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Researchers, my addition pales in detail to S.C and Bill polk but here is some details which might help other researchers piece together our Polk story.I am a descendant of John Polk b: bet Jan 1, 1767 and May 24, 1767 (death date 78 years old May 24,1845) He was a "Revolutionary" soldier per the Maury county census of Revolutionary soldiers. From "The Lookout," a periodical of Chattanooga, TN., Vol. 26, April 30, 1921, pp. 284-285: "He [John Polk] lived eight miles from Charlotte, just over the line in the Catawba Reservation, in South Carolina, and he commanded a company, mostly of Indians, being engaged in the New River fight and others. After the war he moved to Tennessee and died there. Although it does not confirm John was this man it does have some hint to where my granfather probably was and seems to indicate it was John b: 1767 and not John who married Eleanor Shelby. Robert A. Polk b: 1801-02 is referenced in "Buells History of President Jackson" as being given an Indian agent commision after the Jan 1815 engagement in New Orleans, he was portrayed as being by the side of General Jackson and Captain Charles Polk who was part of a Cavalry spy unit. While awaiting the Charge of the British enemy, General Jackson wanted his soldiers to hold back until the last moment, and as they awaited the signal to attack a youthful Ensign Robert Polk jumped upon the embatlement "tomohawk" raised and called out a charge. The General Jackson pulled the young Robert Polk back, at which time the General said that any man who did not obey his order would be shot by the General himself. I do not know if this is real or just someones embelisment but it sure is a fun story.
My question about my own John Polk is this, so many of John and Elizabeth Nancy Aldersons children are said to have been born in Greenbrier Dist.W. Virginia but there is not any evidence that I am aware of proving this to be the case. An unverified story stated John Polk and Eleanor lived in the Greenbrier Dist., there is an "old" qouted local story stating that he was referred to as "Devil John" for his fierce and voracious character in battle. So was John and Eleanor of York, South Carolina these people?
John and Elizabeth Nancy Alderson are missing from the 1790 and 1800 Census. Although the 1800 Census has been damaged and may have included John and Elizabeth Nancy Alderson, I do not have proof.
John Polk Jr. is said to have been given the assignment of constable in York, South Carolina in the year 1787 so he was actually in York at that time, he was also in York to witness his fathers will in 1802. In 1806 John has granted
to him, by his Uncle Ezekiel, the 172 acres on Carters creek where he lived the remainder of his life. This deed is registered in 1811 and abuts William and Ezekiels land of the same area. The man "William Polk" is speculated by me to be the brother of Ezekiel the same one identified by my Grandfather WJD Spence "History of Hickman Co.", he stated William, Ezekiel and Thomas were in the Surveying team 1783. I would also speculate the man "William Polk" is the man in the 1810 census of Nashville, Rutherford Co., Tennessee it shows him to be 45+.
In early times, 1783 some of the men of the revolutionary war staged their quest west at the fort in Nashville. General John Sevier pursued the indians across the Duck River at the Natchez trail very close to the homeplaces of the Polks in Williamsport and my family in Hickman County. My ancestor Captain Robert Bowen who fought alongside the Polks in the Kings Mountain event was granted 640 acres of land in Hickman Co., then Dixon Co., in 1805. Half of this land was not even cleared for settlement until after 1806. My point is that Nashville was the safest place in the area at the time and a "staging" place for western Pioneer families. As a matter of deduction, the History of Nashville states the women and children of the pioneers did not travel with the pioneer men but arrive from North Carolina and Virginia by boat on the Cumberland River which docked at Nashville. It is said the Bowens, Polks, Wilsons and Alexanders were allied families and arrived from South Carolina early, before the land was actually authorized by the government to do so. (Dispute of legality Commisioners Line versus Continental Line). This statement is being made to show why Taylor may have been in Nashville prior to the trek to Arkansas. History of the settlement of Nashville Pioneers.
Beause the information I have seen reflects there were actually 2 different John Polks who married 2 Eleanor Shelbys (Evan Shelby Sr. & General Evan Shelby's illegitimate daughter Eleanor)it is only appropriate to revisit and track these 2 families.
Ezekiel's brother, Captain Charles Polk and brother of John/ES is a high potential to be John/ena of Maury as Bill Polk has stated but it sure makes more sense that John Polk/ena is the son of John/es, of York, South Carolina. So is John/es of Greenbrier the same man as John/es of York, South Carolina? Only time and effort will establish the truths,
we all want to know. When the age of a person varies to the degree of John Polk/es (1730-39) it seems to be likely there is a strong chance it represents 2 different individuals.
Thank you all for your postings.
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