David Secord
Encyclopedia
David Secord was a businessman and political figure in Upper Canada
.
He was born in New York City
in 1759. His father served with Butler's Rangers
during the American Revolution
and David later served as a corporal in the unit. After the war, they settled at Queenston
in Upper Canada; David helped establish the community of St Davids where he built a sawmill
, gristmill
, blacksmith
shop and general store. His brother James, whose wife was Laura Secord
, also settled there.
In 1796, he was appointed justice of the peace in the Home District. He was elected to the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada
representing 2nd Lincoln
. He also served in the local militia, eventually reaching the rank of major. His buildings at St Davids were destroyed by the Americans
during the War of 1812
. He was later elected to the 7th Parliament
for 3rd Lincoln. He died at St. Davids in 1844 and was buried in the Methodist
cemetery there.
Upper Canada
The Province of Upper Canada was a political division in British Canada established in 1791 by the British Empire to govern the central third of the lands in British North America and to accommodate Loyalist refugees from the United States of America after the American Revolution...
.
He was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1759. His father served with Butler's Rangers
Butler's Rangers
Butler's Rangers was a British provincial regiment composed of Loyalists in the American Revolutionary War, raised by Loyalist John Butler.Most members of the regiment were Loyalists from upstate New York...
during the American Revolution
American Revolution
The American Revolution was the political upheaval during the last half of the 18th century in which thirteen colonies in North America joined together to break free from the British Empire, combining to become the United States of America...
and David later served as a corporal in the unit. After the war, they settled at Queenston
Queenston, Ontario
Queenston is located 5 km north of Niagara Falls, Ontario in the Town of Niagara-on-the-Lake. The community is bordered by Highway 405 and the Niagara River; its location on the Niagara Escarpment led to the establishment of the now-defunct Queenston Quarry in the area...
in Upper Canada; David helped establish the community of St Davids where he built a sawmill
Sawmill
A sawmill is a facility where logs are cut into boards.-Sawmill process:A sawmill's basic operation is much like those of hundreds of years ago; a log enters on one end and dimensional lumber exits on the other end....
, gristmill
Gristmill
The terms gristmill or grist mill can refer either to a building in which grain is ground into flour, or to the grinding mechanism itself.- Early history :...
, blacksmith
Blacksmith
A blacksmith is a person who creates objects from wrought iron or steel by forging the metal; that is, by using tools to hammer, bend, and cut...
shop and general store. His brother James, whose wife was Laura Secord
Laura Secord
Laura Ingersoll Secord was a Canadian heroine of the War of 1812. She is known for warning British forces of an impending American attack that led to the British victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams.-Early life:...
, also settled there.
In 1796, he was appointed justice of the peace in the Home District. He was elected to the 5th Parliament of Upper Canada
5th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 5th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 2 February 1809. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in May 1808. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada and sat at the Parliament Buildings of Upper Canada...
representing 2nd Lincoln
Lincoln County, Ontario
Lincoln County is a historic county in the Canadian province of Ontario.The county was formed in 1792. In 1845, the southern portion of Lincoln County was separated to form Welland County....
. He also served in the local militia, eventually reaching the rank of major. His buildings at St Davids were destroyed by the Americans
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the War of 1812
War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. He was later elected to the 7th Parliament
7th Parliament of Upper Canada
The 7th Parliament of Upper Canada was opened 4 February 1817. Elections in Upper Canada had been held in July 1816. All sessions were held at York, Upper Canada at the home of Chief Justice of the Court William Henry Draper...
for 3rd Lincoln. He died at St. Davids in 1844 and was buried in the Methodist
Methodism
Methodism is a movement of Protestant Christianity represented by a number of denominations and organizations, claiming a total of approximately seventy million adherents worldwide. The movement traces its roots to John Wesley's evangelistic revival movement within Anglicanism. His younger brother...
cemetery there.