1786-1836 David Crockett

1786-1836 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 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 upbringing and Scot-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 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 Talluwshatchee 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 State 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.

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 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 his 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. , “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, Map captions in rough chronological order: , Rogersville Crockett’s grandparents killed in Indian attack, 1777., Mounted Riflemen Riding to fight British Tories, 1780., Rheatown Crockett family moves five miles to Lick Creek, 1792., Cove Creek Crockett-Galbraith mill destroyed by flood, 1793., Finely Gap David and Polly marry and live her for five years., Chickasaw Warriors Indian Woodland tribes contested settlers for this region., David Crockett’s first rifle, “Old Betsy”, Jefferson County Family moves here to start over from the mill disaster in 1794., Morristown Crockett lived here for ten years, 1796-1806., Bean Creek Crockett and family settle here in 1813., Mulberry Creek First home in Middle TN, 1811., Fayetteville, General Andrew Jackson Camp Blount, Fayetteville. General Andrew Jackson’s army organizes here in 1813 and 1814., McMinnville, Murfreesboro State Capital of Tennessee until 1826., Columbia Home of President James K. Polk. , Nashville Became state capital of Tennessee in 1826., Gordon’s Ferry David Crockett gave his first stump speech here in 1821 while campaigning for state representative., Waynesboro The Natchez Trace connected the Mississippi and Cumberland Rivers., Crockett’s Mill The mill was destroyed by a flood in 1821, forcing David and his family to move to Obion River Country., Jackson Crockett often ventured 40 miles or more from home to get supplies and the latest information., Bolivar Alamo survivor Susanna Dickinson left home from here for Texas with her husband Almaron in 1831., Trenton Crockett’s last home in present day Rutherford., Dyersburg Hunting friend and future Texas hero Ben McCulloch lived here., Crockett’s United States Congressional District , Reelfoot Lake Created by the New Madrid Earthquakes of 1811-12, this became one of Crockett’s favorite hunting areas., Crockett the Bear Hunter., Randolph Crockett attempted to get a canal built here., Crockett 'Stumping' for votes., Memphis c. 1830 Site of Crockett’s flatboat disaster (1826)., Marcus Winchester First mayor of Memphis (1826-1829), he financially supported Crockett for Congress. , Gone to Texas Crockett and Company head for Texas (1835)., Crockett Fiddle Eyewitnesses say David played the fiddle at the Alamo during the siege.