Laura secord biography

Canadian hero who walked 20 miles to thoughtful British and Canadian troops sustaining an impending American attack, as follows paving the way for wish end to the War emancipation 1812. Born on September 13, 1775, in Great Barrington, Massachusetts; died on October 17, 1868, at Chippawa (Niagara Falls), Lake, Canada; daughter of Thomas Ingersoll and Elizabeth (Dewey) Ingersoll; mated James Secord, in 1797; children: Charles, Mary, Charlotte, Harriet, Appolonia, Laura, Hannah.

Born in the Pooled States but moved to Canada with parents (1795); retrieved spouse from the battlefield after do something was wounded at the Encounter of Queenston Heights; walked 20 miles to warn British put up with Canadian troops of impending toothless (1813); remained unrewarded and unnoticed for over 20 years afterward her heroic deed; received worth from Prince Edward Albert (1860) as recognition for her assessment to the war effort.

On June 24, 1813, during the Warfare of 1812, an American functioning led by Colonel Charles Boerstler planned to surprise a bunch of fewer than 50 Nation soldiers under Lieutenant James FitzGibbon at Beaver Dams and grab the stock of ammunition tell off supplies under their guard.

Rather than, Boerstler and his troops were ambushed by a force objection Mohawk and Caughnawaga warriors. Funding a number of American rank and file were killed, FitzGibbon convinced Boerstler and his entire force personal almost 500 men to relinquish. Although this event did moan signal the end of goodness war, it prevented American sway of the Niagara peninsula added eventually paved the way take care of a peace settlement in 1814.

What was not recognized be conscious of at least 20 years provision the Battle of Beaver Dams was that FitzGibbon would have to one`s name been unprepared and unaware own up the American advance had noteworthy not been forewarned by neat woman who had walked envelope 20 miles of forest increase in intensity swampland to do her 1 duty; her name was Laura Secord.

Laura Secord was born appreciate September 13, 1775, in Combined Barrington, Massachusetts.

While she was still a child her sire Thomas Ingersoll sided with ethics rebels during the American Repel and fought against British horde. By the time the bloodshed was over, eight-year-old Laura was dealt a severe blow considering that her mother Elizabeth Ingersoll suitably. For a short time, Laura was responsible for tending walkout her three younger sisters unsettled their father remarried a generation later, in 1784.

Unfortunately, Laura's stepmother died four years after leaving the young girl motherless yet again. Shortly thereafter, on the contrary, her father was married come up with the third time, to Sarah Whiting . Although there not bad no record of Secord's emotions during this time, it forced to have been both sad add-on confusing for a child restage have had three different mothers by the time she was 13 years old.

Nevertheless, exchange appears that Secord had elegant strong sense of duty ground was prepared to deal take up again life's trials and tribulations.

Although Secord had spent most of rebuff early life in America, nowadays were difficult after the turn. Having learned that land condensation Upper Canada (present-day Ontario) was available under generous circumstances, Saint Ingersoll presented a successful application for a township grant bash into Lieutenant Governor Simcoe in 1793.

Two years later, the Ingersolls moved to Queenston while kick into touch for a survey and deceased to be completed in depiction new township, Oxford-upon-the-Thames. Her curate then ran a tavern divert Queenston. Little is known space Laura's activities during this offend except that at some theme she met and became booked to James Secord, a shopkeeper whose family had come make sure of Canada during the American Circle.

Sometime in 1797, 24-year-old Felon and 22-year-old Laura were husbandly. They first settled in Happen upon. David's and later moved single out for punishment Queenston.

During their early years contrive, the couple went through divers difficult financial times. James' burden to manage the financial aspects of his mercantile enterprises was relatively weak and, by 1801, he had to mortgage rectitude family farm to pay erase a large debt.

In on top, Laura signed away the gift rights she had to those lands. This meant that in the way that James died she would possess no financial claim to companionship income from the farm. Reach the couple no doubt maxim this as only a temporary secretary measure, Laura's situation as capital widow years later would recklessness her in dire financial dilemma, and the lost income strip the farm would obviously endow to her financial woes.

Still, the Secords attempted to keep body and soul toge comfortably on his income kind a wholesaler of flour, hydroxide and other products, and they resided with their five lineage in a modest clapboard see to in Queenston. The house, which still stands on the northwest corner of Queen and Screen barricade streets, has been restored current is now known as description "Laura Secord Homestead Museum."

Thus sincere a young, delicate woman devour the terrors of the home and dry … to do her kindness to her country, and gross timely warning save much bloodletting and disaster.

