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The Heroine of Long Point

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The fall of that year was long and beautiful, and it was late in November when Jeremiah Becker made his usual trip to the mainland to dispose of his 'pelts' and purchase his winter supplies. Abigail had some misgivings as to his crossing that day. She scanned the horizon with anxious longing and foreboding fear.

Toward evening the distant murmur of a coming storm could be heard and and before night it had deepened into a roaring hurricane. The bay between her and the mainland became a turmoil of seething waters. She retired to sleep but not to rest.

The hoarsee voice of the gale and her anxiety for those who might be exposed to the fierce tempest made the night one long agony. At last she could stand the strain no longer, and hastily dressing, ventured out.

With the coming of dawn she could discern through the gloom a ship about half a mile out, with the waves breaking over her, freezing as they fell. Immediately she built a huge bonfire of driftwood on the beach, to give courage to the half-frozen sailors.

 Then she waded out as far as possible in the surf, which was breaking in mountains of foam over the wreck. Beckoning to the men she tried to make them understand that she knew the way and could guide them to safety.

Finally the captain led the way, and assisted by Abigail Becker, reached the shore in safety. One by one she helped them to land, where food and warmth soon restored their ebbing strength.

The storm raged for four days, and food became very scarce before Trapper Becker could return with supplies from Port Rowan.

Abigail Becker never thought she had done anything wonderful. To a woman of her type, it was her plain duty and she did it with hearty good-will and thankfulness that she was called to serve in such 'high places of the field.'

In recognition of her heroism, the merchants of Buffalo presented her with a purse of $150. Queen Victoria sent her $250 and a letter of thanks and appreciation. The American Humane Society presented her with a gold medal, on which as engraved the story of her brave exploit. 

Abigail Becker was of U. E. Loyalist stock, her maiden name being Jackson. She was tall and comely, well knit and physically developed -- a woman of the lakes and woods -- and thoroughly imbued with that dauntless spirit that makes for heroines.

She died March 21st, 1905, in her 74th year."

[Transcriber's Comment: Paragraph breaks inserted. The original text was one long paragraph.]

Source: Simcoe and Norfolk County published by Pearce Publishing, 1924
(Out of print. Copy available for inspection at Norfolk Historical Society.)
Copyright 1997-2018 John Cardiff and Norfolk Historical Society