num- be of years, and also engaged in fruit culture. They had issue • (1) Jesse Parker, b. March 12. LsTo. d. Jan. 8, 1871. ■ (2) A\'m. Edward Parker, b. Nov. 26, 1872.' (3) Zinnetta Grififith Parker, b. julv 20, I874" Rev. Parker was b. at Georgetown. Brmvn Countv. Ohio July 17, 1829. ' ' MARGARET DOUGHERTY'S FAMILY. Margaret Polk (eighth and youngest child of Ho^ea and Sally Polk, b. June 29, 1839, d. March 3, 1909 at Los Angeles Cal.), was married Aug. 13. 1875, at Columbus. Ind., to O. R.' Dougherty, of Indianapolis. Ind. In .March. 1877 they re- moved to California, engaging in fruit culture. She died there m Nov., 1909. leaving a son and a daughter. The son, Paul Dougherty, was b. Aug. 21. 1877; the daughter. Ruth, was b. June 28, 1880. Residence, South Pasadena. Cal. FAMILY OF JEFFERSON SCOTT POLK. Jefferson Scott Polk and Julia Herndon were married at Georgetown, Ky.. Jan. 25, 1854. Issue: (1) Mary Blanton Polk. b. Dec. 22. 1854, d. May 22, 1863. (2) John Scott Polk, b. June 14, 1S57; residence, Des Moines, Iowa. (3) Lutie Lee Polk, b. Aug. 8, 1861, d. March lo, 1.S71. (4) Mildred L. Polk. b. Jan. 8, 1866. (5) Daniel S. Polk, b. March 8, 1870, d. March 12, 1871. (6) Sarah Jane Polk, h. April 24, 1872. (7) Harry Herndon Polk, b. Xov. 30. I,s75; residence, Des Moines. 646 POLK FA M 1 LY A N D K I N S M E N MARRIAGES. John Scott Polk married Miss Maud llaskitt. June 3U, 1879. Issue: ^Jefferson Haskitt Polk, b. July 3, 1880; -Eliza- beth Caroline Polk, b. March 31, 1883, d. March 31, 1883. Mildred L. Polk married Geo. B. Hippee (b. Jan. 1, 1860), on March IG. 1887. Issue: ^George Polk Hippee, b. Dec. 34, 1887; -Herndon Page Hippee, b. Xov. 18, 1889; ^^Mildred Hip- pee, b. June 20, 1892 ; '^Mary llii)pee, b. June 23, 1898. Sarah J. Polk married Albert G. Maish lb. Oct. 13, 1867), on Feb. 13, 189."). Issue: ^George Herndon Maish. b. June 17, 1897; -Albert I'olk Maish, b. Xov. 25, 1900. Harry Herndon Polk married Alice Kauffman (I). Aug. 12, 1878), Jan. 3, 1900. Issue: ^Mary P.arr Polk, b. Oct. 30, 1900; 2Julia Herndon Polk, b. July 17, 1903. George Polk Hippee. son of Mildred and George B. Hip- pee was married at Pes Moines, April 30, I'.HO to Ruth Kaston. SKETCH OF JEFFERSON SCOTT POLK. No man in America bearing the name of Polk stood higher in the estimation of his friends and acquaintances, or lef! a more enduring impress on his time and environments, than Jefferson Scott Polk, son of Jehosephat and Sally Ann (Moore) Polk, who was born in Scott County, Kentucky, Feh. 18, 1831, and died at Des Moines, la., Nov. 3, 1907, where he located in the practice of law in 1855, just after marriage to Julia A. Hern- don, a daughter of John Herndon, son of one of Kentucky's pioneers. Going to Iowa shortly after marriage, they began life in a modest way, she attending to household duties while he hung out his shingle and awaited clients. '"Seventy-five cents, for drawing up a deed." said he in an interview published in a Des Moines newspaper a few years ago, was the first fee I re- ceived after I entered practice." In a few mc-nth^, however, the people were impressed by the quiet, clear headed, plain spoken and modest young attor- ney and business flowed in on him steadily, finally resulting in one of the largest law ])ractices in the Northwest. POLK FAMILY A N D K I N S M P. N 647 o W 'P H ^ a: Q 'n_^ Q D ^ y. '< Q n ^ /— V /^ < . :^^ 0 '-0 U^ CiJ X y '..^ ^^ ui Pi o -< Q fi^ Q. X o H < fjj > 6 (2J oi ■D^ ^ >^UJ ^^ -UJ . 0(^ ll^ cj -> 'z^ ^ — ' \r. .^ . — . -^ yx OJ 'V)0 -^ ^0. Ujs^ — u. . ^ '^y . M -.' -< ID oi .t; ct '-^'P. D u 1 i. ^ t:x 4> b.w jua: THE ^BWy FOLK FAMILY A A' D K I K S M E X C49 JEFFERSON SCOTT I'OLK AM) WIFE JULIA (HERNDON) POLK. Des Moines. Iowa. PUBLIC UBi'Af^^ ^T©B, LENOX AND TIUDEN FOONDATIOMS. POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E N 651 ADMITTED TO BAR IN KENTUCKY. Jefferson S. Polk earned his first money Ijy teaching school during his early manhood, at odd hours reading law l)ooks. Quitting teaching, he entered the law office of his Ijrother, Marcellus Polk, who had a fine practice at Georgetown. By close and persistent study and after a course at TransyKania Law School at Lexington, Jefferson had mastered the princi- pliss and judicial procedure of his profession and on May Dth, 1854, before Hon. Alvin Duvall, Judge of the Ninth Judicial District of Kentucky, he was admitted to the har, pa>sing the ordeal with much credit. The following year he married and emigrated with his bride to Des ^Moines, then a village of about one thousand people. Here he drove his stake, and when he died the modest village had grown to a city of nearly one hundred thousand people. And in this astonishing growth and development, by reason of the push and enterprise of its people, he was tme of its most active and important factors, always at the front with his keen business perceptions and advice, and also his money to help carry out any helpful enterprise. I'.ecanse of his clear brain and sound advice, he soon was looked u]) to as a safe leader in whatever would enhance the interests of the town. Jeft'ersou steadily accumulated a fortune and eslal)H-licaltimore, where David, Jr., was born and after a good education entered the Presbyterian ministery, after graduating at Jefferson College and at Princeton Theological Seminary. He had a brother George, who lived either at St. Louis or Louisville. David, Jr., died at Brookville, Pa., in 1857, at the age of about 48 years. David Polk, Sr., had a family of six children, viz : ^John ; -George; ^Eliza ; ^Jane ; '^Margaret; ^Rev. David, Jr. In a letter to the author, R. L. Polk states: "My father did not preach in Baltimore. He nnived to Western Pennsylvania and died in Brookville, Jefferson Coun- ty, that state, in 1857. After his marriage, in some manner he became estranged from his family, after wliicli he had little intercourse with them." 670 P O LK F A M I LY A N D K I h S M E N "My father, David Polk, was born in Baltimore in 1809. While he was attending the Theological Seminary in Prince- ton, N. J. he met Mary Charlotte Warner, who was visiting some relatives in that locality, and afterwards married her. She was 'born in Trenton, N. J. in 1813. My father was or- dained a Presbyterian Minister in Baltimore about 1833, some time after which he moved to Wheeling, West Virginia, and was later sent by the Presbytery to Bellefontaine, Ohio., where I was born Sept. 12, 1849. Later he was sent by the Presby- tery to Brookville. Pa., where he died in 1857, leaving my mother with six children. She returned to her father's home in Trenton. X. J., where she lived until her death in 1890. My mother had seven children, as follows: ^Margaret; 2David ; ^'Charles C. ; ^Mary ; ^Susan ; ^Louisa B., and ^Raiph L. The first three were named after my father's, and the last four after my mother's relatixes. My brother. Judge Charles C. Polk, resides in Los An- geles, Cal. POLK FAMILY A N D KI X SM EN 671 CHAPTER hXYll. ROBERT POLK, JR., AND DESCENDANTS. . Robert Polk. Jr., (fifth son of Capt. Robert I'.ruce I'.^lk and his wife Alagdalen), was b. in Somerset County, Marv- and, about 1(37 5, or shortly after his parents landed in America. Robert Polk, Jr., was a very active, enterprising planter and citizen, and possessed great force of character. About 1699 he was married to Miss Grace Guillette, by whom he had a considerable family, only part of Which he mentions in his will. Robert d. in 1727. His will is dated Feb. 2\, 172r), and was probated in Dorchester County, May 10, 1727, the same year in which the wills of his mother, Magdalen Polk and his brother James Polk were probated in Somerset County. According to data secured froin the Maryland offices of re- cord, Robert Polk. Jr.. and his wife Grace had issue: ^Thomas; ^William; ^Robert; '^Mary ; •'^Grace and three other daughters w^hose names he does not call. The tracts of land devised by Robert in his wall were: "Venture," "Hazard," "Folorn Hope" and "Bally Hack." No executor named. Witnesses: William Polk, Daniel Harrison, Robert Polk. To his son Thomas, Robert Polk, Jr , devised "Venture," the "dwelling plantation." To his son Robert, then under fourteen years of age, he gave "Hazard." And said Kobcrt was to be a free man at li years, if his motlier slmnld ninrry again. To his brother, Joseph Polk, (youngest son of Robert and Magdalen), Robert devised part of a tract called "Forlorn Hope." FAMILY OF ROBERT POLK, JR. The estimated dates of births of the children of Robert Polk, Jr.. were : (1) Thomas Polk, b. abcut 1702-3, d. 17.SS; married Lur- viah . 672 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINS M E N (2) Col. William Polk, b. about 1705, d. Oct. 28, 1788; married Mrs. Mary (Vaughan) Woodgate. (3) Robert Polk, 3d, 1). about 1707, d. Dec. 1770; married Alice Nutter. (4) Mary Polk, b. about 1714, d. . (5) Grace Polk, b. about 171G, d. . Three other daug'hters are mentioned in his will, making five daughters in all, but three names are not given. According to data procured between 1840 and 1848, l)y Josiah F. Polk and Col. Wm. II. Winder, of Maryland, and others interested in the preparation of the Polk tree published in 1840, and since that time by ot'hers who made careful re- search, the line of Robert Polk, Jr., down to the Revolution was as follows : (1) Robert Bruce Polk and wife, Magdalen, who came to America about 1672. (2) Robert Polk, Jr., b. about 1675, d. 1727; married Grace Guillette in 1699. (3) Robert Polk, 3d, b. about 1709-11, d. 1771; married Alice Nutter. LAND GRANTS TO ROBERT'S LINE. As heretofore stated, Robert Polk's father, Capt. Robert Bruce Polk, received two grants of land, "Polk's Lott" and "Polk's Folly" from Lord Baltimore on March 7, 1687. The next grant was to Ephraim Polk, for"Clonmell," on Sept. 20, 1700. And sliortly after, on Nov. 8, 1700, Robert Polk, Jr., was granted "Bally Black," 200 acres, lying in So^merset County, marsh ground. This grant is of record in the Maryland Land Ofihce, at Annapolis, in Book D. D. No. 5, folio 73. In this grant Robert's name is written Poalk, owing doubtless to the carelessness of the entry clerk. No more grants from Lord Baltimore to Robert Polk, Jr., appeared on the list and the other tracts acquired by him were no doubt by private purchase. His brothers received numer- ous grants from the Colonial office, but Robert was apparently satisfied with one from that source. One of the tracts mentioned in his will by Robert Polk, POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M H X 673 Jr., "Folorn Hope," appears later, in 1T38, as granted to Joseph Polk. This was about the time Joseph is said to have returned from Ireland, w'hither he had gone soon after liis luother's death in 17"iT, to possess the estate of "'^kloneen" which >he had devised to him in her will of 1126. The Dorchester County records show a number of land transactions in the name of Robert Polk. Those before 1727 w^ere by Robert, Jr. Those after that year (in which he died), by his son Robert Polk, od, who appears to have l)ecn a \ er}- large land proprietor, purchasing many tracts. Other interesting entries on the Dorchester records are: Appraisement of land of Clement Polk, under fourteen years old, orphan and child of Robert Polk, deceased, n(.\v under the guardianship of Manuel ]\lanlove, made Sept. T, 1712, of following tracts: "Horseys Swam,p," 100 acres, "Little Goshem," 250 acres. This Clement Polk was doubt- less a son of Robert Polk, Jr.. and Grace Guillette, as Rol)ert 3d was then l)ut a small boy. W'm. Polk appointed guardian to Caleb and :\lary, orphans of Christopher Xutter, August — , 1773. ROBERT POLK, 3D, A COLONIAL OFFICIAL. Robert Polk, 3d. was a Justice of the Peace in Dorchester County from 1750 to 1770. (See History of Dorchester County, Md., p. 422, 23 and 24.) His wife, Alice .Xutter. was a daughter of Christopher Xutter, Sr.. of Somerset, who came to America a number of years earlier than the Polk-^. The Nutters and the Polks of Robert's branch were several times intermarried and two of that family, Thomas and David Xut- ter. came to Kentucky in 1703 with Ephraim Polk. 3(1, and other kinsmen, settling near Lexington, where they have numerous descendants. Alice Xiitier Polk, wife of Robert Polk. 3d, d. in 1772-3. Her will is dated Jan. 31. 1772, and was probate. isiil. (3) Robert Polk, b. about 1748, d. ; untraccd. 