Laura Secord

Laura Secord on her journey

“And the rest of Canada will fall!” This sentence may have come true had in not been for an audacious young woman named Laura Secord, a true heroine in Canadian history. This woman risked life and limb to give a message that would change the course of history. Through her courage, humility, and integrity. Laura Secord has become one of the greatest Canadian women to ever walk this earth.

Laura Ingersoll grew up in Massachusetts with her father and siblings. Her father was a Patriot during the American Revolution, but in 1795 the Ingersoll family moved to Upper Canada in the Niagara Peninsula to find their ancestor’s lost treasure. After no success in attaining the treasure, Mr.Ingersoll opened a tavern in Queenston and put Laura in charge of the counter.

A few years later Laura and James, her loyalist husband, were living prosperously when everything changed dramatically. In the year 1812, the Americans declared war on the British and began attacks on Canada. While, James, Laura and their children slept, they were suddenly awakened by a bang! The whole family was thrown into chaos! Children were screaming, James was yelling orders, and Laura was herding the kids downstairs, “ The Americans are attacking Laura.” James told her, “ I’m going to see what I can do to fend them off.” It was official. The Americans had engaged an attack on Queenston.

Waiting was probably the hardest thing to do under Laura’s circumstances. Yet with 5 children clinging onto her what else could she do? Finally, Mrs. Secord could stand it no longer, “ Kids, I’m going to find your father.” Leaving the eldest child in charge of the house, our courageous heroine walked straight into the battlefield looking for her husband.

“ Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.” The moaning of dying soldiers filled the air. An anonymous stench came from everywhere. Poor Laura wandered around calling, “ James where are you?” Suddenly as if from nowhere came that familiar voice in a not so familiar tone….

“ L-l-laura?” It was he! Laura rushed toward the sound; what she found nearly broke her heart. James was lying on the ground with a gaping hole in his leg and a slash through his middle. An American officer eventually found them and graciously helped the two get back to their home…if you could call it a home. While Laura was out finding James, American minutemen ransacked the Secord homestead and left nothing but shaking children. “ Mary, please help me get your father into our bedroom,” the brave mother ordered. “ We’re just going to have to make do with what we have.”

The following week all loyalist men over 18 years were taken prisoner. Luckily, James was allowed to stay home because of his wounds. But of course there was a catch. In order for James to stay home, the Secords had to billet American soldiers.

On June 21, 1813, Laura had just served dinner to the three American officers stationed at her house when two more officers arrived at her door demanding food and drink. Currently that wasn’t a problem so she set two more plates on the table and served them their food. After supper the officers politely dismissed the family saying they had important things to talk about. Curious about what they had to speak of, Laura listened behind the door and what she heard was this…. “So the captain says we’re to attack Leuitenant Fitzgibbon at the Decew household?”...

“ Yes,”.... “ Why the Decews?”.... “ Because the stronghold is at the Decew farm and if we gain control of the stronghold the rest of Canada will fall!” That night in bed Laura told James about what she had heard earlier that evening, “Well James, what do you think?”

“I say you should go warn the Lieutenant tonight,”

So a few hours later Laura Ingersoll Secord crept out the back door with only a pair of slippers and a determined heart.

Laura Secord Warning FitzGibbon

That day was probably the hottest day in Laura Secord’s life. Walking all night with no sleep most likely didn’t help either. But she didn’t stop for food or shelter, she needed to deliver the message so she stumbled on alone. After 18 hours of treacherous lands and the risk of being arrested or shot, not to mention the weather, Laura came in sight of the DeCew Farm. Her journey was almost over and yet, as she was walking onto the property a whole bunch of Native Americans jumped out of the forest and attacked her. “STTTOOOOPPPP!” Laura yelled, “I need to see FitzGibbon,” realizing that Laura meant no harm the natives escorted the tired, tattered and bloody woman directly to FitzGibbon. The Lieutenant at that time was discussing battle plans when he first saw Laura. Looking up from his maps he almost gasped right out loud, Mrs. Secord had burrs in her hair, no shoes on her torn up feet, and rags as a dress. “Lieutenant FitzGibbon, there are 200 American soldiers coming to engage a surprise attack on you in a matter of hours.” Laura warned. FitzGibbon thoroughly thanked Laura and asked her if there was anything he could do for her. And you know what Laura said? “Oh, all I need is water and a bed.” FitzGibbon was amazed at this lady’s courage, in his journal he wrote, “How a small, delicate woman could come all the way from Queenston in only 18 hours I’ll never know.”

Laura Secord was truly a heroine. The English won the battle at Beaver Dams by a landslide. Not one American got away, but were taken prisoner in a humiliating manner. Laura’s bravery, perseverance and determination were simply amazing. And who knows maybe if this petite, mother of five didn’t warn the Lieutenant, Canada could be a whole different country.