Notes |
- In Burke's Presidential Families of the United States, it is stated
that "Sir John Pollok, of Renfrewshire, Scotland, m. Janet Mure, and
was at the battle of Lecherbie 1593, leaving issue.;
Robert Pollok, who received a grant of lands in Coleraine, Co. Derry,
Ireland 1605/8, m, and had issue; Robert Pollok, of Coleraine, a
Covenanter, b ca 1595/8, m, and d ca 1640, leaving issue; and Robert
Pollok (or Polke) served as a Capt. in Col. Porter's Regt against King
Charles I, later emigrated to Maryland and was granted land known as
"Polke's Lott" and "Polke's Folly" by Lord Baltimore 7 March 1687, m.
Magdalen (will dated 7 Apr 1726), widow of ? Porter, and dau of "
Tasker, of Moneen, nr Strabane, co Tyropne, Ireland, and d in Somerset
Co., MD (will pr 5 June 1704), leaving, with other issue, William
Polk, of White Hall, MD, b prob in co Donegal ca 1664, m 1st Nancy,
widow of ? Owen, and dau of ? Knox; and 2ndly, ? Gray, widow, and d
(will pr 24 Feb 1739), leaving issue; William Polk, Jr, settled first
in Hopewell Township, Cumberland Co., PA, then "west of the Yadkin
River" in NC, b at White Hall ca 1700, m ca 1730, Margaret Taylor (who
survived him), and d in NC ca 1753, leaving ... issue." Burkes states
that the first three have not been proven but are probable.
Known as Sir Robert Pollok.
Received a grant of lands (1605-1608) in County Derry, in or near
Colerlaine, in what is now Northern Ireland (ref: Burke's Presidents,
1981, second edition, under "Lineage of President Polk".
Progeniter of the Polk family is John Pollock, a gentleman of landed
property near Glasgow. His son was Robert Pollock, who married
Magdalen Tasker Porter, the daughter of Colonel Tasker, who was Robert
Pollock's commander in Oliver Cromwell's Army. Robert Pollock in 1659
emigrated from Ireland to Maryland accompanied by his wife and
children. It is about this date that "Polk" was evolved from Pollock.
The following is the Will of Robert Polk, with spelling and
capitalization exactly as shown in the original:
"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 Maryland being of good health and
Perfect memory at this present thank be to Almighty God for the same
yet knowing the uncertainty 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 believing 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 will that
it be disposed of as hereafter is expressed.
2ndly 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 but now conveyed to me the said land
called Lone Ridge beginning at a marked 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 what
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
tract of land called Forlorne Hope as also one hundred acres of land
called Polks Folly bounded as per Pattent will appear both said tracts
of land to him the said David and his heirs forever.
4thly I leave to my Beloved Wife Magdalen Polke my now dwelling house
and plantation during her natural life as also a third of what goods
and moveables I am possessed with or shall hereafter to the day of my
death the said Goods and moveables to be 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 other third. It is my will it be 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 thousand 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 during
her life time then.
5thly 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 William Polke
to each of them twelve pence. I constitute and appoint my son David
Polke and my wife Magdalen Polke to be Executors of this my last will.
Codicil--I constitute my sons Ephraim and James Polke to be Executors
of this my last will and testament disannuling and making voide all
former Will or Wills by me made either by word or written.
In Witness whereof 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
X mark Seal
Richard Knight, Mary 0. English, Richard Whittley,
And I desire that Martha Poock may have liberty let her cattle run on
the plantation until she gets plantation and as for Sarah Powers she
must have a heifer at her freedom day.
Signed, Sealed and delivered in the presence of us
Robert Polk
Richard Whittley
Richard Knight
Mary 0. English."
On the back of said will was thus written: "Vizt:--Memorandum this 5th
day June the within will was proved to the Act and Deed of the within
named Robert Polke by the oaths of Richard Whittley, Richard Knight
and Mary English before.
Peter Dent. Depty Com'y.
Test.
R. McKendree Davis,
Dept. Register Orphans Court
Anne Arundel County
State of Maryland
Annapolis Wills T. B. 1701-3, folios 416-418
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