Born: September 13, 1775
Died: October 17, 1868
Place of Birth: Massachusetts, USA
Major Notes:
Laura Secord is respected as a true hero in that, but for her, Canada might have been another part of United States.
Her widowed father, Thomas Ingersoll, did not wish to live under a US government and, in 1795, took steps to move his family to Queenston on the Kingston Peninsula.
The journey was very difficult and Laura had to look after the younger children on the trip.
After two years in Upper Canada, Laura married a merchant named James Secord.
Because Queenston was very near the US-Canada border, the Secords were very aware of the War of 1812.
The people in Queenston expected the Americans to invade but did not know exactly when they would make their move.
On October 13, 1812, American forces came first by boat and then climbed the cliffs of Queenston to do battle.
Laura and her family travelled to a nearby farm where it was more safe.
James Secord was in the Canadian militia and, with the help of the British, they drove the Americans back; however, James was wounded in the fighting..
The Americans pillaged Canadian homes, including the Secord's, as they returned to the safety of their own border.
Laura went to the battle front looking for her husband who had not returned home; she found him bleeding and they returned home where she nursed him..
During 1812 and 1813, frequent short battles took place all along the Niagara Peninsula.
At one point, American officers seized the Secord home and ordered Laura to serve them meals and wine.
While washing the after-supper dishes, Laura overheard the officers discussing a plan to surprisingly crush their British opponents who were led by a Lieutenant FitzGibbon.
James could barely walk so Laura decided to make the 19 mile journey to FitzGibbon through the American sentries and troops so he could be warned.
She walked taking shortcuts when possible through swamps and heavy terrain to avoid being captured until she came across a band of Iroquois indians.
Although she was very fearful, and could not really speak the Iroquois language, she communicated what she was doing and was assigned an indian escort to help her reach FitzGibbon.
The expected surprise attack fizzled out and the Americans again were driven back and it was only much later in 1860 that Secord told her story.
FitzGibbon writings confirmed the story of Secord's bravery and, subsequently, Secord was honoured by the Prince of Wales with a gift of 100 pounds.
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