Laura Secord's Homestead

the settle...

the master bedroom...

the children's bedroom...

the house...

Also on our trip to Niagara-on-the-lake, we went to Laura Secord's home. I am going to give a little history to tell you who she was. Laura Secord played a BIG part in Canadian history.

Laura Ingersoll was born September 13, 1775 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts. Her father was involved in the American Revolution on the the Patriots side. After the war, he move his family to Canada in 1795. In 1797, she married United Empire Loyalist, James Secord. They then moved to Queenston, Upper Canada(now Ontario) and resided in a middle-class home. During the battle that took Sir Isaac Brock's life, James was seriously injured. Laura went to the battlefield and brought her husband to their house to take care of him. During this time, Laura was forced to feed and provide shelter for American soldiers since Queenston was under American occupation. While the American's were eating, they were discussing their plans to surprise attack British commander James Fitzgibbon at Beaver Dams. After discussing what to do with her husband, they decided she should go and warn Fitzgibbon because James Secord was bedridden. At that time she had five young children.(Laura had seven children in total. Six girls and one boy. Laura was blessed because only one of the seven died and she died at 18.)

Laura walked, and walked aproximately 30km through brush and swamps. At last, she arrived at Fitzgibbon's headquarters and told him the news. When the American's attacked, the British were ready and won. Laura was not recognized for her bravery until she was 85 in 1860. Albert Edward, Prince of Wales heard her story when he was in Canada and when he stopped in her town, he gave her 100 pounds which is about $5,00o. That was the only recognition she got in her lifetime. In 1868, at the age of 93, Laura Secord died.

That is what Laura Secord did...it had nothing to do with chocolate:)
*We also learned where some popular sayings came from. I am going to tell you.

1. The saying, "Sleep Tight" came about because in the old days, there were ropes at the end of the bed you would have to tighten or then you would roll into the middle of the bed.
2. The saying, "Settle Down" came around because back then there were beds called settles which are like a pullout couch these days(I have a picture above of one.) You can figure the rest out.
3. "Don't Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water" came about because in the old days, there was only one bath and everyone would have to use the same water. The oldest to the youngest was always the method. So at the end, the water would be the dirtiest. You can figure the rest out.