The early life and times of laura secord

After continual battles in the United States between the British and the Americans, British loyalists were fleeing in droves to Canada — still a British colony and considered to be safe territory for the loyalists. One such loyalist, Thomas Ingersoll, fought on the side of the rebels. His family lived in Massachusetts, but eventually decided that it was time to move the family somewhere more amenable to his political leanings. Inthe family immigrated to Uppper Canada, obtaining a township grant there as many loyalists did, and looking to make a new life and protect the commonwealth from the increasingly aggressive Americans.

For bravery above and beyond the call of duty during the War ofLaura Secord earned the honour and distinction of being named the Heroine of Beaver Dams.

Canadians take great pride in the name and the fame of the courageous woman, who at great risk to life and limb, she walked a considerable distance through field, forest and glen to warn the British military of an impending American attack.

Laura Ingersoll was born in Massachusetts. Her father Thomas fought on the side of the rebels, but in the family immigrated to Upper Canada, where they obtained a township grant. In Laura married James Secord. The couple had six daughters and one son.

James became a shopkeeper in Queenston where his business prospered. By the couple were looking forward to a quiet, comfortable life, but all that was to be changed by the coming conflict. At the outbreak of the War ofJames joined the First Lincoln Militia and with the rank of sergeant, he fought at Queenston Heights on October 13th, James lay badly wounded.

He had been shot through the shoulder and one knee was shattered by a second musket ball. Not knowing the fate of her husband, Laura set out to find him.

She searched among the living, the dying and the dead on the bloody Queenston battlefield and finally found James close to death. She carried him home and throughout the winter, nursed him back to health.

Niagara Parks Celebrates Laura Secord Day

Laura searches the bloody battlefield for her fallen husband. In the summer ofAmerican troops occupied parts of the peninsula and wherever they did during this period, they billeted their troops in the homes of Canadians.

Three officers were billeted at the Secord home, where Laura laboured to serve them dinner daily. Initially, cautious and careful about any comments they made, the men soon relaxed and conversed too freely. Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon commanded some fifty "chosen men" of the 49th Regiment, who monitored enemy movements, harassing them when they could.

As a result of their indiscretion, Laura overheard their plot and determined to warn Fitzgibbon.

Biography – INGERSOLL, LAURA (Secord) – Volume IX () – Dictionary of Canadian Biography

Laura Listening Despite having seven children to care for, a wounded husband to nurse and a farm to run, Laura, who was 38 at the time, saw her duty and did it.

Early on the morning of 22 June,Laura Ingersoll Secord set out through the woods and the wilds of early Niagara to warn British Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon of a planned American attack on him.

Fitzgbbon was some 30 K 20 miles away and in between were fields, forests, swamps, rattlesnakes, wildcats and the ever-present danger of American troops. She went from St. Catharines and from there, followed the general direction of Twelve Mile Creek.

For eighteen hours she trekked through the trackless frontier bush over rocks, down ravines and through mosquito-infested forests in hot, humid weather.

Laura Secord - Wikipedia

Laura on her way to Warn Fitzgibbon Unexpectedly she stumbled upon an Indian encampment. Laura, who was frightened by their fierce appearance, shocked the Indians by hers She had no idea what to expect, but nervously stammered out word of the forthcoming American attack and requested to be taken to Colonel.

A golden girl issues from the forest. Finally, the exhausted little Laura - she was only five feet four inches tall - in torn clothes and blistered, bloody feet, arrived at the home of Captain John Decou also known as Decew in present-day Thorold.

Laura Informs Fitzgibbon of trouble to come. Laura then collapsed from exhaustion and fell into a deep sleep. When she awakened, she learned the American force of soldiers had been surprised and defeated at what became known as the Battle of Beaver Dams.

On 24 JuneKahnawake Caughnawaga in contemporary accounts and Mohawks, set up ambushes in a thickly wooded area 1.Laura Secord was not only a heroine to the British and Canadians, but was a champion of First Nations children and an inspiration for all.

Her bravery saved the lives of many, British, Canadian, Metis, and First Nations alike, and she has earned her place in the annals of history from sheer grit and determination.

Within two years, about , Laura married James Secord, a young merchant of Queenston. He was the youngest son of a loyalist officer of Butler’s Rangers, who had brought his family to Niagara in James and Laura Secord were to have six daughters and one son.

They lived first at St Davids but soon settled in Queenston. Historian Connie Brummel Crook dramatizes the life of Laura Secord, one of Canada's most enduring heroines. From her early days in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, amid the turmoil that followed the American Revolutionary War, the story outlines Laura's father's difficult decision to Author: Connie Brummel Crook.

Historian Connie Brummel Crook dramatizes the life of Laura Secord, one of Canada's most enduring heroines. From her early days in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, amid the turmoil that followed the American Revolutionary War, the story outlines Laura's father's difficult decision to .

Oct 06,  · 19th century portrait of Mary Henry Laura Secord Homestead Museum but Mary’s story is an example of the extraordinary things ordinary citizens do during times of war.

Ireland. Unfortunately, not much is known about Mary’s early life. Around the age of 20, she met and married a Royal Artillery gunner from County Derry.

Laura Secord was not only a heroine to the British and Canadians, but was a champion of First Nations children and an inspiration for all. Her bravery saved the lives of many, British, Canadian, Metis, and First Nations alike, and she has earned her place in the annals of history from sheer grit and determination.