The Putney Family



The Putney Family

Historical Sketch of the Putney Family

Families take considerable pride in the characteristics for which their surnames stand. Yet surnames are not as old as most people think. No one in the Bible has a true surname. None of the Anglo-Saxons (people before the Norman conquest in 1066) had a surname, whether king, earl, or peasant. The development of a regular system of surnames was a slow process which had its beginnings after the Norman conquest. It was the English fashion to call a man simply “Tom” and so on. And so “John” eventually became John, Tom’s son, and finally John Thompson, or Wilson, Simson, etc.

But, this kind of name did not satisfy the English noblewomen, who were great supporters of social distinction. They wanted something nearer to the French custom of calling a man after the land he held. Since not coming from some location, so John from Grantham came to be known as John Grantham, or Thomas from Bolton became Thomas Bolton. There is hardly a place in Europe that has not given it’s name to a family and this is one of the most frequent sources of surnames. There is, for instance, a town of PUTNEY, England.

Also, obviously, man’s occupation marked him off and described him. His “John, the smith”, in any village in old England, would have given a postman all the information he wanted, had there been a postman in those far off days. So Smith or Smithson came into being as a surname, along with Baker, Butcher, Weaver, Farmer, Taylor, and so many others.

Even from present day names we are able to tell that their first bearers were men who wore or made clothing of a certain kind. Plunkett, for instance, was a grey woolen cloth in the middle ages. Blanket, Mantle, and Coates are just a few names that clothing has given us. Again, some personal characteristics distinguished one John from another John — his complex stature or some other sign. So, we get Brown, White, Black, or Little, Littlejohn, Longfellow, Armstrong, Silverlock, Whitehead and Blackett (Blackhead), and Broadfoot, all of which are really nicknames used as surnames. Another main source of surnames referred to some special features of a man’s house or dwelling place. Near a brook or a wood, beside a meadow, near a ridge, under a hill, on clay soil or muddy land, or where certain types of trees marked the house, such as Ash, Alder, Beach, Birch, Elm, Lind, Oak, Pine, Thorn, etc. Others are Hurst, meaning “A Wood”; Booth meaning “A House”; Ackley, meaning “Oak Field”. Ridgeway meaning “Along the Ridge”, etc. PUTNEY, as a surname, is believed to be of Old English Anglo-Saxon origin. PUT is derived from the Anglo-Saxon element “PYT” or “PIT” and from Latin word “PETEUS” meaning a pit or well. The element “EY” comes from the Norman French meaning “water” and the Scandinavian Norse Icelandic termination “EY”, signifying an “Island”. No doubt, PUTNEY signifies a person who resides near or at an island where there is a well. England would be the island, water was around it, and the family very likely had or lived near the community well.

THE PUTNEY FAMILY IN AMERICA

The first permanent settlement is America was established in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607. In 1620, 41 Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower, anchored off the coast of what is now Cape Code, Mass., signed the Mayflower compact.

Sixteen years later JOHN PUDNY was born. So far, no definite information has been found as to whether he was an immigrant or was born in America.

JOHN PUDNY was the progenitor of the PUTNEY family in America. Throughout the old records the name is spelled PUDNY, PUDNEY and PUTNEY but probate court records, deeds, wills, and historical data all verify that they were the same family.

No record of any individual bearing the name of PUDNY, PUDNEY, or PUTNEY has been found in this country prior to the record of John’s marriage at Salem in 1662.

According to his own statement in court at Salem, Mass, in 1678, when he was to testifying against two men accused of selling liquor to the Indians, he testified that he was then “about 42 years”, which means he was born about 1636.

His wife’s maiden name was Judith Cooke. She was the daughter of Henry and Judith Birdsdale Cooke. Her parents were married at Salem, Mass. In 1639 and she was born there in 1643. Reference: “Pop’s Pioneers of Massachusetts”.

A facsimile of JOHN PUDNY’s signature is shown in Perly’s History of Salem Vol. 111, page 21. in Perley’s History of Salem, Mass., it is also recorded that JOHN was a husbandman (a farmer) and that he died in the spring of 1712.

JOHN PUDNY’s will, dated March 17, 1712, is recorded in the probate records of Essex County, Mass.

JOHN PUDNY owned various pieces of land in what was then Salem, Mass. His homestead is said in Perley’s History of Salem to have been in what is now West Peabody, and he was at one time owner or a large tract of land on the shores of Lake Suntang in the present towns of West Peabody and Lynnfield. Most of his children also owned land in this tract. Court records disclose that he raised tobacco on his farm, and it is also indicated that he and his wife at one time engaged in the manufacture of tallow candles. He was a member of the “Reserve of Salem Old Troope” in 1678. His name occurs fairly frequently in Salem Court Records from 1663-1680, and possibly later, as defendant, plaintiff and witness in various legal affairs.

