Enoch Crosby

Enoch Crosby
Born	1750 Harwich, Massachusetts
Died	1835
Occupation	Spy

Enoch Crosby (1750–1835) was an American soldier and spy during the Revolutionary War. His life may have been the basis for the character Harvey Birch in James Fenimore Cooper's novel The Spy.

Crosby was born in Harwich, Massachusetts on January 4, 1750, the son of Thomas and Elizabeth Crosby. His family moved to what is now Putnam County, New York when Crosby was only an infant. The family was poor, and by 1766, Crosby set out from home to find a career. He became an apprentice shoemaker in Kent, New York, and continued in the apprenticeship until it was completed in 1771 on his 21st birthday. When the Revolutionary War began, he was in Danbury, Connecticut, and he immediately enlisted as a soldier.

Crosby enlisted with a Connecticut regiment in the first weeks of the war. His unit became part of the invasion of Canada by the Continental Army in 1775. Following the capture of Montreal, his enlistment expired and he returned to Danbury to continue his career as a shoemaker.

At this time, nearby Westchester County, New York was a 'neutral ground' between the British forces controlling New York City in the south and colonial forces in the north. In addition to regular armies, the county was host to vigilante gangs that claimed to support each side in the conflict in order to justify pillage.

By September, 1776, Crosby had left behind his shoemaking to return to the Continental Army, and made his way to the camp at White Plains in Westchester County. On the way, as a result of misunderstanding, Crosby was invited to join a meeting of loyalist locals who were intending to support the British efforts in the area. He was able to deliver the information he learned to John Jay, a member of the local Committee of Safety, and at Jay and Crosby's direction the group of loyalists was arrested.

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