Coventry

Coventry, town (township), Tolland county, east-central Connecticut, U.S., on the Willimantic River amid rolling hills. Although the area, known as Waramaug, was first settled about 1700, only in 1709 did a significant number of people move there. It was named for Coventry, England, in 1711 and incorporated in 1712. The town is known chiefly as the birthplace of the American patriot Nathan Hale, who was hanged by the British and is credited with saying, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.” The Nathan Hale Homestead, built in 1776 by his father, Deacon Hale, is preserved. The Nathan Hale Cemetery is in South Coventry above Wangumbaug Lake, where a 45-foot (14-metre) granite obelisk stands as a memorial to the patriot. The town’s main economic activities centre on agriculture and tourism. Area 38 square miles (98 square km). Pop. (2000) 11,504; (2010) 12,435.