JOHN PUDNY’s will, dated March 17, 1712, was presented for probate April 14, 1712. It bequeaths to sons JONATHAN, (who received the homestead and was names executor) JOHN, SAMUEL, and JOSEPH, and to daughters JUDAH (Judith) Mackintier, JOANAH Shaw, ABIGAIL PUDNEY and ELIZABETH PUDNEY, the latter two being called “my two youngest daughters”.

JOHN, SAMUEL, and JOSEPH PUDNEY went from Salem, Essex County, Mass., to New Hampshire and settled in Rumford, now Concord, NH. Later, JOHN and SAMUEL went to Hopkinton and JOSEPH to Londonderry and Dunbarton, NH.

Bouton’s History of Concord shows that SAMUEL PUDNEY was in NH in 1732-1733, because at that time he is shown as having the office of “fence viewer” on the plantation of Pennacook and Rumford.

Bouton’s History is also authority for the fact that JOSEPH, SAMUEL, and JOHN PUDNEY were at Rumford (Concord) in 1744, as evidenced by their signature to the following document, dated June 14, 1744 (pages 152-3 Bouton’s History):

“We, the subscribers, inhabitants of ye town of Rumford, ourselves greatly exposed to eminent danger, both from ye French and Indian enemy, and being in no capacity to make a proper stand in case of an attach from them, we therefore constitute and appoint Col. Benj. Rolfe as our delegate, requesting him in the said capacity forthwith to repair to Portsmouth to represent our deplorable case to his excellency our Capt. General and Ye General Assembly, and to request of them on our behalf such aid both with respect to our men and military stores as to their great wisdom may seem meet and which may be sufficient to enable us with the Divine Blessing vigorously to repel the attempts of our said enemies us.”

Among others, the following signatures appear: (signatures were traced)

JOHN PUDNEY

JOSEPH PUDNEY

SAMUEL “SAM” PUDNEY

HOPKINTON, NEW HAMPSHIRE

The original grant o the township of Hopkinton, NH was made by the authority of the Massachusetts Bay Colony to John Jones and others of Hopkinton, MA in 1736, and settlements began as early as 1738. The petition of incorporation of Hopkinton, MA was signed by SAMUEL PUDNEY, JOSEPH, his son and JOHN PUDNEY, October 1757. Reference: Lord’s History of Hopkinton, page 42.

“The half acre of land which is voted to be procured for the burying place on top of the hill, I give and bestow on the town. Signed JOHN PUDNEY”.

Lord’s History records that JOHN PUDNEY, donor of this burying lot, was an early settler in Hopkinton and came from the vicinity Amesbury, Essex County, Mass. In company with SAMUEL PUTNEY. He built what was known as PUTNEY’S FORT, a place of defense against hostile Indians. Both of these PUTNEYS were prominent men in local public matters, a military precedence probably allowing the mention of Lt. JOHN PUTNEY in early records of the township.

A plain white slab in this cemetery records the fact that JOSEPH PUTNEY, son of SAMUEL, died Sept. 20, 1846, age 93. Reference: Granite Monthly Vol. 7, page 28).

JOSEPH PUTNEY was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. At Bunker Hill he was enrolled in the company of Capt. Isaac Baldwin of Hillsborough. He was believed to have done other military service in the defense of the northern frontier. Reference: Vol. 32, N.E.G.&H.R., page 300, indicates that a JOSEPH PUTNEY (PUDNEY) was a member of a company who marched to Winnepesaukee Pond in 1747 under Major Davis, a portion of the 1000 men which the General Assembly June 4, 1746, voted to raise for the reduction of Canada.

This JOSEPH PUTNEY for many years kept one of the most famous country taverns in that region. “He was an honest, religious temperament that warmed to the fervor of prophetic zeal. Trotting his young son JOSEPH Jr. on his knee, he spoke of the painful struggles of the patriots of the Revolution, and said that the time would come when the people o this country would become selfish and wicked and fight and kill each other. This fact was related to the writer JOSEPH PUTNEY, Jr. in the dark days of the war of the rebellion. “ELDER PUTNEY” as he was familiary called, had a second wife Mary. Reference: Granit Monthly, Vol. 7, page 25 – Lord.

DUNBARTON, NH was founded on land granted to ARCHBALD STARK who came from Dunbarton, Scotland. The first settlement is supposed to have been made by James Rogers and JOSEPH PUTNEY. “The time of their settlement it to have been made prior to 1746.

“Hunting, in the infancy of our country, was the most profitable employment of its inhabitance. While engaged in an expedition of this character, James Rogers and JOSEPH PUTNEY discovered the “Great Meadow”, then covered with a luxuriant growth of natural grass. The apparent facilities there for procuring fodder for cattle induced the hunters to regard this as a desirable situation for a permanent location. They accordingly, erected log houses and removed their families from their former abodes an Londonderry, through an almost unbroken wilderness to their new homes. Rumford was the nearest settlement.

