Patriot Laura Secord More Than Candy Name
War of 1812 Heroine Braved Dangers to Warn British Troops
Mar 19, 2009
The bravery and determination of Laura (Ingersoll) Secord (1775-1868) contributed to defeat of American troops at the crucial Battle of Beaverdams. At stake was control of the Niagara Peninsula and access to hundreds of miles of waterways.
Laura was born in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, as the American Revolution started in nearby Lexington, Concord and Bunker Hill. Her father, Thomas Ingersol, was an army captain who became a major after helping end Shay’s Rebellion.
At age 8, Laura was the oldest of four girls when her mother died. Her stepmother died four years later. Her second stepmother provided Laura with four brothers and three more sisters, making her the oldest of 11 children and probably saddled with numerous chores in the busy household.
From Massachusetts to Ontario
Ingersol, unhappy with American policies, moved his large family to Queenston, Ontario, where Laura met, loved and wed James Secord, American-born merchant and militia volunteer. They married in1797.
The War of 1812 had added dimensions for Laura and James. Both had many relatives and friends on both sides. Events soon solidified their position.
James Secord Wounded in Battle
On Oct. 13, 1812, American soldiers crossed the Niagara River, headed for Queenston.
Canadian troops led by James Dennis opened fire on advancing American troops. Queenston residents awoke to gunfire.
Laura quickly dressed her five children and left them at a relative’s country home. She returned home to learn James had been injured. She found him on the battlefield, where wounded soldiers lay amidst the dead. He had shoulder and knee wounds. When she got him home they discovered that their house had been vandalized.
Drunk Soldiers Reveal Secret Plan
Laura was nursing her gravely injured and still bedridden husband on June 21, 1813 when the Secords were ordered to provide shelter to American soldiers. That night the soldiers drank too much and bragged that Capt. Chapin planned a secret assault against Lt. James Fitzgibbon at Beaverdams.
The Secords knew Fitzgibbon must be warned. James was unable to travel, so they decided Laura would go.
Laura's Dangerous Journey
Because roads were watched, Laura kept to the woods, crossed fields, waded through swamps and followed streams. This meant going by foot, not horseback. Sweltering heat made her tire easily. She was fearful not only of an encounter with the plentiful wolves, wildcats and rattlesnakes, but also of being discovered by American soldiers. Punishment for spies was death by firing squad.
Laura persevered. After 18 hours, her nearly 30-kilometer route brought Laura to Mohawk warriors who escorted her to Lt. FitzGibbon. Two days later, the Canadian militia and Indian allies ambushed and defeated the American army. FitzGibbon credited Laura for his victory in a written account which nullifies the story that FitzGibbon earlier had the same news from Indian scouts.
Laura never thought herself a heroine and went back to her duties as homemaker, wife and mother. Her heroism was forgotten. It wasn’t until 1860 that Laura received recognition from the visiting Edward, Prince of Wales, who gave her £100. Laura died at age 93 and is buried in Drummond Hill Cemetery at Niagara Falls.
Schools have been named for Laura Secord and her legend is told in music, poetry and drama. Who knows? Were it not for her, Canada might now belong to the United States!
What about all that candy that bears her name? Laura Secord Chocolates, founded in 1913, was named in honour of Laura's sweet victory. Its logo is her face in a while chocolate pendant.
Sources:
Currie, Emma A., The Story of Laura Secord and Canadian Reminiscences (Toronto: 1900);
Dictionary of Canadian Biography Online.
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