David Crockett – A Tennessee Legacy

David Crockett – A Tennessee Legacy. . , In the 49 years that David Crockett called Tennessee his home he migrated from one end of the Volunteer state to the other. From his birthplace near Limestone on the banks of the Nolichucky River to his last home in present day Rutherford (Gibson County), the Crockett story weaves and twists across East, Middle, and West Tennessee for five decades. In November of 1835 he exited his native home for Texas and eventually martyrdom at the Alamo., “Be always sure you are right, then go ahead!” – David Crockett, Pioneer . Soldier . Statesman. , The American Pioneer , Born into grinding poverty within the vast and dangerous American wilderness, David Crockett embodied the epitome of the typical frontier pioneer. His early upbringing and Scots-Irish culture combined to define his physical strength, determination, and persistence to outlast the many setbacks he encountered in his lifetime., The Frontier Soldier , David Crockett’s call into military service during the War of 18 12 was not unlike his father’s duty forty-three years earlier in the American Revolution. Upon hearing that hostile atrocities would reach his home on Beans Creek, David enlisted for terms of service and fought in several hard-pitched battles in Alabama, including Tallusahatchee and Talladega., Statesman: The Gentleman from the Cane , Despite being known as a famous bear hunter, David Crockett invested almost forty percent of his life in public service. His career began in 1817 as Justice of the Peace, then moved on to be Colonel of the 57th Militia, State Representative, and finally as a United States Congressman where he served for three terms. His primary focus was to help squatters acquire land at affordable prices. He bitterly opposed President Andrew Jackson’s policies, especially his Indian Removal Bill which later cost Crockett his political career., “It was here that I began to distinguish myself as a hunter, and to lay the foundation for all my future greatness; but mighty little did I know what sort it was going to be.’ David Crockett from his Narrative, 1834., Tennessee State Parks – Crockett Related Sites , 1 – David Crockett Birthplace State Park – Limestone. Born here on August 17, 1786. , 2 – Sycamore Shoals State Park – Elizabethton. John Crockett (David’s father) assembled here with other Patriots to fight British Tories at Kings Mountain. , 3 – Warriors Path State Park – Kingsport. David took this route as an indentured servant (1798) and runaway (1799). He returns home through this site in 1802. , 4 – Cumberland Mountain State Park – Crossville. David, his wife Polly ad two sons migrated to Middle TN through the Cumberland Plateau here. , 5 – David Crockett State Park – Lawrenceburg. David and second wife Elizabeth and five children moved here in 1817. Crockett begins career in politics, elected Colonel of Militia in 1818. , 6 – Chickasaw State Park – Chester County. Colonel Crockett campaigned for Congress in the area and rode by this site in 1835 on the way to Texas. , 7 – Big Cypress Tree State Park – Greenfield. One of Crockett’s favorite hunting grounds. , 8 – Reelfoot Lake State Park. Created by the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12, this became Crockett’s primary hunting ground for large black bear.