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Mary (Polly) Crockett
A Legend in Her Own Right
Many stories have been written and Hollywood movies made about the life of David Crockett, but very little has been
recorded about his first wife Mary Finley of Jefferson County, Tennessee. It is often said behind every successful man is an
enterprising woman and the Crockett family was no exception.
Mary was born on January 4, 1788. She was the fourth of seven children and the first of two daughters born to William
and Jean Kennedy Finley. Mary’s father nicknamed her Polly. She was born in what is now East Tennessee. The year 1788
was a great year to be born in America. It was the year the Constitution was ratified and George Washington was elected
our first President. She was also born in the proposed State of Franklin, which of course did not succeed in actually
becoming a state. In many respects Polly Finley was born the year thirteen independent states became the United States of
America.
Polly’s early childhood was very typical of the frontier family life. She was raised on a homestead in a log cabin. Families
in the area lived far apart but there were still primitive schools and churches. Most family get together were for church
activities, barn building, and for harvesting crops. Harvest time also included evening parties and afforded the young folks
the opportunity to meet one another. It was at one of these harvest gatherings that Polly met David Crockett, a resident of
nearby Greene County. It was love at first sight for Polly and she married David one year later on August 12, 1806 in her
parent’s home. She was 18 years old.
The Crocketts lived in East Tennessee for several years, then moved to Southern Middle Tennessee; first in present day
Moore County and then to Franklin County. It was while they lived in Southern Tennessee that the Creek Indian War and
War of 1812 started. David volunteered for the conflicts leaving Polly at home to raise two children with another on the
way. Polly lived all her life in Tennessee. She died in the early spring of 1815 in Franklin County shortly after her third
child was born. She was 27 years old.
Polly Crockett embodied the frontier woman’s spirit. When her husband was away fighting for his country, Polly was left
at home in the wilderness with the awesome tasks of safeguarding their children, tending the livestock, farming and
foraging for food, and keeping the home fires burning. The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Polly Crockett
Festival is more about the spirit of this frontier lady than about the wife of the famous Tennessean. Mary (Polly) Finley
Crockett is a legend in her own right. Steve Pearson, Franklin County Historical Society FESTIVAL
TRIGREEN EQUIPMENT GOLF CART SALES & SERVICE FRANKLIN FARMERS CO-OP
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS CAMP #72 UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY CHAPTER #327
AP STEWART CHAPTER 1411 DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY
PETER TURNEY CHAPTER 1927
COWAN POLICE DEPARTMENT COWAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
CITY OF WINCHESTER WINCHESTER UTILITIES
WZYX TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD
UNITED STATES ARMY COUNTRY BARN CONSTRUCTION
FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CUSTOM DESIGNS RURAL METRO
FRANKLIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT CLUB HUNTLAND HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT CLUB
FRANKLIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS
ASCEND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
CITIZENSCOMMUNITY BANK
DR. JAMES EXTINE
LODGE CAST IRON
FRANKLIN COUNTY UNITED BANK
THE FRANKLIN-PEARSON HOUSE
ISWA: REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE
SERNICOLA’S
FESTIVAL ATTRACTIONSFESTIVAL ATTRACTIONSFESTIVAL ATTRACTIONS Artisan, Crafters ··················· Friday @ 12:00 noon through Sunday at 4:00 pm
FRIDAY Crafters Arrive ··············································· 12:00 noon Radio X @ Polly’s Stage ····································· 3:30 pm Rumor Has It @ Polly’s Stage ··························· 4:00 pm Skeeter Drain @ Polly’s Stage ·························· 5:00 pm Free Movie “King of The Wild Frontier” ··········· 7:00 pm
SATURDAY OPENING CEREMONIES WITH SPECIAL GUESTS, OFFICIAL SKILLET TOSS & OTHER ACTIVITIES CANONS FIRE ·························································································· 9:00 am FESTIAL OPENS ·························································································· 9:00 am DAVY’S CREATE & TAKE ························································· 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Arnold Air Force Base & ATA/Aerospace Testing Alliance: Rocket Launch Build & Contest Home Depot: Wood Crafts Interlocal Solid Waste Authority: Crafts with Recycled Materials
