1. David “Davy” Crockett “Be sure you are right. Then go ahead.”

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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."

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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.