See also
Husband:
Seth PUTNAM (1787-1858)
Wife:
Jane Kar HALL (aft1784-1835)
Children:
Marriage Banns:
Feb 15, 1807
Charlestown, Cheshire (now Sullivan), New York
Announcing the prospective marriage of "Seth Putnam of this town & Jane Kar Hall of Acworth N.H."
Marriage:
Mar 8, 1807
Acworth, New Hampshire1
Name:
Seth PUTNAM
Sex:
Male
Father:
Mother:
Birth:
btw Jun, 1787 and Jul, 1787
Birthdate and Parents of Seth Putnam
27 Jan 2018 by Gary Putnam
The New York state census for 1850, Colesville, Broome County, New York, was enumerated as of July 29, 1850. It lists Seth Putnam, age 63, born in Vermont. The New York state census for 1855, Colesville, enumerated as of June 13, 1855, lists Seth Putnam, age 67, born in Vermont.
Assuming the accuracy of the information provided to the census enumerator, it appears that the 1850 census was taken after his birthday, and the 1855 census was taken before his birthday, which was apparently between June 13 and July 29,1787. His Vermont birthplace is confirmed in the 1850 federal census for Colesville.
Unfortunately,there is no record of the birth of Seth Putnam in the town or church records of any of the towns of Vermont. It would be impossible to establish his parentage, were it not for a set of letters fortuitously preserved for almost a century.
In the 1920s, Rachel E. Moulton of Hartford, Connecticut, was assisting Marcie Marie (Putnam) Moulton, daughter of Herbert Elmer Putnam, to become a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution (D.A.R.). In order to determine the parentage of Seth Putnam, Rachel Moulton searched the various public records and printed genealogies, but to no avail. Ultimately, she communicated with Ella Adell (Putnam) Davis, daughter of Miles Putnam and granddaughter of Seth Putnam. She received the following letter from Mrs. Davis:
"Claremore,Oklahoma
Jan. 21st, 1927
Mrs.Rachel Moulton
W. Hartford, Conn.
Dear Friend,
Finally located Aunt Lucinda's letter of which I will make a copy for you - I know that some of my father's brothers were born in New Hampshire at Charlestown - my father's mother was Jane K. Hall of Acworth, and I think my great grandfather Thomas is our revolutionary soldier.
But I also know that my father's uncle Thomas lived in Elmira, N.Y. - was never married, that is, Seth's brother. I have seen an old daguerreotype of him. All of my father’s records, pictures, etc. have been destroyed by fire. Still, I am artist enough to recall the type- like Webster. I could not have been more than six when I saw it. Seth, my grandfather, was buried in the Plains cemetery at Colesville, N.Y. They all had headstones when I left in 1880 - my sister Lucy died in Sept of this year(1926), so there is only Marilla Emery, my sister Mary's only child. My brother Charly a Civil War Veteran in his 80s lives at Battle Nat. Sanatarium, S. Dak. He was a little younger than Francis but 14 years older than I. After my marriage in 1886 I lived for a few years in Nebraska so in all I lived there from 1880 to 1890 - my records as a teacher both at Lincoln, Neb. before my marriage, and in Oklahoma since his (my husband's) death.
/s/ EllaPutnam Davis"
The"Aunt Lucinda" referred to by Mrs. Davis is Lucinda (Putnam) Dimorier, daughter of Seth Putnam. She was born May 15, 1817 at the Village of Doraville in Colesville Township. Mrs. Davis had apparently written to her in the 1880s to learn more about the history of the Putnam family. The answer received was copied and sent to Mrs. Moulton in 1927 by Mrs. Davis. The copy bears the following note written at the top: "(Copy) - Letter not dated but must have been written in the later 80s - 1887 I believe."
"North Sanford
May 21st
Dear Niece
We received your letter some time ago, but have failed to answer on account of poor health. We are better now. We hope this will find you all enjoying good health and prosperity. I shall have to be somewhat brief in my letter, as it makes my lungs feel bad. I was glad to hear you were so pleasantly situated and that you are studying to gain a livelihood that will be a benefit to you in after years.
