Nathan Hale
... 4 Nathan Hale Nathaniel Hale, a patriot and schoolteacher from Connecticut, proved himself a hero at Long Island in 1776. ... Nathan Hale was the first American spy ever. ... Hale volunteered of course, being the patriot he was, and it is said that he was the only volunteer. Hale got dressed in civilian clothes, and crossed from Norwalk to Long Island in a boat.