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The Secord family (originally Sicard or D'Secor)[1] was a prominent loyalist American and Canadian family that traces its origins back to Huguenot Ambroise Sicard Sr. The family founded New Rochelle and was heavily involved in the American War of Independence. After the war, much of the family emigrated to Canada and later became involved in the War of 1812.[2]

Secord family
Sicard, D'Secor, Sicar
Current regionNew Rochelle, United States, and Canada
Place of originFrance
Founded17th century
FounderAmbroise Sicard Sr.
Connected familiesVan Cortlandt family
Nelson family
Cartwright family

Origins

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The family originally came from La Rochelle in France, where the name was Sicard or D'Secor. The ancient origins of the family are unknown, and although several theories have emerged, nothing has been proven.[3] Ambroise Sicard Sr. came over with his 5 children, became successful in Lumbering, and along with other Huguenot families, escaping religious persecution in France, founded New Rochelle.[3][4] When the American War of Independence divided the family, those who sided with the British anglicized the name to Secord.[5][6]

R. Kirk Moulton researched the family and published his findings in a seven-installment series published in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. He concluded that all families of Secord in America are descended from this Ambroise Sicard.[7]

Ambroise Sicard Sr.

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Ambroise Sicard was born in Mornac sur Seudre, Saintonge (Charente-maritime), France. He worked in salt fields and owned a Vineyard worth 40 pounds. Sicard was a Huguenot, and he and his children fled France in 1686, although it is unknown how they made their way to New York. In 1688, Sicard settled in New York City, where he was one of the original founders of the French church in New York. The first entry in its records is of the Baptism of Sicard's granddaughter Madeline. In 1692 he moved and was a founder of New Rochelle. In New Rochelle, he acquired several tracts of land and was active within the church and the government. On February 6, 1696, Sicard swore Allegiance to King William and Queen Mary of England. Ambroise Sicard died in about 1712 and left behind 5 children.[8][7]

Pedigree of Secord
Ambroise Sicard Sr. (1631–1712)
    • Ambroise Sicard Jr. (1666–1733)
      • Madeline Sicard (October 22, 1688)
      • Anne Sicard (abt. 1691)
      • Ambroise Sicard (1697)
      • Mariane Sicard (1704-bef. 1733)
      • Judith Sicard (abt. 1707-aft. 1755)
      • Daniel Sicard (abt. 1718-bef. 1800)
      • Paul Sicard (abt. 1718)
    • Daniel Sicard Sr. (abt. 1672-bef. 1743) m. Catherine Secord
      • Daniel Secord Jr. (abt. 1698-abt. 1765) m. Catherine Secord (1722)
        • Daniel Secord III UE (1724–1818)
        • John Secord Sr. UE (1725–1804)
          • Sarah Secord (1751–1804) m. Isaac Swayze (1796–1804
          • John Secord Jr. UE (1757–1830)
            • Daniel Secord (1780–1838)
              • Daniel K. Secord (1819–1857)
          • Daniel Secord UE (1762-abt. 1845)
        • Peter Secord Sr. UE (1726–1818)
        • Rachel Secord (1726–1759)
        • Jacques Secord Sr. UE (1732–1784) m. Magdelaine Badeau (1755)
      • Jacques Sicard (1699–1773) two of his children fought for the British
      • Pierre Sicard (abt. 1701–1767) fought in the French and Indian War
      • Ambroise Sicard (abt. 1703-)
      • Paul Sicard (aft. 1704)
      • Catherine Sicord (1705–1771)
      • John Sicard (abt. 1707-)
      • Marie Sicord (abt. 1712–1801) m. Daniel Chadeayne
      • Jean Secord (1712-aft. 1744)
      • Isaac Secord Sr. (1715–1759) died in service during the French and Indian war
        • Isaac Secord (1751–1818) served with the New York Militia during the revolutionary war
        • Josiah B. Secord (1751–1832) DAR Patriot ancestor
          • Catherine Secord (1776–1855)
          • Rachel Secord (1779–1856) m. Isaac Nelson (grandson of Polycarpus Nelson)
            • Daniel Nelson (1797–1876)
        • Daniel Secord (1753–1843)
        • Alexander Secord (abt. 1760-bef. 1818)
    • Jacques Sicard (abt. 1675-aft.1730) m. Anne Sicard
      • Jacques Sicard Jr. (1701-)
      • Esther Sicard (1704–1792)
      • Jean Sicard (1712–1810)
      • Marie Sicard (abt. 1713–1806)
      • David Sicard (1721–1797) DAR Patriot ancestor
    • Marie Sicard (1677–1763) m. Guillaume Landrin
      • Marie Landrin (abt. 1705-bef. 1750) m. Simon Mabie UE
    • Sylvie Sicard (abt. 1680-bef. 1729) m. Francois Coquillet
      • Sylvie Coquillet (abt. 1699–1745) m. Abraham Mabie