“The only access to Rumford was by a rude foot path which these hardy foresters themselves formed through the woods, spotting the trees as they advanced. No nearer than Concord were to be found stores, mills, school or pladces of worship. None of the privledges they had formerly enjoyed followed them to their lonely retreat. Their dependence for subsistence and comfort was upon the improvements which their industry alone could accomplish of rude, but in many respects bountiful, materials which nature offered them.

“In this isolated position they struggled onward, clearing land, rearing stock and planting orchards, until 1746 when a band of hostile Indians appeared in the Merrimack Valley. Two persons from a Concord garrison. Well knowing the defenseless condition of the two families in Dunbarton woods, proceeded there in the night to notify them of their danger, and in the course of the same night the families or Rogers and PUTNEY returned to the garrison at Rumford. Returning in the course of the next day to drive their cattle to the Rumford garrison, they found them all slaughtered and their houses plundered and burned, and the apple trees cut down, with the exception of one.

“In 1749 James Rogers and JOSEPH PUTNEY made a permanent settlement at Dunbarton, having spent the intervening years at Rumford.” Reference: Stark’s History of Dunbarton.

Volume 4 History of Worchester County, MA, page 21, says that JOSEPH PUTNEY of Dunbarton had a son Henry, and perhaps Johnathan.

Ella Mills in a pamphlet on Dunbarton says that JOHNATHAN PUTNEY perhaps the son of JOSEPH of Dunbarton, NH, was born about 1740. He became one of the earliest settlers in Cheshire County and was in the town of Walpole and vicinity before the Revolution. He fought in the Revolution under Capt. Stilson of Hopkinton, NH. Children of JOHNATHAN PUTNEY were AMOS, EZRA, SAMUEL, ASA, ABIGAIL and SALLY. AMOS was born in Cheshire County, NY, about 1780 and was a soldier in the war of 1812.

“It is believed that the Indians who committed the depredations and massacres in Rumford and vicinity were mostly from Canada, instigated by the French who then had possession, and who from 1744 to 1762 were most of the time at war with England and her colonies. Entirely unmolested by native Indians, great progress had been made by the inhabitants in their settlement, clearing and cultivating their lands, improving roads, and in their structure of their houses. But in 1739 apprehensions of difficulty were entertained and the town, by vote, ordered that a garrison should be built around the houses of the Rev. Mr. Walker, and that five pounds should be granted to B. Farnum to enable him to build a “flanker” in order to defend his mills at Turkey River.

“In answer to the petition above, early in 1745 two small companies of scouts were raised by authority of Governor Wentworth under the direction of Col. Benj. Rolfe, of which Capt. John Chandler of Rumford had command of one consisting of 10 men, and Capt. Jeremiah Clough of Canterbury of one consisting of five men. The Massachusetts government also sent a small detachment of men from Andover and north ofrom Billerica. In 1746 precautionary measures were taken by the proprietors fo rthe preservation of their records. Under authority of Gov. Wentworth, garrisons were established at different points in the town, and men with their families assigned to them as was most convenient. The garrisons or forts were built of logs which lay flat upon each other the ends being fitted for the purpose, were inserted in grooves cut in large posts erected at each corner. They enclosed an area of several square rods; were raised to the height of the roof of a common dwelling house, and at two or more of the corners were placed boxes where sentinels kept watch. In some cases, several small buildings were erected for the temporary accommodation of families who were within the enclosures. Houses not connected with garrisons were all deserted by their owners and their furniture removed.

“In the day time men went to their labor in companies, always carrying their guns with them, and one or more of their bnumbers were placed onguard. If the enemy was discovered approaching, alarm guns were fired and then answered from fort to fort. On the Sabbath the men all went armed to the house of worship; stacked their guns around a post near the middle and sat down with powder horn and bullet pouch slung across their shoulders, while their revered pastor, who was said to have had the best gun in the parish, prayed and preached with his good gun standing in the pulpit.

“On one occasion in Benjamin Abbot had a large field of rye on what is now called Bog Road, which the Indians watched with a design to kill the men who went out to reap it,, but at the proper time the people turned out in such force that the rye was all harvested and carted home early in the forenoon, so the Indians were disappointed. Where upon, they gratified their revenge by killing as many cows, sheep, and horses as they could find at pasture in the vicinity of Turkey River. They also fired at and wounded an old MR. PUDNEY. The bullet broke his arm.”

