Re: DNA - Pollock & Polk
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In reply to:
Re: DNA - Pollock & Polk
Donald MacKenzie 12/11/12
Scott,Sarah Polk Piety’s grand-nephew James Polke (great-grandson of Charles Polk the Indian Trader) during his life made extensive notes on the family genealogy.In the 1930s some ladies of the DAR became aware of these notes and typed them up as best they could read them.Since he would have personally known his great-aunt, his notes are pretty good authority but given how memory works they may be off in a detail here or there.
He gives the year 1769 for the marriage of Sarah Polk and Austin Piety.He says their son Thomas was born in 1770 and was the oldest child, followed by three daughters.He says Austin Piety was relocated by the Army from Fort Pitt to Kaskaskia in 1770 and that Thomas was born while they were there, and that Thomas Piety would tell people he was the first American child born in the Northwest Territory.
He says Sally Polk Piety died at the age of 98 years.He says his father Charles Polk died in 1845 and his mother Margaret in 1855.
It is clear from his notes that he did not actually know his genealogy beyond his great-grandfather.His notes, which were written after the term of President Polk, supposed that there was a connection to President Polk’s family.He was under the impression that President Polk’s grandfather Ezekiel was the son of “Robert Polk from Ireland” apparently a reference to Robert Polk/Magdalen Tasker.He goes on to “presume” (his word) that his grandfather Charles was a grandson of this Robert Polk through a son Charles.(There is certainly no mention of any William Polk or Nancy Owens.)
We now know that the connection of James K. Polk to that Robert Polk was in error.
If you want to look into that further you can get a copy of the typescript from the DAR library, call number “GEOGFC IND CO:KNOX POL” for “Copy of the notebook of James Polke.”
My sense is that it is likely that Charles Polk the Indian Trader came into the Philadelphia area as a young man or was brought there by his family and became apprenticed to or employed by some local merchant, perhaps the Cartlidges.
I think you are on the right track looking for further clues in Philly.
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Re: DNA - Pollock & Polk
Donald MacKenzie 12/11/12