While I have been writing my mind goes back to the days of your childhood, when your dear father used to call you his little schoolma'am. He always kept you in school. He was the dearest brother I ever had. Have got his hat now. We have never got his Bible yet. I have never been there since Mother died (Seth's second wife lived long after his death, my fathers Bible in which were all of our records. They would not let me have it - her folks)
You wanted to know where your father was born. He was born in the old place on Putnam Hill where we first settled when they came from New Hampshire, Charlestown, Cheshire County. There was no other Putnam by the name of Joshua L. - only your father's brother.
Your father was the youngest of the family. I always took care of him after Mother died until I was married. Grandfather Putnam's name was Thomas. I mean your great-grandfather. I don't know much about our ancestors as I never knew many of them.
I went over to Mary Jane's (Franklin's daughter). When we got there Jennie Allen with her husband was there. He is a nice looking man. She said she would like to see you both very much. Did you know Otis Terry's wife died last winter. There has been a great many died since Nate went away. I think I will close for this time. love to you all. write soon. will do better next time. remain your Aunt L.Dimorier"
The 1790 federal census lists only two Thomas Putnams in Vermont. One was at Bethel, Windsor County. The other was at Springfield, Windsor County,directly across the Connecticut River from Charlestown, New Hampshire. Each family had three male children under 16 years of age, two females, and the head of the household. These families were still living in the same towns at the date of the 1800 federal census. Thomas Putnam at Springfield had a family consisting of three males between 10 and 16 years of age, himself between 26 and 45, three females under 10, and one female between 26 and 45.
Henry H. Saunderson, in his History ofCharlestown, New-Hampshire, The Old No. 4, at p. 408, states that Levi Heywood “m., Sept. 25th 1824, Emily W. Putnam, (dau. of Thomas, jr.and Polly (Young) Putnam, b. Dec. 22nd, 1802.” Emily probably was born in Springfield, as there is no record of her birth in the Charlestown records. On January 10, 1807, the birth of Orson Dean Putnam, son of Thomas and Polly Putnam was recorded in the Charlestown records; so Thomas Putnam apparently had moved back across the Connecticut River from Springfield to Charlestown sometime after 1802 and before 1807.
By 1810, one Thomas Putnam was still at Bethel. But the Thomas Putnam of Springfield, Vermont had removed to Charlestown, New Hampshire. There he is listed as "Thomas Putnam, Jr." He had a family consisting of one male child under 10 years of age, himself between 26 and 45, one female child under 10, one female child between 10 and 16, and two female children between 16 and 26. Also living at Charlestown in 1810, although not as an independent householder, was Deacon Thomas Putnam and his wife, Rachel. This accounts for the younger Thomas Putnam being described as "Jr.", to distinguish him from his father, the deacon.
Mrs. Davis' letter referred to Thomas Putnam as a "revolutionary soldier." A review of his pension file at the National Archives discloses that he was born in 1758 at Lunenburg, Massachusetts; that he enlisted and served in the New Hampshire Militia while a resident of Acworth, New Hampshire; that he subsequently lived for a time at Springfield, Vermont; and that he later resided at Charlestown, New Hampshire until his death in 1836.
Lucinda Dimorier's letter states that her family came to Broom County, New York from Charlestown, New Hampshire. Also, the Charlestown records show that Seth Putnam was a resident of that town in 1807, at the time of his marriage. In that same year, the Deed Records of Concord, Vermont show that Seth Putnam "of Charlestown" purchased land at Concord from Jonathan Barker of Charlestown.
In light of the above facts, it is to be considered beyond doubt that Seth Putnam was the son of Thomas Putnam, Jr., and grandson of Deacon Thomas Putnam. He probably was born in June or July of 1787 at Springfield, Vermont, where his father was living in 1790 and 1800, according to the censuses and the pension record. He removed with his father to Charlestown, New Hampshire after 1802, and his intention to be married was published there in 1807.
