Waterbury Democrat., 1902-06-05
ENOCH CROSBY OF DANBURY
Reputed Original of Coopers Harve.
 Birch in saThe Spy"

on the enlistment IOil WdS d youA- ? shoemaker, Enoch Crosby, who is sald to have been the parsonage on whom Cooper built up his character of Harvey Birch in his famous novel, "The spy He was to have some interesting eX- periences and narrow escapes as spy for the American army. It was Dy accident rather than by intention that he was called upon to fill this role. Upon his return from the Canadian campaign he again took up his trade of shoemaking in Danbury, but. nls | zeal for the American cause would not l let him rest. In the quiet hours as he sat on his bench alone, busily tapping with his hammer, softening leather, and pulled the waxed ends through the awl holes, his mind dwelt upon the war and the need of men. Here and there an acquaintance had gone to join the forces. Sometimes his thoughts were of the tories, who were active in Dan bury and the neighboring towns, and discussing plans to help the British. How these could be circumvente1 sometimes occupied his mind.
 At last he could stand it no longer. l The British had taken possession of New York and the Americans had moved northward toward White Plains in retreat. He took down his musket, 1 singing his knapsack over his shoul- der set out on foot for the headquar- l ters of the army Late in the afternoon at cross road he fell in with a man l who turned down the road in the di- rection he was going.
 Which way are you going?" asked the stranger, 'above or below?" Be low meant New York, where the Brit l ish then were. Crosby cautiously re- piled that he was too tired to go much farther in any direction, and remarked that he would like to find a bed.
 T live near here and have q spare bed if you would like to occupy it.'' said the stranger Crosby thanked 1 him for the proffered shelter and ac- Icepted the offer. but he was not so l fatigued that his mind was not in an observing and receptive state. and ..e then asked, as if seeking information. what part a true friend of his country should take in these unsettled times. By this time they were striding along the dusty road toward the strangers house. The man turned and looked closely at Crosby. You want to know what party a real patriot should join, do you?v he interrogated
 "Yes, I do." replied Crosby. The stranger turned his gaze from Crosby, apparently satisfied.
 'sYou look honest and to be trusted; some of my neighbors would auvise you to join the lower party.
 Would you introduce me to some of those who think that way?" ten tatively asked Crosby T should like to get acquainted with them
 .'Why. yes, should be glad to. They are forming company. and I presume they will put you in the way of it.''
 Crosby seemed willing, and the next morning, with his host. he met some of the tories, talked the matter over with them and learned that a meeting was to be held at q certain place in few days to organize and drill Crosby intimated that he would like to be- come member if convenient, but that in the meantime he would be obliged to go to New York. where he might en- list If possible, however, he said, he would meet with the company on the night selected for the drill.
 Having obtained the information he desired. he bade his new acquaintances farewell and set out again on his jour ney. going in the direction of New York. At a safe distance he struck off toward the Hudson river, and late in the eyenlng arrived at tie house of man named Young. There were still lights to be seen in the window. and he rapped on the door. Mir Young himself opened it and inquired what the stranger wanted. Young's senti- ments were those of good rebel.' Crosby called him out and soon con- vinced him of the sincerity of his own sentiments. He then disclosed to him the plans for forming a company to aid the British. The committee of safety then had it's neadquarters at White Plans. There is no time to be lost" said Young q think we .-ad better go to White Plains immediately to inform Mir Jay of the committee. He is there now. Are you equal to making the remainder of the journey? ?.
 Crosby thought he was. and together they started on foot for White Plains. After walking four hours through the darkness they reached MT Jay.s house. It was now ? o'clock in the morning but they did not hesitate to arouse MT Jay. To him Crosby told what he knew of the tory project. and 1t was resolved to capture the compa. nv body of men were provided for the purpose and Crosby went with it to the rendezvous of the tories. He stayed in the background while the troops closed in on the unsuspectino loyalists, and watched with great sat isfaction while they were successfully rounded up.
 Croshy's success in this exploit led the committee of safety to ask him to serve as spy for the purpose of learning more of the plans of the to res He accepted the commission. and representing himself to be a tory. got ln torch with several different gronns or those who were forming companies Which were successively captured through his knowledge of their plans In his role as a tory he was more than once taken prisoner as such and was obliged to escape as if one of the ena- my in order to carry out the same lhese escapes were thrilling. and his compatriots looked upon him as nar. neularlv dangerous man. In course of tlme the tories began to suspect his