The descendants of Dr. Solomon Secord have filed legal action against the Municipality of Kincardine.
Documentation was filed by David Secord, who shares a great-grandfather with the long-time physician, told Bayshore News that he was shocked to find out that the sundial monument that was formerly in front of the Kincardine Library was destroyed after council voted to decommission the piece.
The sundial was originally moved for the municipality’s Downtown Dig, which saw Queen Street get an overhaul to update and rehabilitate the town’s infrastructure on its main street.
Dr. Solomon Secord was a descendant of Canadian War of 1812 heroine Laura Secord, and practiced medicine in the community for 50 years before his passing in 1910.
His descendant said he was working on a book about the family’s history when he found out about the discussions over the granite monument, and got in touch with the municipality when there was a motion to consider decommissioning it in 2024.
The monument was dedicated to Dr. Secord for his time in the community, but specifically mentioned that he served as a surgeon for the Southern (Confederate) Army during the American Civil War:
“I mark the Sunny Hours.
To Solomon Secord, 1834-1910.
Our family physician for 50 years.
This memorial was erected by his loving friends.
Served as a surgeon with the Southern Army during the American Civil War.
All that lived he loved, and without regard for fee or reward, he did his work for the love of his fellows.”
The discussions from council revolved around whether there was a place for such a divisive item in a community that prides itself on equity, diversity, and inclusion, which did create backlash from the community.
“I called the Mayor’s office on the 13th of September when I found out about everything that was going on, because obviously we had been following it. I didn’t find out until I was researching a book that I’m doing for the family on our great-grandfather, and in some of the work I was doing… suddenly this all came up on my computer, about this hearing and the monument and what was going on. I had no idea until that point, and even the decision at the time, it was to decommission, it didn’t say ‘destroy,'” he explained.
Secord made multiple attempts to speak with a representative from the municipality, and was looking to pay to have the sun dial transferred into the family’s possession at his own expense.
“When they finally got back to us [on October 15th], they had told us that the monument had been destroyed.”
He said that once his family had received word that the sundial was destroyed, his family was “shocked and dismayed,” adding, “It was completely unexpected. At no point, even when we found out about what was happening, did we expect that that would be the conclusion.”
It was also pointed out at the time that there was a different monument dedicated to Dr. Secord, that is still in its place in Kincardine Cemetery, which reads:
“In memoriam to Solomon Secord, M.D. Erected by his friends to a man who was unalterably opposed to all forms of insincerity cant and hypocrisy. He loved children and animals and was rich in all things worth while. His life was devoted to benevolence and charity and he still lives in the affection of the people. His last words were “give my love to everybody.”
Council brought in Laura-Mae Lindo as a consultant regarding community feedback for the sun dial, and looked for advice on how to best move forward with the monument, as it wasn’t the first time a conversation was raised about it — the topic was brought up initially in 2018, amid a time when cities in the United States were debating whether to remove Confederate flags and monuments.
Secord explained, “We’re all Canadians and this is a Canadian… battle. We’re 7th and 8th generation Canadians, our family, and 10 generations in North America. We were persecuted in France in the 17th century. Canadians understand the value of history, and they understand the value of learning from history, not erasing it.”
The family had a recreation of the sundial monument commissioned at their own expense, but there is no word on when or where the re-make will be displayed.
“We haven’t decided yet. We’ve reached out to a few organizations that have interest,” he shared. “Obviously, we’d like it to be somewhere where it’s going to be recognized and be able to be displayed and where the public can learn and be educated from his history and his involvement in the community and in the different things. and we feel that there’s a huge value in learning from history, not erasing it.”
The Municipality of Kincardine declined to comment. In an e-mail response to Bayshore News, CAO Alan Smith said, “…This matter involves legal issues, the Municipality of Kincardine is unable to discuss the details publicly. We respect the legal process and have no further comment at this time.”