676 P O LK F A M I L y A N D K I A' .V .1/ £ N (-1) Alexander Polk. b. about 1T50, d. ; was an officer in the U. S. Navy. (5) Clement Polk, b. 1752, d. before 1S02. (6) Esther H. Polk, b. about 1T54. d. . (7) Sarah Xutter Polk, b. about 1T56. d. . (8) Anna Polk, b. about 1758, d. . (9j Nancy Polk, b. about 1760, d. . (10) Elizabeth (Betsy) Polk, b. about 1783, d. about 1805. (11) Polly ^.MaryJ Polk b. about 1785, d. in 1808. (12) Kitty (Ketura) Polk, b. about 1787. d. . INTERMARRIAGES. Trusten Laws Polk, eldest son of Col. Wm. Polk, married Mary Nutter, daughter of Christopher Nutter. Wm. Polk, second son of Col. Wm. Polk, married Sarah Robinson, eldest daughter of Judge Peter Robinson, of Sus- sex. Robert Polk, untraced. Alexander Polk married , and had a son Robert. Alexander, w^as a Midshipman in the U. S. Navy, and for distinguished gallantry at Tripoli in 1803 was voted a sword by Congress. Esther Polk married Nathaniel Russtim. Is^ue, unknown. Sarah Nutter Polk, untraced. Anna Polk married Gossens. Issue: twins. Nancy Polk married Peter Brown. Issue: ^Margaret Nutter Brown; -James Browm. The latter had: ^Priscilla; ^Margaret (Peggy) Nutter; •^Elizal^eth, who married Wm. Clarkson ; * who married and was the father of Mrs. Louisa A. Kemper, of Mississippi, who married Dr. Andrew C. Kemper, of Cincinnati, O., a surgeon in the U. S. Army during the Civil War. Betsy Polk married Rev. James M. Round (b. 1777). of Snow Hill, ]\Id. They had a daughter Elizabeth Polk Round, who died in Ohio in 1847. She married David West, and their daughter, Henrietta S. West, married \\'m. Clark, by whom she had : (1) Adelaide Clark, who married Judge Wlieeler. POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E N 677 (2) Sarah Virginia Clark, who married Judge Barber. The latter had issue: iDoUy ; -Herbert; ^Helen. Dolly married Mr. P. C. Patterson and they had issue: ^Margaret F. ; -Helen; ^Vinona ; ^Sam'l Lee and one other. Polly Polk, daughter of Col. Wm. Polk and ^Irs. Mary Woodgate Polk, and who d. in 18U8, married Zach Hatfield. Kitty (Ketura) Polk, the youngest child of Col. Wm. Polk, untraced. - After Trusten Laws Polk's death his widow married Thomas Sorden. WILLIAM POLK, SON OF COL. WILLIAM, SON OF ROBERT POLK, JR. William Polk (second son of Col. William and Mary (Vaughan-Woodgate) Polk, was born in Sussex County, at the homestead "Polks Defense," near Bridgeville. Feb. 10, 1746, and died April 10, 1801. Williams' mo'ther, Mary Vaughan, was the daughter of Edward Vaughan, as appears from Col. Wm. Polk's will in which he says: "I give unto my beloved wife, all my right and title and demand of all the lands, goods, and chattels that were of the property of Edward \^aughan. deceased, that now is at Deep Creek Furnace, and my desire is that my wife shall have full power and authority to settle the estate of Edward Vaughan deceased," etc. Edward Vaughn was interested in the Iron Works at Deep Creek Furnace. He was a brother of Jonatlian and Jmsc,])1i Vaughan who came from Ashton, Chester County. Pa., organ- ized a Company, and founded the Deep Creek Iron Works in Nanticoke Hundred, Sussex County. On January 28, 17(;:5 the Compay applied for 5,000 acres of land, and .soon had 7.000 acres upon which they carried on an extensive iron business. This industry was almost broken up by the Revolution, which carried off many of the men as soldiers, and some <>f them as officers. Among the latter was Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Vaudian. the distinguished commander of the Delaware regi- ment after the retirement of Col. Hall from wounds received at Germantown. 678 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN It was probably before 1792 that William Polk married Sarah Robin'son. oldest child of Judge Peter and Arcada (Alilby) Robinson. Sarah was born on November 8, 1770, on the Robinson plantation near St. George's Chapel. She died May 3, 1S15. The Robisons were among the earliest settlers of Sussex County, William, the ancestor of the family, having taken up land in Indian River Hundred, on /Vngola Neck, in 1693. In Colonial times the family were large landed pro- prietors, and carried on extensively, for the period, a milling business, then one of the most productive industries of the country. They, however, early entered public life, as we find that Parker Robinson, William's grandson, was a Justice of the Peace from 1705 until 1775. [Scharf II 1212; Pa. Arch. 2d Ser. X 81,217.] Peter Robinson, Parker's brother, on November 4, 1756, was appointed Lieutenant of the Sussex County Militia, in Col. Jacob Kollock's Regiment, which was organized for ser- vice in the French and Indian W^ir. [Pa. Arch. 2d, Ser. II 578.] Lieutenant Peter Robinson married Catharine Burton, of Indian River Hundred. The Burtons also were among the first settlers of Sussex County. They held extensive tracts of land, and have ever been distinguished in the history of the State. Among the children of Lieutenant Peter Robinson and Catharine (Burton) Robinson were Thomas and Peter, Jr. Thomas has come down to us as "The Loyalist," a man who took an eminent part in the opening Revolution, "a gentleman of high character, of superior education, and of great talents and influence." He married also a Burton (Pris- cilla), and they resided at the "Chapel." Their son. Judge Peter Robinson, was an eminent lawyer. Secretary of State, Representative, State Senator, and Third Associate Justice of Delaware. Peter Robinson, Jr., Lieutenant Peter's second son, began his official life in 1771 as Sherifif of Sussex County, and was again appointed in 1772. [Pa. Arc'h., 2d Ser. IX 662.] On November 29, 1791 he was a member of the State Con- stitutional Convention that convened at Dover and adopted the new State Constitution. [Scharf II.. 1243.] On February 1, 1792, Peter Robinson was appointed Justice POLK FAMILY A X D K I .V 5 M E X 679 of the Peace of Sussex County (Scharf II, 1243), and on Octo- ber 3U, 1T93. he was appointed Associate Justice of the Su- preme Court of Sussex County, under the Constitution of 1792. This office Judge Robinson filled al)l}- fur nianv vears. holding Court in Georgetown which became the Cnuniv scat in 1791. [Scharf I. 223, 537; II 1269.] Sarah Robinson's mother, Arcada jNIilljy, was also of an old Sussex County family of note in Colonial and RcNolution- ary times. From her descended later and by intermarriage, Gen. Alfred A. Torbert, U. S. A., a distinguished officer of the Civil ^^'ar. From the Census of ISOO, and \-arious deeds, we learn that \\'illiam I-'olk resided with his family on his own property in Lewes and Rehoboth Hundred. Here he died intestate in May, 1801. leaving his widow and three girls, to whom descend- ed certain lands and tenements in Lewes and Rehoboth Hun- dred and Northwest Fork Hundred. William and Sarah (Robinson) Polk had issue: (1) Elizabeth Polk, b. about 1795. She married I'eter Fretwell Wright. (2) Arcada Polk, b. Nov. 21, 1798. She married Steplien Marshall Harris in 1824, in Georgetown, and d. on Sept. S, 1846, in Grand Detour, 111. (3) Sarah Polk, b. in 1799. She married Robert I'.urtMn and died in Philadelphia in 18 . In 1810 Sarah (Robinson) Polk married Gen. Thomas Fisher of Sussex and Kent Counties, a man of great eminence and influence in the public life of Delaware, i'-y him she hame in Grand Detour. J-lin 682 POL K F A M 1 LY AND K I N S M E N Henry Langiey, a descendant of the Langleys of Boston, Mass. They resided at Rock Island, 111., where Mr. Langiey was en- gaged in the shipping business, for many years. He died in 1880, and was survived by his wife until May 1, 1886. They had a son, Louis Pierpont. A daughter survived them : Ida Lang- ley, who was b. in Rock Island in 1853. She married Morris J. Sheppard, of New York. They now reside at Saugerties, Pa. (3) Maria Louisa Harris, b. September 10, 1830, in Phila- delp'hia, married George Sumner, whose ancestors were among the early settlers of Albany, New York. For many years 'he was a Commission merchant in Chicago, w'here he d. in 1888. They had one child, Beulah Sumner, who died at the age of seven. Mrs. Sumner d. in New York City, Decem- ber 17, 1908. (4) Josephine Polk Harris, b. in Philadelphia, Sept. 1, 183 — , removed with the family to Grand Detour, 111., in 1846. On May 24, 1854, she was married to Theron Allen Cumins, a prominent business man. They removed to Dixon, w'here they had a beautiful home and largely entertained. Mrs. Cumins has the distinctive features of the Polk family, whic'h reappear in individuals of each generation. She has traveled much at home and abroad, and has written some amusing "Reminiscences of Western and Southern Life." Her hus- band Theron A. Cumins, was b. in Tembridge, Vermont, July 12, 1825, was the son of Joseph and Hannah (Converse) Cum- ins, who were married Oct. 8, 1808. His maternal great-grand- father. Lieutenant Joshua Converse, was one of the Minute men 'of Vermont and he was in the battle of Bunker Hill. Lieutenant Joshua's son was Col. Israel Converse, a distin- guished ofificer of the Revolution, serving to the close. He was born in Stafiford, Conn., Aug. 7, 1743 ; married Hannah Woolbridge, died at his home in Randolph, Mardh 28, 1806, where he was buried with military honors. One of Col. Israel Converse's children was Judge Con- verse, who resided in Parkham, Ohio, and left descendants there. Col. Israel's daughter, Hannah Converse, married as we have seen, Joseph Cumins. Their son, Theron A. Cumins, was a man of extraordinary business ability. He early sought his POLK FAMILY AXD K I X S M f- \ 683 MRS. JOSEPHINE POLK CUMINS, granddaughter of Win. Polk, son of Col. Win. Polk, son of Robert Polk. Ir. THE NEV/ lU.a. PUBLIC UBRAHY AST©R, LFNOX '-"^ TILDFN POUNOA POLK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E .\ 685 fortune in the West and engaged in the manufacture of Agri- cultural implements, in Grand Detour, a village whose brill- iant future was never realized. The •"Grand Detour Plow" became noted, not only in this country, but in Europe, and laid the foundation for Mr. Cumin's immense fortune, lie removed to Dixon, where he founded the "Dixon Plow Works" and built a beautiful homxC. He died there in August, l.SMS and lies in the cemetery beside his three children. Josephine Polk Harris and Theron Allen Cumins had issue : (1) Theron Lawrence Cumins, b. May IX, l.S.")5 ; d. Jan. 1 1, 1870; buried in Dixon. (2) Arcada Polk Cumins. (3) Harris Converse Cumins, b. June ,23, 18G1, d. on Uct. 6th, following; buried in Dixon. (4) Joesphine Harris Cumins, b. Dec. 19, 1863, d. Feb. 18, 1870; buried in Dixon. (5) Nina Estelle Cumins b. July 9, 1866 ; d. March 5, 1897. (6) Arcada Polk Cumins was 1). in Grand Detour, III. Arcada was graduated from St. Agnes' School, All^any. N. Y., in the class of 1878. On the 20th of December, 18,s;5. she was married to Mahlon Xugent Hutchinson, in St. Luke's Episcopal Church. Dixon, by the Rev. John Wilkinson. .Mrs. Hutchinson is a woman of fine presence add keen wit. They now reside in Philadelphia, the home of the Hutchinson family for over 130 years. Randall Hutchinson, son of John Hutchinson, had two sons, James and ^lahlon. James, b. 1752, was the most distinguished member of the family. He studied medicine in the University of i'cnn- sylvania and in Europe. Upon his return to America in 1777, he became an active supporter of the struggle for Indepen- dence, and served with eminence as a Surgeon in both the army and navy until the close of the war. He was appointed in 1787 Surgeon and Physician General of Pennsylvania. Radi- cal in his views upon public questions, Dr. Hutchinson natur- allv became a leader in the formation of the Denifrcratic— or as it was called, the Republican Party, and was appointed a member of the Committee of Correspondence upon its re-or- 686 I' O 1. K F A M I L y A N D K I N S M E N ganization in 1 in lHf)7. He was admitted to the Bar in I'.oston in 187(i; and to the United States Bar two years later. Although he built up a successful practice. Mr. Brainard eventually be- came absorbed in literary work, first as contributor to leading periodicals. In Xew York he became connected with some of the principal publishing houses. es|)ccially Appleton's and White's, contributing largely to their histori- cal and cyclopedic works. Mr. Brainard died on I'eb. 9. ls!t7, 690 POL K F A M I LY AND KINS M E N at Waupaca, Wis. He left no issue. Mrs. 13rainard resides now, (iyU8J, in New York City. (iS) George \^'ashington Doane Harris, was born in ls;5,s. He was a successful man in Rock Island; a man of brilliant parts and a great favorite in the society of that gay cit}-. ile died there unmarried in 1893. Sarah Polk, youngest daughter of William and Sarah (Robinson) Polk, was born in, or near Lewes, Delaware, in 1799. She married Robert Burton, of Alilton, where they re- sided. He died after 1830 and his widow remo\'ed to Phila- delphia with her two children after that date. Here she lived to a serene and beautiful old age, and died in 1880. Robert Burton's great grandfather was \\'illiam, son of Thomas Burton, of Longner Hall, Shropshire, England, who was a lineal descendant of Sir Edward Burton, from whom descended the family of Coningham, which was knighted l)y Edward Fourth in 14(30. Daniel Uurton, born in ITHS, married Arcada Milby. Among their children was Rol^ert, al)ove mentioned. Robert and Sarah (Polk) Burton 'had five children of wdiom two sur- (1) ^lary Robinson Burton, born in Milton in 1822 and has resided many years in Philadelphia in a l^eautiful home. (2) Arthur Alilby Burton, born in Milton Jan. 14, 1829. He was admitted to the Bar in Philadelphia, Oct. 11, 1851. and until his death was actively engaged as an attorney in Phila- delphia and Iniilt up an extensive practice, much of which was freely given to the needy. POLK FAM I L Y A .V D K I X S M E N 691 CHAPTEK LXIX. TRUSTEN LAWS POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Trusten Laws Polk (eldest son of Col. Win. Polk, son of Robert Polk, Jr.), was b. about 1714 and d. Jan. 15, IT!)