POLLY’S FUN & GAMES ··························································· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm LIVING HISTORY ····································································· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Storytelling, Antique Sewing Machine Displays, Military Uniform Display, Reenactment, Cannoneers, Civil War Surgeon and Book Signings DAVY’S CORNHOLE COMPETITION Behind Davy’s Stage ·· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm DAVY CROCKETT CALABOOSE: SHERIFF TIM FULLER ··· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm $5 to issue arrest warrant for lockup in Davy’s Calaboose. $2 Bond Fee for Davy’s Bear Protection Program Immunity Button FREE MONEY DIG ····································································· 9:00 am—4:00 pm Kids 48 inches & under. Dig for loot and redeem for cash! Radio X Band @ Davy’s Stage (Pick & Play Session) ············· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Cody Keel @ Polly’s Stage ··········································································· 9:30 am DAVY’S DUNKING BOOTH ············································ 10:00 am—4:00 pm Roger Guess: 10:00 am, Jim Parrish 10:30 am, Kevin Lockmiller 11:00 am Mike Danley 11:30 am, Senator Eric Stewart 12:00 noon, Brian Daniels 12:30 pm, Phil Young 1:00pm, Charles Spaulding 1:30 pm, Mark Ledbetter 2:00 pm, Franklin County Sheriff ’s Department 2:30 pm, SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage10:00 am—11:00 am Guys & Gals Clogging @ Polly’s Stage ······················································· 9:45 am Franklin County Cloggers @ Polly’s Stage ·············································· 10:30 am Julie Taylor @ Polly’s Stage ······································································ 11:15 am Wayne Sinard @ Polly’s Stage ·································································· 11:45 am CANNONS FIRE ···················································································· 12:00 noon Class Act: Sunny’s Dance Studio @ Polly’s Stage ································· 12:30 pm Good Shepherd Jazz Band @ Polly’s Stage ··············································· 1:00 pm LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS ·································································· 1:00-4:00 pm Janie Lovett: Falls Mill Spinning Wheel & Crocia Robertson SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ·· 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm FCHS Cheerleaders & Totally Tumblin’ @ Polly’s Stage ························· 2:00 pm Estill Springers Square Dance @ Polly’s Stage ····································· 2:30 pm Arheala Taylor @ Polly’s Stage ································································ 3:00 pm SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ·· 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Spirit Field @ Polly’s Stage ······································································ 3:45 pm Robert Clarkson @ Polly’s Stage ····························································· 4:15 pm 4 Miles Gone ······························································································ 5:00 pm CANNONS FIRE ························································································· 6:00 pm
Sunday FESTIVAL OPENS ·························································································· 11:00 am STORY TELLING @ CABIN ········································································· 11:00 am SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ······· 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Turkey Creek Ramblers @ Polly’s Stage ················································· 1:15 pm Agape Ministries Choir @ Polly’s Stage ·················································· 2:00 pm CASH WINNER ANNOUNCED @ Polly’s Stage ·············································· 2:00 pm SKILLET TOSS YOUTH COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ·· 3:00 pm The Grace Notes ························································································ 3:00 pm Canaan Land Singers ··············································································· 3:30 pm FESTIVAL CLOSES ··················································································· 4:00 pm
PO Box 280 / 44 Chamber Way
Winchester, TN 37398
931-967-6788
www.franklincountychamber.com
“ BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN
IS AN ENTERPRISING
WOMAN!”
