David “Davy” Crockett

“Be sure you are right. Then go ahead.”

Davy’s Early Life

• Davy Crockett was born in Greene County, Tennessee on August 17, 1786. He was the fifth of nine children.

• Davy had very little formal schooling. He once ran away from home when his father punished him for missing school.

• At the age of 12, Davy left home to work as a cattle driver in Virginia.

Davy’s Early Life

• Davy returned home in 1802 at the age of 16.

• Davy married Polly Finley on August 14, 1806 in Jefferson County, Tennessee. Davy was 19 years old.

• Polly died in 1815 at the age of 27. They were married for nine years.

• Davy was left to raise his two sons alone.

Davy Crockett - Soldier

• Davy joined the U.S. Army in 1813 and served under Andrew Jackson.

• Davy fought against the Creek Indians during the War of 1812.

• The British were supplying the Indians with weapons to stop westward expansion. The Indians attacked and killed over 500 settlers in Alabama.

• In 1814 Andrew Jackson defeated the Creeks and Davy returned home.

Davy Crockett and Politics

• In 1816 Davy married widow Elizabeth Patton.

• In 1821 Davy was elected to the Tennessee State Legislature in Nashville.

• Davy was elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1827.

Indian Removal Act of 1830

• Davy disapproved of the Indian Removal Act.

• Davy thought that forcing the Indians to move west was morally wrong.

• "I voted against this Indian bill, and my conscience yet tells me that I gave a good and honest vote, and one that I believe will not make me ashamed on the day of judgment."

Davy and the President

• Even though Davy and President Jackson disagreed about the Indian Removal Act, Davy was there to help the President in January of 1835.

• On January 30, 1835 an attack occurred in the United States Capitol Building; it was the first assassination attempt made against an American President.

Assassination Attempt

• Jackson was crossing the Capitol Rotunda following the funeral Congressman Warren Davis.

• Richard Lawrence approached President Jackson and attempted to fire two pistols, which both miraculously misfired.

• Jackson proceeded to attack Lawrence with his cane.

Davy to the Rescue

• Davy Crockett was there to help restrain Lawrence.

• As a result, Jackson's statue in the Capitol Rotunda is placed in front of the doorway in which the attempt occurred.

• Lawrence was later found to be mentally ill, having accused Jackson of preventing him from becoming King of England.