[9]

Military Service

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Revolutionary War

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Main article: American Revolutionary War

In 1775 there was a meeting held on April 13 in Westchester County to determine whether or not they should send delegates to a provincial convention in New York. 312 inhabitants, including Elias, Benjamin, Francis, Israel, and Joshua Secord, signed their allegiance to the King, and refused to send delegates.[6]

Most of the Secord family were loyalists, with seven serving in Butler's Rangers,[10] during the American War of Independence; however, the family was divided.[11][2] Most Huguenots sided with Britain because of her help in escaping France.[4] After the war, many of the Loyalist Secords were wanted by the Americans for their involvement in the Cherry Valley massacre and the Wyoming Massacre and fled to Canada.[12]

The uniform of Butler's Rangers

Loyalists

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John Secord Sr: John Secord served in the French and Indian War with the 5th Company Militia. During the revolution, he served as a sergeant with Butler's Rangers. He was arrested as a British spy in March 1776 but successfully appealed to the Connecticut government.[13]

Peter Secord Sr: When the war broke out, Peter Secord moved with his family to Fort Niagara. He served as a sergeant in Butler's Rangers from 1777 until his discharge in 1780. He emigrated to Upper Canada, where he was one of the first settlers.[14]

Jacques Secord: Jacques Secord served as a Lieutenant in Butler's Rangers from 1777 to 1782. He moved his family to Fort Niagara and, after the war, settled in Upper Canada. He and his heirs were given 2,000 acres of land for his service during the war.[15]

Solomon Secord: Solomon Secord served as a lieutenant in Butler's Rangers. After the war, he emigrated to Upper Canada, where he died in 1799.[15]

Stephen Secord: Stephen Secord joined Butler's Rangers when he was twenty and would rise to the rank of sergeant. After the war, he emigrated to Upper Canada and died in 1808.[16]

David Secord: David Secord was wounded at the Battle of Fort Stanwix. He was also at the Battle of Wyoming, where he nearly lost his life defending three prisoners. The prisoners were Americans who were part of a party that attacked a Mohawk village and killed the wife of Chief Oneida Joseph. When Joseph heard that the murderers were prisoners, he demanded to be allowed to kill them. Secord would not allow it, to which the Chief replied, "I kill them or kill you," as he thrust his spear through Secord's coat. David Secord became a major during the War of 1812.[2]

The Wyoming Massacre, which the Secords took part in

James Secord: James Secord was in Butler's Rangers alongside his brothers and father. He would also serve in the War of 1812, where he was wounded.[17]

John Secord: John Secord (known as 'Deaf John' due to his hearing loss from a cannon shot) was listed as a private in Butler's Rangers. In a certificate attached to a petition, he is described as "a brave man, having after the Battle of Wyoming, when the Loyalists were retreating towards Niagara (and found it necessary to have a better supply of Provisions) returned by desire of the commanding officer to Wyoming, with only eight men and brought from the Enemy, One Hundred and forty head of Cattle – upwards of ninety Head were drove to Aughquaga, and there issued to the troops, and the others used for an immediate Supply."[18]

Daniel Secord IV: Daniel Secord IV served Butler's Rangers and fought with Brant's volunteers. He was discharged as a sergeant in Nova Scotia in 1783.[15]

Pierre Secord: Pierre Secord served during the French and Indian War as a captain in the Westchester County 5th militia and in Butler's Rangers during the American Revolution.[19]

Patriots

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Isaac, Josiah, and David Secord went against their family and fought for the Americans in the Dutchess County Militia.[20][21][22]

The House of Israel Secord

The Israel Secord house

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The house is believed to have been constructed in the 1770s by Israel Secord on land given to him by his father, James. During the Revolutionary War, William Howe, commander of British forces, made his headquarters in the farmhouse before marching his troops to the Battle of White Plains in October 1776. In the rear of the home stood the "hanging tree," an oak tree from the 1700s reportedly used to execute prisoners during the Revolutionary War.[23]

The War of 1812

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Main Article: The War of 1812

