James Polk

Having accomplished all his objectives in a single term, President Polk had no intention of running for the presidency again. In 1847 he had written in his diary that “though I occupy a very high position, I am the hardest working man in this country.” This was probably true, for Polk worked tirelessly to master all the details and carry out the duties of the presidency. He was succeeded in office by Zachary Taylor in March 1849 and returned home with his health broken. During his brief retirement, Polk's thoughts turned to religion. Though he had belonged to the Presbyterian church with his wife throughout their married life, his views were Methodist. In the late spring he sent for a Methodist minister and was received into that church. He died on June 15, 1849, at the age of 53. He was buried in the garden of his Nashville home, Polk Place, but in 1893 his remains and those of his wife were removed to the grounds of the Tennessee state capitol in Nashville.