The North-Carolina standard., 1844-09-18

1871. That he was a tory, or acted in any wise
with the British, / eonsider%a SANDER agains'
him, and to be false. He stood high among the
aGEoRGE ALEXANDER"
TO- Mr. Daniel Alexander bears witness to
the patriotism and services of Ezekiel Polk and
his statement, clear and Ineligible as it is, must
carry conviction to the understanding and the
heart of all who read it.
.-. Statement Of Mr.. Daniel AlerGnd r. RI
IN s-ssg " FAYETTE, COUNTY, July, 1843.
-s"I Daniel Alexander, have heard from public
newspapers Of the presentiday, that the ancestors
of James X. PolkshaVe been charged with certain
acts 10 revolutionary Struggle which were cal
culated to reflect dIscredit on the name OF the
family and being now 81 years old, and native
of Mecklenburg county, North Carolina and init
matey acquainted with the ancestors Of James K.
Polk, Ideem it duty owe to the dead well
the LIVING give to the public as full histo-
ry OF those ancestors as can now bring TO my
recollection, so far as their political conduct is con-
cerned. / was intimately acquainted with Eek
iel the grandfather of James K Polk, from my
boyhood 10 the time of his death having lived con-
liguous to hrm nearly the whole time, both in
sMecklenburg county, North Carolina, and Tennes-
see, TO which State we removed from Mecklen-
burg. North Carolina. / was present on the Goth
OF May, .l775, when the 'MeckIenburg declaration
was passed, and was acquainted with most of the
persons present on that occasion. Several of the
Folks were present. but do not receollect if Eek
iel Polk was one of the number. l, however, well
recollect the said Ezekiel Polk, as well as all the
family, were condsldeTed GOOD wHIas OF SEVENTY
SIX. Iecoilect. too, of. having been with him in
General Rutherford's army, lying between Char
lotte and Catawba river. l. with some Others was
sent from the army to reconnoitre, when we had
DaLtle al Ramsower's mill. Charles and Wlsm
Folk, nephews OF Ezekiel, were with Us. Ezekiel,
on that occasion, was not with Us. 7 recolLect
1oeI of LedUing him 1cith the arpV Subsequent
~ ne aoas IN the army Nth Colonel EraOin, on
AIcAtpias creek, 1ohether as a soldier or an off,
Ger kReae not !; but beard him. qoith ParSou
Archibald, haT Tangueing and speaking to the
sotdteTs OF Cot ErHoin, of q0honr aoas one er-
horting them to be true to their country.
p" When CORVALLIS marched through the country
ana encamped IN Chauotte, Ezekiel Polk took pro-
teeton, win several others who were considered
good WhIgs-among them a certain McAferty,
VINO rendered afterwards important services to the
whIg cause, particularly IN leading astray detach
Tnent sent by the enemy to aid Ferguson in the
oaiile OF K4ng's mountain, whilst acting as pilot
II 1odS considered by majority of the 1ohigs as
necessary, and not improper in those liuing near
me encampn1ent, and cunning large property, to
tafe me 6enett of protection and thereby sGue
their properly.
Ezekiel Polk had large family and many slaves
win good deal of other property and it was
necessary to preserve it from destruction to take
the course he did. But there were soahe wings so
exceedingly Jealous TO consider the act Of tax
ing protection as traitorous among them was one
Jack Barnett; and well remember to have seen
Ezekiel Polk, with Jack Barnett, come into our
camp on Rockey river, under General Davidson
and It IS said that Barnett had taken him prison
er; but they came in seemingly in friendly man
ner, and the otlcers, with others, held kind of
council TO consider the propriety of Ezekiel Polk's
having taken protection but after some laughing
&cg they broke up and Ezekiel Polk wen: home
unmolested. recoIlect that after the war was
over, some hot-headed person objected to him as
being sheriff, on account of his having taken pro- |
lection but the majority of the wings of that day
oic Dol CONSIDER 1t an act of toryism. !, mysel. |
who knew Ezekiel Polk well, considered him pa
triot and friend to his country and its liberties
"After CornwaIlis left Charlotte there was not
much done in that region except scouting for to- |
Fes and remember distinctly that Ezekiel Polk |
called at my fathers on his way to see his sister
when heard him speak in the highest terms of
the country; and that such and such things then
occurring would be the salvation of the country
This was soon after CORVALLIS left the country.
never heard, until lately that he ever aided the
British or tories at Ramsower's Mill. At the time
OF the battle have before mentioned, he was GER
tanly with the army under General Rutherford ::
nor did ever hear OF any act of his which gave
dissatisfaction or doubt of his principles as
whig of 1776, but that of taRifR3g protection.
81 was also not only Immediately ACQUAINTED
with James Knox, the father of the mother of
James K. Polk but with his whole family. He |.
was the commander of company of Lighthouse, It
ana was one OF his company FOR some time; but
do not recolect now how long. I however knew
him to be genuine wing of 1776, and a patriot =
and a soldier. So likewise was Considered the
whole of the Knox family.
"DAN. ALEXANDER"
1l-12. The statement of Messrs John Smith
and Thomas Gribble have been forwarded TO me
with strong testimonials of their respectability and
veracity, and they are submitted as follows: Il
...-.a - STATEMENT Ma. JOAN SMITH,
WARREN CO., Tenn, July 2I, 1874. X
The undersigned formerly of Mecklenburo I
county, Nonh Carolina, where he resided durinS
the revolutionary war, and until his removal in
the year 1892 with his family, to Warren COUNTY t
tennessee, where he now resides, having under. a
stood that charges have been made and circuIated
derogatory TO the fame aud patriotism of the late
COL Ezekiel Polk, soldier of the revolution 7
and knowing the same 10 be untrue respectfuIIy r
submits the following statement for the pnrpose Of
dong justice to the memory of deceased friend
:" was well acquainted with Col Ezekiel Polk
from the time he settled in Mecklenburo North 4
Carollna-I believe in the year 177s. He ardl
his kInsman, the late Col. VIM Polk of Raleioh IL
came TO reside in Mecklenburg.s and about The 1t
same time, as i believe. Col. Ezekiel Polk bad3i
previously borne the title and commission of an /,
officer in the service Of his country. against the
British and tories. know the whole family we'll
some of them Intimately and among others. Co! /
Ezekiel Polk, who is the paternal grandfather of
Cow. K. Polk, of Tennessee, whose father. Samuel
Polk, now deceased, was the SON of Col. EzekieI
Polk. The revolutionary services and zeal of l.
Col Ezekiel Polk, against the British and tories
with whom be in frequent battle. during the
war and, at its close, were well known stfbe
time TO hundreds II not thousands of hic