FESTIVAL ATTRACTIONSFESTIVAL ATTRACTIONSFESTIVAL ATTRACTIONS Artisan, Crafters ··················· Friday @ 12:00 noon through Sunday at 4:00 pm
FRIDAY Crafters Arrive ··············································· 12:00 noon Radio X @ Polly’s Stage ····································· 3:30 pm Rumor Has It @ Polly’s Stage ··························· 4:00 pm Skeeter Drain @ Polly’s Stage ·························· 5:00 pm Free Movie “King of The Wild Frontier” ··········· 7:00 pm
SATURDAY OPENING CEREMONIES WITH SPECIAL GUESTS, OFFICIAL SKILLET TOSS & OTHER ACTIVITIES CANONS FIRE ·························································································· 9:00 am FESTIAL OPENS ·························································································· 9:00 am DAVY’S CREATE & TAKE ························································· 9:00 am-6:00 pm
Arnold Air Force Base & ATA/Aerospace Testing Alliance: Rocket Launch Build & Contest Home Depot: Wood Crafts Interlocal Solid Waste Authority: Crafts with Recycled Materials
POLLY’S FUN & GAMES ··························································· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm LIVING HISTORY ····································································· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Storytelling, Antique Sewing Machine Displays, Military Uniform Display, Reenactment, Cannoneers, Civil War Surgeon and Book Signings DAVY’S CORNHOLE COMPETITION Behind Davy’s Stage ·· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm DAVY CROCKETT CALABOOSE: SHERIFF TIM FULLER ··· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm $5 to issue arrest warrant for lockup in Davy’s Calaboose. $2 Bond Fee for Davy’s Bear Protection Program Immunity Button FREE MONEY DIG ····································································· 9:00 am—4:00 pm Kids 48 inches & under. Dig for loot and redeem for cash! Radio X Band @ Davy’s Stage (Pick & Play Session) ············· 9:00 am - 6:00 pm Cody Keel @ Polly’s Stage ··········································································· 9:30 am DAVY’S DUNKING BOOTH ············································ 10:00 am—4:00 pm Roger Guess: 10:00 am, Jim Parrish 10:30 am, Kevin Lockmiller 11:00 am Mike Danley 11:30 am, Senator Eric Stewart 12:00 noon, Brian Daniels 12:30 pm, Phil Young 1:00pm, Charles Spaulding 1:30 pm, Mark Ledbetter 2:00 pm, Franklin County Sheriff ’s Department 2:30 pm, SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage10:00 am—11:00 am Guys & Gals Clogging @ Polly’s Stage ······················································· 9:45 am Franklin County Cloggers @ Polly’s Stage ·············································· 10:30 am Julie Taylor @ Polly’s Stage ······································································ 11:15 am Wayne Sinard @ Polly’s Stage ·································································· 11:45 am CANNONS FIRE ···················································································· 12:00 noon Class Act: Sunny’s Dance Studio @ Polly’s Stage ································· 12:30 pm Good Shepherd Jazz Band @ Polly’s Stage ··············································· 1:00 pm LIVE DEMONSTRATIONS ·································································· 1:00-4:00 pm Janie Lovett: Falls Mill Spinning Wheel & Crocia Robertson SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ·· 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm FCHS Cheerleaders & Totally Tumblin’ @ Polly’s Stage ························· 2:00 pm Estill Springers Square Dance @ Polly’s Stage ····································· 2:30 pm Arheala Taylor @ Polly’s Stage ································································ 3:00 pm SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ·· 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm Spirit Field @ Polly’s Stage ······································································ 3:45 pm Robert Clarkson @ Polly’s Stage ····························································· 4:15 pm 4 Miles Gone ······························································································ 5:00 pm CANNONS FIRE ························································································· 6:00 pm
Sunday FESTIVAL OPENS ·························································································· 11:00 am STORY TELLING @ CABIN ········································································· 11:00 am SKILLET TOSS COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ······· 12:00 noon - 1:00 pm Turkey Creek Ramblers @ Polly’s Stage ················································· 1:15 pm Agape Ministries Choir @ Polly’s Stage ·················································· 2:00 pm CASH WINNER ANNOUNCED @ Polly’s Stage ·············································· 2:00 pm SKILLET TOSS YOUTH COMPETITION Across from Polly’s Stage ·· 3:00 pm The Grace Notes ························································································ 3:00 pm Canaan Land Singers ··············································································· 3:30 pm FESTIVAL CLOSES ··················································································· 4:00 pm
PO Box 280 / 44 Chamber Way
Winchester, TN 37398
931-967-6788
www.franklincountychamber.com
“ BEHIND EVERY GOOD MAN
IS AN ENTERPRISING
WOMAN!”
