Secord family

The Secord family, originally using the surname Sicard and also recorded as Secor, is a historical family of French Huguenot origin associated with colonial New York, the American Revolution, the Loyalist migration to British North America, and the early development of Upper Canada. It is not a commercial brand in the ordinary sense; the subject is a family lineage documented in genealogical and historical sources. The family traces its documented ancestry to Ambroise Sicard, who was born around 1631 near La Rochelle in southwestern France. A salt worker and vineyard owner, Sicard belonged to the French Calvinist Protestant community known as the Huguenots. After Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes in 1685, Huguenots faced intensified religious persecution. Sicard and his family left France, spent time in England, and emigrated to the English colony of New York in 1688. In the following year he joined other French refugees in establishing the settlement that became New Rochelle in Westchester County. Ambroise Sicard acquired land, helped establish the French church at New Rochelle, and participated in local civic affairs. His descendants spread through Westchester, Orange, and Dutchess counties. During the eighteenth century, many members adopted the spellings Secor or Secord. Genealogical research cited by the family’s historical account concludes that the documented Secord lines descend from Ambroise Sicard. The family’s most consequential turning point came during the American Revolution. Its members did not act as a unified political bloc. Some served in Patriot militias or the Continental Army, while a substantial number supported the British Crown. Several Loyalist members joined the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara, Butler’s Rangers, the New York Volunteers, or related provincial formations. After the war, Loyalist branches received land in what became Ontario and New Brunswick, while Patriot branches remained connected to New York and, in some cases, later moved to Upper Canada. Among the prominent Loyalist figures were brothers John, Peter, and James Secord, who settled near the North Branch of the Susquehanna River before the Revolution and moved to the Niagara region after serving with British forces. Peter and James built and operated an early mill in Niagara Township. Their relatives Solomon, Stephen, David, John, and Silas also served in British-aligned units. David Secord later became a justice of the peace, represented Lincoln constituencies in the Parliament of Upper Canada, and served as a militia officer during the War of 1812. Other family members supported the Patriot cause. Josiah Secord served in the Dutchess County Militia, while Isaac, James, and John Secor served at various times in New York Continental or militia units. This split illustrates the complex loyalties of families whose members lived across contested colonial communities. During the War of 1812, members living in Upper Canada served in several militia formations, including the Lincoln and Norfolk regiments and the Niagara Light Dragoons. They participated in or were connected with engagements at Queenston Heights, Fort George, Chippewa, and Lundy’s Lane. The family’s later historical significance rests on this combination of migration, military service, public office, settlement, and association with notable Canadian figures such as Laura Secord, who belonged to a related Upper Canadian branch by marriage.

The Secord family’s documented history begins with Ambroise Sicard, born around 1631 in Mornac-sur-Seudre near La Rochelle. The family lived in a region with a strong Protestant presence, and Ambroise worked as a saunier, or salt worker, while also owning a vineyard. Religious pressure following the revocation of the Edict of Nantes forced many Huguenots to leave France. Ambroise and his family moved first to the Île de Ré and then to London before sailing for New York in 1688. A baptism recorded in New York that year documents the family’s arrival. Around 1689, Ambroise joined other French Huguenot immigrants in the settlement that became New Rochelle. He acquired land, helped establish the French church, and took part in local government. He died at New Rochelle around 1712. His descendants expanded through Westchester County and into Orange and Dutchess counties. Over time, the family name appeared in several forms, especially Sicard, Secor, and Secord. The American Revolution divided the family. Some members signed or supported Patriot associations, joined county militias, or enlisted in Continental regiments. Others affirmed allegiance to the British Crown and entered provincial military organizations. In 1775, several members were among Westchester inhabitants who publicly declared loyalty to Britain. In Orange County, members differed over whether to sign an association test rejecting British authority. The branches that supported Britain included members of the families of John, Peter, and James Secord. They moved toward Fort Niagara in 1777 and entered the British Indian Department. Most of the younger men later joined Butler’s Rangers, while James continued in the Indian Department for a longer period. These men took part in the military campaigns of the Revolutionary War, and some received promotions or commissions. After the conflict, Crown loyalists received land grants in Upper Canada and New Brunswick. Peter and James settled in the Niagara area and operated an early regional mill, while other relatives established farms and communities elsewhere. The Patriot branch included Josiah Secord of the Dutchess County Militia and Isaac, James, and John Secor, who served in New York Continental units or militias. Their records include participation in the Invasion of Canada, the Battle of Long Island, the Hudson Valley campaigns, and the Sullivan Campaign. The family therefore cannot be characterized as uniformly Loyalist, even though the Loyalist migration became especially important to its later Canadian identity. During the War of 1812, Upper Canadian Secords served in several militia units. David Secord, a former Butler’s Ranger, became a major in the 2nd Lincoln Militia and represented Lincoln constituencies in the Upper Canadian legislature. Other members served as officers, quartermasters, sergeants, corporals, or enlisted soldiers. Family members were present at major Niagara-region operations, including Queenston Heights, Fort George, Chippewa, and Lundy’s Lane. James Secord was seriously wounded at Queenston Heights, while David Secord commanded his regiment at Lundy’s Lane. The family’s historical profile was later shaped by genealogical research and by the public memory of connected Canadian figures, notably Laura Secord. A major modern genealogical study by R. Kirk Moulton appeared as a multi-part series in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record in 2019 and 2020. That research argued that the documented Secord lines descend from Ambroise Sicard.

• 2019

  Publication of modern genealogical research

  [1]Secord familyen.wikipedia.org

  R. Kirk Moulton’s research on the family began appearing in a seven-part series in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record, continuing into 2020.

• 1812

  Service in the War of 1812

  [1]Secord familyen.wikipedia.org

  Upper Canadian members served in multiple militia units during the defence of the Niagara frontier.

• 1780

  Settlement in the Niagara region

  [1]Secord familyen.wikipedia.org

  Peter and James Secord established themselves across the Niagara River in what became Niagara Township and developed an early mill.

• 1777

  Loyalist military service at Fort Niagara

  [1]Secord familyen.wikipedia.org

  Several Secord men entered the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara and later joined Butler’s Rangers or related Loyalist formations.

• 1696

  Oath of allegiance

  [1]Secord familyen.wikipedia.org

  Ambroise Sicard and three sons swore allegiance to King William and Queen Mary of England.

• 1689

  Settlement at New Rochelle

  [1]Secord familyen.wikipedia.org

  Sicard joined other Huguenot immigrants in establishing the settlement that became New Rochelle in Westchester County.

• 1688

  Arrival of Ambroise Sicard in New York

  [1]Secord familyen.wikipedia.org

  Ambroise Sicard and his family left Europe for the English colony of New York after persecution of French Huguenots.

A historical family lineage rather than a commercial brand, associated with Huguenot migration, colonial settlement, Revolutionary-era divided loyalties, Loyalist resettlement, and early Canadian public and military life.

1. 1Secord familyen.wikipedia.org