!), in- testate. Another account says he died Oct. -iS, i;y,s. On April 18, 1TS2 he married Mary Xutter, orphan daughter of Christopher Xutter, Sr.. and ward of his father. Col. W'm. Polk. The children of Trusten Laws Polk and wife, Mary (Xutter) Polk were: (1) \\"m. Xutter Polk. b. ^larch 20, 1786, d. April i'i. is:5.x (2) Daniel Polk, b. , 1788, d. unmarried. (3) Eleanor Polk, b. about 1790, d. in Kentucky. (4) Sinah Polk, b. about 1792, d. . Wm. Xutter Polk married Lavenia Causey, July Vt, l.S(i9. She was b. Jan. 12, 1791, d. ALirch 24. 182o. William inherited the homestead of his father, '"Polk's Defence." Lavenia was a daughter of Gov. Causey, of Delaware. Daniel Polk, second child of Trusten Laws Polk, d. unmar- ried it is said. Eleanor, third child of Trusten Laws Polk, married her cousin, Daniel Polk. Jr.. son of Daniel Polk, Sr., in 1812, and the same year they emigrated to Louisville, Ky., where she d. . 18 — , and he afterwards married Catherine W. Ilite. By the latter he 'had no issue. Sinah, fourth child of Trusten Laws Polk, married Dr. John Cary, of Bridgeville, Del., and had issue. Xames not furnished. CHILDREN OF WM. NUTTER POLK. (1) Governor Trusten Polk, h. May 29, 1M1. in X. W. Fork Hundred, Sussex County, Del.; d. April !<;. ls7(i at St. Louis, Mo. He married Elizabeth X. Skinner, Dec. 20, 1S37, she b. in Connecticut, Feb. 17, 1819 and d. ^Lirch 23, 189fi. (2) Elizabeth Causey Polk, b. April 1.'?. isi:^, d. .\ug. 20, 1832. She married Elias Shockley, 1). June '), 1S28. 692 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN (3) Wm. Causey Polk, b. July 12, 1815, d. Dec. 28, 1893. He married Jan. 16, 1838 at Rridgeville, Del., Sarah A. Tharp. b. 1821, daug-hter of Governor Tharp, of that state. In 187U his venerable widow was still living, aged 88 years. Wm. Causey Polk inherited from his father the old homestead, "Polk's Defence," with its many slaves. (4) Mary Causey Polk, b. July 30, 1818, d. — ; mar- ried April — , 1838, Daniel Currey. Louisa Capron Dorsey (second wife of Capt. Trusten Polk, son of Wm. Causey Polk and Sarah Tharp), was a great granddaughter of Deborah Ridgely, daughter of John Ridgely, the first owner of Hampton, Va. INTERMARRIAGES. Governor Trusten Polk and wife had issue : Anna Polk, b. Sept. 14, 1839, d. Oct. 1902 ; married April 13, 1864 Hon. Wm. F. Causey, of Milford, Del., son of Gov. Peter F. Causey. They had issue: (1) Anna Causey, b. , married Dec 14, 1892 Wm. R. Aldred, of Milford, Del., Issue: Elizabeth N., b. Jan. 24, 1894. (2) Trusten Polk Causey, b. at St. Louis. Attor- ney-at-law, Suffolk County, Virginia Bar. (3) Foster Causey, b. . Resides at W^ashington, D. C. (4) Maria Causey, b. . Residence, Milford, Del. (5) Bessie Causey, b. . Residence, Milford, Del. Mary Polk, daughter of Gov. Trusten Polk, b. April 22, 1841, married April 21, 1870 Dr. James Avery Draper, of Wil- mington, Del. Issue: (1) Elizabeth Draper, b. March 23, 1871. (2) Cornelia Draper, b. May 13, 1872. (3) James Avery Draper, b. Oct. 31, 1874. (4) Madeline Draper, b. Nov. 3, 1878. (5) Trusten Draper, b. Oct. 20, 1880. All were born in Wilmington, Del. Cornelia Bredell Polk, third child of Gov. Trusten Polk, b. Oct. 2, 1844, d. Oct. 28, 1895; married first, in Oct. 1870, James E. Drake, of Selma, Ala. ; second, John C. Kennard. of St. Louis. She had issue: PO LK FAMILY A X D K I X S M E N (1) Gaston Drake, b. , married 693 (2) Trusten Drake, b. , who married Alice Hooker, Dec. 3, 1902. (3) Bertrand Francis Drake, b. . (4) James Erie Drake, b. , married Aug-. 11)02, Leila Golson. Elizabeth Polk, fourth child of Gov. Trusten Polk, b. June 26, 1S52, married Oct. 1880, Thomas S. McPheeters, of St. Eouis, and had Thomas S., Jr. Trusten Polk, fifth child of Gov. Trusten Polk, b. Aug. 2, 1856, d. March 5, 1860. ELIZABETH SHOCK-LEY'S FAMILY. Elizabeth Causey Polk (second child of W'm. Xutter Polk), b. April 13, 1813, d. Aug. 25, 1832. By her husband Elias Shockley whom she married Jan. 16, 1838, s-he had issue: \\'illiam and Lavenia. WM. CAUSEY POLK'S FAMILY. A\'m. Causey Polk and wife Sarah (Tharpj Polk, had issue : (1) Capt. Trusten Polk, b. Aug. 4, 1840, d. July 12, 1902. He was married twice, first to Grace George, Dec. IT, 18()'}' ; second to Louisa C. Dorsey, Feb. 9, 18T0. He served three years in the Confederate Army. (2) Caroline Polk, b. Aug. 26, 1842, married Chas. W. Kalkeman, Oct. U, 1869. They had: ^\Vm. P. Kalkeman ; -Chas. Von H. Kalkeman; ^Eleanor Kalkeman, who married J. H. \\'heehvright. (3) Elizabeth Polk, b. Dec. 15, 1847, married Joshua D. Warfield, Oct. 26, 1869. They had seven children, four boys and three girls, names not secured. (4) Eleanor Polk, b. :\Iay 5, 1849, married Dr. TIim.. V, Owings, Feb. 21, 1871. Xo issue. (5) \\m. T. Polk. b. May 7, 1853, unmarried. He posse.^is- ed many ancient family records of Robert's line. Mary Causey Polk (fourth child of W'm. Xutter I '..Ik and wife, Lavenia), was married in .April, l.s:is. to Daniel Currey. 694 POL K F A M I LY AND K I N S M E N They had one child, Alary Currey. who married Gen'l Alfred T. A. Torbert. U. S. A. " SKETCH OF GOVERNOR TRUSTEN POLK. Trusten Polk, Governor and United States Senator, was born April 16, isil, in Sussex County, Delaware, son of Wil- liam X. Polk, who was a direct descendant of Robert and Alag- dalen Polk, from whom likewise were descended the Lite President Jame K. Polk, Gen. Thomas Polk, of Mecklenburg fame, and Bishop Leonidas Polk. His mother belonged to the influential Causey family, of that State. He attended the Academy at Cambridge, ]\Id., preparatory to entering Yale College, where he graduated at the age of 19 with distinguish- ed honors. He studied in the office of John Rodgers, then Attorney-General of Maryland, and afterward attended two courses of lectures in the law department of Yale University. In 1835, without influence and with comparatively little means, he came to St. Louis. In IS-t-") he was City Counselor. Some years after coming to St. Louis a pulmonary trouble develop- ed and he visited the South in 1844. In the following year he traveled in the northern parts of the United States and Canada. Whilst absent he was elected on the Democratic ticket for member of the State constitutional convention. His health now restored, Mr. Polk returned to his profession in St. Louis. In 184s he was one of the Cass and Ikitler Presidential electors, but took no other prominent part in public affairs until 1856, when he was elected Governor. Ten days after his inaugura- tion the General Assembly elected him United States Senator, and he resigned the executive chair in October, 1857. In the Senate he followed the course of the Southern Democrats. In 1861 he resigned and went to New Madrid, and subsequently became Judge-Advocate-General of the Army under Gen. Stirl- ing Price, with the rank of Colonel. In 1S64 he was taken pris- oner and was confined for several months on Johnson's Island before he was exchanged. During his absence his property in St. Louis was confiscated by military order, but was at length restored. At the close of the war he returned to St. Louis and resumed the practice of law, continuing until his death, which was somewhat sudden — April Ki, 18T6. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M li S 695 GOVERNOR AND U. S. SENATOR TRUSTI-X I'OI.K, of Missouri. Tri PUBLIC LlL. A8T0R, LENOX AND TILDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FA M I LY A N D K I X S M E N 697 CHAPTER LXX. THE WHITE FAMILY. Family tradition says the White family, which intermar- ried with the Polks, of Sussex County, Delaware, made its ad- vent into America about 1700, the first one of the name being Dr. Jdhn White, said to have been from Durham County, England. Dr. White was a single man when he came and entered the medical practice in Sussex and adjoining sections of Maryland. From tradition it appears that he had decided l^efore leav- ing England on marriage to an attractive young lady, daughter of wealthy parents, whose first name was Elizabeth. Her family name has not been preserved. Elizabeth was so much smitten with the doctor that she ran away from home to an English seaport, took passage on a ship, and came across the briny deep to her lover. Shortly after her arrival they were united in marriage, and to them was born a considerable family. Some time after their marriage a ship arrived from her family in England, laden with goods and houi^'ehold effects consigned to her and her husband. The regular order of birth of the children of Dr. John White and wife, Elizabeth, is not known, nor all their names. Those whose names have been preserved were : Col. Thomas White (\\4io was the second child), Dr. Edward White, Mrs. Mary Morris, Margaret Nutter Polk, Sarah Cook and Anna AMiite. Col. Thomas White was the father of Judge Samuel White, U. S. Senator, of Bishop White, of Pensylvania and of Mrs. Mary \Miite Morris, wife of Robert ]\Iorris, the distin- guished Philadelphia financier and patriot of the Revolution, who sacrificed his large fortune to the needs of Washington's ragged and starving soldiers at Valley Forge, and died in pov- erty himself as a result of his patriotic sacrifices. I Ic invested very largely in public lands, formed a greit land comj)any, and was ultimately swindled out of all his holdings. I'ndcr the 698 POLK FA M I LY AND KINSMEN Statutory English law of imprisonment for debt, which then existed in the Colonies, he served in prison for three years and a half, his faithful wife spending much of her time with him in his confinement. To Airs. Morris was first given the title of "First Lady of the Land." The appointment of Air. AI orris as Superintendent of Fi- nance, with his W'calth and social distinction, made his home the center of all the amenity and civility of the day, and as hostess Airs. Alorris shone pre-eminent. The Alarquis de Chastellux. the Abbe Robin, Citizen Alazzei, the Prince de Broglie, the Chevalier de la Luzerne, and others, have each recorded some agreeable memory of Airs. Alorris. Washington on more than one occasion made her house his home. When Mrs. Washington journeyed from Alt. Vernon to New York, after the inauguration of the first President, she stopped in Philadelphia and took Airs. Alorris with her, in her carriage, to New York and at the first levee Airs. Alorris was given the place of honor on the right of the President's wife, a distinc- tion always accorded her at public functions during Wash- ington's administration. When the capital was removed to Philadelphia, it was Airs. Alorris' home that was given up for the President's house. Mr. Alorris survi\-ed his imprisonment five years, and Airs. Alorris survived him twenty-one years. It was said of her that, "without the attraction of great personal beauty, Mrs. Alorris was tall, graceful, and commanding, with a state- ly dignity of manner, which ever made a controlling impres- sion upon all with whom she was brought in contact." Stuart's portrait of her is said to have been the last female head that he painted. This portrait, bought by James Lennox, hangs in the Lennox Gallery, New York Public Library. Col. Thomas White was commissioned as one of the Jus- tices of the County Court and Orphans Court of Kent County, by Governor John AIcKinley, Alarch 8, 1777. On July 22, 1786, he was commissioned by Governor Vandyke as Third Justice, and on Feb. 15, two years later, was made Second Jus- tice by Governor Collins. Later he was made Chief Justice. Judge White died in 1795, aged 65 vears. POLK FAMILY A S D K I .V S M E N 699 Samuel White, son of Judge Thomas \\'hite, after the Revolution in which he was an officer, was appointed I'. S. Senator from Delaware, 'by Governor Richard Bassett, to suc- ceed Dr. Henry Latimer, who had resigned. Senator Samuel White was b. in ITTT, in Kent County, Del. From his father Samuel received the hmne plantation, "Belisle." After a good education, Samuel studied law and was admitted to practice at Dover, in March, 17!J;3. In 180G he sold his farm and removed to \\'ilmington. He was a Federalist in politics, but held no office until a-ppointed U. S. Senator on Feb. 28, 1801. On Jan. 11, 1803, at the regular session of the General Assembly, he was elected for the full term of Senator, beginning March 4, 1803. On Jan. 11. 