Later PUDNEY made the following petition to His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Esq. Gov., etc:

“The petition of JOSEPH PUDNEY of Rumford most humbly showeth; that your petitioner the last summer at Rumford aforesaid, while in his majesties service, was wounded by the Indians who by their shot broke his arm, and the bones much shattered; that although the wound healed up, yet he is unable to do any work to earn his livelihood, and his arm so weak that he is unfit for scouting, etc.; that he is able to do duty of a garrison soldier, and as such are wanted in said town of Rumford, he humbly conceived in that position he might be so far service – able as to earn his living. Whereupon your petitioner most humbly prays that he ay be held in his Majesties service and posted at the said town as garrison soldier and your petitioner is in duty bound shall ever pray.”

Signed, JOSEPH PUDNEY

In the House of Representatives, May 28, 1748, it was voted “that in answer to ye within petition, ye within mentioned JOS. PUDNEY be posted as a solider at ye garrison at said Rumford till ye last day of Sept. next.”

Earlier records indicate that in 1746 a committee of Militia appointed by Gov. Wentworth for settling the garrisons in the frontier towns and plantations “having viewed the situation and inquired in the circumstances of the District of Rumford”, appointed various garrisons, and JOSEPH PUDNEY was assigned to the garrison of Rev. Timothy Walker.

JOSEPH, HENRY, and WILLIAM PUDNEY (JOSEPH had a son WILLIAM born in 1720 and a son HENRY born 1722) were assigned to the garrison around Joseph Hall’s house, and SAMUEL PUDNEY and JOHN PUDNEY, Jr. were assigned around the house of Timothy Walker, Jr.

In 1745 JOSEPH PUDNEY signed as a petitioner to His Excellency Benning Wentworth, Capt. General and Governor of His Majesties province of New Hampshire; to his Honorable Majesties Council and Assemblies of said province, asking that Henry Lovejoy be favored with a number of soldiers to keep a garrison with a “tolerable degree of safety”, so that he might maintain his mill and forge for the benefit of the three towns involved.

PUTNEY, VERMONT

In 1953, Putney, Vermont celebrated a 200th founding of the town, 1753-1953. At that time they received a letter from the Mayor of Putney, England. There was a settlement at Putney, Vermont prior to 1753, but that was the year they received their charter. Actually, Putney has two charters: one issued by Gov. Benning Wentworth of the new Hampshire grants on Dec. 16, 1753, under George 2nd, King of England; and the other issued by Gov. Moore of the providence of New York, on Nov. 14, 1766, under King George 3rd.

There had been considerable dispute over boundary lines but by 1740 the boundary line between New Hampshire and Massachusetts was finally settled.

PUTNEY’s charter of 1753 states that the town originally contained 19,360 acres of land, but changes in boundaries have occurred since then, making it now 17,669 acres according to the Vermont Year Book. Bounded on the south by Dummerston, on the west by Brookline and Newfane, on the north by Westminster, and on the east by the Connecticut River, the land lay in the eastern part of Windham County about twenty miles north of the Massachusetts line.

Settlement began in the “Green Meadow”, in the eastern part of town. (The history of Dunbarton, NH, says that James Rogers and JOSEPH PUTNEY were believed to be the first settlers of the “Great Meadow”, having come from Rumford (now Concord, MA) and that they were driven out by the Indians, but returned three years later, in 1749, and made a permanent settlement, having lived in Rumford in the meantime.)

The “Great Meadow” was covered with lifty yellow pine interspersed with some white pine, white oak and butternut. On the north end of the meadow many butternut trees grew and it was called “Butternut Orchard” by early settlers long after the butternut trees were gone. The higher flats were covered with immense stands of white pine. It is said that the valley through which Sackett’s Brook flowed contained one of the noblest goves of pine anywhere to be found. The trees were said to lift their heads to a vast height rendering it dark, even at mid-day. There were very few open areas. Nut trees were abundant.

Word of this magnificent expanse of forest trees eventually reaches the colonies to the south. Accordingly, in 1732, the merchants of New London, CT, sent men to the “Great Meadow” to cut yellow pine for masts for the King’s ships. In 1733, seventy men came to this spot to cut timber and a shipload of it was prepared. The logs were floated down the river, which was the great highway of travel for the Indians and whites alike at that time and for many years after. Later a great many more white and yellow pine in the area were marked and set aside for the King of England.

In the early days of PUTNEY, Vermont, the entire population of 15 families lived in the fort in the “Great Meadow”, by 1771 PUTNEY had a total of 301 with 51 heads of families. They were mostly of English stock and were intelligent, self-reliant men with an independence of thought and action, that, noticeable in the beginning, is typical of Vermonters today. They were physically strong and vigorous and that they were courages and capable men we know from the wealth of stories handed down to us.

In connection with the celebration of the 200th founding of the town of PUTNEY, Vermont, in 1953 a total of 500 copies of the history of the town of Putney were published. The data on the Town of PUTNEY, as given above, is from this source.

