David Crockett

David Crockett. A Tennessee Legacy. , "Be always sure you are right, then go ahead!" David Crockett, 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 eventual martyrdom at the Alamo., 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 two terms of service and fought in several hard-pitched battles in Alabama, including Tallusshatchee 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. Davy 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 and 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., (Photo captions, East to West to match chronology) , Mounted Riflemen Rising to fight British Tories, 1780. , Chickasaw Warriors Indian Woodland tribes contested settlers for this region. , Crockett Fiddle Eyewitnesses say David played the fiddle at the Alamo during the siege. , Gen. Andrew Jackson Camp Blount, Fayetteville. General Andrew Jackson's army organizes here in 1813 and 1814. , Crockett's Mill The mill was destroyed by a flood in 1821, forcing David and his family to move to the Obion River Country. , Reelfoot Lake Created by the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-12, this became one of Crockett's favorite hunting areas. , Marcus Winchester First mayor of Memphis (1826-1829), he financially supported Crockett for Congress. , Memphis c. 1830 site of Crockett's flatboat disaster (1826). , Gone to Texas Crockett and Company head for Texas (1835)., (Map captions going East to West to match chronology) , Rogersville Crockett's grandparents killed in Indian attack, 1777. , Rheatown Crockett family moves 5 miles to Lick Creek, 1792. , Cove Creek Crockett-Gilbraith mill destroyed by flood, 1793. , Jefferson County Family moves here to start over from the mail disaster in 1794. , Morristown Crockett lived here for 10 years, 1796-1806. , Finley Gap David and Polly Mary and live here for five years. , Mulberry Creek First home in Middle TN, 1811. , Beans Creek Crockett and family settle here in 1813. , Columbia Home of President James K. Polk. , Murfreesboro State Capital of Tennessee until 1826. , David Crockett's first rifle "Old Betsy". , Nashville Became state capital of Tennessee in 1826. , Gordon's FerryDavid Crockett gave his first stump speech here in 1821 while campaigning for state representative. , Jackson Crockett often ventured 40 miles or more from home to get supplies and the latest information. , The Natchez Trace connected the Mississippi and Cumberland Rivers. Bolivar Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson left from here for Texas with husband Almaron in 1831. , Dyersburg Hunting friend and future hero Ben McCullough lived here. , Randolph Crockett attempted to get a canal built here.