Secord family

The Secord family (originally Sicard) was a colonial New York family whose loyalties were split during the American Revolution. The family traces its origins back to Ambroise Sicard who was born in France about 1631. Sicard, a Huguenot, brought his family to British America in 1688 to escape religious persecution. Although a few of his descendants were active as Patriots during the American Revolution, a significant number were Loyalists who joined British provincial regiments such as Butler's Rangers, and afterwards settled in what is now Ontario and New Brunswick.

Origins During the 17th century, the Sicard family lived near La Rochelle on the Bay of Biscay. The ancient origins of the family are uncertain. Although a number of theories have been proposed, none has been proven. The Sicard family were French Calvinist Protestants, also known as Huguenots. The Huguenots had been granted substantial rights in the 1598 Edict of Nantes, but Louis XIV renounced the Edict in 1685, triggering massive persecution. Tens of thousands of Huguenots fled France to England including Sicard. From England, Sicard brought his family to the English colony of New York in 1688. With other Huguenot families, he founded New Rochelle in Westchester County about 1689. In the years that followed, Ambroise Sicard's descendants spread to other areas of Westchester County as well as neighbouring Orange and Dutchess counties. By the time of the American Revolution, most had adopted Secor or Secord as their surname. Several researchers have noted that those family members who were active Loyalists during the American Revolution all had the Secord surname.Moulton, R. Kirk (2019). "Early Sicard-Secor Families of New York: Origins of United Empire Loyalist William Secord." New York Genealogical and Biographical Record. 150: 5–19, 123–132, 209–220, 302–316; 151: 51–66.

Family historian R. Kirk Moulton has researched the family in depth. His findings were published in a seven-installment series in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record in 2019 and 2020. Moulton concluded that all Secords are descended from Ambroise Sicard.

Ambroise Sicard Ambroise Sicard was born about 1631 in Mornac sur Seudre, south of La Rochelle. He was a saunier, or salt worker, harvesting salt from the salt marshes, and also owned a vineyard worth 40 livres. Threatened with forcible conversion to Catholicism, Sicard fled with his family to the Île de Ré and later to London. His eldest son married while the family was in London. In 1688, Ambroise joined other Huguenots sailing for New York. The baptism of Madeline Sicard, his first grandchild, on October 22, 1688, is recorded in the registers of the L’Eglise Française a la Nouvelle York. The following year Sicard moved from the city to neighbouring Westchester County, and with other Huguenots founded the settlement of New Rochelle on land purchased from Pelham Manor. He eventually acquired several tracts of land, helped establish the French Church at New Rochelle, and was active in local government. On February 6, 1696, Sicard and his three sons swore allegiance to King William and Queen Mary of England.

Ambroise had six children although there were likely others who died in infancy. According to family tradition, Ambroise's wife and a child died before the family reached New York. Ambroise Sicard died at New Rochelle and was survived by his three sons and two daughters.

Ambroise Sicard (–1712) Ambroise Sicard (–1735) mar. 1st Jeanne Perron; mar. 2nd Unknown Madeline Sicard (1688– ?) Anne Sicard (– ?) Ambroise Sicard (1697– ?) Judith Sicard (–) Mariane Sicard (1704– ?) Daniel Sicard (aft. 1712–) mar. 1st Mary Archer; mar. 2nd Abigail Fowler Paul Sicard (aft. 1712– ?) Daniel Sicard (–) mar. Catherine Wynant Daniel Secord (1698– ?) mar. Catherine Mabie Catherine Secord (1721–1801) Daniel Secord (1724–) mar. Elinor Archer Daniel Secord (1756– ?) John Secord (1762–1817) Warner Secord (– ?) John Secord (1725–1804) Sarah Secord (1751–1804) mar. Isaac Swayze John Secord (1757–1830) mar. Susannah Wartman Daniel Secord (1780–1837) Daniel K. Secord (1819–1857) John Secord QC (1850–1898) Abraham Wartman Secord (1795–1852) Daniel Secord (1762-abt. 1845) Peter Secord (1726–1818) Silas Secord ( David Secord (1773–1827) Rachel Secord (1726– ?) James (Jacques) Secord (1732–1784) mar. Magdelaine Badeau Solomon Secord (1755–1799) George Osmond Secord (1798–1883) Solomon Secord (1834–1910) Stephen (Etienne) Secord (1757–1808) David Secord (1790–1846) James Richard Secord (1832–1897) mar. Jane Manley Richard Secord (1860–1935) David Secord (1759–1844) David Secord (1794–1821) George Secord (1801–1881) John Secord (1762–1846) Magdalen Secord (1764–1827) mar. Richard Cartwright John Solomon Cartwright (1804–1845) Robert Cartwright (1804–1843) mar. Harriet Dobbs Richard John Cartwright (1835–1912) Esther Secord (1766–1802) Mary Secord (1770–1841) James Secord (July 7, 1773 – February 22, 1841) mar. Laura Ingersoll Jacques Sicard (–1773) mar. Jeanne Bonnett Benjamin Secord (1735–1811) Israel Secord (1748–1819) Pierre (Peter) Sicard () mar. Hester Guion; Captain in the Westchester County Militia during the French and Indian War Catherine Sicard (1704– ?) Jean (John) Sicard (– ?) John Secor (– ?) Isaac J. Secor (1751–1835) emigrated to Upper Canada after the Revolutionary War Isaac Sicard (1715–1759) died during the French and Indian War Isaac Secord (1749–1818) Josiah Secord (1751–1832) Daniel Secord (1753–1843) Elie Secord (1755– ?) Frederick Secord (1756– ?) Elizabeth Sicard (– ?) Marie Sicord (1725–1801) mar. Daniel Chadeayne Jacques Sicard (– ?) mar. Anne Terrier Elizabeth Sicard (– ?) Jacques Sicard (– ?) mar. Marianne Ravaux Susanne Sicard (1704– ?) Esther Sicard (– ?) Catherine Sicard (– ?) Anne Sicard (– ?) Jean Sicard (1712– ?) Mary Sicard (1713–1806) Isaac Secor (– ?) Elias Secor (– ?) Elias Secord (1748–1838) William Secord (–() David Secor (1721– ?) mar. Rebecca Halstead Jacob Secor (1745–1818) David Secor (– ?) James Secor (1751–1820) Isaac Secor (1755– ?) John Secor (1757– ?) Jonas Secor (1760– ?) Marie Sicard (– ?) mar. Guillaume (William) Landrin Sylvie Sicard (- ?) mar. Francois Coquillet