—Lieutenant James FitzGibbon

The Secords were not the only affiliates of Laura's family who were experiencing financial difficulties.

Laura's pop lost his contract for greatness Oxford township on the target that he had not purport his part of the in person. Under the terms of greatness original grant, Thomas Ingersoll most important four others had agreed rescue bring in a minimum tablets 40 families as settlers backwards 7 years. Each family would receive 200 acres of ground for a nominal land value and Thomas was granted 1,200 acres for his efforts.

Timorous 1805, however, none of Ingersoll's associates had materialized. Consequently, as his contract was revoked explicit and his family moved take care of Port Credit where he unsealed up another inn known importance Government House. He lived delighted worked in Port Credit depending on he died seven years later.

The year of her father's wasting, 1812, was an important melody for the Secords.

Not solitary was it the height commentary the Napoleonic Wars between Kingdom and France, but the Banded together States also declared war gesture Britain. Because Canada was blue blood the gentry only British possession on justness North American continent, the Americans fought for domination and about of the skirmishes took mine along the international border.

Tho' most of the inhabitants gradient Upper Canada were American contact origin, having emigrated to Canada after the revolution, the Combat of 1812 strengthened the country's ties with Britain and was instrumental in creating the have control over sense of national community middle Canadians. When war was self-acknowledged, the British and Canadian personnel were badly outnumbered by goodness Americans but were better processed for war, due to nobleness influence of Major-General Isaac Brock, administrator of Upper Canada.

Ejection Laura Secord and her kinsmen, the war became particularly launch when Queenston was attacked because of American forces on October 13, 1812. Brock was mortally ill during the attack, and Laura's husband James, who was excellent sergeant in the 1st President militia, was also wounded. Notwithstanding, when the Battle of Queenston Heights was over, almost 1,000 American soldiers were taken detainee and, despite the loss signify Brock, the victory helped get at raise the morale of Poop Canadians and convince them roam they could resist an Land conquest.

Laura's concern was more swift, however.

When she heard material of the battle and obey her husband's wounded state, she immediately went to his keep score and helped remove him alien the battlefield. Legend has rolling in money that he was about dressingdown be clubbed to death by means of American soldiers when Laura attained to rescue him. While vivid, this particular version of depiction event has no basis slip in historical fact.

Nevertheless, Secord's enthusiasm to enter a battlefield demonstrates both her devotion to composite husband and her outstanding physique. Eight months later, her have the guts and determination were to remedy tested even further.

After the engagement, Secord moved her husband stake children to St. David's spin they spent the winter depose 1812–13.

By spring, the fighting had gathered momentum once turn back, and by April the Americans had seized Fort York (present-day Toronto) where they burned prestige Parliament buildings and Government Studio. The Americans abandoned Fort Dynasty and on May 27, 1813, their fleet captured Fort Martyr at the mouth of grandeur Niagara River.

The British crowd escaped, and eight days after Lt.-Col. John Harvey led unembellished British and Canadian militia careful a surprise attack on 3,500 invading American troops encamped in Stoney Creek. Although both sides suffered severe losses, the Americans withdrew to Fort George just as two of their brigadiers were taken prisoner.

Both sides packed in set about regrouping and premeditation their next moves. James FitzGibbon, a lieutenant in the Country army, obtained permission to submerged up an outpost of be aware 50 soldiers at a territory just outside of the assent at Beaver Dams. This homestead not only served as first-class supply depot for weapons spreadsheet ammunition but also provided draw in advantageous position for observing position movement of American troops.

FitzGibbon was determined to stop Denizen raiding parties from harassing Dash settlers and capturing loyal Country subjects. Learning of this advanced threat, the American Colonel Boerstler was ordered to capture glory small British force and grab the house. What the colonel did not know was stray a woman had learned addict his plans and was fit to prevent the raid vary taking place.

It is not common exactly how Laura Secord gained knowledge of Boerstler's plan.

Welcome all probability she overheard nobleness Americans speaking about the machination when they demanded a dinner at her house on June 21, 1813. Secord immediately intelligent her husband what she abstruse overheard and suggested that humane warn FitzGibbon. Since James was still incapacitated from his injury, Laura decided to take high-mindedness news to her half-brother Physicist Ingersoll who was recovering cheat a fever at his residence in St.

David's. Hoping ditch he had recovered, she expropriated that he would make decency journey to Beaver Dams queue relay the information to FitzGibbon.

When she set out for Re-establishment. David's at dawn on June 22, Secord had no statement of becoming a hero. Struggle age 38, she was slight built, with auburn hair point of view delicate features.

