Even More Crazy Facts About Davy Crockett That You Probably Didn’t Learn In History Class
Davy Crockett is one of the most enigmatic figures in American history. The legendary frontiersman, congressman, and Alamo hero is remembered today as a series of caricatures — from exaggerated 19th century cartoons to more modern media depictions.
But Davy Crockett was a real person, and while some of his exploits may have been exaggerated, others are undoubtedly true. Let's delve into who Davy Crockett really was as a person.
He was never known as 'Davy.'
The man born as David Crockett lived his life by his given name: David Crockett. In fact, it was years after his death that the 'Davy' nickname became commonplace.
This was likely due to a broader tendency to give affectionate nicknames to iconic figures. 'Davy Crockett' just has more of a ring to it for the title of a kids' TV show, doesn't it?
His life had many chapters.
The modern image of Davy Crockett sees him as a rugged frontiersman who was completely at home in the wild woods of Tennessee.
While this is true, Crockett went on to serve as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives for Tennessee from 1827 to 1831, and again from 1833 to 1835.
He had relatively progressive views.
Crockett spent a total of six years in the House, and during that time, he advocated for causes that were close to his heart.
He was known for his fierce advocacy for the rights of settlers and Native Americans. He was also a staunch opponent of Andrew Jackson's policies in general, in particular the Indian Removal Act.
He was born in the wilderness.
Crockett was born on the frontier of Tennessee in August of 1786 to a settler family. His father, John Crockett, had fought in the American Revolution.
His upbringing was marked by experiences familiar to many pioneers — poverty, frequent relocations, and threats from a rough environment.
His skills were self-taught.
Crockett briefly attended school, but did most of his learning in the wilderness. The skills that made him famous, including hunting and tracking, were largely self-taught.
It was this childhood of fending for himself on the rugged frontier that set the course for many of Crockett's later experiences.
His hunting prowess was legendary.
While it's debatable if he ever had to outrun a giant serpent, Crockett's hunting skills were no myth. He was known for his knack for taking down large game, such as bears and deer.
In fact, Crockett himself claimed to have killed over 100 bears in his lifetime. While he'd sometimes embellish stories, it seems likely that this one was true.
Tall tales have flourished.
Crockett was a gifted orator, one who would occasionally bend the truth for the sake of a good story. A combination of this, along with his true exploits, gave rise to all sorts of myths and legends.
In his lifetime, Crockett was known for being a legendary frontiersman — but in death, he became an almost superhuman figure.
He served in the military.
Crockett fought in the brief Creek War of 1813-1814 as a volunteer as part of a militia. This military service early in life helped establish his reputation locally.
Intriguingly, while he fought on behalf of Andrew Jackson's policies in the Creek War, he became an opponent of many of Jackson's policies later in life.
He left politics behind.
Crockett's time in the House was lively, but the sedentary life of a politician was far from what he was used to.
In 1835, he found a new cause to fight for — a group of volunteers fighting for the independence of Texian rebels from Mexico. He left Congress to travel to Texas to join the fight.
He died at the Alamo.
The final chapter of Crockett's life took place at the Battle of the Alamo in 1836. Crockett, along with hundreds of other defenders of the fort, was killed by Mexican forces.
This battle became a defining moment in American history, and Crockett's role in the fighting helped cement his legendary reputation.
He's an icon of American Expansion.
Crockett is synonymous with two American ideals: Manifest destiny, and to a lesser degree, the American Dream.
As a frontiersman, he worked to tame and settle the wild frontier, while as a politician, he proved that someone with a poor upbringing could still make a difference.
He was married twice and had several children.
Crockett had three children with his first wife, Polly Finley, before she sadly died in 1815.
Later in life, he married Elizabeth Patton and had three more children. While his family life was marked by personal struggles and tragedies, these were somewhat typical for the time period.
He was friends with Sam Houston.
Crockett first met Houston, who would later serve as the first president of the Republic of Texas, during the Texas Revolution.
While their politics weren't always adjacent, Crockett nonetheless had a great deal of admiration and affection for Houston's leadership and overall vision.
He published an almanac.
The 1700s and 1800s were a popular time for almanacs, and Crockett published his own - the Crockett Almanack — in the 1830s.
These books were largely fictionalized, but presented in the first person. The proliferation of this media is likely what led him to become such an enduring figure.
There's some controversy over his death.
The final events of the Battle of the Alamo will forever be murky, as it's all but impossible to glean facts from a chaotic scene of battle.
It's unknown how, exactly, Crockett died. Some accounts say he was fighting and shooting until the end, while others say he surrendered, and was then executed.
He could find shelter anywhere.
One of the biggest challenges in surviving rugged environments is finding warmth and shelter — and this is a skill that Crockett was particularly adept at.
He was known for his ability to quickly construct an efficient shelter with whatever materials were at hand.
He influenced the military.
Military of the time was still heavily formalized, with large regiments led by drummers. But Crockett's unconventional approach to warfare had a lasting influence on the U.S. military.
Crockett's style, which emphasized the importance of individual soldiers through knowledge of the land and guerilla tactics, make him a significant military figure.
He's been immortalized in pop culture.
The 1950s saw a resurgence of interest in Davy Crockett, with various forms of media, mostly aimed at boys, emerging during the decade.
"The Ballad of Davy Crockett," a song written by Bill Hayes and released in 1955, became a major hit and renewed interest in his fabled life.
Fess Parker portrayed him on TV.
While many actors have portrayed Davy Crockett, Fess Parker is probably the most iconic. Parker played the titular hero as part of Walt Disney's The Wonderful World of Disney TV show.
Two parts of the Crockett saga were eventually joined together and re-released theatrically as a feature-length film.
He's a cultural icon.
While it can be tough to parse fact from fiction when it comes to Davy Crockett, it's safe to say that he did in fact have a legendary life — one that's been significantly embellished over the years.
In any event, his status as a cultural icon has come to overshadow his real-life accomplishments, and his legacy has continually been shaped and reshaped in the years since his death.
