Her mother died when she was eight. Her father remarried twice and had a large family. Laura's father fought in the American Revolution on the side of the Americans against Great Britain. However, in 1795, he moved his family to Upper Canada, where he founded a settlement today known as the town of Ingersoll. In 1797, Laura married James Secord and would later have 6 daughters and one son. They settledin Queenston.

War of 1812

Laura's husband was a sergeant during the War of 1812. He was wounded in the battle of Queenston Heights and was rescued from the battlefield by his wife! On June 21, 1813, Laura overheard American officers talking about a surprise attack on the British outpost at Beaver Dams to capture Lieutenant James FitzGibbon. Knowing that it was urgent, Laura set out herself to warn the British troops.On her 20 mile journey, Laura came upon a Mohawk village.The Mohawk chief helped escort Laura the rest of the way to deliverher warning which resulted in a victory for the British.

Later Life

After the war, the Secords lived in and out of poverty and Laura was never granted a pension or recognition for her actions. When she was 85in 1860, the Prince of Wales (the future Edward VII) learned of her war-time service and 20 mile walk. After returning to England, Prince Edward sent Mrs. Secord a reward of £100.

Death
Laura Ingersoll Secord died on October 17, 1868 at the age of 93 at Chippawa. She is buried beside her husband in Drummond Hill Cemetery, Niagara Falls, Ontario.