Elias Polk
Elias Polk (1806 – December 30, 1886) was an African American slave owned by President James K. Polk and his family from birth until emancipation in 1865. Following the American Civil War, he became a conservative Democratic political activist at a time when most freedmen joined the Republican Party. As a slave, Polk lived and worked at the Polk farm in Maury County, Tennessee, in the Columbia, Tennessee home of James and Sarah Polk; in the White House; and at the Polks' Nashville residence, Polk Place. After the president’s death, Elias Polk continued to live at Polk Place and serve the widowed First Lady Sarah Childress Polk. Once Elias gained freedom, he embarked on a public speaking career which saw him take up the cause of the Democratic Party and speak on behalf of former Confederates and slave holders.
Elias Polk | |
|---|---|
Illustration from the Daily American newspaper, published in Nashville on December 31, 1886 | |
| Born | 1806 |
| Died | December 30, 1886 (aged 79–80) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Resting place | Nashville City Cemetery |
| Occupation | political activist |
| Spouse | 3, including Mary Polk |