Revolutionary War hero Nathan Hale whose legendary last words "I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country" remain one of American history's most remembered phrases, was born on this site in 1755. Surrounded by over 500 acres of forest and picturesque rural landscape, the present structure was built by the Hale family in 1776. The Hale Homestead in Coventry , Connecticut has portions of the original house in which Nathan, one of 12 children, grew up, and the property is home to this large Northern red oak tree.