Note: The information in this chart is derived from R. Kirk Moulton's "Early Sicard-Secor Families of New York: Origins of United Empire Loyalist William Secord."

Revolutionary War

The American Revolution divided the family. Some family members were active Patriots who enlisted in the Continental Army, while others served in Patriot militias. A significant number were Loyalists who left their homes and families and joined British provincial regiments such as Butler's Rangers.

In April 1775, just before the start of the Revolutionary War, a meeting of roughly 100 Patriots was held in Westchester County to select representatives for a meeting in New York that would choose delegates for the Second Continental Congress. At the same time, roughly the same number of Loyalists gathered at the house of Abraham Hatfield, then marched in protest to the Patriot meeting. Afterwards, 312 inhabitants of the county signed a document affirming their loyalty to the British Crown, including Elias, Francis, Israel, Joshua, and Benjamin Secord.

In May 1775, male residents aged 21 and over in Orange County were asked to sign a resolution known as an association test, indicating their loyalty to the provincial government and their rejection of British rule. Nine members of the Secord family signed, however, five refused to do so.

A few years before the Revolution, brothers John, Peter and James Secord settled on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River in what is now Pennsylvania. In the spring of 1777, the three, accompanied by five of their sons, journeyed to Fort Niagara and joined the British Indian Department. Following the August 1777 Siege of Fort Stanwix, authorization was given for John Butler to raise the "a corps of rangers" which became known as Butler's Rangers. Seven of the eight enlisted in the new regiment, while James elected to continue serving in the Indian Department.

After the war, members of the Secord family who had demonstrated their loyalty to the British Crown received grants of land in what is now Ontario and New Brunswick. Their children were also eligible for land grants once they reached adulthood. Loyalists could also submit claims for losses as a result of the war although only Solomon Secord and William Secord appear to have done so.

Loyalists

John Secord: John Secord (1725–1804), son of Daniel Sicard (1698–1765), served with the 5th Company, Upper Battalion, Westmoreland Militia during the French and Indian War. Shortly before the Revolution, he settled on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River. He was arrested as a British spy in March 1776 but successfully appealed his imprisonment to the Connecticut government. He joined the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara in 1777 and later transferred to Butler's Rangers. John was discharged in October 1778 due to his age and settled across the Niagara River in what became Niagara Township.

Peter Secord: Peter Secord (1726–1818), son of Daniel Sicard (1698–1765) enlisted in the 5th Company, Upper Battalion of the Westchester County Militia during the French and Indian War. He settled on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River shortly before the Revolution. Peter joined the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara in 1777 and later transferred to Butler's Rangers. He was discharged in October 1778 due to his age. In 1780, Peter settled across the Niagara River in what became Niagara Township, and with his brother James built and operated the first mill in the region. He later moved to the Long Point area.

James (Jacques) Secord: James Secord (1732–1784), son of Daniel Sicard (1698–1765), enlisted in the 5th Company, Upper Battalion of the Westchester County Militia during the French and Indian War. He settled on the North Branch of the Susquehanna River shortly before the Revolution. James joined the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara in 1777. James retired sometime after April 1779. Three of his sons joined Butler's Rangers. In 1780, James settled across the Niagara River in what became Niagara Township, and with his brother Peter built and operated the first mill in the region. His children were granted 2,000 additional acres of land for their father's service during the war.

Solomon Secord: Solomon Secord (1755–1799), son of James Secord (1732–1784), joined the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara in 1777, later transferred to Butler's Rangers, and was promoted first to corporal and then sergeant. He later received a commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. After the war he settled across the Niagara River in what became Niagara Township.

Stephen (Etienne) Secord: Stephen Secord joined the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara in 1777, later transferred to Butler's Rangers, and rose to the rank of sergeant. After the war he settled across the Niagara River in what became Niagara Township.