1809, he was re-elected for a second term. While still a member of that body, he died on Nov. 4, 1809. Samuel White died a bachelor. His father. Judge Thomas White, left to survive him, a widow named Margaret, a daugh- ter of David Xutter, of North West Fork Hundred, Sussex County, the one son, Samuel, and three daughters, Margaret Nutter Polk, Sarah Cook and Anna White. The latter, it is said, never married. ^largaret Nutter White, the eldest daughter, married Daniel Polk, of Sussex County, and by him had a numerous family, all of whom married members of iiro- minent families. Daniel Polk's parents were Col. Wni. i'nlk and Alice Nutter; Col. Wm. Polk, a son of Robert Polk, Jr., and Grace Guillette ; Rol)t. Jr., fifth son of Robert and Magda- len Polk the immigrants of 1672. Margaret Nutter, who mar- ried Daniel Polk, was the eldest daughter. After marriage they resided first in Sussex, later removing to Kent County. DANIEL POLK, SR., OF DELAWARE. Daniel Polk, Sr., of Sussex County, Delaware, was b. i-'eb. 28, 1750, and d. March 29, 1796 Daniel was the fourth child of Robert Polk, 3d, and Alice Nutter, and he died on his plan- tation, the "Bonum Farm." near Wilmington, and his wife on September following. Daniel Polk, Sr., was a meml)er fr.m Sussex County in the Second Constitutional Convention of Delaware, held in 1792. 700 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINSMEN On Feb. 9, 1775, Daniel was married to Margaret Nutter White, a daughter of Judge Thomas White and sister of U. S. Senator White. DANIEL POLK SR'S., FAMILY. Daniel Polk, h. Feb. 2fi, 1750, d. March 29, 1796. Margaret N.utter White, b. April 11, 1758, d. Sept. 33, 1796. (1) Elizabeth Polk, b. Sept. 30, 1776, d. Nov. 11, 1836. (2) John Polk, b. Oct. 20, 1778, lost at sea in 1800. (3) Margaret (Peggy) White Polk, b. Sept. 26, 1780, d. June 16, 1826. She and Sarah were twins. (4) Sarah Polk, b. Sept. 26, 1780, d. Oct. 5, 1781. (5) Daniel Polk, Jr., h. June 13, 1783, d. June U, 1838. ' (6) Thomas White Polk, b. April 1, 1784, d. Feb. 26, 1794. (7) Robert Polk, b. March 13, 1786, d. Sept. 20, 1795. (8) Anna Polk, h. March 14, 1788, d. Sept. 29, 1860. (9) Samuel White Polk, b. Nov. 2, 1790, d. Oct. 17, 1849. (10) Maria McClauster Polk, b. Sept. 26, 1795, d. Oct. 1798. INTERMARRIAGES. Elizabeth Polk married Dr. James L. Clayton, Dec. 6, 1795. Peggy (Margaret) married Dr. George W. Logan, of Charleston, S. C, Oct. 28, 1802. Anna married Wm. G. Tilghman, of Tal'bot County, Md., Dec. 13, 1809. She d. in 1860, aged 70 years. Samuel White Polk married Mrs. Margaret Fidelite Fletcher (nee Ducournau), May 22, 1824. CLAYTON FAMILY. James Lawson Clayton, b. July 15, 1769, d. March 19. 1833. Elizabeth Polk, b. Sept. 30, 1776, d. Nov. 11, 1836. The above were married Dec. 6, 1795 and had: (1) Rachael Clayton, b. Jan. 4, 1797. (2) John Laws Clayton, b. April 20, 1798. POLK FAMILY A .V D K I .V 5 M E .V 701 (3) Margaret Clayton, b. Dec. 11. 171)9, d. Oct. 28. 1800 (4) Hester Clayton, b. Feb. 27, 1802, d. same day. (5j Amelia Eliza Clayton, b. March 14, 1803. (6)Anna Clayton, b. Sept. 2. iSd."). (7) Susanna Clayton, b. Alarch 7, 1808, d. April Ul. 1S13. (8) James Clayton, b. March 5, 1810, d. Aug. 10, 181."). Governor Joshua Clayton, father of Dr. Jas. L. Clayton. d. Aug. 11, 1798, in his 54th year. Rachael Clayton, wife of Joshua Clayton, d. Jan. 7, 1821. Rachael was married to Nathaniel Sniithers, July 26, 182G, by Rev. I. Wilson. Gov. Joshua Clayton was a son of James Clayton, a des- cendant of Joshua Clayton who came over with W'm. Penn and settled on "Bohemia Manor," in Cecil County, Md.. where Joshua, the Governor was born in 1744. His mother was Rachael McCleary, an adopted daughter of Governor Richard Bassett. SAMUEL WHITE POLK'S FAMILY. Samuel White Polk (son of Daniel Polk. Sr., and Mar- garet Nutter White), was born in Dover, Del., Nov. 2. 1790, d. Oct. 17, 1849. Margaret Fidelete Ducournau (widow of James Fletcher^, was b. Feb. 17, 1797. The above were married May 22, 1824. Their children were: (1) Louise Polk, b. Oct. 25, 1825, d. Dec. 4, 1H57. (2) Oswald Howard Polk, b. Sept. 21. ls27. d. June II. 1858. (3) Margaret Amelia Polk. b. Jan. 5. 1829. d. May H, 1H30. (4) Jules Polk, b. March 19, 1.S31, d. July 23, 18(58. 702 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINSMEN (5) Edward Polk, b. June 11, 1832, d. Aug. 1834. (6) Authur Louis Polk, 1). Feb. 2, LS'U, d. Oct. 21, 1S(U. (7) Felix Polk, b. Sept. 19, 1.S36. (8) Frederick Polk, b. Aug. 8, 1838, d. July 27, 1840. (9) Maria Victoria Polk, b. Jan. 8, 1842, d. Jan. 23, 1844. Of the above children, three were married, viz: Louise married Morgan May, May 31, 1853. Arthur Louis married Anna, daug'hter of E. J. Forstall, Feb. 2, 1861. Neither of these left any surviving children. Jules married June 11, 1866 Mary Victoria Rees and had one son, Samuel Polk, b. May 28, 1867. Samuel White Polk, when a young man emigrated to New Orleans, and was a prominent business man of that city. Dur- ing the Ci\il ^^'ar several of his sons served in the Confederate Army. When Samuel went to New Orleans, he carried with him the family bible of his father Daniel Polk, Sr., and after his death it fell into possession of Mr. Theobold Forstall, Secre- tary of the New Orleans Gas Co., who transcribed for the author the foregoing data of Daniel Polk's family. The wddow Fletcher, wdiom Samuel White Polk married, was the grandmother of Mr. Forstall. t5 MIDSHIPMAN JOHN POLK. John Polk (second child and eldest son of Daniel Polk, Sr.), and his brother Daniel Polk, Jr., were both appointed in 1799 as Midshipmen in the U. S. Navy, by President John Adams, on the recommendation of Caesar A. Rodney. John was lost at sea in 1800, in the sinking of the U. S. frigate "Li- surgante." His brother Daniel resigned his commission in 1804, married in 1808 his cousin Eleanor Polk, daughter of Trusten Laws Polk and in 1812 emigrated to Louisville, Ky. Later he settled in Shelby County, where his wife died. He married again in 1833, his second wife being Catherine W. POLK FAMILY A .V D K I .V 5 M E .V 703 Hite. by whom he had no issue. By his wife Eleanor Polk he had twelve children. She died in Shelby Countv in Isill. Daniel died in Shelby County, June 11. ls:]S. The ser- vices of himself and brother John Polk, while in ihc Navy, were mostly on Mediterranean stations. From a "l,i-t of Officers of the U. S. Xavy and Marine Corps. ITTo-lSMM)," we copy p. 439: .'Daniel Polk, Midshipman, March 1(>, 171)!>, re- signed Jan. 24. 1804. John Polk. Midshipman. Dec. :>. K!)J). lost on the Insurgante. 1801. FAMILY OF DANIEL POLK, JR. Daniel Polk. Jr.. ^Midshipman, and his wife, Eleanor Polk, who married Sept. 2T, 1808. had issue: (1) Eliza A. Polk. b. Sept. 25, 1809, d. Feb. 11. issC; mar- ried Burr G. Powell, of \^irginia. (2) Mary Polk. b. Aug. 3, 1811. d. Aug. 3, 1813. (3) Dr. Louis Polk, b. May 17, 1813, d. ; married Margaret B. Metcalfe, Oct. 5, 1848. (4) Samuel Polk, b. July 5, 1815, d. Nov. 4, 1823. (5) Daniel Polk, b. Dec. 31, 181G, d. ; married Elizabeth Rucker. of Georgetown. Ky. (6) Margaret Polk. b. Oct. 12, 1818, d. Jan. 11. 1S22. (?) Henry Clay Polk, b. May 5, 1820, d. June 3(i. ls3(i. (8) Amanda L. Polk, b. Dec. 3, 1822, d. Oct. 1890; mar- ried T. :\L Davis, of Shelby County. Ky. Xo issue. (9) Sarah J. Polk, b. Jan. 27, 1825. d. Oct. 1!». ]ss5: mar- ried Oct. 11, 1845 R. T. Conn, of Bourbon County. Ky. (10) Sophronia Polk, b. Feb. 2, 1827, d. , married T. \V. Hornsby. (llj Ellen Maria Polk. b. Jan. 21, 1.S29. married .May 2n. 1858, Landon A. Thomas, Sr., a banker of I'ranktort. Ky. Me d. Oct. 2, 1889, and she on Feb. d. 1911. (12) Leah Polk, b. April s. I.s31. d. in infancy. Daniel Polk. Jr., after the death of his wife. Elean..r I'olk. was married to Catherine W. Hite. of Shelby County, on Feb. 7, 1833, and she survived him. They had nf. is«^uc. 704 POLK F AM I L y AND KI A' S M E A' FAMILY OF ELIZABETH POWELL. Burr G. Powell, who married Eliza A. Polk, daughter of Daniel Polk. Jr.. was born in N'irginia in Sept. 1800 ; died Jan. 1895. They had issue : (1) Kate E. Powell, b. Feb. 22, 1835, d. Jan. 27, 1895; married \Vm. P. Tyree, of Tennessee, Aug. 17, 1853. (2) William H. Powell, b. Aug. 25, 18-12 ; married Martha A. Grant, June 12, 1879. She d. in 1881. No issue. (3) Henry Clay Powell. 1). May 13, 1844, never married. (4) Edward B. Powell, b. March 4. 1846; married Eliza- beth S. Emmerson. Nov. IT, 1S>1. (5) Amanda Polk Powell, b. Aug. 31, 1847; never mar- ried. FAMILY OF KATE POWELL TYREE. Kate E. Powell, who married \\"m. P. Tyree, had issue: (1) Lena Leoto Tyree. b. June 11, 1854. {2) Elizabeth E. Tyree. b. April 27, 1856. (3) Albert Tyree, b. May 30, 1860. (4) Clem Tyree, b. July 10, 1861. (5) Eugene Tyree, b. Xov. 25, 1862. (6) William P. Tyree. b. July 13, 1866. (7) Nellie Tyree, "b. Oct. 31,'l868. (8) Stella Tyree, b. July 27, 1871. FAMILY OF EDWARD B. POWELL. The children born to Edward B. Powell and Elizabeth S. Emmerson were : (1) Ralph E. Powell, b. Oct. 15. 1882. (2) Thruston Powell, b. April 1, 1884. (3) Weston Powell, b. Dec. 31, 1885. (4) Amanda Powell, b. Nov. 16, 1887. (5) Samuel G. Powell, b. Feb. 23, 1890. (6) Edna Powell, b. April 5, 1892. (7) Charles Powell, b. July 10. 1894. (8) :\Iary A. Powell, b. Dec. 14, 1896. (9) Sheldon Powell, b. Oct. 3. 1899. POLK FAMILY A X D KI X S M E X 705 FAMILY OF DR. LOUIS POLK. Dr. Louis Polk (third child and eldest son of Daniel Polk, Jr., of Shelby County, Ky. ), was married Oct. 5, 1848 to Mar- garet B. Metcalfe, by whom he had issue: (1) Edwin Polk, b. Oct. 23, 1849. Residence, San An- tonio, Tex. (2) Baylor Polk, b. ALarch 4, 1851. Residence. Silver City, X. ^I. (3) Daniel Polk, b. Nov. IG, 1852, married Anna Reed and had issue.: Zillah and a son. (4) Louis Polk, b. Sept. 21, 1855, d. ; married Mary Guthrie. Issue: ^^^largaret ; -Jennie; ^Louise; '^Guthrie. (5) Lura Polk, b. Jan. 19. 1858, d. Nov. 19. 1858. (6) Fannie B. Polk, b. Oct. 19, 1859. Residence, Texas. (7) Lillian ^lay Polk, b. Oot. 18, 1862; married J. A. Baker and had a son, Robert Baker. Residence. .Ardmore, Okla. (8) Trusten Polk, b. Xov. 29, 1864; married Ma,u:gie Guthrie. Issue: ^Edwin : -William; ^:\Iargaret. (9) Eloise Polk, b. Oct. 19, 1866; married McGill. of Ardmore, Okla. FAMILY OF MRS. LANDON A. THOMAS, SR. The children of Landun A. Thomas and wife, Ellen Maria (Polk) Thomas were: (1 ) Landon A. Thomas, Jr., b. June 5. 1S59 ; married Oct. 21. 1885, ^lary C. Fleming, of Augusta, Ga. Residence, Au- gusta. (3) Anne Thomas, b. June T, I860; unmarried, residence. Frankfort, Ky. (3) Edmond Pendleton Thomas, b. Nov. is. isci. d. July. 1862. (4) Emily H. Thomas, b. Xov. 28, 1862. (5) Western B. Thomas,!). April 18, 1867. d. July ll.lslM. 706 POL K F A M I LY AND K I X S M F. -V FAMILY OF LANDON A. THOMAS, JR. The children of Landon A. Thomas, Jr., of Augusta, Ga., and his wife, Mary (Fleming) Thomas are: (1) Landon Thomas, b. Dec. "^S. IHSG. (2) Ellen Polk Thomas, b. ALir. 14, lS!)r,. (3) Emily Maine Thtimas, b. May 2S, l.sDT. (4) Anne Thomas, b. Oct. 30, 1!)IH. Richard T. Conn and his wife, Sarah J. Polk Conn (daugh- ter of Daniel Polk, Jr., and wife Eleanor, of Shelby County, Ky.). had issue : (1) Anna V. Conn. b. isli;; married Feb.. 1870, Sam'l \\\ Forder, of St. Louis, Mo. (2) Florence E. Conn. b. No\-. 25, 1862 ; married \ov. 9, 1887, Taylor Stith, of St. Louis, Mo. The children of Sam'l W. and Anna C. Forder were: (1) Conn Forder, b. Dec. 28, 1871; married June, 1900. (2) Mary Alice Forder. b. July 12, 1875, d. Nov., 1904. (3) Dr. Carver \\\ Forder, b. July 17, 1S78 ; unmarried. (4) Sam'l \\\ Forder, b. Nov. 1, 1880; unmarried. The children of Taylor and Florence E. Stith were: (1) Madeline Florence Stith, b. Sept. 9, 1888. (2) Richard Taylor Stith. b. Feb. 6, 1890. (3) Harold Joseph Stith, b. Jan. 10, 1899. FAMILY OF DANIEL POLK, OF DENVER. Daniel Polk, fifth child of Midshipman, Daniel Polk and wife Eleanor, was b. in Shelby County, Dec. 31, 1816 and d. at Denver, Col., Aug. , 1895. By his wife, Elizabeth Rucker wdio d. Sept., 1894. he had issue: (1) Alice Polk, b. March 22. 