Laura Secord

Laura Secord (www.niagraparks.com)

Laura Secord is my hero because she saved Canada. I think she is strong, brave, and smart. She would have to be to make a journey like she did. If she had not told Fitzgibbon that the Americans were going to attack Canada, Canada would probably be part of the U.S.A. today.

Laura Ingersoll Secord was born Born in Massachusetts, United States and had relatives there, but she was loyal to the British Crown and Canada. Her husband was James Secord. In June, 1813, two American officers came to her and insisted that she give them supper. They soon became careless and started talking about their plan to attack. Laura overheard this and set off to warn Fitzgibbon.

Laura and Natives (www.galafilm.com/1812/e/people/secord.html)

Laura started first thing in the morning.She wore cotton dress with a long straight skirt and a white bonnet. She had slippers made of light kid with low heals and ties at the instep. Some stories say Laura Secord Brought a cow with her for cover. Many people believe this is a myth. Another version,which seems truer and is supported by evidence, is Laura’s niece, Elizabeth, walked with her for three hours before giving up. Laura continued her journey alone. She would have to walk through deep swamps and dark woods. She knew there were wolves and Indians in the forest, but Laura continued. After a while Laura found herself surrounded by Indians. She was very scared, but she managed to tell the chief the importance of the situation. The chief escorted her to Lieutenant Fitzgibbon.

Laura2 (www.canadiancaconnection.com)

In 1827, Fitzgibbon told of to Laura in a letter. a part of it is “The weather on the 22nd day of June 1813, was very hot and Mrs. Secord, whose person was slight and delicate, appeared to have been and no doubt was very much exhausted by the exertion she made in coming to me, and I have ever since held myself personally indebted to her for her conduct upon that occasion…”

Laura did not record her story publicly for years. when she was 85 , In 1860, The Prince of Wales read Laura’s story of her journey, while he was visiting Canada, and he sent her one hundred pounds. Now, in Niagara Falls in a churchyard, a monument has been made in memory of Laura Ingersoll Secord.