During the War of 1812, the Secords actively defended their country. On the militia role at the archives in Ottawa are listed: Major David Secord, Captains Elijah and Peter Secord, Lieutenants Cortlandt and John Secord, Ensign James Secord, Quartermaster Daniel Secord, Abraham, William John, Solomon, Stephen, David, Joseph, Isaac, Peter, Sergeant James Secord, and William Secord.[24]

Emigration to Canada

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After the revolutionary war, loyalist members of the family emigrated chiefly to upper Canada but to New Brunswick also.[3] The Township of Louth was first settled in 1777 by the Secord brothers, who the Americans wanted for their involvement in the Cherry Valley Massacre.[12] According to his land petition, Peter Secord was the first settler of Niagara.[14] He and his brother James operated a mill that is still there today. The king granted many of the Secords lands for their service in the American Revolution.[13]

Notable members

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Laura Secord warning Fitzgibbon

Laura Secord was the wife of James Secord, the great-great-grandson of Ambroise Sicard. She is the most famous of the name Secord for her 30 km from Queenstown to Beaver Dams to warn British Lieutenant James FitzGibbon that the Americans were planning to attack his outpost. Laura Secord has become mythologized in Canada History, and Laura Secord Chocolates was named for her.[25]

James Secord was a merchant in Canada who served in the war of 1812. He was the Husband of Laura Secord.[25]

The house of James and Laura Secord

Major David Secord was the great-great-grandson of Ambroise Sicard. He served in the revolutionary war alongside his father and brothers in Butler's rangers. After the war, he emigrated to Upper Canada, where st. Davids was named for him. He was justice of the peace in 1796 and represented 2nd lincoln in the 5th parliament of Canada from 1809 to 1812. He claimed to have fought in every significant engagement in Niagara during the war of 1812 and commanded his regiment at the Battle of Lundy's Lane.[26]

George Secord was an Upper Canada political figure who represented Monck, as a conservative, in the Legislative Assembly of Ontario from 1867 to 1871.[27]

John Secord QC was a lawyer and political figure who represented Regina in the 1st Council of the North-West Territories and south Regina in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories.[28]

Richard Secord was a politician in western Canada who served in the Legislative Assembly of the Northwest Territories. He and John McDougall founded Secord & McDougall, which advertised itself as general merchants. He was also a land speculator who dealt in Métis scrap dealing. by the time Alberta became a province in 1905, he and his partner had become millionaires. Secord was known for his philanthropy.[29]

Richard Vernon Secord is a United States Air Force officer who rose to the rank of major general. He was involved in the Vietnam War, the secret war in Laos, and the Battle of Lima Site 85. He is particularly known for his involvement in the Iran–Contra affair.[30]

Sir Richard Nelson was a Canadian Air force officer who served in the RAF during and after World War II. He is descended from Rachel Secord, who married Isaac Nelson. He rose to the rank of Air-Marshal, was director general of the RAF medical service, and was honorary physician to the Queen.[31]

Legacy

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The Peter Secord house in St. Davids

The Peter Secord house is located in St. Davids and is open today as an inn.[32]

St. Davids, Ontario is a town in Ontario that is named for David Secord[14]

Secord, Edmonton, is a neighborhood in Edmonton that was named for Richard Secord. There is also a Richard Secord elementary school in Edmonton named for him.[29]

Secord Township, Michigan, is named for Marvel Secord, the son of Isaac and Sarah Secord, who settled the town in 1861. Throughout the town several buildings are named for him.[33]

Ambroise the Huguenot was written by Esther Cleveland, a direct descendent of Ambroise Sicard, in 2007. The book tells the story of Ambroise and his family's journey from France to the new world.[34]

The Secord Mill

The Secord Mill was built in 1782 and was operated by Peter and James Secord. It was one of the first "kings mills" in Upper Canada and may be the only surviving 18th-century Banal mill in Ontario.[35]