1845; married Nov. 3, 1868, Wm. C. Hill. Issue: F. Wm. Hill. b. Jan. 31, 1871; married Anna A. Bent, Nov. 4, 1907. Issue: Alice Polk Hill, b. Sept. POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E N 101 22, 1908. Airs. Alice Polk Hill has for a number of years been one of the most prominent women in Denver, in social and lit- erary life, and is author of a book entitled, "Pioneers of Col- orado." She was the only woman in the convention that made the charter for the city and countv of Denver. (2) Ellen Polk Hill, b. Dec. :]1, \sy> -. married Her- man RufT, Aug. 27, 1878. Issue: Alice Polk Ruff, b. Au^ ;?1 1885. (3) Louis Polk, b. Sept., 184T, d. July, 1890 ; unmarried. PEGGY LOGAN'S FAMILY. Peggy, or :\Iargaret Polk, third child uf Daniel Polk, Sr.. with her twin sister Sarah, was born Sept. 2li. 1T80. Sarah died when a year old. On Oct. 28, 1802. at the home of Dr. James Clayton, in Wilmington. Peggy was married to Dr. George Logan, Jr., of Charleston, S. C. Peggy d. June 16, 1826 and Dr. Logan took as a second wife. Ann Turner. Peggy and Dr. Logan met while she was attending school in Philadelphia. Dr. Logan at that time being a student of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania. Peggy at the time was a ward of Hon. Caesar A. Rodney, one of Delaware's "Signers," who had been a very close political friend of her father's. Dr. Logan and wife lived at Charleston, S. C, until her death in 1862. at the age of 16 years, leaving six children. ]\Irs. Logan was accounted the beauty of her family. Dr. Logan's ancestor. Col. George Logan, of the British Army, came to Charleston in 1()9(». in command of a regiment <>f Horse to protect the colony from its enemies. The children born to Dr. George Logan and wife, Peggy (Polk) Logan were: (1) George \\'illiam Logan. 1). July 1<>. 1804. (2) Samuel White Logan, b. Jan. 7, LSOC. d. Xov. 12. 1852. (3) Thomas Muldrop Logan, b. Jan. 3L 180H. (4) Daniel Polk Logan, b. Oct. II. l-Sl'^. 708 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N (5) Caesar A. Rodney Logan, b. Aug. 3. 1815, d. Sept. 7, 1853. (6) William Logan, b. Sept. 33, 1818, d. in 1841. These sons all became prominent citizens, the first, George W. Logan, became a distinguished Judge. General Thomas Logan, of Ric'hmond, Va., a distinguished artillery officer of the Confederate Army, was of this family. THE TILGHMAN FAMILY. Anna Polk, daughter of Daniel Polk, Sr., was b. March 1-t, 1788 and d. Sept. 9. 18()(). On Dec. 13, 1809, she married Wm. Gibson Tilghman, of Talbot County, memiber of a dis- tinguished Maryland family, and to this union were born nine children, five of whom grew to maturity and married, and have numerous descendants. POLK FAMILY A N D K I X S M EN 709 CHAPTER LXXI. CAPT. ROBERT POLK, NAVAL OFFICER. Captain Robert Polk, son of Robert Polk, 3d and Alice (Xutter) Polk, was born in Dorchester County, Maryland in lT4i and was killed in 1779, during the Revolution, on board his ship the privateer Montgomery, in a desperate engage- ment with a British ship. It is said that he greatly distin- guished himself in the engagement, and that he received a mor- tal wound from a large splinter that was knocked off by one of the enemv's cannon balls and entered his bod v. His will is on file at Baltimore. Capt. Robert's commissions as commander of the priva- teers "Black Jake" and "Montgomery" were issued by the State of Maryland. He sailed from Annapolis, scoured the seas for British merchantmen, and took his prizes, of which he made quite a number, into the port of Norfolk for disposal. The records of the U, S. Xavy contain accounts of his exploits and captures while in command of the ships named. Capt. Robert Polk was married in 1765, when twenty-one years of age. to Elizabeth Digby Peale. of Philadelphia (h. Jan. 20,1 1747), a sister of Charles Wilson Peale. the distin- g-uished artist, and founder of Peale's ^Museum of that city. Of the youth of Robert little is known beyond the statement that he was early inclined to seafaring. When the Revolution came on he was in the full vigor of manhood and eagerly enter- ed the ranks of his country's defenders, as did others of his kinsmen. Mrs. Polly Wolf, of Indiana, in 1S74. telling the author about her father Ephraim Polk's enlistment in Philadelphia, in 1777, stated that "while there he visited a cousin. Capt. Robert Polk, who was a naval officer and was afterwards kill- ed on his ship." This she got from her father when she was a little girl in Kentucky, as "he often sat around the fire of winter evenings and described to his children his experiences and recollections of the Revolution." 710 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN DESCENDANTS OF CAPTAIN ROBERT POLK. (Data furnished by Peale Family.) Capt. Robert Polk, b. in Alarylaiul 1741 ; killed in Xavy, 1779. Elizabeth Digby Peale, b. Jan. 30, 1747 at Charlestovvn, Md. They were married in 17().") and had issue: (1) Margaret Polk, b. June 4, 17{;G, d. . (2) Charles Peale Polk, b. Alarcli 17, 1767, d. 1822. (3) Elizabeth Boardley Polk, b. Aug. 1, 1770, d. . The portrait of Capt. Robert Polk in uniform, painted by his wife's brother, Chas. Wilson Peale, was taken by his widow to Virginia, w'here it was destroyed 'by Federal soldiers durins: the Civil W^r. 'to FAMILY OF CHARLES PEALE POLK. Charles Peale Polk, son of Capt. Robert Polk and Eliza- beth Dig-'by (Peale) Polk, was three times married. His first wife was Miss Ruth Ellison, of New Jersey, about 1785. His second wife was a Mrs. Brockenbrough, of Fredericksburg, Va., in 1811. His third was Miss Ellen B. Downman, in 181G. By the first wife Charles Peale Polk had : (1) Elizabeth Polk, b. 1786, d. 1874. (2) Robert Polk, b. Dec. 9, 1788; married Penelope John- son Maury. (3) Josiah Polk. b. . d. . (4) David P. Polk, b. about 1790, d. 1835. Was an offi- cer in U. S. Army in war of 1812. He was appointed an En- sign in the Twelfth Infantry June 22, 1812 ; 3d Lieut. March 20, 1813; 1st Lieut. Aug. 24, 1814. Honorably discharged June 15, 1815. He married Letitia Jane Stewart. (5) Anna M. Polk, b. about 1792, d. . (6) Edward B. Polk, b. about 1794, d. unmarried. Was also an officer in U. S. Army. (7) Theodore Polk. b. about 1796, d. -. (8) Caroline Polk, b. about 1798, d. . (9) Franklin Polk, b. about 1800, d. . (10) Ruth Polk. b. about 1802, d. . Robert Polk, by his 'first wife Penelope J. Maury, had issue: ^Mary, b. , d. , married J. J Brown, of 711 POLK FAMILY AND KIXSMEN Virginia ; -Gabriel Duval, b. , d. 1835 ; ^Susan. b. , d- . married Rev. H. Haverstick at Philadelphia in 1839; ^Robert Isaac Watts, b. .March 28, 1818 at Washington, D. C. d. Oct. 11, 1861. By his second wife, :\Irs. Brockenbrough, of Fredericks- burg, \a., whom he married in ISll, he had: (11) Columbus C. Polk, b. about 1812-13. He went to sea and was never heard of again. By his third wife, Ellen B. Downman, whom he married in 1816. Charles Peale Polk had : (12) Ellen B. Polk, b. , d. . Elizabeth Boardley Polk, third child of Capt. Robert Polk and Elizabeth Digby Peale, married twice; first to Septimus Claypool, no issue. Second, to Rev. Dr. Bend, the Rector of St. Paul's P. E. Church of Baltimore. No issue. Robert Isaac A\'atts Polk and his wife Sarah J. (Somer- ville ) Polk were married ]\Iay 10, 1838, in Fredericksburg City, ]\Id. They had issue: (1) Elizabeth Polk. b. April 14, 1839, at Woodstock, \'a., Charles Cochran. (2) Penelope ]^Iaury Johnson Polk. b. Aug. IT, 1843, at Winchester, \"a.. married Philip Leidy, M. D., a distinguished physician, paleontologist and scientist of Philadelphia, who has a world-wide reputation. (3) Laura Polk, b. Dec. 23. 1849, married first James Lad- son Hall; 2nd, George Nelson Gregg. (4) James Fontaine Polk. b. Jan. lo, 1.^46. d. Jan. 11. IS69. - (5) Duvall Polk, b. (Jet. 15, 1842, married Lillie Bancroft Caldwell. \^(6) Robert Polk, b. Jan. 9, 1835. jDuval Fontaine Polk, son of Robert Isaac Watts Pulk, b. Oct. 15, 1852. at Winchester, Va.. married Oct. S, is; I. at Philadelphia, Lillie P.ancroft Caldwell (daugliter f»f Robert and Jane B. Caldwell), b. Dec. 1<». ls53. 'i'hey had i.vsuc: ^Helen Maury, b. July 30. 1875; -Robert Caldwell, b. April 7, 1877. 712 POL K FAMILY AND KINS M E N CHARLES PEALE POLK, ARTIST. Among- the distinguished artists of the Revolutionary period was Charles Wilson Peale, of Philadelphia, whose in- dustry was probably not equaled by any other person of his prefession, both in oil portraits and miniature work. His son, Rembrandt Peale, and his nephew Charles Peale Pr)lk (son of Capt. Robert Polk), both inherited the artistic talent and also produced pictures of distinguished subjects of the time. It was the habit of Peale to encourage the talents of his son and nephew all he could. On one occasion, having secured the consent of President Washington for a sitting, he took along his son and nephew, and all three sketched Washington at the same time, whereat other artists expressed their disgust at Peale "making a family affair of the sitting." Would be critics of the present day have attempted to discredit Charles Peale Polk's ability as a painter, but the numerous specimens of his work still extant attest his skill with the brush. Some have asserted that Polk was a mere copyist and ha\'e tried to belittle his work, but the latter speaks for itself when viewed by the unprejudiced critic. All the great artists of the world have been set upon by hypercritical faultfiinders, but their work still lives. A very beautiful portrait of Washington painted by Charles Peale Polk and signed on the back in his character- istic manner "Cs Polk, Painter Xo. 53." is now in possession of Mrs. Mary G. von Tschudi Price, of 357 West 118th Street, New York. The portrait is of head size, three quarters length, in perfect condition and still in the original frame. With colors mello'wed by time it is most interesting as a work of superior merit by Polk, as well as a contemporary Washington picture. It has nex'er been out of the present owner's family and, according to its traditions, was painted from life, and was given by Washington to Col. Wm. Clemm, a prominent citi- zen of Baltimore, who was among the first to go from that town to fight for American Independence. Washington is here represented in Continental uniform, with three stars on tlie e]:)aulettes ; his hand, holding a chapeau, POLK FAMI LY A N D K I K S M £ .V 713 PORTRAIT Ol" \VASHlX(7r(>(\. By Charles Peale Polk, son of Capt. Robt. Polk and Klizaht-tli DIkI'V (Peale) Polk. Tl:- PUBL Aerei, lenox and TFCiCfeN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E X Tlo rests on the hilt of his sword. In the background, on one side, are Princeton and the college buildings.^ On the other side a sentinel on duty, before a camp over which floats an American flag. As Polk, in a letter to Washington, of date Aug. 6, 1790, states that during the last year, (1789-90) he had completed 50 portraits, wishes a sitting, asking that Washing- ton grant him one. and as this portrait is signed \o. ru], it is more than likely that this was an original portrait, executed perhaps about lT9o, when Polk was one of the three painters, including Rembrandt Peale, who availed themselves of this opportunity to paint Washington, who had granted a sitting CHARLES PEALE POLK'S LETTER TO WASHINGTON. The following is a copy of the letter written l)y Charles Peale Polk to George \\'ashington, requesting of him the fav^r of a sitting: New York, Aug. (i. 1790. Sir: Encouraged by your Excellency's knuwn Afifibility and admirable Condescention, a Citizen of Philadelphia Humbly requests the Indulgence of an Interview. Plis Errand thi»" far from being disinterested to himself, lie hopes will be very far from being displeasing or offensive to your E.xcciicncy. His Object is, if Possible, to obtain the Honora'ble ])rivilcge of One Short vSitting from tlie Tresident. to enable him to finish a portrait of your Excellency, (in liead size) I'repaircd with that design. He has in the Course of the last year Executed fifty i'cjr- traits; 'tho his advantages were not what he wished; I'.ut Imagines if your Excellencys leisure and Inclination will j)er- mit (?) he shall hereafter be capable of Exibiting more Fust 716 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINSMEN and finished performances — the resemblance of Him whose Character will never be obliterated from the hearts of true Americans. Should this request meet your Excellency's favor, not only will the desires of many Respectable Citizens be grati- fied, but the Interests of a depending family greatly promoted. And the Pleasure Vastly Increased of your Excellency's most Obedient and devoted Servt. CHARLES PEALE POLK. His Excellency the President. Copied from the Manuscript Division Library of Con- gress, Nov. 27, 1910. POLK FAMILY AND KIKSMEK 1\1 CHAPTER LXXII. POLKS OF ACCOMAC COUNTY, VIRGINIA. . Capt. Wiliam Polk, of Accomac County. Virginia, mar- ried Sabra Bradford, Jan. 25, 176i and had issue: (1) Sally Polk, b. March 13, 1766. (2) Margaret Polk, b. Jan. 24, 1768. (3) Nathaniel Polk. b. ^^lay 15, 1770. (4) Bridget Polk, b. June 3, 1772. (5) James Polk, b. April 4, 1774. (6) Jane Polk, b. April 5, 1776. (9) Robert Polk, b. June 2. 