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. Davids to Shipman's Corners 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 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. Realizing immediately the importance of her message, the chief acted quickly and escorted her to Fitzgibbon's headquarters. 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 June , Kahnawake Caughnawaga in contemporary accounts and Mohawks, set up ambushes in a thickly wooded area 1. Fitzgibbon followed with 46 men of the 49th Regiment of Foot in reserve.
The Americans capitulated and the loss of Boerstler's detachment demoralized the Americans hunkdered down at Fort George. Despite the fact that Laura's warning had helped win the day, no mention was made in the official report of the part she had played in turning what might have been a disastrous defeat into an important victory.
In the post-war years, the Secords lived in poverty until in , James was granted a small, war-service pension to compensate him for his crippled condition. Later he became collector of customs at Chippawa. When he died in , Laura again was destitute and down but certainly not out.
She immediately opened a private school in her little cottage on the bank of the Chippawa River for the children of Chippawa Natives. Times continued to be tough so she petitioned the government for aid, citing her service to the country.
Fitzgibbon wrote several testimonials in her behalf. The one dated stated that, ' in consequence of this information" he placed Native warriors in a position to intercept the Americans. Despite written support for her petitions from James Fitzgibbons on one of which he had scrawled, "In a moment of much hurry and from memory," her many appeals were regularly refused. He also visited Queenston where he laid the last stone and dedicated the cenotaph that marks the spot where Brock fell as he fought to dislodge American invaders.
She had nothing to do with the chocolates Most Canadians believe that Laura was the founder of the Laura Secord candy company but — in fact — the company was founded after her death and named in her honour. So much for saving the day! She died in poverty She may have died in poverty, but her legacy has never been forgotten.
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Dashboard Clone Site Themes Menus. Posted by Mickey Maple. In Canada, the name Laura Secord is linked to chocolates and ice cream. But many Canadians are unaware that the famous chocolateer is named for a heroine of the War of Laura Ingersoll was born in to a wealthy Massachusetts family. Her father supported the patriot side during the American Revolution and his business prospered during the war. However after Independence, an economic depression left the family in financial difficulty.
FitzGibbon's report on the battle noted: "At [John] De Cou's this morning, about seven o'clock, I received information that … the Enemy … was advancing towards me …" However, FitzGibbon did provide written testimony in support of the Secords' later petition to the government for a pension, in and In the latter testimonial, he wrote that Secord had come to him "on the 22d day of June ," and "in consequence of this information" he had positioned the Aboriginal warriors to intercept the Americans.
In , he testified that Laura Secord had warned him of an American attack but he provided no specific date and he wrote, he said, "in a moment of much hurry and from memory. Laura Secord's petition for a military pension was refused.
The only recognition she gained in her lifetime for her arduous journey came late in her life. Secord had prepared a memorial describing her service and placed her signature among those of War of veterans who had prepared an address to him. She died in , aged Canadians are familiar with the Laura Secord candy company, but are uncertain of its association with her. In , Frank P. O'Connor, the founder of a small candy business in Toronto selling hand-made chocolates, chose Laura Secord as the name for his company because she "was an icon of courage, devotion and loyalty.
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