Crockett carving in Alamo niche authentic?

By Wade Dillon

 

Thanks to the keen eyes of the Alamo Rangers, common tourists, and the photos provided by a fellow Alamo film site member over on the messageboard, there is once again another controversy to discuss and argue about! But, it’s not what it seems.

           

Inside the lower right niche of the Alamo and below a sheet of white plaster is the carving of the name “David Crocket.” And spelled as so, the name seems to have been patiently carved into the stone.

 

 

            

But, in order to even suggest the carving belongs to David Crockett, you have to pay attention to the way he wrote his name and the history behind it. One story remains and has been  brought up for discussion within the Alamo community here on the site is that Crockett is said to have found it redundant to sign his name with two t’s as he found it unnecessary.

           

While I was in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee quite recently over Spring Break, my father, Jay Eklond, and I took a trip to the Lawrence County courthouse. Keep in mind, Lawrence County is where David Crockett served as one of the first Justices of the Peace from 1819 to 1822 and is hailed as a hero within the town; having several theatres, stores, and even a museum named after him. Including, a wonderful statue that sits in the town square a block from where Crockett lived with his family until he moved on to a more prosperous career. While looking to try and take a glimpse at his actual signature, I asked at the front desk of the county courthouse if this was possible. Indeed, the folks there were very kind and led us to their record room where a young lady pulled out a record book that held the last action made by Crockett as Justice of the Peace. In the left corner of the page, the document says “A Deed of gift from David Crockett to Amy and Nancy Musgrave as follows.” As I was allowed to make Xerox copies of this document, I then took photos of two of Crockett’s signatures. Notice the difference between the d's, c's, and k's in his name. The D in David and C in Crockett certainly loop differently in both signatures and the k extends out differently. But, the two t's are there and are crossed with a slant.

 

 

           

These two signatures I feel are contradicted because they are on pages 55 to 57 of the record book and all of the lined pages are the same. The handwriting, too, looked very similar throughout the book which makes me wonder whether they were written copies or simply just sheets of paper from another one of the record books of legal activities during those days. Also, keep in mind, that these sheets were in modern day binds and covers for research purposes. As to whether those two signatures are Crockett’s, I am unsure as pages 55 to 57 are the only record pages with Crockett's signature. But what I believe is "primary evidence", if you should call it that, is the record book that may have belonged to David Crockett. The county clerk officer was very kind in bringing this other record book out to us. The record book itself was kept in a strong, sturdy, container.

 

              

Now, notice how the C in Crockett loops forward. Almost the same way it does with the copy of the documents above. The letters are defiant. The sticker on the book, which was certainly rustic and aged, is dated 1818 but the added "to 1822" seems to have either come later towards the end of his role as Justice of the Peace or decades later by researchers or the bearers of the record book at some time. Held inside were actual documents, in protective coverings, that showed the financial and personal dealings made at the time. With Crockett's signature appearing up until 1822, when he resigned his position. While viewing his signatures, keep in mind that his writing style may've changed a bit as the tip of pens were carved back in those days. It also seems that Crockett could never make up his mind on how to sign his last name as he often signed it with one, but also signed it with two t's..

 

 

 

(Note: The photos of the documents I took were taken without the use of flash as that would've damaged the papers. The lights in the room provided enough for the documents to show clearly in the photos.)

 

Now, between the carving and the signatures provided above, compare. Notice how defiant and bold the D's stand out? How about the loops in the C's. Or how about the k's again? Do you see how similar they are together? How similar each of the letters in Crockett's name are? Close, isn't it? Now, if the carving of Crockett's signature into the lower right niche was a hoax and someone else did it, then that person must've spent his time doing his homework. That, or it is indeed authentic. It could very well belong to David Crockett. But if it is his, it raises another question. How could he have carved his name into the niche if a statue stood within it? Especially, through recent illustrations and old sketches, four statues of saints are depicted. Could it be possible that a statue for that niche didn't exist? Or was the space between the statue and the part of the niche where the carving remains wide enough for Crockett to fit his hand and knife in? Or his entire arm to carve such perfect letters?

           

And so, the journey to explore every piece of the Alamo story continues. But maybe, a new piece has been added here. What if David Crockett signed his name among the facade of the Alamo? George Washington and Andrew Jackson made their marks to be known as well. Ask yourself, is this scenario any different? Or, is what we see here truly authentic? As Crockett once said "Be always sure you are right, then go ahead!"

 

 

A huge thanks to the people who work at the Lawrence County Courthouse in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee for helping make this discovery possible and making my vacation that much more special to me.  

 

The discussion continues in The Alamo Site's Forum...