1778. (8) Martha Polk, b. Sept. 27, 1780. (9) Amelia ("Milly") Polk, b. Oct. 13, 1782. (10) William Polk. b. July 5, 1784. (11) John Polk, b. March 10, 1786. INTERMARRIAGES. Sally Polk married three times ; first to Jacob Lurton, second to Littleton Townsend ; third to Thomas Sturgis. How- many children she had by these three husbands is not known. By Mr. Tow^nsend s'he had a daughter Sabra Polk Townsend. who married first John Scarborough ; second Capt. Samuel Waples in 1822, son of Paul Waples, of Delaware. Two sons by the first died young. By Capt. Waples she had Edward B. Waples; a daughter (name unknown) who married W ni. Robertson and had three sons; also another daughter uiitraced. Capt. Waples was a Lieutenant in the company of Capt. Wm. Polk, in the Revolution. Edward B. Waples, son of Capt. Samuel \\'ai)Ies. b. Jan. 17, 1825. married , and had : (1) Samuel T. \\'aples, who had .Samuel P.. and Bertie Lee Waples. 718 POLK FAMILY AND KIN S M E N (2) Jo'hn S. Waples, wlio had Sarah, Sabra and Mary Roh- ertson Waples. (3) Jennings Wise Waples, who had Wm. Jennings and Sarah Waples. (4) Edward B., Jr., and Charles S. Waples, both of whom married but left no issue. Capt. Samuel Waples was a soldier in the Revolution, in the Ninth Virginia Continexitals, Col. Chas. Scott's brigade, and was one of the suffering patriots at Valley Forge. SALLIE POLK'S DESCENDANTS. Sallie Polk (daughter of Capt. Wm. Polk, by her last hus- band, Thomas Sturgis), had a daug^hter Mehala Sturgis, who married first Joseph Gunter; second Con. Laws. By the first she had : (1) Benjamin Thomas Gunter; married Ellen Frances Fis'her. (2) Elizabeth S. Gunter; married Thomas C. Pitts. By the second husl>and Sallie had Joseph Gunter Laws. Benjamin Thomas Gunter and wife Ellen 'had: ^Mahala Gunter, married Joihn Edmonds. Issue: Alfred B. G., Jolm ^Villis, Ella Tabitha, James Frederic, and May Edna Edmonds ; ^John Joseph Gunter, b. , d. Oct. 3, 1889, married Flor- ence M. Custis and had: Ellen Custis ; ^Alfred Benjamin Gunter, b. , d. unmarried ; ^Joseph Fisher Gunter also d. unmarried; HVm. Frederick d. unmarried; "^Benjamin Thomas Gunter married Anne Eastburn. He is an eminent lawyer and for many years was Circuit Judge of his district. Thomas C. Pitts and wife, Elizabeth (Gunter) Pitts had issue : (1) Robert C. Pitts, untraced. (8) Wm. B. Pitts, married Ella K. Hopkins, no issue. (3) Alice T. Pitts, married Spencer F. Rogers. Issue: ^William Pitts Rogers ; ^Alfred B. G. Rogers ; ^John T. Rogers ; ^Susie P. Rogers; ^Spencer F. Rogers; ^Eliza'beth ("Bessie") Rogers, married Lewis J. Harmonson ; 'Louis P. Rogers; *^Anne Louis Rogers. POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEX 719 MARGARET POLKS DESCENDANTS. Margaret Polk (second child of Capt. William Polki, mar- ried Revel Colburn. He was born in \"irginia Sept. Hi. 1 Jil and died in Henry County, Indiana, Feb. 'U, 1844. S'he died Xov. 26, 1837, in the same county. Revel and Margaret (Polk) Colburn were well educated and though advancctl in years he taught school for several terms after settling in Indiana. His wife was a physician and engaged in active practice. A sovereign remedy administered by her for the prevalent disease of malaria was "Rock Oil." put up in small bottles, and now known as petroleum, which was skimmed from the surface of springs. The children of Revel and ^largaret (Polk) Colburn w^ere : ^John ; ^Sally (Hobson) ; -flames; ^William ; "'Henrietta Rhoads; ^Sabra (Twiford) ; U^ne (Webster); «Mary (Leon- ard). John was a Methodist preacher. He married I{lizal)eth Petty and had: ^Jesse ; -Sally; nVilliam ; Wlartha; ''Caro- line. The latter married James Alfred Current, May 8. 18."jl. He was born at Grafton, \'a.. June "25, 1824. Sally (daughter of Margaret and Revel Colburn), mar- ried George Ho'bson, Sept. 7, 1807. Sally was born in Cliat- ham County N. C, Dec. 27, 1789. George and Sally Hobson had issue: (1) William P. Hobson, b. , d. . (2) Revel C. Hobson, b. Sept. 13. 181(». d. Jan. 2(». 181!). (3) Polly B. Hobson, b. March 1, 181:!. d. a week later. (4) Bale B. Hobson, b. ^^larch 24, 1811, d. April 11. 18ir,. (5) Jose K. Hobson, b. , d. . (6) Margaret K. Hobson, b. , d. • (7) Jemima D. Hobson. b. . d. . (8) Eliza J. Hobson, b. . d. . (9) James R. Ho'b.son, b. , d. . (10) George W. Hobson. b. Aug. 12, 1828. d. Xov. ls39. (11) Sarah A. Hobson. b. . d. . Eliza y. Hobson, daughter of Sally (Colburn) and George Hot)Son, married Samuel J. Current, and they had a number of children, among them Annie E. Current, of Kedkey. Ind.. author of "Genealogy of the Current and lIolrMm Families." t!he Hobson's all being descendants of Capt. Wm. P<.lk. of 720 POL K F A M I LY AND K I .V S .1/ E N Accomac, through his daiig^hter Alargaret, who married Revel Colburn. Bridget Polk (daughter of Capt. Wm. Polk), married T'homas Clegg, who died in North Carolina in 1827. They had issue : (1) Wm. Clegg. who d. young. (2) Esther C. Clegg, married Wm. .\rens. (3) John Clegg, emigrated to Georgia, untraced. (4) Elizabeth Clegg, married Mr. Bixman. (5) David Clegg, married Miss Bixman. The others, all untraced as to issue, were : Nathaniel, Thomas, Jr., Peggy, Nanc}-, Mary, Luther and Baxter Clegg. James Polk (son of Capt. Wm. Polk and Sabra (Bradford) Polk, married Elizabeth Hutchison. He removed to Chatham County, N. C. James died near Guilford, C. H., in ]\lay 1824, and his sons decided to remove to the Ohio Valley. Jamea and Elizabeth had issue: (1) Hugh Polk, b. Feb. 1, 1T09. who married Jeretta , and had : ^Wm. P. ; -James ; ^Martha, who mar- ried Wm. Shelby ; ^Elizabeth, who married Wilson ; ^A'bijah, who married J\Iiss Wright; '"Rebecca; '''Peter and ^Stran Polk. (2) Robert H. Polk (son of James and Elizabeth Polk), b. June 13, 1800 in Accomac County, Virginia, married Hannah Hodgen, Dec. 11, 1823. She was born Feb. 25, 1802 and died Feb. 12, 1875. In 1841 Robert H. Polk removed from North Carolina to Henry County, Ind. He had issue: (1) Col. Babel N. Polk, b. Nov. 19, 1824; married Louisa Northum. He had five children, one of whom, Sophronia, married Lindsay Vestal, of Madison, Ind. (2) Milton D. Polk, b. Aug. 7, 1826, d. Nov. 9, 1849. (3) Rebecca Polk, b. Sept 11, 1828, married Jacob Ken- nard. (4) Rachel Polk, b. Sept. 9, 1830 ; married Quinton Vin- chow and had a daughter Ruth and two more children. (5) Caroline Polk, b. , married George Kern. Is- sue: unknown. (6) Robt. Polk, b. , d. . Residence, Madison, Ind., POLK FAMILY AND KINSMH 721 MRS. SABRA I'fJLK J(A'Ni:.S AND l>Al'( JHTI-R. MRS. T.'VBITMA JOYNES LAURK.NCI-:, of Murfreesboro, N. C. L,': ASTOR, LENOX AND TtLDEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FA M I lY and K I X S M E N 723 The youngest child, Elizabeth, b. Nov. (>, IS 1 1, niarried David F. Woods. Preceding her in date of birth wore Mary I., Emma, Joseph and JMary. but their dates are not preserved. Rebecca Polk Kennard had a son Milton M. Konnard. df Knightstown, Ind. Margaret ("Peggy") Pulk (daughter vi James and Eliza- beth Hutchison Polk), b. in 18U2. married first Kutherfurd Petty; second P. Garner. \\y the first she had: 'Robert Petty, Who married Rachael \'estal ; -Elizabeth Petty, who married \Ym. Armfield ; ^Xancy Petty, who married Lewis Swindle. By the second husl)and. Mr. Garner. Margaret had three sons, Edmond, Tasker and who had a son Samuel. James Polk (son of James and Elizabeth Hutchison Polk), b. 1804 in Accomac, married Finnell Stewart, of Xorth Caro- lina. They had: Col. J. Robert Polk, b. lcS:}:i. who was Audi- tor of Wabash County. Indiana, dying in 1875. He had sev- eral children, names not furnished. John Polk (son of James and Elizabeth llulchisnn i'mand. .Ml <>i ii must be classed simply as inferential proof. A few of the Maryland and Delaware Polks moved south into Accomac County, Virginia, ami Capt. William Polk may have been from one of these families. In several of the I'olk braii'ches appear data that points toward Capt. William as one of their line, but none are full enough on that ]><>\n\ to constitute adequate proof. In the Polk family sketch publishcfl by Mi>s .M.-iry 726 P O LK F A M I LY A N D K I N S M E N Winder Garrett, of Williamsburg, Va., in October 1S!)7 issue of the American Historical Magazine, page 3(S3, she names the children of William Polk and Priscilla Roberts, as shown on the Polk tree published in 1849. Of William, eldest of these children, she savs he was twice married, but cannot give names of his wives. Put she gives two of his children. Col. Thomas and John, by his first wife, and Ezekiel by second wife. Shelby, son of Col. Thomas, married a Colburn. The names of Thomas, John and Ezekiel do not appear in the P>ible record list of Capt. AVm. Polk's family. Hence the conclusion that William Polk, eldest son of William and Priscilla, besides Thomas and John, also may have had a son William, wdio was Captain William Polk, of Accomac. It will also be noticed that Margaret Polk, second child of Capt. Wm. Polk, married Revel Colburn, and that a son of \\m. Polk, first child of William shown on 1841) Polk tree, also married a Colburn. POLK FA M I LY AND K I N S M E N 72? CHAPTER LXXIII. THE POLLOCKS OF AMERICA. Rev. Horace Edwin Havden, of ilarrisbur"-, Pa., in 1888, published in pamphlet form a "Polh)ck Genealogy," contain- ing an extended sketch of Col. Oliver Pollock, of Carlisle. Pa.. a distinguished man of his day in financial transactions and of great wealth, all of which he placed at the disposal of his country during the Revolutionary War, when he was Com- mercial Agent of the government at Havana and Xew Orleans. But for his eiiforts in securing supplies and ammunition for the army and navy, and for Gen'l George Rogers Clark for his Illinois Campaign, the American arms possibly may have failed of success. Says Rev. Hayden : "The Pennsylvania Pollock's arc all of Scotch-Irish descent, and supposed to have had but t)ne origin, in "Petrus, son of Fulbert," who succeeded his father and assumed as a surname the name of hereditary lands of Pollock in Renfrewshire. He li^■ed in the reign of Malcolm IV, who died in 1165, and was a man of great eminence in his time and a benefactor of the Monastery of Paisley. This donation was confirmed by Joceline Bishop of Glasgow, who died 1199. Besides his estates in Renfrewshire, he held the barony of Rothes in the county of Aberdeen, which he gave to his daughter, Mauricle de Pollock, who married Sir Xornian Lesley and was ancestor of the Earls of Rothes. (I'.urke). Although the arms dilTer, tlie crests of the Scotch .-md lri-!i Pollocks are the same, '"a ])oar j^assant, or and \ert, tran-lixcd with a dart, proper." "The Pennsyl\-ania Pollocks emin-ace descendants of James and Oliver Pollock of Carlisle, Pa., comprising family names of Alger, Bradford, Briggs, Dougherty. Dady. Foley. Gibson, Morrison, McKay, OTJricn, l'hari->. Pciinimcn. and Robinson." The sketch also included accounts of the descend- ants of John. James and Charles Pollock, brothers, who em- igrated from Coleraine. County Donegal. Ireland, about 17.")(», 728 POLK FAMILY AND K INS M E N and settled in Pennsylvaia as well as descendants of Samuel Pollock, of Chester and Dauphin Counties, Pa. "The North Carolina Pollocks were intimately connected with Aaron Burr. Rev. Johnathan Edwards, D. D., son of the great Johnathan the Divine of New England, had eleven chil- dren. Of these the third, Esther, b. 1732, married Rev. Aaron Burr, President of Princeton College and father of Aaron Burr, Vice President of United States. Eunice, sister of Esther, married first Thomas Pollock, of Newbern, N. C. "George Pollock, son of Thos. Pollock and Eunice Ed- wards, was an intimate friend of Aaron Burr, his first cousin. He lived in Philadelphia from ISOO to 1806. Burr was his guest when he visited Philadelphia (see life of Blennerhasset). Four men named Pollock were among the early settler^ of Cumberland County, Pa. (1) James Pollock, of East Pennsboro. (2) Oliver Pollock, of Carlisle, brother of James (Ij. (3) James Pollock, of Hopewell Townsihip, whose will, dated May 25, 1773, mentions six children, viz : ^John Pol- lock; -Jean, married Mr. Hinchman ; -'Martha, married Mr. Dobson; ^James Pollock; ^William Pollock; "Robert Pollock. "The descendants of James and Oliver comprise the family names of Alger, Bradford, Briggs, Dougherty, Dady, Foley, Gibson, Morrison. McKay, O'lirien I'haris, Penniman and Robinson. "James and Oliver Pollock, brothers, emigrated from Ire- land to America and located at or near Carlisle, Pa., before 1760. The private papers, miniature and coat of arms of Oli- ver Pollock, including all his official documents, commissions from, and correspondence with the Continental Congress, etc., were destroyed during the Civil War — partly at Vicksburg, Miss., and partly by the P'nited States gunboat Essex, when it shelled Bayou Sara, La., in 1.S63. "James Pollock settled in East Pennsboro township, Cum- berland County, Pa. He married Ann Lowry. James Pollock died Sept. 1, 1800, at Carlisle, and his will was probated Nov. 2, following. His widow, Nancy Pollock, resided there in 1809. Oliver Pollock was administrator of the estate. James Pol- lock certainly had two sons, possibly four. FO I h FAMILY AND K I X SM EN 729 COL. OTIS W. POLLOCK, U. S. A., San Francisco. ^ PUBLIC Li-., AST©R, LENOX AND TIUJEN FOUNDATIONS. POLK FA M 1 LY A X D K I .V i' M E N 731 "(1) Thomas Pollock, whom Oliver Pollock mentions in a letter to the President of the L'nited States Congress, dated Xew Orleans, Sept. 18, 178-^, thus: "I dispatched my nephew, Thomas Pollock, with fifteen volunteers, and Captain La Fitte with twenty-six armed men. to Captain W'illing's assistance." Nothing more is known of this Thomas. (2) John Pollock must have been born before n.")