Early Life and Family Background
Margaret Finley Crockett, sometimes overshadowed by her famed father, Davy Crockett, was born on November 25, 1812, in Franklin County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of David Crockett and Mary “Polly” Finley, who got married in 1806. Polly was Davy Crockett’s first wife and a pivotal character in his youth until her tragic death in 1815. Margaret was raised with her brothers, John Wesley Crockett and William Finley Crockett, in the harsh frontier atmosphere that formed the Crockett family.
Margaret’s paternal heritage is entrenched in American pioneering history. Her grandparents, John and Rebecca Crockett, were among the early pioneers who faced the trials of the wilderness. Her maternal grandparents, William and Jean Finley (née Kennedy), contributed to her Scottish-Irish background.
Marriage & Family Life
Margaret married Wiley Flowers, a fellow Tennessean, and they had nine children. Together, they created a life that reflected the Crocketts’ difficulties and tenacity. The couple relocated in Gibson County, Tennessee, where Margaret focused on raising her family and sustaining their farm.
Her offspring included Harriet, David Finley Flowers, and others who carried on the family’s exceptional history. Although detailed details about Margaret’s everyday existence are scant, her role as a frontier wife and mother was unquestionably important to her family’s survival and success.
Historical Records and Controversies
Various historical sources present conflicting information regarding Margaret’s life. While her birthdate is largely established as November 25, 1812, there are disagreements about her death. Some documents, such as Find a Grave and Monty Hist Notes, state she died on March 22, 1830, in Gibson County, Tennessee. Other sources, such as Ancestry.com and My Family Names, indicate that she lived until September 23, 1889, in Kenton, Gibson County, Tennessee.
These varied testimonies illustrate the difficulties of recreating reliable historical narratives for people like Margaret, who lived in an era when record-keeping was restricted.
Connection with Davy Crockett
Margaret Finley Crockett’s biography provides a sad peek into the human side of Davy Crockett, a man famous for his larger-than-life adventures as a frontiersman, politician, and Alamo hero. Following Polly Finley’s death in 1815, Davy Crockett married Elizabeth Patton, who became Margaret’s stepmother. Elizabeth brought two children from her previous marriage and had three more with Davy: Robert Patton Crockett, Rebecca Elvira Crockett, and Matilda Crockett.
Despite his celebrity, Davy Crockett loved his original family dearly. His relationship with Margaret and her siblings was most likely a source of emotional support as he traversed the turbulent political and social terrain of early nineteenth-century America.
Legacy and Ancestral Ties
Margaret’s narrative is an important part of the Crockett family legacy. Her descendants continued the name and traditions of one of America’s most famous families. Margaret’s life also serves as a reminder of the underappreciated achievements of frontier women, whose fortitude and determination enabled their communities’ survival and prosperity.
Her ancestors include Elizabeth Hedge Crockett, her paternal great-grandmother and a pioneer who was tragically killed in 1777 during a Native American raid. Elizabeth Hedge Crockett’s account emphasizes the risks encountered by early settlers, a topic that runs throughout the Crockett family history.
Conclusion
Margaret Finley Crockett’s life exemplified the grit and tenacity necessary to flourish on the American frontier. As the daughter of Davy Crockett and Polly Finley, she carried on the history of two pioneering families. Despite being overshadowed by her renowned father, Margaret’s contributions to her family and lasting impact are substantial. Her life exemplifies frontier women’s endurance and bravery, ensuring that the Crockett name would live on as an iconic emblem of American history for generations.
