Battle of Beaverdams

Battle Of Beaverdams: Questions and Answers

Questions to test your knowledge about one of the battles in the War of 1812. Copies of the book mark are available at the Library.

(1) Where did the Battle of Beaverdams occur?
“The crossroads is the approximate present intersection of Old Thorold Stone Road and Davis Road, and a key site in the Battle story. The consensus is that the Battle played out in and around Lots 13, 14, 15, 26, 27 and 28 – the four or six lots around the intersection – in Thorold Township.” (Niagara 1812: Battle of Beaverdams Thorold)

(2) In what year was the Battle fought in Thorold?
The battle was fought in 1813. (“Battle of Beaverdams: Story of Thorold’s Battle in the War of 1812” by Donald Keith Dewar).

(3) Who built DeCou House?
DeCou House was built by John DeCou (also spelled DeCew). The Georgian style house was built by Captain John DeCou early in the 19th century.

(4) What was stored at DeCou House?
Decou built a saw mill along Beaverdams Creek and later built a grist mill and a mill for extracting oil from linseed to provide supplies for Fort George. The house was used as a store and garrison for Brittish Troops. Lieutenant James FitzGibbon and a troop of volunteers took up residence at DeCew House.

(5) How did John and Laura learn of the Americans’ plan to attack DeCou House?
American officers entered the home of Laura and James Secord in Queenston, Ontario to demand a meal. Laura overheard their plan to capture FitzGibbon at Decou House.

(6) How many kilometers did Laura walk to warn the British?
Laura walked 4 kilometers to her relatives in St. Davids to speak with her relatives about what she had heard. She then walked 16 kilometers to Beaverdams where she followed the creek west to DeCou House. The last part of Laura’s journey along the creek through woods, fields and swamps was 11 kilometers. In total, Laura’s journey was 31 kilometers.

(7) Who accompanied Laura on part of her journey?
Since Laura’s brother was not at home, her niece accompanied her until she reached St. Catharines. They followed an old trail as they did not want to run into American scouts on patrol.

(8) Laura Secord warned which Lieutenant?
Laura warned Lieutenant James FitzGibbon of the 49th Regiment.

(9) To where did Laura walk?
To warn the British of the Americans plan, she needed to walk to DeCou House where the British store and garrison was located.

(10) Who led the American soldiers?
Colonel Boerstler led the American soldiers.

(11) Who kept watch for American activity?
450 First Nations made an encampment along the Ten Mile Creek Road on John Hoover’s farm. Some of these tribes include but are not limited to Mohawk and Six Nations.

(12) On to who’s field did the Americans retreat?
Boerstler called his troops together to make a frantic effort to escape through rail fences and into George Miller’s fields. 500 men sprinted across the farm toward Miller’s farmhouse and barn onto a farm laneway that led through the creek and up onto the side of Beaverdams Creek.

The information is from the following sources:
“Battle of Beaverdams: Story of Thorold’s Battle in the War of 1812” by Donald Keith Dewar (971.03 DEW).
“Decou House Monument” and “DeCew Young House” by Heritage Thorold
“1812: The War For Canada: A War with a Year Named After It” by Geoffrey Corfield (971.034 COR).
“The Battle of Beaverdams-June 24, 1813.”