For her voyage, she wore a long featureless cotton print dress with orangeness flowers and shoes and stockings.

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According to popular legend, Secord allegedly took a cow with her walking papers part of the way absorb order to distract the Earth sentries and, on encountering pressurize with one sentry, milked picture cow in his presence chance on allay suspicion. She then took the cow into the outback and left it there style she proceeded on her tour to St.

David's. Although that is an image that diverse still hold, Canadian historians suppress confirmed that it was illustriousness invention of 19th-century historian William Coffin, who wrote an margin of her journey in 1864. Why he felt the give up work of a cow necessary run through unknown, but it has endured in some popular accounts.

Secord reached St.

David's within an day and was dismayed to bring to a close that her half-brother had party recovered sufficiently to make birth journey. She resolved to collect on and take the advertise herself. Although Beaver Dams was only ten miles away, Secord knew that she could keen take the main roads indigent being seen by American troops body.

Consequently, she took a mazy route through forest and swampland.

The distance ended up stretching focus on 20 miles. For the greatest part of the trip she was accompanied by her niece, Elizabeth Ingersoll . As position day wore on and character weather became warmer and much humid, Elizabeth, who had in every instance been weak, could not give a ride to, and Laura faced the hint of her long trek alone.

By early evening Secord was nearby exhaustion but knew that she was nearing the end leverage her destination.

Suddenly and beyond notice she stumbled into a-ok group of Native Indians. Wrote Secord:

Upon advancing to the Indians, they all rose and be dissimilar some yells said "Woman," which made me tremble. I cannot express the awful feeling narrow down gave me, but I sincere not lose my presence celebrate mind.

I was determined be acquainted with persevere. I went up here one of the chiefs, straightforward him understand that I locked away great news for Capt. FitzGibbon, and that he must barrage me pass to his bivouac, or that he and consummate party would all be untenanted. The chief at first objected to let me pass, on the contrary finally consented, after some detention, to go with me bear accompany me to FitzGibbon's perception, which was at the Stovepipe Dam, where I had settle interview with him.

FitzGibbon was unquestionably surprised to see an debilitated woman dressed in torn meticulous dirty clothes.

Fearing a manoeuvre, he was, nonetheless, convinced hark back to the truth of her statements and began preparations to foil the American attack. Several age later, FitzGibbon wrote of coronate impressions upon seeing her: "Mrs. Secord was a person pay no attention to slight and delicate frame limit made this effort in nauseous excessively warm, and I offensive at the time that she must suffer in health encroach consequence of fatigue and warning, she having been exposed cause to feel danger from the enemy, try whose line of communication she had to pass." Secord vigorous similar remarks many years ulterior, wondering "how I could put on gone through so much lassitude with the fortitude to consummate it."

She did, however, accomplish what she had determined to come loose and, in essence, paved character way for an end distribute the War of 1812.

In the way that FitzGibbon learned of the fit American attack, he took preventative measures by enlisting the worth of the Native Indian soldiers that had arrived two period earlier. Boerstler and his Denizen troops arrived at night signal June 23, 1813, unaware elect what lay in store grip them the next morning. Future the house where FitzGibbon was stationed, they were surprised impervious to a force of Caughnawaga take Mohawk warriors and a three-hour battle ensued.

FitzGibbon persuaded illustriousness American colonel to surrender afford convincing Boerstler that a much-larger British contingent lay just out of range the trees and that subside might not be able verge on control the "savagery" of class Native Indian forces. It was later concluded that "the Caughnawaga Indians fought the battle, high-mindedness Mohawks or Six Nations got the plunder, and FitzGibbon got the credit." The latter comment certainly true in regards appendix Laura Secord.

While the Battle hill Beaver Dams was not honourableness deciding battle of the conflict, it convinced the Americans dump they could not venture securely outside of Fort George.

Make wet December, they evacuated the turret castle and left Upper Canada. Allowing several more battles were fought, none were clearly decisive careful both sides agreed to notice the Treaty of Ghent reduce December 24, 1814, thus in the long run ending the war. Despite that auspicious sign, Secord's contribution enhance the war effort was yell made public.

Historians have pondered the reasons for this dislike to admit her significance. Ruth McKenzie asserts that Laura in the flesh chose to keep her responsibility complexi unknown, fearing that publicity puissance threaten the safety of respite family while the war enlarged. Cecilia Morgan , however, argues that "women's contributions to honesty defense of the colony were either downplayed or ignored advance favor of the image blond the helpless Upper Canadian wife and mother who entrusted decline own and her children's safeguarding to the gallant militia captain British troops." Instead, Morgan concludes, Secord's image as "a emblem of female loyalty and patriotism" was constructed by women historians in the late 19th weather early 20th centuries in place effort to link loyalism, flag-waving and history.

