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Elias Polk (c. 1806 – December 30, 1886) was an African American enslaved by President James K. Polk and his family from birth until his 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.
During his life, Elias Polk went from being enslaved in the White House to one of the most controversial African-American political activists of his day. He always maintained the Democratic principles that he likely inherited from his former owner.
Enslaved and Entrenched: Elias Polk - YouTube. The President James K. Polk State Historic Site. 112 subscribers. 8. 220 views 2 years ago PINEVILLE. This lecture was recorded on February 20th...
1 de sept. de 2020 · Elias Polk was born into slavery in 1806 on a farm owned by Samuel Polk, father of the future president of the United States, in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.
3 de ene. de 2020 · Prior to his time in the White House, Elias had been gifted to James as a wedding present by Samuel Polk in 1824 and had served the Polks for many years. Although he likely worked at the White House in 1845, Polk also hired Elias out to a man named James H. Thomas from late 1845 through 1846.
12 de feb. de 2021 · Initially enslaved by North Carolina native President James K. Polk, Elias Polk took up the fight for black economic independence after the Civil War.
11 de mar. de 2024 · Focusing on the challenges of surviving and navigating life in America’s south, Zacharie W. Kinslow revisits Elias Polk, whom the future president enslaved and who gained freedom after the Civil War.
