At this meeting Hale is said to have given a speech in which he said, "Let us march immediately and never lay down our arms until we obtain our independence." Shortly thereafter the 7th Connecticut Militia marched towards the sites of the war's early battles. And in April of 1775, the Revolutionary War began.Īfter the news of the war reached New London, a town meeting was called. He then joined the local militia, where he was elected 1st sergeant. He wasn't entirely sure if he wanted to dedicate his whole life to teaching, but in the end he accepted the job. He was well liked by students and fellow teachers, and in 1774, he was offered the job of headmaster. Although he taught at more than one school, he ended up teaching at the Union School in New London, CT. Nathan graduated with first honors in 1773 when he was 18 years old.Īfter college, he began to teach. Nathan was only 14, and his brother only 16. In 1769, he and his brother, Enoch Hale, were sent to Yale.
His father eventually remarried to Abigail Hale, who continued along Nathan's mother's path of encouraging him at his studies. During his youth, his mother died in childbirth, during the birth of Nathan's sister. Despite being sick quite often when he was younger, he managed to survive. His father was a farmer, as well as a deacon of his local church. He was born to Richard Hale and Elizabeth Strong, both were devout Puritans. Nathan Hale was born on Jin Coventry, CT.