Saunderson,at p. 531, lists Seth Putnam as the eighth child of Deacon Thomas Putnam and states: "Seth, m. Feb. 1805 [their intention to marry was published in Charlestown on February 15, 1807], Jane K. Hall, of Acworth." But there is no evidence of Deacon Thomas Putnam having ever lived in Vermont. Also, he had a known son, Seth Putnam, born September 16, 1756 at Lunenburg. Saunderson had access to the records of the First Congregational Church of Charlestown, which records no longer exist. He probably found reference in those records to Seth Putnam as the son of Thomas Putnam. Not knowing about the existence of any of the first four children of Deacon Thomas Putnam, who were all born at Lunenburg, he supposed that Seth Putnam was the son of the deacon.
This same mistake was made by Ella Adell (Putnam) Davis, who made application to the D.A.R. as a descendant of Seth Putnam, son of Deacon Thomas Putnam. The D.A.R. later discovered the error, and Mrs. Davis was removed from their rolls.
Residence:
1810 (age 22-23)
Concord, Essex, Vermont4
Name: Seth Putnam
Home in 1810 (City, County, State): Concord, Essex, Vermont
Free White Persons - Males - Under 10: 2
Free White Persons - Males - 16 thru 25: 2
Free White Persons - Females - 16 thru 25: 1
Number of Household Members Under 16: 2
Number of Household Members: 5
Residence:
1850 (age 62-63)
Hopkinton, Saint Lawrence, New York
Residence:
1855 (age 67-68)
Colesville, Broome, New York2
It appears that Seth's children and their families are living in the same area. Joshua (b abt. 1808) is living next door with his wife Marcia (b abt. 1804) and their children Francis (b abt. 1838) and Sophronia (b abt. 1839.
Martin Putnam (b abt. 1813) lives several doors down with his wife Clarissa (b abt. 1817) and their six children Thomas J., Orson F., Harriet, David P., Margett F., and Lucinda.
Franklin Putnam (b abt. 1816 lives two doors down from Martin with his wife Esther (b abt 1821) and their children Mary P, and Franklin.
Probate:
Mar 24, 1857
Saint Lawrence, New York
Death:
Jan 9, 1858 (age 70)
Colesville, Broome, New York
Name:
Jane Kar HALL
Sex:
Female
Father:
-
Mother:
-
Birth:
btw 1784 and 1790
Derryfield, Hillsborough County, New Hampshire
Derryfield is now Manchester
She is listed as being between 16 and 26 years of age in the 1810 federal census; between 26 and 45 in the 1820 federal census; under 45 in the 1825 New York state census; and between 40 and 50 in the 1830 federal census.
Death:
btw May, 1835 and Jun, 1835 (age 44-51)
Name:
Freeman PUTNAM
Sex:
Male
Spouse (1):
Spouse (2):
Spouse (3):
Birth:
Jun 12, 1810
Concord, Vermont5
Elected:
Oct 27, 1832 (age 22)
At a meeting of the Antimasonic Republicans of the town of Colesville, convened at the house of James Shay, Esq. on Saturday, the 27th day of October, 1832 . . ." Freeman Putnam was chosen as a member of the "Committee of Vigilance for the town of Colesville at the ensuing election.
Residence:
1835 (age 24-25)
Colesville, Broome, New York6
Freeman Putnam is listed at Colesville with two males in his family, one female in the family, one male qualified to vote at state and county elections, one married female person under age 45, and one male birth in t he family during the preceding year. There were 25 acres of improved l and owned by the family, three meat cattle owned by the family, two horses owned by the family, five hogs owned by the family, 10 yards of full cloth manufactured by the family in the domestic way during the preceding year, and 15 yards of flannel and other woolen cloth not fulled, manufactured in the domestic way by the family during the preceding year .
Putnam and Related Families by Gary G. Putnam
Residence:
1840 (age 29-30)
F. Putman" is listed as a head of household in the 1840 federal census for Colesville. His family consists of two males under five years of age, two males between 20 and 30, one male between 50 and 60, one female under five, one female between 30 and 40, and one female between 40 and 50. <i>Written by Gary D. Putnam</i>.
Possessions:
May 5, 1841 (age 30)
property purchased from Seth and Roxina Putnam; Colesville, Broome, New York6,9
On May 5, 1841, Freeman Putnam purchased from Seth and Roxina Putnam a 50-acre parcel, a 45-acre parcel, a 5-acre parcel, and a 3-acre parcel at Colesville for $1,400. The deed was recorded August 11, 1841.
