Statement Of Mr.. JOHN SMITH.
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WARREN Co., Tenn, July 81, 1914


The undersigned. formerly of Mcckenburg
county. North Carolina, where he resided during
the Revolutionary war, and until his removal, in
the wear 1882, with his family to Warren coun-
ty Tennessee where he now resides having un-
dersood that charges have been made and circu.
lated, derogatory TO the fame and patriotism of the
late Col. Ezekiel Polk, a soldier Of the RevoIu-
ton. aid knowing the same to be untrue, respect
fully submits the following statement for the pur-
pose of doing justice TO the memory of a deceas.
ed friend:


| was well acquainted with Col. Ezekiel Polk
from the time he settled in Mecklenburg. North
Carolina, believe in the voar I77S. He and
his kinsman, the late Col. VIM. Polk, of Raleigh
came to reside in Meckenburg about the SAM
time, as believe. Col. Ezekiul Polk had previ.
ously borne the title and commissission of an Of
fcer in the service of his country, against the
British and torres. | know the whole of the fam.
lily well, some of them Intimately. AMI among
others, Col. Ezekiel Polk, who is the paernal
grandfather of Gov. James X. Polk. of rennps-
see, whose father. Samuel Polk. deceased, was the
OF Col. Ezekiel Polk. The revolutionary
services and zeal of Cot. Ezekiel Polk. nguins,
the British and tories. with whom he was in fire.
quenl battle. during the AMI nt its close were
well known at the time TO hundreds if not thou





afterwards esteemed through life accordingly. |
have seen and read the stalcmen, of Mr. tirorue
Alexander, in relation 10 his (Co Polk 81 conduc,
and services, and the same is us and true in eve
ry particular, according to the best of my reco-
lection of events so far back and of the main
facts stated by Mr.. Alexander, had a personal
knowledge, rs things of public occurrence n. the
time. Taking n British protection. at f,er the Brit
Ish arms had, for the time totally subjngr,ed that
part of the country, as was particularly The case
in both tho Caronas, especially after Gates de-
feat. as the martyred IIaync and others did. on
The condition of not bearing arms for the tim be-
M, was what hundreds of the purest and bravrst
of the wings were compelled by overruIing neces-
sty TO do, in order 10 save tlrr property from de-
s,ruction and the rapine Of the tories. and their
families from brutal insults. and in many cases.
still more brutal Violations The tories and friends
Of the British, open and private. needed no such
projections. being under the immedIate and Sc
cure protection of the regular British army and
troops who were then in possession of. and I'd
overrun all that part of the country. The cir
cumslance of having taken these projections un.
der necessity rendering It proper md Just in the
eye of God and man. was never esteemed as hav-
ing been dishonorabe. or as favoring the British
or tory side-nnd csprcinliy where those who took
them, Col. Polk and Col. Hlvne did, again
u
soon hope again smiled upon tn Aperican
cause. and the British had rGtreatel and sufficient.
" evacuated the previously conquered portions of
the country to admit of hope Of success in renew
cd efforts of the wings 10 drive make head
against the common enemy. Many men in the
situation of those who took these temporary pro.
tections, of whom Cot. Polk and Col. Havne were
two prominent instances, were and ever will be-
esteemed in their lives, and in thcr me moreis as
among the purest and brlvcst soldiers of the Rev
oution. A grateful poserity to the latest gcner-
alton will revere their memories \ such.


never heard it hin,cd during Col. Pok's life.
or until lately. that he had been tory, or in anv
manner friendly to the British cause in the Rev.
o,ution. feel clear that can truly say, in view
of the great account Of my life which | mus
shortly give before the dread tribunal where tn,
secrets of all hearts known. that the cha rge
| is, and mnst e, false, malicious and unfounded
| for if it were true, or had boen true in ary sense
it could not have escaped my knowledge and recol
lection. and the knowledge OF other men who liv
ed at the time. In Mecklenburgh, among Jealous
ardent and vigilant wings of rs and 76, an,
tof l7Sl-2, it could not have been hidden or On
known. fell happy that my life, under provi
dence, has been prolonged in sound health an,
memory, so as to enable me to make this state
ment as an act of justice TO the living as well a
! the dead. -


Signed, JOHN SMITH.
!, Statement of THOMAS GRIBBLE, ESQ.
~ WARREN co., Tenn. July %. 1874.
i Having heard that it is reported, and even ha
been charged in print. that Col. Ezekiel Polk, for
meriy of Mecklenburg, North Carolina, the pa
iernai grandfather of Gov. james X. Polk, o
y Tennessee, was tory in the Revolutionary war
and considering the charge as an unfounded sian
der upor, soldier of 10, feel happy that m,
; life has been prolonged SO as to enable me to Civ
1 my contradiction TO the charge. lived in Mect
! ienbar9 taunty, North Carolina, durir
> lbs eiossf tho Revolutionary war. ~