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. 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.
John Secord: John Secord (1757–1830), known as 'Deaf John' due to his hearing loss from a cannon shot, joined the British Indian Department at Fort Niagara in 1777, later transferred to Butler's Rangers, and served as a private until his discharge in October 1778. In 1780, he settled across the Niagara River in what became Niagara Township.
Daniel Secord: Daniel Secord, son of Daniel Secord (1724–1818) joined
Brant's Volunteers in 1777. After the war,
Joseph Brant granted Secord a 999-year lease on 200 acres in the
Haldimand Tract. Several years after the war he emigrated to Upper Canada and settled in the Niagara District.
Isaac Secor: Isaac Secor (1755–1836), son of David Secor (1721–1797) enlisted in the
3rd New York Regiment in July 1775. He was court-martialled for attempted desertion in October 1775 and was fined a month's pay. He was with the regiment during the
Invasion of Quebec but was discharged due to frostbite before the
Battle of Quebec. Secor reenlisted in the Continental Army several times and was with the regiment at the
Battle of Long Island in 1776, the
Battle of Forts Clinton and Montgomery in 1777, and the
Sullivan Campaign in 1779. Between enlistments he served in the 2nd Regiment Orange County Militia.
James Secor: James Secor (1751–1820), son of David Secor (1721–1797), enlisted as a sergeant in the 3rd New York Regiment in 1775. The 3rd Regiment saw action during the Invasion of Canada and the Battle of Quebec. He returned to New York when his enlistment expired and served as a sergeant in the 2nd Regiment Orange County Militia. Additional members of the Secor family served in the militias of Orange, Westchester, and Dutchess counties. Jonas Secor is recorded as having served in the New York Levies. == War of 1812 ==