John Crockett (frontiersman) facts for kids

A copy of John Crockett's family cabin. This is where his famous son, Davy Crockett, was born. Today, it's the David Crockett Birthplace State Park.

John Crockett (born around 1753 – died after 1802) was an American pioneer and soldier. He is best known as the father of the famous David "Davy" Crockett. John Crockett lived during an exciting time in American history. He helped settle new lands and fought in important battles.

Early Life and Family

John Crockett was born about 1753. He was likely born in either Maryland or Frederick County, Virginia. Some stories say his father, also named David, was born during a trip from Ireland to America. The Crockett family had roots in Scotland and Ireland. They may also have had Huguenot (French Protestant) ancestors.

Around 1775 or 1780, John Crockett married Rebecca Hawkins. She was from Maryland.

Family Moves West

In 1776, John Crockett and his growing family moved west. They settled in what was then the Washington District. This area is now the northeastern part of Tennessee, near a town called Rogersville, Tennessee.

A Family Tragedy

In 1777, John Crockett's father, David Crockett, and other family members faced a tragedy. They were killed in a raid by the Chickamauga Cherokee. This attack was led by a chief named Dragging Canoe. It happened at the start of the Cherokee–American wars. After this sad event, the remaining Crockett family sold their land. They sold it to a French Huguenot man named Colonel Thomas Amis.

Military Service

Gathering of Overmountain Men at Sycamore Shoals shows Patriot soldiers joining forces. This is a copy of a painting by Lloyd Branson.

During the American War for Independence, John Crockett was a soldier. He fought with a group called the Overmountain Men. These brave soldiers came from west of the Appalachian Mountains. They often crossed the mountains to fight the British. This was part of the war's southern campaign.

John Crockett fought in the Battle of Kings Mountain in 1780. This battle was a very important victory for the American colonists.

Later Life and Work

The Crockett Tavern Museum building is a copy of John Crockett's tavern in Morristown, Tennessee.

John Crockett was a respected man in his community. He later became a magistrate, which is like a local judge. He also worked as a farmer. He tried to buy and sell land, but he wasn't very successful at it.

The Crockett family lived in what is now Greene County, Tennessee. Their home was close to the Nolichucky River and near the town of Limestone. It was here, at a place now called David Crockett Birthplace State Park, that his famous son, David "Davy" Crockett, was born in 1786. Davy was the fifth of John and Rebecca's nine children. He was named after his grandfather, David. When Davy was born, the area was part of an independent territory called the State of Franklin.

After a flood destroyed their home, the Crocketts moved again in 1792. They settled near Morristown, Tennessee. There, John Crockett built a tavern. It was on a new road that connected Abingdon, Virginia and Knoxville, Tennessee. Today, a building that looks like the original tavern stands on the site. It is called the Crockett Tavern Museum.

Young Davy Helps Out

In 1798, when David "Davy" Crockett was 12 years old, his father hired him out. Davy worked for a man named Jacob Siler, driving cattle. After Davy finished this job, he came back home. His family sent him to a school nearby. However, Davy did not like school and stopped going after only a few days.

John Crockett found out his son was skipping school. He punished Davy, which made Davy run away from home. He stayed away for several years. Davy Crockett finally returned in 1802. He helped his father pay off some debts.

Death

The exact year John Crockett died is not fully known. Some family records suggest he passed away in 1834.

Crockett Family Tree