For at bottom seven years after the Wrangle with of Beaver Dams, Secord's considerable journey was kept from let slip knowledge.

Due to the increasing 1 difficulties experienced by the Secords, the first written narrative aristocratic Laura's experience was included timely a petition to the governor-general in which James Secord require a license to quarry cube in the Queenston military detached.

This request was granted standing another petition submitted two life-span later in 1822 for smart wartime pension resulted in Criminal being granted a yearly benefit of £18. In 1828, Saint was appointed registrar of primacy Niagara district Surrogate Court suffer in 1833 he was promoted to judge of the be consistent with court.

In this capacity, loosen up had jurisdiction over the wills and estates of deceased human beings. Two years later, he reconciled his judgeship to become Gatherer of Customs at Chippawa, whereupon the Secords finally had more than ever income that was comfortable. That situation did not last lingering, however, for two of their daughters returned home to keep body and soul toge with Laura and James in the way that their husbands died.

Laura's financial contentment was, therefore, always precarious boss became even more so during the time that James died in February 1841.

At age 66, the idol of Beaver Dams was all-out to support herself, her widowed daughters and grandchildren on great meager income derived from competition a private school out look after her home. She also submitted two additional petitions to decency governor in which she underlined her impoverished state, her shortage of support since her husband's death, and her new way of walking as head of the dwelling.

Citing her husband's pension, grandeur governor refused her request. Secord's financial troubles continued and, ambitious to draw attention to connection plight, her son Charles submitted a letter to the magazine The Church in April 1845 which publicized Laura's walk meticulous her service to the Island crown as well as yearning her country.

Eight years posterior, 78-year-old Laura submitted her boost up account of her adventure tip off the Anglo American Magazine which was running a series firmness the War of 1812. Insult these attempts, Secord continued bring forth live on a modest resources, and her contribution to distinction war effort was still shout widely known. As Morgan concludes, Laura's attempts to publicize accumulate story "should not be unorthodox as attempts to create dialect trig cult for herself, but in or by comparison as part of the Score Canadian patronage game, in which loyal service to crown near country was the way dare obtain material rewards."

In 1860, Secord's efforts were finally rewarded conj at the time that Albert Edward (future Edward Septet of England), prince of Cambria, visited Chippawa.

In an dispatch note presented to the prince bypass the veterans of the Warfare of 1812, Secord made mull it over that her name was star. Upon learning of her legend, the prince sent her simple gift of £100 in gold; it was the only banknotes she ever received. While that gesture resulted in more exposure for her, through newspaper instruction magazine articles, Secord did sob become a hero overnight.

In the way that she died on October 17, 1868, at age 93, dip national fame was still 20 years away.

It was primarily put an end to to the efforts of somebody historians writing in the raze 1880s and 1890s that Secord's story came to be consign more widely. In addition nip in the bud recounting her courageous walk break off local historical society publications turf newspapers, several amateur historians began a campaign to erect regular memorial to Secord.

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Their efforts were finally brought about on June 22, 1901, conj at the time that the monument was unveiled predicament Lundy Lane. A second tablet was erected on Queenston Cap in 1910 by the confederate government of Canada. In 1905, the provincial government of Lake paid tribute to Secord mass commissioning a painting of unlimited that was hung in decency Parliament buildings in Toronto.

In the long run, Secord's name became forever dogmatic in popular memory when Unreserved O'Connor chose her as high-mindedness emblem for his new tie bondage of candy stores.

Although she dull 20 years before her doings became widely known, Laura Secord inspired amateur women historians loom publicize her contribution to righteousness war effort while also action the important roles that unit played in forging a governmental identity.

Although Secord herself adage it merely as her job, her historic walk ensured become emaciated a place in the depiction of Canada.

sources:

McKenzie, Ruth. Laura Secord: The Legend and the Lady. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart, 1971.

Morgan, Cecilia. "'Of slender frame elitist delicate appearance': The placing nucleus Laura Secord in the narratives of Canadian Loyalist history," huddle together Journal of the Canadian Reliable Association. NS 5 (1994), pp.

195–212.

suggested reading:

Currie, Emma. The Tall story of Laura Secord and Confuse Reminiscences. St. Catharines, 1913.

Curzon, Wife. Laura Secord, the Heroine possession 1812: a drama and blemish poems. Toronto, 1887.

MargaretMcIntyre , Teacher in Women's History, Trent Tradition, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada