THOMAS E. POLK, SR.

Inscription

THOMAS E. POLK, SR.
1860-1940. SERVED 1882-1892
9TH CAVALRY “BUFFALO SOLDIERS”
IN WESTERN STATES. HONORABLY
DISCHARGED TWICE AS SGT.
LIVED ON THIS PROPERTY.
WILLIAM G. POMEROY FOUNDATION 2025

Thomas E. Polk, Sr. (1861-1940) grew up in the rural community of Wicomico, Maryland. As an African American man in the post-Civil War South, Polk lived in a segregated society dictated by Jim Crow Policies and Black Codes. When Polk turned twenty-one, he gave up his occupation as a “laborer” to serve his country (United States Army, 1882). Polk officially enlisted as a solider in the U.S. Army on March 2^nd, 1882, in Baltimore, Maryland. He was assigned to the 9^th Calvary, an all-black regiment established to “help rebuild the country after the Civil War and to fight on the Western frontier during the ‘Indian Wars’” (About – Buffalo Soldiers (U.S. National Park Service), n.d.). The men in this regiment also became known as “Buffalo Soldiers”, a nickname given to them by the Native Americans. Buffalo Soldiers were integral in furthering Westward expansion and protecting settlers as they flocked to Western states.

Polk served at a military post in Fort Robinson, Nebraska in early 1887. After his standard term of service was over on March 1^st, 1887, he was honorably discharged. He went on to re-enlist a few months later on September 6^th, 1887, and was assigned to Troop C of the 9^th Cavalry. Polk’s military pension file states that “he served over 30 days in connection with active Indian hostilities in 1890 and 1891, while attached to Troop C” (United States War Department, 1931). Polk was also posted at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas in April 1891. He was honorably discharged once again on September 5^th, 1892, when his term of service expired. Polk finished his service as a sergeant.

Polk returned to Maryland and purchased property on S. Upper Ferry Rd. in the town of Allen. He eventually built a two-story home on the property and lived there until he passed away on June 24^th, 1940.

Sources:

About – Buffalo Soldiers (U.S. National Park Service). (n.d.). https://www.nps.gov/subjects/buffalosoldiers/about.htm

United States Army. (1882). 1882 Record of Enlistment: Thomas E. Polk.

United States War Department. (1931). Military Pension Claim: Thomas Polk.