(i and possibly emigrated with his father, lie was sent to Philadel- phia in 1TT6 by his father to draw £600 from the Committee of Safety for use of the Commissioners of Cumberland Coun- ty. His will, on file at Carlisle, contains all that is known of his family. From this it appears that John Pollock married Grace , and had one daughter. Margaret, who mar- ried Hanse Alorrison, and had in ISO? two sons, John P\)llock Morrison and Lucas ^Morrison. Hanse lived at Pittsl^urgii and married Margaret Pollock (or Peggy, as the Pennsylvania archives have it), Nov. 12, 1795. He is said to have been a Ca]v tain in 181:5 in Gen'l Claiborne's brigade of Mississippi and Louisiana Territory Volunteers. Jno. Pollock d. Fel). 18, 1807, at Carlisle, probably over GO years of age, as he calls liim-clf in his will 'old and infirm.' "Hamilton Pollock of Tunica, La., in isiii, was 01i\er Pollock's nephew and agent, looking after and managing the latter's exteu'sive interests in that section. If he was married it is not known. "Lieutenant Colonel Otis W. Pollock. V. S. .\.. retired, now residing in San Francisco, Cal., in a communication to the Penns3'lvania Magazine some years ago. stated: "The ancestors of President James K. Polk, and those oi Ex-Governor James Pollock of Pennsyhania, and those of an- other family of Pollocks, came from the north of Ireland, some place in the neighborhood of Coleraine or Londonrlerry, and located in Chester County, not far from 17 lo. F.x-Prcsi- dent Polk's name was Pollock. They accpiired the habit of spelling it Pol'k ; subsequently the apostropiie was dropped and the name became Polk. Col. Pollock says, further: "The emigrants of the oilier family consisted of four brothers, John, Thomas. James and Charles. Thomas returned to Ireland soon after his arrival 732 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN in this country and became a doctor of medicine and remained there. John settled at Carlisle, in Cumberland County ; James in Lig'onier Valley, Westmoreland County, and Charles in Northumberland County. "The John Pollock referred to above is probably the John Pollock who came from Ireland with three brothers, one of whom is said to have become rather wild and returned to Ire- land. This last John Pollock changed his name to Pogue some years after he came to this country. He married Elizabeth Neal, at Carlisle, and had sons named William, James, Sam- uel, George, Robert and David, and a daughter named Sarah. Of these, James married Frances Baker and George married Nancy Davis. Robert married Sarah Patterson, and Sarah married John Curry. William and Samuel died unmarried. JUDGE JOHN C. POLLOCK'S LINE. Hon. John C. Pollock, U. S. Judge for the District of Kan- sas, contributes the following data regarding 'his paternal line : "My great, great grandfather, Samuel Pollock, was born and reared in Scotland and there married Jane (name unknown) prior to the Revolutionary War. They came to this country, were among the earliest settlers, and patented a tract of land in North Strabane Townsihip, Washington Coun- ty, Pa. They were members of the Covenanter Church. The date of their coming to this country I do not have. I am go- ing to endeavor to get hold of a copy of this patent. Samuel Pollock appears to have been a man of considerable education and intelligence. At his death he left three sons, John, Sam- uel and William, and four daughters, Margaret, Jane, Nancy and Grizella. "The second son of Samuel and Jane Pollock, Samuel Pol- lock 2d, was my great grandfather. He married Ellen Young. They had four sons and five daughters. The sons were Joihn, James, Robert and Samuel. The daughters were named Jane, Betsy, Sarah, Margaret and Martha. "The eldest son of Samuel Pollock and Ellen Young, John Pollock, was my grandfather. He married Nancy Hayes and POLK FAMILY AND K I .V S M E N 733 located on Wheeling Creek, near L'niontuwn, Belmont County, Ohio. To these good people there were born fourteen chil- dren, Samuel, William, Robert. James, James II, John and Calvin; and daughters, Ellen, Margaret, Mary. Sarah, Agnes, Jane, and another, the name I do not remember. I can give you the history, in full, of course, of all my uncles and aunts if you desire it, who tiiey married, when, and full informatron. "Aly father's name was Samuel Pollock, the oldest son of John Pollock and Nancy Hayes. He was born Jan. 11, 1818, died Alarch "2, 1S82. He married Jane Scott, my mother. There were seven children born to Samuel Pollock and Jane Scott, four sons and three daughters. James, John (myself), Joseph William, Margaret, Ellen and Nancy. The youngest daughter, Nancy, died of diphtheria at two and one-half years of age. ]\Iy brother Joseph is also dead. My mother was born Dec. 3, 1820 and died Dec. 3, 1899." JAMES AND WILLIAM POLLOCK. (Data from Leland W. Pollock.) James Pollock and his brother. \\'illiam Pollock, came to this country about the close of the Revoluti(jnary War, shortly after the surrender of Lord Cornwallis at Yorktown. P>oth being farmers, they bought land and settled in the Wyoming Valley of the Susquehannah River, in Northumberland Coun- ty, Penn. Both were married after coming to this country and were the heads of large lists of descendants. (1) James Pollock had at least one son, Samuel, whose wnfe Margaret bore him issue: HX'illiam. -Thomas, ^Jamc<. ^John, ■'^Richard, ''Margaret, U^ne, **Ann, -'Mary. William, eldest of the above, b. 1769, married Sarah Wil- son. Children: ^Sarah, married James S. Dougal ; -Iteming Wilson, married Mary Armstrong; "'Thomas Caldwell; 'Mar- garet, married W'm. McCleery; -"'Samuel, b. l^o.s, married Elizabeth S. Sterling and they have a son, Thomas Chalmers; •'Mary Wilson; ^James, b. 1810, married Sarah Ann Hepburn, had several children, among whom was Emma who married Chas. Corrs. 4 734 P O LK F A M I LY AND KINS At E N William, the immigrant l^rother of James, had at least tme son, Josep'h. It is not known whether he had any more or not. Joseph Pollock was Ijurn in X(jrthumberland Conntw I 'a., receiving- a very good education. He married Alary Smith of Lancaster County, Pa., and Ijy her he had three sons. After her death the family moA'ed to a point on the liig IJeaver River west of Fort Pitt, now Pittsburg, and IS miles from its junc- tion with the ()hio River, 20 miles below Fort Pitt, and IS miles from Bea\ercourt, the county seat, and five miles from New Castle, now the county seat of Loraine County. Mere he married Margaret Gray, a native of New York, by whom '■■e had e]e^•en more children. Joseph was a good farmer, highly respected by all the neighborhood. He was an elder in the Presbyterian Church until his death in 1S27, when he was buried in the old family cemetery on the farm. Joseph Pollock had issue: ^John ; -Samuel; '"^James ; Joseph; "'David; *^Davis ; '^John 2nd; **\Villiam ; ''Benjamin Smith; ^^'Jane, married W'm. Pollock, a distant relative; ^^Polly; ^-Margaret. Samuel Pollock 2nd, was born in Northumberland County. He received a very thorough education, graduating from Dar- lington College, in Beaver County, and continuing his study to prepare himself for the ministry until his health failed. His first wife was a Aliss Lesley, of Beaver County, who bore him three children. In 1814 he married again, to a widow, Margaret Morrow Henan, a native of Wilmington, Del., daughter of Thomas and Margaret Morrow. By her he had four children. He died in 1837 at Maravia, Lawrence County, and was l^uried in the family cemetery on the old farm in that county. He had issue: ^Samuel, married Joseph Zimer- man ; ^Mary Ann, married Joseph Zimerman ; ^Hanah, married Robert Hineman, have one child ; ^James Harvey ; ^Polly, mar- ried John Smith ; *^David Smith ; '^Eleanor. Joseph (son of Joseph and Alargaret Gray), was born in Beaver County. He also was well educated, going through Darlington College, intending to study to be a Presbyterian minister, Intt finally deciding he was not a good enough chris- tian, he took up the study of medicine, and practiced his pro- POLK FAMILY A N D KINSMEN 735 fession many years in W'illiamsport, Pa. He was a polished scholar in Hebrew, Latin and Greek, had a strong intellect and was a man of great judgment. He was supervisor of the Beaver Valley Canal, and was twice elected as a representa- tive to the legislature in Harrisburg. His wife's name was Rachel 3ilorehead, by whom he had the following children, all dead now. (1) Perryander, h. , never married, went to Old Alexico in 1835 where he purchased a gold mine with which lie did very well until a band of 3klexican robbers, coming upon him. murdered him, taking all his money. (2) Alilo married a \'anhorn and settled on a farm in Jackson County, Iowa. Both are dead. The latter had issue: ^Hiram; -Camil- low ; ^Hisaferno; ^Berlinda Clendenning. d. 1898 at age of 93; ■"Laura ; '\\doline ; 'Caroline ; *^Josephine. James Harvey Pollock married Lydia Phillips and had issue: ^David W^ells ; -Joseph Philip; ^Samuel Harvey; ^Charles; -^Robert Alartin ; ^^^^lilton De^^'itt ; "Grant; ^Emma. David A\^ells Pollock, married Barbra Lewis, a merchant in central Illinois for many years, now a farmer near Duran- S^o, Col. Thev have children: ^W'ells ; -Helen; '^IJertlia; ^Ethel ; ^Lewis. Joseph Philip Pollock married Ida Ball. Issue: ^Leland ^^'ells; -Milton Wayne; -"^Ruth Janet. Samuel Harvey Pollock, married Janet Carlyle. One son, Harvey Carlyle. Robert Martin Pollock, married Jennie Alaltby. Issue: ^Lloyd : -Floss, married Walter Kellog ; ^Cary. ^lilton Dewitt Pollock married Emma Miles. Ulysses Sydney Grant Pollock married Ivy Miles. Issue: iW'illard; ^Marie; ^Ruth. Emma Pollock, married Wm. Hinton, d. 1909. Issue: ^Stanley; -Virgil; ^\'ivian. Polly, daughter of Samuel Pollock and Miss Lesley, mar- ried John Smith. Issue: ^Mary Ellen; -Rebecca .Ann; 2James Harvey; "^John Liget ; '"'Marcus. David Smith Pollock, son of Samuel and .Margaret ( lic- nan) Pollock, was born in Beaver County, Pa.. Jan. 1L ^X'i'i. 736 POL K FAMILY AND KINSMEN His mother was left a widow when he was but twelve years old. October 18, 1847 he married Sarah Jane Kuhn, at Sewek- ly, a daughter of John Kuhn and his wife Katherine Schapher, b. July 29, 18;3(). In 18G5 the family moved to the west, settling first in Iowa, then going to a farm near Jefferson City, Mo. From here he moved to New Bloomfield, Calloway County, where he lived for fifteen years. On February 5, 1896, his wife died at the age of sixty-five. For sixty years and more he was an Elder in the Presbyterian Church, an active worker in all kinds of religious activity. Like all the Pollocks, as far back as anything is known of them, he was a strict Presbyterian. He is still living in 1911, a venerable old man of over eighty- six, highly respected by all his relatives and acquaintances. His children are as follows : (1) Frank Pollock, b. July 35, 1849, married Oct. 5, 1897, to Katie Shepherd. Present address, Hamilton, Illinois. No children. (2) Margaret Pollock, b. March 10, 1851, married Feb. IS, 1875 to George H. Gordon. Present address, (near) Jeffer- son City, Mo. Issue: ^Luella, married Eugene Campbell; -Edgar, has two children, Harvey and Dorothy. Charles E. Pollock, b. March 1, 1853, married Feb. 26, 1886 to Mattie Mahan. Present address, (near) Jefferson City, IMo. Issue: -Mildred; ^Edward; ^Robert. \\'illiam H. Pollock, b. March 13, 1856, married October 31, 1900 to Mollie Hyten. Present address, Fulton, Mo. Issue: Sue M. Pollock, b. May 13, 1856, married Aug. 7, 1881 to Norman P. Bruce. Present addres, (near) Jefferson City, Mo. Issue: ^David ; -Sadie; -^Clarence; *Ozetta. Nannie \. Pollock, b. Oct. 16, 1861. married Nov. 19, to John C. Renner. Present address. New Bloomfield, Mo. Died Oct. 2, 1904. Issue: ^William ; ^Johnnie. Sarah Emma Pollock, b. Feb. 17, 1866, married Aug. 6, 1885 to Jefferson P. Bailey. Present address, (near) Jefferson City, Mo. Issue: ^Ella ; nVilliam. POLK FAMILY A N D KI X S M E N 737 CHAPTER LXXIV. DR. THOMAS POLLOCK'S DESCENDANTS. (By Col. Otis W. Pollock, U. S. A.) Dr. Thomas Pollock, of Coleraine, County Derry, Ireland, married Alary Cochran, of the same place, and raised a large family, all of whom were born there. They were : (Ij John Pollo'ck, b. :\Iarch 3, i;24; d. July 16, 1794, at Carlisle, Pa. ; married first Catharine Campl^ell ; second Elea- nor Scull. {2) Thomas Pollock, I\I. D.. b. 1T26; d. unmarried at Coleraine. (3) Robert Pollock, b. (twin with Thomas) 1726. (-i) James Pollock, b. 1T28; d. 1812 ; married Alary Heron. (5) Charles Pollock, b. 1732; d. 179."); married Agnes Steele. 