Port Rowan in Norfolk County, Ontario — Central Canada (North America)

The Heroine of Long Point

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 15, 2024

1. The Heroine of Long Point Marker

Inscription. In November, 1854, the schooner "Conductor" was wrecked off this shore during one of Lake Eries many violent storms. Jeremiah Becker, who resided nearby, was away on the mainland but his courageous wife, Abigail, risked her life by repeatedly entering the water while assisting the exhausted seamen to reach land. The eight sailors were housed and fed in her cabin until they recovered from their ordeal. In recognition of her heroism she received a letter of commendation trom Queen Victoria, several financial awards, and a gold medal from the Life Saving Benevolent Association of New York.

Erected by Ontario Archaeological and Historic Sites Board.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Heroes • Waterways & Vessels • Women. In addition, it is included in the Canada, Ontario Heritage Trust series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1854.

Location. 42° 37.295′ N, 80° 27.046′ W. Marker is in Port Rowan, Ontario, in Norfolk County. It is on Front Road 0.1 kilometers west of Ellis Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 18 Front Road, Port Rowan ON N0E 1W0, Canada. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in the Southwest Ontario Area

and in Southwestern Ontario.

It is also in Central Canada.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once a British colony,

the Viceroyalty of New France,

the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

and Rupert’s Land.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 kilometers of this marker, measured as the crow

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flies: Port Rowan Cenotaph (a few steps from this marker); Long Point Biosphere (about 150 meters away, measured in a direct line); Long Point (about 150 meters away); Our Oldest Heritage (about 150 meters away); Long Point Bay (about 150 meters away); Port Rowan History (about 180 meters away); Bird Studies Canada (about 180 meters away); The Long Point Settlement (approx. 2.9 kilometers away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Port Rowan.

Also see . . . Abigail Becker (Wikipedia).

The rescue of the Conductor crew was not known widely, or reportedly at all soon afterward, until a retired lake ship captain from Buffalo named E.P. Dorr traveled near Long Point Island to research the fate of the ship. Dorr met another lake ship captain and the keepers at the Old Cut Lighthouse, who told him of the rescue.Visiting the Becker cabin, Dorr found the poverty they lived in, with the entire family barefoot and cold. When he thanked Abigail for her actions, she replied, "I don't know as I did more ’n I'd ought to, nor more ’n I'd do again." In his appreciation, Dorr sent the family clothing and other supplies upon his return to Buffalo, and began to spread the story of Conductor's rescue by Abigail.

(Submitted on October 17, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario.)

Photographed by Tim Boyd, September 15, 2024

2. The Heroine of Long Point Marker

Abigail Becker, ca 1856 image. Click for full size.

circa 1856

3. Abigail Becker, ca 1856

(Public domain)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 18, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 17, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. This page has been viewed 328 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on October 17, 2024, by Tim Boyd of Hamilton, Ontario. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.