MEMBERS OF THE PUTNEY FAMILY KNOWN TO HAVE SERVED IN THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR (1775-1783)

New Hampshire Massachusetts

William (Corp.) Joseph – Hampshire Co. (Corp.)

Asahel Joseph – Berkshire County

Aaron Ebenezer (Lt.)

Amos Eleazer (Lt.)

Asa (Sgt.) Isaiah

David Johnathan

James Nathaniel

John Samuel

Johnathan

Joseph

Steven

Thomas

New York State

James Putney, Westchester County, New York

John Putney, Westchester County, New York

Joseph Putney, Westchester County, New York

Cornelius Pudney, Dutchess County, New York

Francis Pudney, Dutchess County, New York

James Pudney, Dutchess County, New York

John Pudney, Dutchess County, New York

Richard Pudney, Dutchess County, New York

Thorn Pudney, Dutchess County, New York

The Census of 1790 Gives the Following Information

Regarding the Various Members of the PUTNEY Family:

|New Hampshire |Males over 16 |Males under 16 |Females |County |Township |

|William |1 |2 |2 |Hillsboro |Hopkinton |

|Thomas Jr. |3 |3 |4 |Hillsboro |Hopkinton |

|Stephen |1 |2 |1 |Hillsboro |Hopkinton |

|Asa |1 |2 |2 |Hillsboro |Warner |

|Asa |1 |1 |3 |Hillsboro |Dunbarton |

|James |1 |3 |3 |Hillsboro |Dunbarton |

|Henry |2 |- |4 |Hillsboro |Dunbarton |

|David |1 |- |1 |Hillsboro |Dunbarton |

|John |1 |5 |4 |Hillsboro |Dearing |

|John |1 |- |1 |Hillsboro |Heniker |

|Thomas |2 |3 |2 |Hillsboro |Heniker |

|Aron |1 |2 |2 |Grafton |Wentworth |

|Asa |2 |- |4 |Grafton |Wentworth |

| | | | | | |

|Maine | | | | | |

|Johnathan |1 |- |- |Hancock |No. 1 (Buck) |

| | | | | | |

|Massachusetts | | | | | |

|Ebenezer |4 |4 |6 |Hampshire |Goshen |

|Eleazer |1 |- |2 |Worchester |Dudley |

|Eleazer, Jr. |2 |3 |1 |Worchester |Dudley |

|Elisha |3 |1 |5 |Worchester |Charleston |

|Iseiah |2 |1 |5 |Worchester |Charleston |

|Johnathan |2 |1 |3 |Worchester |Charleston |

|Joseph |1 |- |2 |Beckshire |Adam & Wind |

|Joseph |1 |- |1 |Middlesex |Townsend |

|Isaac |1 |4 |3 |Worchester |Charleston |

| | | | | | |

|New York State | | | | | |

|John |3 |1 |2 |Westchester |Stephen |

|(2 slaves) | | | | | |

|Joseph |2 |- |3 |Westchester |Stephen |

|John |2 |- |2 |Washington |Hampton |

|Samuel |1 |- |2 |Albany |Rensselaerwich |

Note: No PUTNEYS are shown as living in Vermont, Connecticut or Rhode Island at the time of the 1790 census.

Wisconsin Putneys

Wisconsin Territory was organized by Act of Congress April 20, 1836. This appears to be the year that the first PUTNEYS came to Wisconsin, according to data in the Milwaukee Central Library, 814 Wisconsin Ave. West, Milwaukee, WI.

The first governor of Wisconsin was appointed ten days after Wisconsin Territory was organized.

The boundaries of the territory included much more than the present state, embracing then all of what is now Iowa and Minnesota and the country westward to about the site of Bismarck, ND.

Wisconsin counties in 1836 were Milwaukee, Brown, Crawford, Michillimakinac, and Chippewa, but the census was taken in the first two only.

The census of 1820 and 1830 show no PUTNEYS in Milwaukee or Brown County. Reference: Wisconsin Families. Reference: 929.2w81, Milwaukee Central Library.

Waukesha County Census of 1838 shows GERRY PUTNEY was living in the town of Brookfield (near Milwaukee). His listed as GERRY PUTNEY, 5”, apparently meaning five in the household. Reference: History of Waukesha County, WI, 1830 page 386.

| | |

|Head of Household |Males |

|A.S. Putney (Aaron Sidney Putney, 1813-1876) |1 under 5 years |

| |2, 20 to 30 years |

| | |

|Fluskett M. Putney (Capt.) |1 under 5 years |

| |5, 20 to 30 years |

| |1, 30 to 40 years |

| |1, 40 to 50 years |

| | |

|Gerry Putney |1, under 5 years |

| |1, 5 to 10 years |

| |1, 10 to 15 years |

| |1, 15 to 20 years |

| |1, 30 to 40 years |

At the time of the 1840 census all males in the household were taken, but no names given. This included male relatives other then the children and including male employees, if they resided at the household. Only the name of the head of the household was given.

