Alexander Polk (abt. 1756 - 1807)

Born about 1756 in Sussex, Delaware

Ancestors

Died 16 Feb 1807 at about age 51 in Bridgeville, Sussex, Delaware, United States

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Biography

Alexander Polk was born circa 1750, a son of William Polk born in 1705, in Dorchester county, Maryland and his first wife. Alexander was a Midshipman in the U.S. Navy, and for distinguished gallantry at Tripoli in 1803 was voted a Sword by Congress. ^[1]

Researchers Notes

Alexander married and had a son, who he named Robert.

Alexander died February 16, 1807, in Bridgeville, Sussex county, Delaware. His Find A Grave memorial is attached to the wrong William Polk, who was born thirty years after he was. ^[2]

The First Barbary War 1801–1805 is also known as the Tripolitanian War and the Barbary Coast War. In October 1803, Tripoli's fleet captured USS Philadelphia intact after the frigate ran aground on a reef while patrolling Tripoli harbor. The Battle of Derna (April–May 1805) was the first time the United States flag was raised in victory on foreign soil. The action is memorialized in a line of the Marines' Hymn—"the shores of Tripoli". The capturing of the city gave American negotiators leverage in securing the return of hostages and the end of the war.

Sources

1. ↑ Polk family and kinsmen by William Harrison Polk, published in 1912, by Press of the Bradley & Gilbert Company, Louisville, Kentucky, page 676 This book is available to read online or download from https://openlibrary.org/books/OL7118519M/Polk_family_and_kinsmen. This page may be viewed here: https://archive.org/details/polkfamilykinsme00polk/page/676/mode/1up?ref=ol&view=theater
2. ↑ https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/58555686/alexander-polk