Mary (Polly) Crockett
A Legend in Her Own Right
Many stories have been written and Hollywood movies made about the life of David Crockett, but very little has been
recorded about his first wife Mary Finley of Jefferson County, Tennessee. It is often said behind every successful man is an
enterprising woman and the Crockett family was no exception.
Mary was born on January 4, 1788. She was the fourth of seven children and the first of two daughters born to William
and Jean Kennedy Finley. Mary’s father nicknamed her Polly. She was born in what is now East Tennessee. The year 1788
was a great year to be born in America. It was the year the Constitution was ratified and George Washington was elected
our first President. She was also born in the proposed State of Franklin, which of course did not succeed in actually
becoming a state. In many respects Polly Finley was born the year thirteen independent states became the United States of
America.
Polly’s early childhood was very typical of the frontier family life. She was raised on a homestead in a log cabin. Families
in the area lived far apart but there were still primitive schools and churches. Most family get together were for church
activities, barn building, and for harvesting crops. Harvest time also included evening parties and afforded the young folks
the opportunity to meet one another. It was at one of these harvest gatherings that Polly met David Crockett, a resident of
nearby Greene County. It was love at first sight for Polly and she married David one year later on August 12, 1806 in her
parent’s home. She was 18 years old.
The Crocketts lived in East Tennessee for several years, then moved to Southern Middle Tennessee; first in present day
Moore County and then to Franklin County. It was while they lived in Southern Tennessee that the Creek Indian War and
War of 1812 started. David volunteered for the conflicts leaving Polly at home to raise two children with another on the
way. Polly lived all her life in Tennessee. She died in the early spring of 1815 in Franklin County shortly after her third
child was born. She was 27 years old.
Polly Crockett embodied the frontier woman’s spirit. When her husband was away fighting for his country, Polly was left
at home in the wilderness with the awesome tasks of safeguarding their children, tending the livestock, farming and
foraging for food, and keeping the home fires burning. The Franklin County Chamber of Commerce’s Polly Crockett
Festival is more about the spirit of this frontier lady than about the wife of the famous Tennessean. Mary (Polly) Finley
Crockett is a legend in her own right. Steve Pearson, Franklin County Historical Society FESTIVAL
TRIGREEN EQUIPMENT GOLF CART SALES & SERVICE FRANKLIN FARMERS CO-OP
SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS CAMP #72 UNITED DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY CHAPTER #327
AP STEWART CHAPTER 1411 DAUGHTERS OF THE CONFEDERACY
PETER TURNEY CHAPTER 1927
COWAN POLICE DEPARTMENT COWAN FIRE DEPARTMENT
CITY OF WINCHESTER WINCHESTER UTILITIES
WZYX TENNESSEE NATIONAL GUARD
UNITED STATES ARMY COUNTRY BARN CONSTRUCTION
FRANKLIN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT CUSTOM DESIGNS RURAL METRO
FRANKLIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT CLUB HUNTLAND HIGH SCHOOL INTERACT CLUB
FRANKLIN COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL CHEERLEADERS
ASCEND FEDERAL CREDIT UNION
CITIZENSCOMMUNITY BANK
DR. JAMES EXTINE
LODGE CAST IRON
FRANKLIN COUNTY UNITED BANK
THE FRANKLIN-PEARSON HOUSE
ISWA: REDUCE, REUSE & RECYCLE
SERNICOLA’S
