The story of Nathan Hale is a foundational myth of the American Revolution: an earnest but inexperienced patriot takes on the role of spy and unfortunately ends up a martyr to the cause.
Hale was identified by Major Robert Rogers, who pretended to be a fellow patriot, got him to reveal his mission over a drink before arresting him. When searched, British forces found hidden notes and military drawings. Under the laws of war, captured spies were not granted military trials or treated as prisoners of war.
On September 22, 1776, British Commander General William Howe ordered Hale to be hanged without a trial. Just before his execution in Manhattan, Hale was said to have delivered his famous – though disputed – final words: “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country” (actually a famous quote from Cato).
Although Hale’s mission was a failure, George Washington was prompted to professionalize his approach to espionage, eventually leading to the creation of Culper Spy Ring.
But Hale’s story is not the whole story. Historian Claire Bellerjeau, chronicler of Culper Spy Ring member Robert Townsend and the enslaved woman Liss, has brought to light another Nathan Hale.
His name was David Maltbie (1759-1807) and his history is remarkably similar to, yet also significantly different from, that of Nathan Hale.
On this episode of the Long Island History Project podcast, Bellerjeau explains the documentary trail she followed to uncover Maltbie’s espionage activities and his ultimate fate as well as the implications it all has for the history of espionage on Long Island during the American Revolution.
The episode is available here.
Claire Bellerjeau is the co-author of Espionage and Enslavement in the Revolution: The True Story of Robert Townsend and Elizabeth.
In 2022, she cofounded the nonprofit Remember Liss that educates the community about Elizabeth’s life. Bellerjeau formerly served as historian and director of education at Raynham Hall Museum in Oyster Bay, New York, where Elizabeth was once enslaved.
The Long Island History Project is an independent podcast featuring stories and interviews with people passionate about Long Island history. It is hosted by academic librarian Chris Kretz.
Learn More About The American Revolution in New York
Illustration: An excerpt from 1846 letter from Ebenezer Seeley to historian Henry Onderdonk describing the travails of David Maltbie (Center for Brooklyn History).
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