Laura Secord Chocolates is named for Laura Secord.[25] The Laura Secord Legacy Trail is a 32-kilometer trail as a monument to Laura Secord's journey.[36] The Laura Secord Homestead still stands, a short walk from Queenston heights park.[37]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Leavey 2012, pp 41–42
  2. ^ a b c Ontario United Empire Loyalists' Association, pp. 98
  3. ^ a b c Chadwick, pp. 81
  4. ^ a b Secord, pp. 3
  5. ^ Leavey 2012, pp. 41–42
  6. ^ a b Ontario, United Empire Loyalists' Association, pp. 97
  7. ^ a b Moulton, R. Kirk. "Early Sicard-Secor Families of New York: Origins of United Empire Loyalist William Secord." New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 150 (2019), Issue 1
  8. ^ "SHARP/SICARD IN-LAW FAMILY TREE". Dindy's Family Tree Memories. September 14, 2012. Retrieved March 14, 2023.
  9. ^ Secord, pp. 13–23
  10. ^ Cline, Sandy. "Roster of Butler's Rangers". www.sandycline.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  11. ^ Secord, pp. 6
  12. ^ a b "Exploring Niagara | Niagara Townships | Louth Township". www.exploringniagara.com. Retrieved March 17, 2023.
  13. ^ a b "The Niagara Settlers – Ontario Pioneers "Sage to Servos"". sites.google.com. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  14. ^ a b c "Peter Secord". Hamilton Branch UELAC. December 20, 2011. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
  15. ^ a b c foxpress. "Loyalist Directory – Details". UELAC. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  16. ^ "The Niagara Settlers – Soldiers and Supports "S"". sites.google.com. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  17. ^ "Biography – INGERSOLL, LAURA (Secord) – Volume IX (1861–1870) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography". www.biographi.ca. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  18. ^ Warner, R.I. "Memoirs of Captain John Lampman and his Wife Mary Secord by their Grandson", Welland County Historical Society Papers & Records. vol III (1927)
  19. ^ "The Maybee Society – Person Page". maybeesociety.org. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  20. ^ "DAR Genealogical Research Databases". services.dar.org. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  21. ^ "DAR Genealogical Research Databases". services.dar.org. Retrieved March 18, 2023.
  22. ^ secord, pp. 6
  23. ^ Bolton, Robert (1881). The History of the Several Towns, Manors, and Patents of the County of Westchester: From Its First Settlement to the Present Time. C. F. Roper.
  24. ^ Ontario, United Empire Loyalists' Association, pp. 81
  25. ^ a b c "Laura Secord | The Canadian Encyclopedia". www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  26. ^ "Biography – SECORD, DAVID – Volume VII (1836–1850) – Dictionary of Canadian Biography". www.biographi.ca. Retrieved March 15, 2023.
  27. ^ "The Canadian parliamentary companion / edited b... – Canadiana". www.canadiana.ca. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  28. ^ "The Canadian parliamentary companion, 1891 / ed... – Canadiana". www.canadiana.ca. Retrieved March 19, 2023.
  29. ^ a b "Biographies of Mayors and Councillors | Edmonton Public Library". July 5, 2011. Archived from the original on July 5, 2011. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  30. ^ "MAJOR GENERAL RICHARD V. SECORD". www.af.mil. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  31. ^ "CB Order of Bath" (PDF). Blatherwick.
  32. ^ "War of 1812 Survivors | Housing info". www.heirloomhomeguide.ca. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  33. ^ "Secord Township Information". www.secordtownship.org. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  34. ^ Cleveland, Esther (September 2007). Ambroise the Huguenot. iUniverse. ISBN 978-0-595-42678-2.
  35. ^ "HistoricPlaces.ca – HistoricPlaces.ca". www.historicplaces.ca. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  36. ^ "Laura Secord Legacy Trail | Ontario Trails Council". www.ontariotrails.on.ca. Retrieved March 20, 2023.
  37. ^ "Laura Secord Homestead". Niagara Falls Canada. Retrieved March 20, 2023.

Bibliography

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Leavy, Peggy Dymond (2012-05-12). Laura Secord: Heroine of the War of 1812. ISBN 978-1-4597-0366-7

Ontario, United Empire Loyalists' Association of (1897). Annual Transactions. Hunter, Rose Company, Limited, printers

Chadwick, Edward Marion (1898). Ontarian Families: Genealogies of United-empire-loyalists and Other Pioneer Families of Upper Canada. Rolph. Smith & Company.

Moulton, R. Kirk. "Early Sicard-Secor Families of New York: Origins of United Empire Loyalist William Secord." New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, Vol. 150 (2019), Issue 1

Secord, Jeanne M. The creation of a family tree : covering the following family names: Secord, Reed, Robinson, Brown, Graham, Parkhurst, Ingell, Wamsley, Strong, Vanderfuf, Niklas Anders Hedlund 4th great grandson to Guy Secord and Sylvia Ann Rodman. FamilySearch International.

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