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9/5/07
11:33 am CDT
DAVID CROCKETT'S LAST LETTER


The last letter written by David Crockett has been purchased by the Texas State Historical Commission for over half-a-million dollars. Crockett wrote the letter on January 9, 1836, in Nacogdoches shortly after his arrival in Texas. The letter reads:

My dear son and daughter this is the first time I have had an opportunity to write to you with convenience I am now blessed with excellent health and am in high spirits although I have had many difficulties to encounter I have got through safe and have been received by every body with the open arm of friendship I am hailed with a handy welcome to this country a dinner and a Party of Ladies have honored me with an invitation to participate with them both at Nacogdoches and this place the cannon was fired here on my arrival and I must say as to what I have seen of Texas it is the garden spot of the world the best land and the best prospect for health I even saw is here and I do believe it is a fortune to any man to come here there is a world of country to settle it is not required here to lay down for your League of Land every man is entitled to his head right of 4000-428 acres then man make the money to pay for it off the Land I expect in all probability to settle on the Bodark or Choctaw bayou Red River that I have no doubt that it is the richest country in the world good land and plenty of timber and the best springs and good mill streams good range clear water and ever appearances of good health and game plenty it is in the pass where the buffalo passes from north to south twice a year and bees and honey plenty I have a great hope of getting the agency to settle that country and will be glad to see every friend I have settle there it would be a fortune to them all I have taken the oath of the government and have enrolled my name as a volunteer for six months and will set out for the Rio Grand in a few days with the volunteers from the United States all volunteers is entitled to a vote for a member of the convention or to be voted for and I have but little doubt of being elected a member to form a constitution for this Province I am rejoiced at my fate I would rather be in my pesent situation than to be elected to a seat in Congress for life I am in hopes of making a fortune for myself and family bad as has been my prospects I have not wrote to William but have requested John to direct him what to do I hope you show him this letter and also your brother John as it is not convenient at this time for me to write to them I hope you will all do the best you can and I will do the same do not be uneasy about me I am with my friends I must close with great respects your affectionate Father Farewell.

David Crockett

Original Letter (PDF)

Two months later Crockett died heroically in the Battle of the Alamo. Recently, his direct descendents gathered in Texas for their family reunion, as seen in this video ...



UPDATE

Crockett Letter Might Not Be Worth the Paper It's Written On

Another TexFake? Davy Crockett Letter Questioned

Movies about David Crockett

Davy Crockett, King Of The Wild Frontier (1954)/Davy Crockett And The River Pirates [DVD](1956) DVD
It's a double dose of Davy. First up, compiled from three episodes of the hit TV series, Disney's first Crockett adventure stars Fess Parker as the man who was "born on a mountaintop in Tennessee." Follow Crockett from his days as an explorer and settler, to his Congressional career, and to the fateful last stand at the Alamo. Buddy Ebsen, Hans Conried, Kenneth Tobey also star. Then, our favorite frontier hero (Parker) is back (and looking none the worse for having died at the end of the first film) and ready to take on the mighty Mississippi in "Davy Crockett and the River Pirates." Watch Davy and legendary keelboatman Mike Fink race to New Orleans, then team up to stop river bandits disguised as Indians. With Ebsen, Jeff York. 174 min.

Tall Tales & Legends: Davy Crockett [DVD](1987) DVD
The ultimate hero of the American frontier, whose boastfulness was matched by his courage and who died at the battle of the Alamo, is portrayed by singer/actor Mac Davis. McLean Stevenson and Adam Carl also star. 50 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.

Tall Tales & Legends: The Complete Series [DVD] DVD
From "Faerie Tale Theatre" creator Shelley Duvall comes a delightful live-action series that focuses on some of American folklore's most famous heroes and heroines, some real, some were larger than life, but all unforgettable. All nine episodes--including "Annie Oakley," "Casey at the Bat," "John Henry," "Johnny Appleseed," and "The Legend of Sleepy Hollow"--are collected in a nine-disc set. 7 3/4 hrs. total. Standard; Soundtrack: English Dolby Digital stereo.

Biography: Davy Crockett: American Frontier Legend [DVD] DVD
Soundtrack: English.

The Alamo [DVD](1960) DVD
Rousing battle scenes and some larger-than-life heroes highlight director/star John Wayne's thrilling salute to Texas' battle for independence from Mexico and the fateful last stand at the Alamo. Wayne plays Davy Crockett, with Richard Widmark as Jim Bowie, Laurence Harvey as William Travis, and Richard Boone as Sam Houston. 162 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital stereo, Spanish Dolby Digital mono; Subtitles: English, French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; theatrical trailer.

The Alamo [DVD] DVD
You'll never forget the Alamo after checking out this quartet of programs centering on Texas independence from the History Channel. Featured are "Remember the Alamo," a trip back to the 1836 showdown that includes Dennis Quaid on the set of the 2004 film "The Alamo"; "The Real West: The Battle of the Alamo," with Kenny Rogers exploring fact and fiction of the struggle; "Biography: Davy Crockett"; and "The Real West: Texas Rangers," a study of the fabled lawmen, also hosted by Rogers. 4 hrs. total. Soundtrack: English stereo; featurette; timeline; more. Two-disc set.

Remember The Alamo [DVD](2004) DVD
Learn the real events that led to the Battle of the Alamo in this stirring and informative entry in the "American Experience" series on PBS. The program traces how the Mexicans of Texas, known as Tejanos, struggled for decades before joining Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie and others in the 1836 showdown against Santa Anna and Mexican troops in an abandoned San Antonio mission. Hector Elizondo narrates. 60 min. Standard; Soundtracks: English, Spanish.

The Alamo (Widescreen Version) [DVD](2004) DVD
The story of the ragtag group of soldiers who bravely fought for Texas independence is brought to the screen in this thrilling historical drama. With Mexican forces breathing down their necks, regular army commander Lt. Colonel William Travis (Patrick Wilson), militia leader Col. Jim Bowie (Jason Patric), and living legend Davy Crockett (Billy Bob Thornton) must unite the men for a desperate final stand. With Emilio Echevarria, Jordi Molla, Leon Rippy, and Dennis Quaid as General Sam Houston. 137 min. Widescreen (Enhanced); Soundtracks: English Dolby Digital 5.1, French Dolby Digital 5.1; Subtitles: French, Spanish; "making of" documentary; featurettes; deleted scenes.

Heroes Of The Alamo [DVD](1937) DVD
The saga of Texas' fight for independence in 1836 is chronicled in this outstanding historical adventure that brings the Battle of the Alamo vividly to life. Bravely facing off against Mexican soldiers, a group of heroes--including Davy Crockett, Jim Bowie, Sam Houston, William Travis, and Stephen Austin--stood their ground for an unforgettable 13-day siege that changed the course of America. Earle Hodgins, Lane Chandler, Roger Williams star. 74 min. Standard; Soundtrack: English. Plays All Regions.