Key Facts | Details |
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Born | November 25, 1809 |
Birthplace | Jefferson County, Tennessee |
Parents | Davy Crockett and Mary “Polly” Finley |
Spouse | Clorinda Boyett |
Children | George Washington, John, William, David, Robert H. |
Burial Site | Crocketts Bluff Cemetery, Arkansas County, Arkansas |
Early Life
At the height of the American frontier, William Finley Crockett was born into the harsh realities of early Tennessee colonization. Second son of Davy Crockett, he saw his father go from hunter to U.S. Congressman. After his mother died in 1815 and his father remarried quickly, he grew up in a blended family.
Aspect | Details |
---|---|
Birth Date | November 25, 1809 |
Birthplace | Jefferson County, Tennessee |
Mother | Mary “Polly” Finley (d. 1815) |
Stepmother | Elizabeth Patton |
Siblings | John Wesley, Margaret Ann, others |
Marriage and Children
William married Clorinda Boyett in March 1830 and started a frontier family in Gibson County. The couple had five kids who carried the Crockett name westward during the next decade. Despite few records of their lives, their names show the family’s respect for their genealogy and nation.
Marriage Date | March 18, 1830 |
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Spouse | Clorinda Boyett |
Location | Gibson County, Tennessee |
Children | George Washington, John, William, David, Robert H. |
Family Home | Initial homestead in Tennessee |
Frontier Life and Career
William combined farming with occasional civic duty as a frontier pioneer. His journey to Arkansas paralleled a westward trend of American families seeking lush land. He retained the Crockett family’s perseverance and ingenuity despite lacking his father and brother’s political fame.
Residency Locations | Tennessee; later Arkansas |
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Occupation | Farmer; community leader |
Landholdings | Modest family farm |
Community Roles | Justice of the peace; militia member |
Lifestyle | Subsistence farming; frontier trade |
Death and Burial
William died at 36 in Arkansas County on January 12, 1846. His burial at Crocketts Bluff Cemetery established his early settlement status. The simple grave marker commemorates a life of family and frontier struggles.
Death Date | January 12, 1846 |
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Place of Death | Arkansas County, Arkansas |
Age at Death | 36 years |
Burial Site | Crocketts Bluff Cemetery |
Grave Marker | Simple stone slab |
Legacy and Recent Developments
William Finley Crockett never reached his father’s folklore status, but his five sons and children continued the family tradition. The Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park opened an interactive exhibit on Crockett descendants, including William’s, in early 2025. New third- and fourth-generation family lines were added to several genealogy platforms this year.
Family Associations | Davy Crockett Family Association |
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Historic Sites | Davy Crockett Birthplace State Park |
Genealogical Updates | FamilySearch, Geni profiles revised |
2025 News Highlights | New exhibit at birthplace park |
Cultural Events | Annual Crockett Family Reunion (Oct) |
FAQ
What role did William Finley Crockett play in his father’s politics?
While Davy Crockett was in Congress, William managed family matters as a helpful son.
Are William Finley Crockett’s descendants alive?
Yes, various genealogy platforms list third- and fourth-generation descendants of his five sons.
William Finley Crockett was buried where?
Crocketts Bluff Cemetery in Arkansas County holds him.
How was William linked to Davy Crockett?
The second son of Davy Crockett and Mary “Polly” Finley.
Why is William’s history less chronicled than his father’s?
His frontier life was less documented and covered by the media.