Crockett, Davy
David Crockett (August 17, 1786 – March 6, 1836) was an American politician, militia officer and frontiersman. Often referred to in popular culture as the "King of the Wild Frontier", he represented Tennessee in the United States House of Representatives and fought in the Texas Revolution.
Crockett grew up in East Tennessee, where he gained a reputation for hunting and storytelling. He was made a colonel in the militia of Lawrence County, Tennessee, and was elected to the Tennessee state legislature in 1821. In 1827, he was elected to the U.S. Congress where he vehemently opposed many of the policies of President Andrew Jackson, especially the Indian Removal Act. Crockett's opposition to Jackson's policies led to his defeat in the 1831 elections.
He was re-elected in 1833, then narrowly lost in 1835, prompting his angry departure to Texas (then the Mexican state of Tejas) shortly thereafter. In early 1836, he took part in the Texas Revolution and died at the Battle of the Alamo. It is unclear whether he died in battle or was executed after being captured by the Mexican Army.[1][2][3]^
Crockett became famous during his lifetime for larger-than-life exploits popularized by stage plays and almanacs. After his death, he continued to be credited with acts of mythical proportion. These led in the 20th century to television and film portrayals, and he became one of the best-known American folk heroes.[4][5]^
Family and early life
Davy Crockett was paternally of Scotch-Irish descent, while maternally of English descent. The Crocketts are often claimed to be of French-Huguenot ancestry, descending from a certain Antoine de Saussure Peronette de Crocketagne. However, no link has been established between the Huguenot Crocketts and the Crockett from whom Davy Crockett descended,[6]^ and historian Gilles Havard deems the story a hoax.[7]^
David Crockett (the paternal grandfather of Davy Crockett) was born in Pennsylvania and married Elizabeth Hedge. Historical records indicate that David and Elizabeth were the parents of William, David Jr., Robert, Alexander, James, Joseph, and John (the father of Davy Crockett); they may have had additional children whose records have not yet been found.[8][9]^
John was born c. 1753 in Frederick County, Virginia.[9]^ The family moved to Tryon County, North Carolina c. 1768. In 1776, the family moved to northeast Tennessee, in the area of modern Hawkins County.[10]^ John was one of the Overmountain Men who fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain during the American Revolutionary War.[11]^ He was away as a militia volunteer in 1777 when his parents David and Elizabeth were killed at their home near modern Rogersville by Creeks and Chickamauga Cherokees led by war chief Dragging Canoe.[12][13]^ John's brother Joseph was wounded in the skirmish. His brother James was taken prisoner and held for seventeen years.[14]^ ^...^