Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett

Davy Crockett was truly an American hero. From the day he was put on this earth to the day he was taken off! He did so many things for our country it is absolutely unbelievable. In her book, 100 American Heroes, Joanne Mattern states that "many American heroes come from humble beginnings, but few of them became as celebrated as Davy Crockett. Throughout his life, Davy always worked to help others stake their claim on the American frontier. In the process, he became an American legend" (129).

David was the fifth of nine children. He was born to cash-poor homesteaders on August 17, 1786. John and Rebecca were his dad and mom. He lived on a hardscrabble farm. The Crockett's came to America from Ireland in the 1700s. The family moved several times and ran an inn on the road between Abingdon, Virginia, and Knoxville Tennessee, for two decades. With only a rudimentary education given to him by his parents, Crockett, at the age of 12 worked as a cattle driver. Young Davy Crockett lived in Morristown after his Father opened its doors in 1796. By 1798 John and Rebecca had six sons and three daughters. Money was scarce.

The birth of Davy Crockett took place "in eastern Tennessee on August 17, 1786" (Mattern 129). David was the fifth of nine children. He was born to cash-poor homesteaders on August 17, 1786. John and Rebecca were his dad and mom. He lived on a hardscrabble farm. The Crockett's came to America from Ireland in the 1700s. The family moved several times and ran an inn on the road between Abingdon, Virginia, and Knoxville Tennessee, for two decades. With only a rudimentary education given to him by his parents, Crockett, at the age of 12 worked as a cattle driver. Young Davy Crockett lived in Morristown after his Father opened its doors in 1796. By 1798 John and Rebecca had six sons and three daughters. Money was scarce. His mother and father owned a mill along the Big Limestone River but when Davy was eight, a flood washed away the mill and their house. His father moved to Jefferson County, Tennessee and opened a tavern. Davy grew to admire people who could face difficulties in the wilderness. He longed to explore the wilderness himself and face the challenges which he heard.

Davy did not attend school "until he was a teenager. After just a few days, he got into a fight with a bigger boy and hit him over the head with a rock. Knowing that his father would punish him for fighting, he got a job with a neighbor and left to drive a herd of cattle to Virginia. He was away for more than two years" (Mattern 131). Young Davy grew to be a great shot with a rifle, a very useful skill in the wilderness. He won tons of shooting contests, and in one season it was reported that he killed fifty eight bears. During this time "Davy