Note: FLUSKET M. PUTNEY, East Ward, Town of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI, is in other records referred to as Capt. Foskett M. Putney. He married Clarissa Howell and their only child was Frank Howell Putney who married Bertha Witt in 1870. Reference: Sentinel File, Milwaukee Library, Aug. 1, 1879.

AARON SIDNEY PUTNEY (1813-1876) was married in 1835 to Sarah Mower (1813-1877). In Milwaukee Library, “Wisconsin Families” Vol. 1 pg. 14-16, shows AARON S. PUTNEY as early of Pewaukee. The D.A.R. Lineage book (Milwaukee Library) 152-1919. Reference: 929.3 D23, pg. 111, shows AARON SIDNEY PUTNEY 1813-76) married Sarah Mower (1813-77) in 1835.

This D.A.R. Lineage book also shows CLARA PUTNEY (born 1845) married Hiram Rhodes, born 1841, in 1866.

The dates of the marriages or FOSKETT (or FLUSKET) and AARON eliminate them from our line of descent. Volume B, page 378, Milwaukee County Court House, records the marriage of William PUTNEY and Elizabeth Clayton on October 22, 1851. This is our line of descent. AARON SIDNEY PUTNEY was married in 1835 and WILLIAM in 1851, so he could hardly have been a son.

Since GERRY PUTNEY is shown in the 1840 census as having five males, it is possible that our ancestor WILLIAM PUTNEY could have been a son. More work has to be done to determine if this is a fact.

While the 1840 census shows the foregoing three PUTNEYS, other records in the Milwaukee Central Library show that there were other PUTNEYS in the Milwaukee area.

In “History of Waukesha County, Wis.” 1880, page 963, it is recorded that S.G.M. PUTNEY was a leading farmer, Sec. 20, P.O. Brookfield Center (near Milwaukee); that he was born in MADISON COUNTY, NEW YORK. While he was a child his parents moved to Rushville, Yates County, N.Y., where he married on the 5th day of October 1836, Sarah E. Wadsworth, a native of Middlesex, Yates County, N.Y. born on the 9th of August, 1817. The same year they were married he came to Wisconsin and bought a piece of land near Portage, Wis. And then returned home. In the spring of 1840 they moved to Milwaukee, remained until Dec. of that year when they moved to become pioneer settlers of Brookfield Center.

Their children: 1 ROYAL M. PUTNEY

2 FAYETTE PUTNEY

3 CLAYTON L. PUTNEY

The eldest of these, ROYAL M. PUTNEY, was born in Rushville, N.Y. on Oct. 8, 1837. During the War of the Rebellion, he enlisted in Co. E. 24th. W.V.I. and was killed at Mission Ridge on the 23rd of January, 1864.

The 2nd son FAYETTE, died while a child.

CLAYTON L., the youngest, resided with his parents.

MR. PUTNEY, now (1880) owns 200 acres of land. He has filled various offices of trust. Is a Republican in politics. Reference: “History of Waukesha County 1880”.

In “History of Waukesha County”, page 729 “Town of Brookfield”, it is recorded that Robert Curran was the first settler in Prairieville, which was the early name for Waukesha. He moved to Brookfield and purchased a claim on Section 25 in 1836.

This record shows that S.G. PUTNEY came in the fall of 1836 and that GEORGE PUTNEY came in WITH A FAMILY in November of 1836 and settled in the west part of the town on a farm owned by Chester Blodgett in later years and left with the Mormans. Reference: “History of Brookfield”.

Another record shows that a GEORGE PUTNEY settled in the west part of Brookfield in November of 1837. Reference: “History of Waukesha County” 1881, page 729.

A GEORGE PUTNEY married Almira Mc Donald June 22, 1863. Reference: Milwaukee County Court House records.

A GEORGE PUTNEY, born June 15, 1837, died May 27, 1881, and is buried in Forrest Home Cemetary, Milwaukee, Wis.

A GEORGE TRAVIS PUTNEY was born in Katonah, N.Y. the son of David (born Oct. 15, 1820) and wife Mary Jane Travis Putney of Somers, N.Y. David was the son of JERIMIAH PUTNEY of Somers, N.Y.

From the foregoing it would seem that the GEORGE PUTNEY who came with a family in Nov. of 1836, had a son, GEORGE who was born June 15, 1837, married in 1863, and died in 1881.

It will take further research to determine whether he was a descendant of the GEORGE TRAVIS PUTNEY born in Katonah, N.Y.

