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Nathan Hale, Revolutionary War Spy

4th Cousin, seven times removed

Nathan Hale was born in Coventry, Connecticut June 6, 1755 to Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong . His parents were from well respected New England families and were strong Puritans who believed in education, his father a farmer and church deacon. Nathan was the sixth of ten surviving siblings.  In 1768, when he was thirteen years old, he was sent with his brother Enoch to Yale College. Nathan was a classmate of fellow patriot spy Benjamin Tallmadge. The Hale brothers belonged to the Yale literary fraternity, Linonia, which debated topics in astronomy, mathematics, literature, and the ethics of slavery. Graduating with first-class honors in 1773, Nathan became a teacher, first in East Haddam and later in New London. (Material for this page is from Wikipedia, from the website americaslibrary.gov and from the website earlyamerica.com.) 

This is the Nathan Hale Homestead in Coventry, Connecticut.  It is also known as the Deacon Richard Hale House.  

Five of Nathan Hale's brothers fought the British at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts, on April 19, 1775.  Nathan joined them on July 1. In the fall of 1775, Hale accepted a commission as first lieutenant in the 7th Connecticut Regiment under Colonel Charles Webb of Stamford. In the following spring, the army moved to Manhattan to prevent the British from taking over New York City. The army was reorganized and Hale received a Captain’s commission in the new 19th Connecticut regiment. In September, General Washington was desperate to determine the upcoming location of the British invasion of Manhattan Island. Washington sought to do this by sending a spy behind enemy lines – Hale was the only volunteer. Still having not physically fought in war yet, Hale saw this as a crucial opportunity to fight for the patriotic cause.

"I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."

Disguised as a Dutch schoolmaster, Nathan Hale set out on his mission on about September 10.

During his mission, New York City (then the area at the southern tip of Manhattan around Wall Street) fell to British forces on September 15 and Washington was forced to retreat to the island's north in Harlem Heights (what is now Morningside Heights).  On September 21, a quarter of the lower portion of Manhattan burned in the Great New York Fire of 1776.

 

An account of Nathan Hale's capture was written by Consider Tiffany, a Connecticut shopkeeper and Loyalist, and obtained by the Library of Congress.  In Tiffany's account, Major Robert Rogers of the Queen's Rangers saw Hale in a tavern and recognized him despite his disguise.  After luring Hale into betraying himself by pretending to be a patriot himself, Rogers and his Rangers apprehended Hale near Flushing Bay, in Queens, New York.

For a week he had gathered information on the position of British troops, but was captured while returning to the American side.  Because of incriminating papers Hale possessed, the British knew he was a spy.  Hale reportedly was questioned by Gen. William Howe, the commander of all British forces in America, and physical evidence was found on him.  Rogers also provided information about the case.   Howe ordered young Hale to be hanged the following day.

 

According to tradition, Hale spent the night in a greenhouse at the mansion.  According to the standards of the time, spies were hanged as illegal combatants.  On the morning of September 22, 1776, Hale was marched along Post Road to the Park of Artillery, which was next to a public house called the Dove Tavern (at modern day 66th Street and Third Avenue).  Before he was hanged, his last words were, "I only regret that I have but one life to give for my country."  He was 21 years old.

The Bissell Outlaw Connection to Captain Nathan Hale

4th Cousin, seven times removed

 

Bissell "3G" Generation

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Joyce, Meredith, George, Gwen, Roger, Arthur, Eleanor, Chip, Carolyn, Betsy, Clyde

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Adelaide Lyon Boutelle --- Richard Meredith Bissell

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Myrtie Ella Bisbee -- Herbert Hunt Bissell

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Julie Ann Richardson --- John Hatch Bissell

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Mercy Ann Searle --- Benoni Bliss Bissell

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Arunah Searle --- Damaris Pomeroy

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Captain Nathan Hale                                                                            Asahel Pomeroy --- Demaris Sprague

b. 1755                                                                                                                        ]

             [                                                                                                                    ]

Elizabeth Strong m. Richard Hale                                                             Ephraim Sprague --- Sarah French

b. 1727                                                                                                                        ]

             [                                                                                                                     ]

Joseph Strong                                                                                        Ebenezer French --- Mary Edwards

b. 1701                                                                                                                        ]

             [                                                                                                                     ]

Joseph Strong                                                                                         Benjamin Edwards --- Mary Clark

b. 1672                                                                                                                        ]

             [                                                                                                                     ]

Thomas Strong                                                                                       Deacon John Clark --- Mary Strong

b. Abt 1636                                                                                                                   ]

             [                                                                                                                     ]

             [------------------------- Elder John Strong m. Abigail Ford -----------------------------]

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