Possessions:
Sep 25, 1841 (age 31)
land purchased from Charles Parsons; Colesville, Broome, New York6,9
Freeman Putnam purchased land in Colesville from Charles Parsons, by deed recorded September 25, 1841.
other:
Jul 1, 1842 (age 32)
Named as commissioner of Susquehanna Bridge Company; Colesville, Broome, New York10
Freeman Putnam was named as a commissioner regarding the construction o f a toll bridge at Colesville in 1842.
other:
Sep 3, 1842 (age 32)
Sheriff's Sale.-By virtue of two executions, issued out of the Clerk's office of the county of Broome, and to me directed and delivered, against the goods and chattels, lands and tenements of Freeman Putnam and Franklin Putnam, I have levied on and shall expose to sale as the law directs, at the House now kept and occupied by Edwin Northrup, in Harpersville, on Saturday the 3rd day of September next, at one o'clock in the afternoon of that day, all the right, title, claim, interest or demand of the said Freeman Putnam and Franklin Putnam of, in and to the following described property, to wit . . . [parcels of land in Colesville describe d]. Sherrif Sale 1842 Posted 6 Jan 2021 by Gary Putnam
other:
Feb 20, 1843 (age 32)
Notice to show cause against the petition of Freeman Putnam, of Colesville Broome Co. N.Y. for his discharge and certificate as a Bankrupt, individually and as a member of the late firm of Franklin Putnam & Co. a t Auburn, NY, on Monday the 20th day of February 1843 at 10 o'clock A.M . B.N. Loomis, Atty. <i>Researched by Gary D. Putnam</i>
other:
Oct 23, 1845 (age 35)
Residence:
1850 (age 39-40)
Freeman Putnam is listed as a head of household in the 1850 federal census for Providence. He is age 35, male, a farmer, born in Vermont. His wife, Maira A. Putnam, is age 31, female, born in New York. Their children are: L. Jane Putnam, age 13, female, born in New York; Harvey Putnam, age 11, male, born in New York; Judson A. Putnam, age 10, male, born in New York; Mary J. Putnam, age five, female, born in Pennsylvania; and Augusta Putnam, age two, female, born in Pennsylvania. <i>Written By Gary D. Putnam</i>
Occupation:
1850 (age 39-40)
custom:
Feb 8, 1852 (age 41)
"on Trial"; Providence, Luzerne, Pennsylvania14
Death:
Oct 11, 1853 (age 43)
Scranton, Lackawanna, Pennsylvania14
Name:
Joshua Lancaster PUTNAM
Sex:
Male
Birth:
1808
Death:
1879 (age 70-71)
Name:
Martin Gilmore PUTNAM
Sex:
Male
Birth:
1814
Death:
1893 (age 78-79)
Name:
Franklin PUTNAM
Sex:
Male
Birth:
1815
Death:
1891 (age 75-76)
Name:
Lucinda PUTNAM
Sex:
Female
Birth:
1817
Death:
1890 (age 72-73)
Name:
Horace PUTNAM
Sex:
Male
Birth:
1819
Death:
1900 (age 80-81)
Name:
Miles Abner PUTNAM
Sex:
Male
Birth:
1822
Death:
1871 (age 48-49)
Life Story of Seth Putnam
27 Jan 2018 by Gary Putnam
Pasted From www.ancestry.com
The early years of Seth Putnam's life were spent at Springfield, Vermont. His family moved across the river to Charlestown after 1802.
As an adult, he was 6 feet two inches tall.
On January 24, 1807, Seth Putnam of Charlestown, "gentleman," purchased 100 acres at Concord, Essex County, Vermont. The purchase price was $200 and the seller was Jonathan Barker of Charlestown. The parcel was Lot No. 3, in the Tenth Range, "drawn to the right of James Wetherbee original grantee." The mortgage deed recited that the note evidencing the purchase price was payable in four years. It was executed at Charlestown.