Wisconsin Families, Vol. 1, page 14 to 16, Milwaukee Library, records that ROBERT PUTNEY was the second settler in the town of Brookfield and that he came WITH HIS FAMILY in 1836. This record says it is very probable that JOSEPH M. PUTNEY was his son. The Milwaukee County Court House records show a marriage of JOSEPH M. PUTNEY to Rhuamy Tucker, Sept. 3, 1845.

The Sept. 9, 1845 issue of “America Freeman” at Madison, Wis. gives this: “Married on the 3rd instant, by Rev. O.F. Curtis, MR. JOSEPH M. PUTNEY to Miss Rhumay Tucker, both of Brookfield, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin Territory. The reception of a very handsome and liberal token of rememberence in the shape of a loaf of the wedding cake is acknowledged. The parties will accept their best wishes for their welfare and happiness”.

Time worn copies of “American Freeman” of Sept. 9, and Sept. 16, 1845, are now in the Library in Madison, Wis. and are the oldest known to be in existence. They give names of several pioneers of Prairieville, Wis. Prairie Village was named Prairieville in 1839 and Waukesha in 1847.

The Milwaukee Sentinel of Oct. 17, 1851 shows that Dan’l P. Putney filed a libel suit against Sloop Celestine which was dismissed.

The Milwaukee Sentinel of Dec. 26, 1853 shows that D.P. PUTNEY of Racine, Wis. builds a vessel for Capt. J.W. Brown.

There is a possibility that this is a relative of Capt. FOSKETT M. PUTNEY, since both are interested in ships.

The Milwaukee Sentinel of July 27, 1844 shows that S.C. PUTNEY was appointed in 1844 to solicit funds for public roads. (Could it have been S.G. PUTNEY who came to Wis. in 1836?)

Marriage records at Milwaukee County Court House shows:

JAMES PUTNEY married Betsey Ottoway on May 18, 1850.

JAMES PUTNEY, Sr. married Sarah Channier on Oct. 6, 1851.

Milwaukee Sentinel of April 9, 1842 shows that MOSES PUTNEY of Brookfield Milwaukee County, was elected town supervisor in 1842.

Milwaukee Sentinel of Sept. 18, 1850 shows that MOSES PUTNEY died in 1850.

Milwaukee Sentinel of Nov. 2, 1844 shows that C.M. PUTNEY of Brookfield married Charlott A. Moody.

Milwaukee Sentinel of Jan. 6, 1846 shows C.M. PUTNEY, of Brookfield, named delegate to canal couv.

Milwaukee Sentinel of Feb. 19, 1853 shows D.A. PUNTEY died in California.

Milwaukee Sentinel of May 13, 1850 shows J. PUTNEY of Wauwautosa was killed when a horse backs off Red Bridge in 1850.

MILWAUKEE PUTNEYS

The Milwaukee Sentinel of Sept. 5, 1864 shows JOS.H. PUTNEY married Caroline Beach, in 1864.

The Milwaukee Sentinel of Dec. 1, 1877 shows ORRAN PUTNEY, (Bay View) a brakeman, crushed hand in 1877.

The Milwaukee County Court House record show O.B. PUTNEY died Dec. 25, 1897. This may be the ORRAN above.

It is interesting to note that great grandfather WILLIAM PUTNEY had three children and all had “OR” in their names. His sons were ORVILLE, and WILLIAM ORSON and his daughter was ORSEY. There were railroad connections in this family. It is possible that ORRAN and WILLIAM were brothers. More work must be done on this.

William Putney, Senior

WILLIAM PUTNEY, Sr. was born in New York State and married Elizabeth Clayton in Milwaukee, WI, Oct. 22, 1851. The marriage is recorded in Volume B, page 378, at the Milwaukee County Court House, Milwaukee.

William and Elizabeth lived in the Town of Lake, just outside of Milwaukee. Lake was later named City of St. Francis.

William and Elizabeth Putney had three children:

1 ORVILLE PUTNEY, born August 5, 1853 at Town of Lake, WI

2 ORSEY PUTNEY, a daughter, born Sept. 29, 1855, Town of Lake, WI

3 WILLIAM ORSON PUTNEY, born Nov. 14, 1856, Town of Lake, WI

These births are recorded in the Milwaukee County Court House. Elizabeth Clayton had a sister who married a Dr. Byron Meacher of Portage, WI and their descendents are still living there. William and Elizabeth Putney and their son, Orville, are buried in a small, neglected cemetery in the City of St. Francis, formerly Town of Lake. The cemetery is on Thompson Ave. on a high corner across from the Thompson School. The street and school are named after the Thompson who donated the original land for the school. He and his family are buried there in this cemetery. Vandals have stolen all the markers from the graves in the cemetery.

Orville Putney

1 – ORVILLE PUTNEY, born Aug. 5, 1853, Town of Lake, WI married Flora A. Persons of Town of Lake on Dec. 18, 1873.

