David Crockett was a celebrated 19th-century American folk hero, frontiersman, soldier, and politician who represented Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives, served in the Texas Revolution, and died as a result of the Battle of the Alamo. Born in 1786 in Tennessee, he lived a hard-working life and strove to educate himself. After a series of lost loves, he married Mary Findlay just before his 20th birthday. In 1813 he enlisted in the Tennessee Volunteers as a mounted rifleman in an expedition against Indians led by Andrew Jackson, and he later fought the British as well as Indians. After his wife died, he remarried and gained a large dowry that allowed him to pursue a political career. He increased his wealth through land speculation and ownership of a gunpowder factory and a distillery. He ran for state legislator in 1821 and became well known for his country vernacular and boastful stories. He was not much good in the job, so his family moved to western Tennessee, where he gained a reputation as the killer of black bears, using his trusty .41 caliber Kentucky Rifle, which he named "Old Betsy." Elected to Congress in 1827, he found Washington boring and ineffectual, so he left the Democratic party. Throughout his political career, Crockett pushed his land bill, which would grant land to squatters. After failing to be re-elected, he went on to Texas to fight against Mexico. He was one of the few survivors of the Battle of the Alamo, but was immediately taken prisoner, brought to General Santa Anna, and promptly executed in March 1836.