Seth's father, Thomas Putnam, had been granted Lot No. 35 of 50 acres at Concord in the first division of land there in 1784, and additional parcels in 1788. Thomas Putnam sold land at Concord to Jonathan Lewis, April 7, 1799; but still owned 250 acres there in 1801. The Putnam family may have continued to own land at Concord during this period of several decades. Thomas Putnam's uncles, Captain Samuel Wetherbee, Abijah Wetherbee, and Jonathan Wetherbee, also settled at Concord after 1790; and his father's brother, Abel Putnam, was living in nearby Guildhall in 1810.
Seth Putnam and his wife must have moved to Concord soon after their marriage, as their first child was born there February 8, 1808. The family appears at Concord in the federal census for 1810, with Seth Putnam as the head of the household, between 16 and 26 years of age; another male between 16 and 26; his wife between 16 and 26; and two males under 10 years. The other adult male was undoubtedly Seth's brother, Thomas Putnam, who was living with them at Concord at that time. They are living a few houses removed from Samuel Wetherbee, Jr. Seth and Thomas Putnam both voted at Concord in 1810 and are shown on the voter list.
On January 16, 1815, Seth Putnam sold his lot at Concord to Enos Page of that town. The sale price was $50. He remained at Concord, however, as his fourth child was born there November 11, 1815. The family apparently left Concord sometime in 1816, and returned to Charlestown, where they stayed for a time.
Early in the year 1817, Seth Putnam and his family left Charlestown and traveled to Broome County, New York. The immediate cause of their migration from New England to New York may have been the terrible crop year of 1816, which New England farmers subsequently called "the year without a summer."
"That year, it snowed in New England in June, with killing frosts continuing through August. As far south as Virginia, crops died in the sprouting stage, corn being particularly vulnerable. Without that subsistence crop, pigs died. People starved. Even Thomas Jefferson applied for an emergency bank loan due to crop failure."
"The culprit? the 1815 volcanic eruption of Mt. Tambora in the Dutch East Indies. The debris spewed into the atmosphere dimmed the skies of much of the Northern Hempisphere."
The Putnam family probably delayed their migration until the spring of 1817 to avoid traveling in the winter, as the youngest child was merely a "babe in arms." Accompanying the Putnams were John and Lydia Collington of Charlestown, and their family. John Collington was an Irishman who, at age 17 together with his brother, was bound out on a whaling boat by his father. They deserted when the boat reached America in 1789. On April 5, 1801, John Collington married Lydia Pease at Charlestown.
The Putnams and Collingtons traveled by ox cart. Seth Putnam had one horse, and John Collington had two horses. Upon their arrival in Broome County, they stayed for a time at a hotel at Oquaga until they found a permanent place to live.
Seth Putnam and his family first settled on the Susquehanna River near the village of Doraville, Colesville Township. But they soon removed to a location called "Putnam Hill," which was on the high ground about a mile east of the center of Doraville. They were the first settlers between the Susquehanna River and the town of Deposit.
The principal attraction of the Putnam hill site was probably the large stands of timber which grew in abundance in the hills back from the river. Seth Putnam was a pioneer lumberman in the area. The sawmill business was already familiar to the Putnams, as Seth's grandfather, Thomas Putnam, had operated mills at Charlestown and Acworth, New Hampshire. These first settlers went right into the wilderness and cut the trees where they grew the tallest. Then the logs were hauled by ox team to the Delaware River and rafted down river to Philadelphia. Later, saw mills were built and the great pine logs were cut into lumber before being shipped down river.
Seth Putnam built a sawmill on Doraville Creek at the location of a falls. The ruins of this sawmill were still visible in the 1860s. He also constructed a frame house with a large fireplace and oak floors. There was an orchard on the property. Martin Putnam lived in this house in 1860.
The 1820 federal census shows Seth Putnam at Windsor Township (of which Colesville was then a part), age between 26 and 45 years, his wife also between 26 and 45, with four males under 10 years, one male between 10 and 16, and one female under 10. Seth Putnam is employed in agriculture. In the next house is his brother, Thomas Putnam, and his family. The 1820 New York state census gives the same facts.
The 1825 New York state census shows Seth Putnam at Colesville, with seven males in his family including the head of the household, and two females. The family contains one male qualified to vote at state and county elections, and one married female person under age 45. The family occupied 28 acres of improved land, and owned seven meat cattle, no horses, 13 sheep, and eight hogs. Also shown at Colesville in 1825 are Thomas Putnam and Roswell Putnam. The latter was born November 13, 1790 at Charlestown. He was the son of Samuel and Ruth (Spencer) Putnam and grandson of Timothy and Susanna (Badger) Putnam. He was thus a second cousin to Seth and Thomas Putnam.
