Laura's Background
Most people know the name Laura Secord because of the chocolate store which is named after her. Laura Ingersoll was born on September 13,1775 at Great Barrington, Mass. Laura's mother died when she was 8, leaving four little girls in the care of their father. By the time her father remarried 3 times, they had a large family. Laura's family moved to the Niagara Region of Upper Canada in 1795. In 1797 she married James Secord, they were to have 6 daughters and 1 son. They settled in Queenston Heights. She was 93 when she died on October 17,1868 in Chippawa, Ont.
Laura Secord's House
This is a picture of Laura Secord's house
Achievements
James and Laura both had important roles in the war of 1812. James was injured in the battle of Queenston Heights and was rescued by his wife, Laura. On June 21, 1813 American troops demanded the Secord's house them. That evening Laura and James were eavesdropping on the conversation between the American soldiers. Discovering that the Americans planned a sudden attack on the British, the Secords decided that the British should know. Since James was unable to go because of his injuries, it was decided that Laura should go. So the next day Laura set out on a 20 km walk to inform Lieutenant Fitzgibbon about the surprise attack. Laura walked about half -way with her niece and then continued on alone after her niece got too tired and hot to carry on. Laura ran into some First Nations Mohawk soldiers. She told them her story. They took care of her, eventually leading her to Fitzgibbon, who was glad for the information she brought. A couple of days later the British and the First Nations led a surprise attack on the Americans. The British captured over 450 American troops. After the attack Fitzgibbon sent a letter to Laura. Below is a part of the letter concerning the attack
"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..."
"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 Secord's Plaque
This is a picture of Laura Secord's official plaque.
Laura Secord
Laura Secord listening in on the American's conversation
Timeline
1775-Laura Ingersoll was born.
1797-Laura Ingersoll married James Secord
1812-Laura walked 30 km through the woods to Loyalists of the Americans
1813-Laura listened in on the American troops conversation
1868-Laura dies when she is 93 years old
1913-The Laura Secord Chocolate store was founded
1999-The US candy company buys a company named after Laura
1797-Laura Ingersoll married James Secord
1812-Laura walked 30 km through the woods to Loyalists of the Americans
1813-Laura listened in on the American troops conversation
1868-Laura dies when she is 93 years old
1913-The Laura Secord Chocolate store was founded
1999-The US candy company buys a company named after Laura
Signifigance
Laura Secord played an important role in what was an all-male job........spying, but was she really a spy? The official records ignored her contribution at the time. The Lieutenant was treated like a hero, but Laura wasn't even acknowledged. Only in the 1860's did people start giving credit to Laura for taking the information to the Lieutenant.It was in that year that the Prince of Wales gave 100 pounds or 500 dollar's to Laura for helping the British.
Old Laura Secord
This is a picture of Laura Secord as an old women.
Fact or Fiction
FACT | FICTION |
-There was no cow. | -The cow was made up by a writer, later, to make the story more interesting and sell more magazines. |
-There was no chocolate shop. | -Laura did not make any chocolates to sell in James’s store. She did not bribe the American soldiers with chocolate. |
-Laura was not a secret spy. | -Laura was not a secret spy for the Americans or the British. She was just mad at what the Americans did to her husband and her house. |
Laura Secord leading a cow
This is a picture of Laura Secord pretending to lead a cow so she could get past the American soldiers.
How did the actions of Laura Secord affect the war of 1812, and how we live today?
There are two major ways that Laura Secord affected the war of 1812. First of all if Laura had not informed the British of the American ambush, the American troops might have been able to conquer all of the Niagara Region, therefore making us American and not British. By informing Fitzgibbon about the impending American attack the British were able to ambush the American capturing 500 American infantry, 50 mounted Dragoons, and a field piece. Second of all by receiving recognition for her deeds Laura helped with the freedom of women. At the time women were not viewed as equals, however when a group of 19th century women authors made people aware of Laura's deeds people began recognizing women for there potential other than as house maids.Those are the major reasons that Laura Secord affected the war of 1812 and how we live today.
Quiz
1. What was the great deed that Laura Secord did?
2. Who was Laura Secord married to?
3. Why was there a chocolate shop named after her?
4. When did Laura Secord die?
5. Did Laura actually pretend to lead a cow so she could get past the American guard?
2. Who was Laura Secord married to?
3. Why was there a chocolate shop named after her?
4. When did Laura Secord die?
5. Did Laura actually pretend to lead a cow so she could get past the American guard?
Monday, February 15, 2010
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