Download “Davy” Crockett - Jefferson County Schools, TN

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.