Seth Putnam is listed at Colesville in the 1830 federal and New York state censuses. The federal census shows the family containing one male between five and 10 years of age, one male between 10 and 15, three males between 15 and 20, one male between 20 and 30, one male between 40 and 50, one female between 10 and 15, and one female between 40 and 50. The 1830 New York state census show Thomas Putnam and family living nearby. This census also lists a "Jeremy Putman" and household near the households of Seth and Thomas Putnam. Jeremy Putman has one male under five years of age, one male between 20 and 30, one female under five, and one female between 20 and 30. He is listed as "Jeremy Putnam" in the 1830 federal census with the same family members. He was another son of Samuel and Ruth (Spencer) Putnam, and a second cousin to Seth and Thomas Putnam.
The 1835 New York state census for Colesville shows Seth Putnam with six males in the family; two females in the family; two males subject to military duty, and being between 13 and 45 years of age; one male qualified to vote at state and county elections; one unmarried female person between 16 and 45; one unmarried female under 16; and one female death having occurred in the family during the preceding year (this was the death of Jane Kar (Hall) Putnam in June 1835). The family occupied 45 acres of improved land. It owned 13 meat cattle, two horses, 21 sheep, and six hogs. Also shown at Colesville in 1835, as the head of an independent household, is Seth Putnam's son, Freeman.
On March 8, 1837, Seth Putnam of Colesville purchased from John W. Harper of Colesville, for $400, 45 acres at Colesville. This conveyance included an additional five-acre lot called the "mill lot," and another three-acre lot adjoining. On May 17, 1837, Putnam purchased another 50 acres of land from Harper, the price being $300. This land was also at Colesville, and bordered on lands owned by Joseph Throop. These deeds were recorded June 8, 1837. On May 5, 1841, Seth Putnam and Roxina, his wife, sold all of the lands purchased from Harper to Freeman Putnam of Colesville for $1,400.
The 1840 federal census lists "F Putman," "MG Putnam," and "JL Putnam" as heads of households at Colesville. These are Freeman Putnam, Martin Gilmore Putnam, and Joshua Lancaster Putnam. Seth Putnam and Roxena (Underwood) Putnam are probably the male between 50 and 60 years of age and the female between 40 and 50 years of age living in the Freeman Putnam household. Also at Colesville in 1840 are H.W. Putnam and J. Putnam. The former is Hezekiah W. Putnam, a descendant of Captain John Putnam, the youngest brother of Lieutenant Thomas Putnam. The J. Putnam living next to him is probably his son.
On January 5, 1842, a notice of mortgage foreclosure sale involving property owned by John and Nancy Hendreckson described the property as being "situated in the now town of Colesville, Broome County, formerly town of Windsor, county aforesaid, described as follows: All that certain tract of land situate lying and being in the aforesaid town and in the first quarter of Warren township, beginning upon the east side of the Susquehanna river, at a stake and stones standing about one chain west of the southwest corner of lot No. 2 now in possession of Seth Putman. . . ."
"Seth Putman" is listed as a head of household in the 1850 federal census for Colesville, enumerated July 27, 1850. He is age 63, male, a farmer, born in Vermont, with no value of real estate given. Roxena Putman, also in the household, is 55 years of age, female, a farmer, born in Pennsylvania. The other member of the household is Seth's son, Horace Putman, age 30, male, a farmer, real estate valued at $200, born in New York. The 1850 New York state census for Colesville, enumerated July 29, 1850, gives the same information.