6) Jane Pollock, b. about 1731:; d. Feb. 17, 179T ; married AIcLean. (7) Eliza Pollock, b. about 1736; d. ; married Sherifif. (8) Alary Pollock, untraced. (9) Pollock, b. ; d. ; married first Mr. Colwell ; second Air. Allison; remo\-ed to Xova Scotia. (10) Elizabeth Pollock, b. ; d. , at Coleraine. (12) Pollock, b. ; d. ; married Davis Barber, of Xorthumberland County, Pa. Possibly came to America with her brothers. Jo'hn, Thomas, James and Charles came from Coleraine, Ireland, to Pennsylvania, about the year ]7o(). 738 POLK FAMILY AND KINS M E N John settled at Carlisle, Pa., and had the following chil- dren, by first marriage, all born at Carlisle: ^Eleanor Pollock, 1). Pel). T, ITGO, married Jas. Armstrong; -Thomas Pollock, \). !March "i'^, ITG?, lawyer, d. unmarried 1812; •"'Alexander Pol- lock, b. Jan. oft, 1704, d. ISUI, married Jane Sheriff^; '^John Pol- lock, b. bee. 11, 17G.5, d. Feb. 18, 1772. Thomas the immigrant, returned to Ireland, where he studied medicine, practiced and died. James settled in Ligonier Valley, Westmoreland County, Pa., and had the following issue: ^Thomas Pollock, b. 1772, d. 18-47, married first Rachael Hendricks, second Susan Hen- derson ; ^Elizabeth Pollock, b. about 1774, d. ; married John AI':Coy; "Alary Pollock, b. about 177(i, d. , marned David Knox; ^James Pollock, h. about 17(!). d. unmarried; ^John Pollock, b. 17s:], d. 18(52, married Elizabeth Hamill ; f'David Pollock, b. 1784-5, d. probably Jan. 20, 1807, killed by French robbers in the Alleghany Mountains; '''Nancy Pollock, b. 178!); d. I84r), married William Lytle. Charles, settled in Northuml)erland County, Pa. He lived m White Deer Township, Bufifalo Valley, and had the follow- ing children, all of whom were born in Northumberland Coun- ty: ^John Pollock, b. , d. unmarried March 1795; 2Adam Pollock, b. 17G7, d. 1815, married 1801 Elizabeth Gilli- land; -'James Pollock, b. August 8, 1769, d. May 24, 1857, mar- ried June 2, 1801, Mary Steele; ^Thomas Pollock, b. 1772, d. Sept. 29, 1844, married first in 179G, Margaret Fruit, second, in 1820, Eleanor Knox; •nVilliam Pollock, 1). 1773; d. , married Sally Fruit: "Richard Pollock, b. , d. unmarried young; ^Charles Pollock, b. 1780, d. Aug. 1798, death caused by over-exertion in lifting sacks of grain ; ^Mary Pollock, b. 1782, d. 1784; »Jane Pollock, b. 1784, lived only six weeks; ^''Robert Pollock, 1). May 22, 1785, d. Feb. 22, 1844, married Margaret Anderson. Adam, James, Thomas, William and Robert, sons of Charles, after their father's death, which occurred in North- umberland County in 1795, removed with their mother to Erie County, Pa., where, with the exception of Thomas and Wil- POLK FAMILY A -V D K 1 .V S M E N 739 liam, they settled and remained. The hitter two l)rothers subsequently removed to Clarion County. Pa., where their des- cendants now live. PATERNAL LINE OF LT. COL. OTIS WHEELER POLLOCK (1) Dr. Thomas Pollock, Coleraine County, Derry, Ire- land. (2) Charles Pollock. Xorthuml)erland County. Pa. (3) Adam Pollock. Erie County. Pa. (4) Charles Pollock, Erie City, Pa. (5) Otis Wheeler Pollock, Lt. Col. U. S. Army. 740 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN CHAPTER LXXV. VISIT TO SCOTTISH ANCESTRAL HOME. Col. Otis W. Pollock, U. S. A., retired, of San Francisco, has always manifested great interest in the genealogy of his family and the personal history of its members. In a letter to the author, in Jan. 1911, Col. Pollock says: "I have the "Irish Pedigrees" by John O'Hart; David Scott's History of Scotland; George Crawford's History of Renfrewshire, and the Family of Stewart ; and Burke's Peer- age and Baronetage, from which I have worked out the pedi- gree back to Adam. O'Hart, in his work, has the pedigree of Queen Victoria traced to Adam the first man. I was able to trace mine until it became co-incident with hers. When we come to Robert Pollock of that ilk, the first Baronet, your genealogy and mine back to Adam are identical. "I visited Europe in 1888, and while there called at Pollok Castle, and had a very pleasant interview with Mr. Ferguson Pollok, and his family. He showed me over the castle and told me many things. You probably may know that the last Baronet, Sir Hew Crawford Pollok, was a wild boy. He ran away from home, came to the United States, enlisted as a private soldier in the Fourth U. S. Cavalry, served three years, re-enlisted for a second term, and at one time, in 1867, while the regiment was serving in Texas, and they were in camp, he picked up an old newspaper and stuck a corner of it in the fire to light his pipe. Ex'tinguishing the fire, he spread it out to look it over, when he discovered a notice of the death of his father. "He immediately made himself known to his commanding officer (he had enlisted under the name of Johnston) and through the influence of the British Minister at Washington, procured a discharge from the army. He then returned to Scotland and assumed the title and estate. He married and finally died in London in 1885. "While in Scotland, I also visited the estate of Mountains- town, and met the proprietor, a young man since dead. His POLK FAMILY AND K I X S M E N 741 name was John Napier George Pollok. 1 also became ac- quainted with Captain Arthur Williamson Alsager Pollok, from whom I received a full record of the famil\- of Pollock. Carlisle Pollock Patterson, Chief of the U. S. Coast and Geo- detic Survey, was from the family whose genealogy i en- close. The genealogy here referred to by Col. Pollock and which he received from Captain Arthur Willamson Alsager Pollok, is omitted, it being the same that appears on the first pages of this book. THE POGUE FAMILY. Another x\merican family whose genesis begins in the Pollok family of Scotland and Ireland, is that of Pogue. The first of them emigrating to America assumed that style of writing their name after their settlement in \'irginia and Pennsylvania. These families, like their Pollok and Polk kinsmen, spread out into the American Colonies, some going to the Carolinas, and thence West and South to Tennessee and Kentucky, producing sons and daughters who were emi- nent socially and otherwise, attaining" to prominence in civic and military affairs. The first of the Pogues (or Poages), of whom we have a record were Robert and John Poage, brothers, who came from County Derry, Ireland, in 1740, to Virginia, settling near Staunton, where Robert was made a member of the first Coun- ty Court of Augusta County. lie had nine children, whose im- portation he proved May 22, 1740, soon after arrival. Such action was a necessary step to settlers procuring lands. John, the younger brother did not marry until he came to X'irginia and settled in Rockbridge County, near tiie .Vatural I '.ridge. ' He raised a considerable family, one of whom, .Martha, mar- ried Col. James Moore. They moved witii (jther tainilies to Abb's Valley, Southwest Virginia, where he and most of his family were slain by Shawanee Indians raiding in from ( )hio. His wife and two of his daughters were carried into captivity in Ohio, where she and the eldest daughter were burncMJ at the stake (see "Captives of Abb's Valley." i. 742 POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN John Poage after settlement in Augusta County, mar- ried Mary Blair, and was also a Magistrate of his county. He was High Sheriff in 1778. and later County Surveyor, which ofifice became hereditary in his family. Martha, daughter of Robert Poage, married Andrew Woods and died at Ripley, Ohio, in LSIS. One tradition is that Robert Poage was a nephew or a grand nephew of Capt. Robert Pollok, who settled in Maryland about 1073, changed his name to Polk and became progenitor of the extensive American family of that name. One of Robert Poage's sons, \Vm. Poage, moved from Southwest Virginia in 1775, coming with Col. Richard Callo- way to Boonesboro. In 1758, and at other times, he was in active service against the Indians. In 1702 he married Mrs. Ann (Kennedy) Wilson, settling near Black's Fort, now Abingdon. In August 1774 he was a Sergeant in command of Fort Russell, with twenty men, and Lieutenant Daniel Boone was in command of Fort Moore, four miles west of Fort Russell. -. Shortly after Wm. Poage came to Kentucky he settled at Harrodsburg, where he was slain by the Indians. According to tradition Elizabeth, the wife of Robert Poage the immigrant to Virginia, was a Sheridan and a cousin of Richard Brinley Sheridan. Others say she was a Preston. Soon after the War of 1813 John and Joseph Pogue and fam- ily moved from North Carolina to Tennessee. The first settler on the site of Indianapolis was a George Pogue, who was killed by Indians in 1819. He had moved from North Carolina to Fayette County, Indiana. Col. Robert Pogue commanded a Kentucky regiment in the War of 1813, and left a number of descendants in Mason and Bracken Counties. This ends the author's labors on his history of the Polk family, on which he has been engaged at intervals for forty years. That there are errors in it he does not doubt, and he leaves to future historians of the family, if any should appear, the task of sifting them out and correcting them. The data collected amounted to much more than it was possible to make use of, and consequently much liad to l^e omitted which the author would like to have included in the work. "POLK FAMILY AND KINSMEN" ,)V.C.S. HISTORY of the Polk family since its settlement in Maryland in 1672, copiously illustrated with portraits of prominent members of the various branches, is now ready for distribution to mem- bers of the family and others desiring it. It represents many years of persistent labor by the editor and compiler. The nar- rative begins with the family's Scotch genesis in 1053, end comes down through Ireland, from whence Capt. Robert Bruce Polk and family came to America. Great care was exercised in its compilation and the facts it contains will be of the utmost interest to every member of the family. A full history is given of each branch in America, and of its dispersion into the States of the Union, North, South, East and West. Among its features are highly interesting accounts of frontier, Revolutionary and Civil War experiences of various members. Only a limited number of copies have been printed and these will be furnished to appli- cants for $6.00 per copy, plus 2&^ cents for expressage. Remittance by draft or P. O. Money Order preferred. Direct all orders to W. H. POLK, Lexington, Ky. COMPUMENTARY NOTICES From a number who have received and perused the book, highly commen- datory letters have been received by the author. Dr. Wm. Mecklenburg Polk, of New York, son of Bishop and Lieut.-General Leonidas Polk, ordered seven copies, and says: "From all who have seen it I have heard only the highest praise." District Judge A. B. Watkins, of Athens, Texas, ordering three copies, after reading book, writes: "I have examined with much interest the volume, and I think it but deserving that I express to you my appreciation of the work which you have so safisfactorily completed. It is far beyond the commonplace of family succession. And one is the more pleased, because it gives the entire stamp of verity, by reciting facts and events which add an interest to the correctness of the matters set out. It seems to me a work of most infinite detail and toil, and I only regret that your modesty prevents you from saying something more of yourself, and the boundless patience and labor that you must have given to it through so many years. The entire family connection owe you a debt of gratitude. I know, of course, that it would not be possible to compensate you personally for your work; it has taken too great a part of your life, and you will have to content yourself with the thought that you, of all the members, have happily completed what so greatly interested Colonel William Polk, of North Carolina, his father, General Thomas Polk, President James K. Polk and General Leonidas Polk, while they were yet alive." Many other letters of like tenor have been received. On account of the insecurity of the U. S. Mails, all books are sent to sub- scribers by express. .^ ,00 5- ^ C u - •_ r-- ^ pj IT!