Samuel Polk was born in 1772 in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina.

[5] He was the son of Ezekiel Polk and Mary Jane Winslow Wilson.

Polk married Jane Gracey Knox (1776-1852) on Christmas Day 1794 in Hopewell Church in Mecklenburg County.

[6] Though Polk consented to naming the child after his father-in-law, he opposed having James baptized as Presbyterian, as he himself would have to admit his faith.

[6] During their marriage, the couple participated in debates with neighbors regarding the future of the United States, with the discussions often being held in front of James.