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| Photograph ©The Stone Wall Initiative |
Address:
2299 South Street
Coventry, Connecticut 06238
(860) 742-9025
The historical tapestry of the Hale's family homestead, erected in the mid-1700s by the industrious Deacon Richard Hale, who traversed from Newburyport, Massachusetts to Coventry, unfolds with fascinating intricacies. A testament to the growth of the Hale family, the house expanded alongside the birth of twelve children to Deacon Hale and his wife, Elizabeth. Tragically, Elizabeth Hale's demise occurred shortly after the birth of their twelfth child. Among the progeny, one stands out prominently - the iconic Revolutionary War hero, Nathan Hale.
Captain Nathan Hale, a valiant officer in the Continental Army during the American War of Independence, etched his name in history as America's inaugural spy. In 1776, at the tender age of twenty-one, Nathan embarked on a mission for the Militia, only to be captured by the British and subsequently hanged. His poignant last words, "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country," resonated and solidified his status as a Connecticut state hero and a revered American icon.
Following Elizabeth Hale's passing, Deacon Hale found companionship with another widow, Abigail Cobb, bringing seven more daughters into the fold. The household expanded to nineteen members, prompting Deacon Hale to augment living quarters and establish a dedicated schoolroom within the homestead.
As the Hale children matured and ventured into the world, the house assumed varied roles, accommodating family members for diverse reasons. Deacon Hale continued to reside there until his demise in 1802. Step-siblings John Hale and Sara Cobb Hale, wedded in the homestead, met their end in 1803. David Hale, the youngest offspring and a minister, assumed stewardship, transforming the residence into a school for local boys. Joseph Hale returned with his family, seeking refuge after contracting tuberculosis, and his widow and children continued to occupy the dwelling after his 1784 demise.
The year 1914 marked a transformative period for the homestead. George Dudley Seymour, a prosperous New Haven patent attorney, renowned antiquarian, and ardent admirer of Nathan Hale, acquired the dilapidated dwelling. Seymour undertook extensive restoration, resurrecting its former glory, and dedicated himself to immortalizing Nathan Hale's legacy. In addition to preserving Hale family narratives, Seymour meticulously documented paranormal encounters within the hallowed walls.
George Seymour's inaugural encounter with the paranormal transpired in 1914. Accompanied by a friend, Seymour visited the homestead, witnessing the spectral figure of Deacon Richard Hale at a schoolroom window. The apparition, startled by their arrival, retreated and dissipated into the ethereal realm.
Legends of spectral presence endure within the homestead. Lydia Carpenter, once a servant to the Hale family, purportedly lingers in the afterlife, sweeping the upper hall and engaging in kitchen duties. Her ghostly manifestations include eavesdropping in doorways and hallways. The cellar, haunted by the lingering spirit of Joseph Hale, echoes with the eerie sounds of chains clinking and clanking. Apparitions of John and Sara Hale reportedly roam the premises, with whispers of phantom footsteps echoing through staircases and hallways, adding an ethereal layer to the rich historical narrative encapsulated within the walls of the Hale family homestead.