The 1855 New York state census, First Election District, Colesville, enumerated June 13, 1855, shows Seth Putnam, age 67, born in Vermont, resident 38 years at Colesville, farmer, owner of land, dwelling house built of logs and valued at $15; his wife, Roxena Putnam, age 61, born in Pennsylvania, lived 16 years at Colesville. Seth Putnam had 15 acres improved and 10 acres unimproved, the cash value of his farm being $300. The cash value of his stock was $30, and the cash value of his tools and implements was $2. During the previous year he had seven acres plowed, no acres fallow, four acres in pasture, three acres meadow, three tons of hay, three acres sown in oats and 50 bushels harvested, one acre sown in rye and eight bushels harvested, no wheat or barley sown, two acres sown in buckwheat and 15 bushels harvested, one acre planted in corn and 15 bushels harvested, and one acre planted in potatoes and 28 bushels harvested. He had one meat cattle over one year old, one cow, one cow milked, one butter cow and 125 pounds of butter, and one swine over six months old.
On June 27, 1857, Seth Putnam of Sanford, Broome County, New York, in consideration of $100 paid to him by Roxina Putnam of the same town, granted to her lands in Colesville "being the west half of lot no. 20 in John W. Harper's patent on the east side of the Susquehanna river as surveyed by Harry Martin and it being the west half of a lot of land now in the possession of said Seth Putnam and the lot contracted to said Seth and Horace Putnam on the 11th day of November 1852 by Henry A Olindorf."
This parcel contained 10 acres and 21 rods, more or less. On October 16, 1860, Roxina Putnam of Sanford, in consideration of $80 paid to her by Carlow K. Smith of Colesville, sold the above parcel to him. This second transaction took place after Seth Putnam's death in January 1858.
Seth Putnam was financially well off until he incurred obligations on behalf of his sons to enable them to open a store at Doraville. As a result, he lost all of his property. He was then reduced to living in a log cabin up Throop Road from Doraville. This was apparently the log cabin mentioned in the 1855 census, valued at $15. It was probably his son, Freeman, who was the primary cause of his financial demise as Ella Adell (Putnam) Davis wrote: "I knew how Freeman treated his father." This financial failure was probably the primary reason Freeman Putnam and his family moved to the Scranton, Pennsylvania area in the late 1840s.
In his last years, Seth Putnam was taken by his wife, Roxena, to live with her family, the Underwoods. The Underwoods received everything from his estate; his family did not inherit anything.
It was written of Seth Putnam that he ". . . was an old line Whig in politics, and was a devout Christian - a consistent member of the Methodist Church. His word given in business transactions was never questioned, but was considered as good as any bond."
New Hampshire, 683, "Seth Putman and Jenny Hall," March 8, 1807; database online, New England Historical Genealogical Society; New Hampshire Bureau of Vital Records, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com): accessed November 30, 2021).
New York, U.S., State Census, 1855, New York, p. 17, Line 17, Seth Putman; Microfilm, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com); citing Census of the state of New York, for 1855. Microfilm. Various County Clerk Offices, New York.
Thomas Putnam, p.293, Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.; Series: M637; Roll: 12; 29; Ancestry.com.
1810 Federal Census (U.S.), Vermont, Essex., population, Concord, Roll: 64; Page: 516; Image: 00457, Seth Putnam; digital, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com); citing Third Census of the United States, 1810. (NARA microfilm publication M252, 71 rolls). Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29. National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Vermont, Vermont Vital Records 1760-1954. Freeman Putnam; 12 June 1810. Ancestry.com.
Gary Putnam, Putnam and Related Families. Freeman Putnam. Ancestry.com.
News item in Broome County Republican, Binghamton, Broome County, New York, 1832.
1840 United States Federal Census, New York, Colesville, Broome, Colesville, Broome, New York, p.388, Freeman Putnam; National Archives and Records Adminstration Film.
Binghamton, New York;
Smith, H.P., History of Broome County: With History and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers (Syracuse, N.Y: D. Mason & Co, 1885), 330.
News item in Broom County Republican, Binghamton, Broome County, New York, 1843.
News item in Broon County Republican, Binghamton, Broome County, New York, October 15, 1845.
1850 Federal Census (U.S.), Luzerne, Pannsylvania, population, Providence, Roll: 793; Page: 265b, Freeman Putnam; digital, Ancestry (www.ancestry.com); citing Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Pennslyvania, Phildelphia Historical Society of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania and New Jersey, U.S., Church and Town Records, 1669-2013, Reel 525: Freeman Putman; October 11, 1853 Ancestry.com.