CLARENCE H. PUTNEY, born Feb. 21, 1875, Milwaukee, WI

CLEMENT HIRAM PUTNEY, born Feb. 21, 1878, Milwaukee, WI

ORVILLE died at Spokane, Washington and was buried in Thompson Ave. Cemetery, City of St. Francis, WI.

Flora A. Persons was born Feb. 7, 1851, Milwaukee, WI. She was the daughter of Mary Cross Persons and Hiram Persons who were married Nov. 5, 1843, born Sept. 18, 1819, Hownsfield, Jefferson County, NY. Hiram Persons was born Aug. 25, 1799.

Their children: Born Died

Harrison Persons April 2, 1846 Sept. 5, 1864

Taylor Persons Aug. 11, 1848 Aug. 24, 1850

Charles Persons Aug. 4, 1852 ?

Flora Persons Feb. 7, 1851 April 2, 1908

Mary Cross Persons died Oct. 22, 1902, age 83, at Green Bay. She and her husband are both buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Green Bay, WI in the same lot as their daughter Flora.

Orville’s wife, Flora Persons Putney, married a second time, to a Peter Miller. They lived at Green Bay, and had no children. Peter Miller died April 18, 1907, age 63, at Green Bay, and is buried in the Allouez Cemetery, Green Bay, WI.

Line of Descent of William Putney Family

WILLIAM PUTNEY is belived to have come from New York state. He married Elizabeth Clayton, Oct. 22, 1851 at Milwaukee, WI. Reference: Milwaukee County Court House records.

Their children:

1 – ORVILLE PUTNEY, born Aug. 4, 1853. He married Flora A. Persons, town of Lake, WI on Dec. 18, 1873. Flora was born Feb. 7, 1851, the daughter of Mary and Hiram Persons, early land owners in the Town of Lake, Flora died April 2, 1908 at Green Bay, WI, and is buried in the Allouez Woodlawn Cemetery, Green Bay, WI.

2 – ORSEY PUTNEY, born Sept. 29, 1856, in town of Lake, WI, only daughter of Elizabeth and William Putney. Married a man named Ferron. They had several children.

3 – WILLIAM ORSON PUTNEY, born Nov. 14, 1856, married Jessie R. Griffen Jan. 6, 1878. They had eleven children. (Grandfather of Charles Edgar Putney)

The marriages given above are recorded in the Milwaukee County Court House.

WILLIAM PUTNEY and his wife Elizabeth, and their son Orville, are buried in the Thompson Ave. Cemetery in the City of St. Francis, a suburb of Milwaukee. St. Francis was formerly the Town of Lake.

Wisconsin Putneys

Wisconsin Territory was organized by Act of Congress April 20, 1836. The first governor was appointed ten days later.

The Wisconsin Putneys first appeared in the 1840 census.

“History of Waukesha County” says that S.G.M. PUTNEY, a leading farmer, was born in Madison, Co., New York. While he was a child his parents moved to Rushville, Yates County, NY, where he married on the 5th of Oct. 1836, Sarah E.Wadsworth, a native of Middlesex, Yates County, NY, born on the 9th of Aug. 1817. The same year they were married he came to Wisconsin and bought a piece of land near Portage, then returned home. In the spring of 1840 they moved to Milwaukee and remained until Dec. of that year, when they moved to become pioneer settlers of Brookfield Center. He settled on a canal claim of 200 acres one mile south of Brookfield Junction Depot. He filled various offices of trust. Was a Republican in politics.” Reference: History of Waukesha County 1880.\

Note: Brookfield was near Milwaukee, WI.

The second settler in the town of Brookfield was ROBERT PUTNEY who came with his family in 1836. Reference: “Wisconsin Families” Vol. 1, page 14 to 16. Milwaukee Library.

In November 1836 GEORGE PUTNEY came in with a family and settled in the west part of town on a farm owned by Chester Blodgett in later years. He settled in the west part of Brookfield. He is believed to have left with the Mormans. Reference: History of Waukesha County Court House.

GEORGE PUTNEY married Almira McDonald, June 22, 1836. Reference: Milwaukee County Court House.

The 1840 census shows that GERRY PUTNEY as living in the town of Brookfield and having 5 males in his household;

1 male under 5

1 male under 10

1 male 10 to 15

1 male 15 to 20

1 male 30 to 40

Census at that time included all persons in a household, related or not. Often they were employees but not heads of household.

AARON SIDNEY PUTNEY, 1813-1876

The 1840 census on microfilm at Milwaukee Library shows A.S. PUTNEY as having in his household:

1 male under 5 years

2 males 20 to 30 years

“Wisconsin Families Vol. 1, pg. 14 to 16” shows AARON PUTNEY family was early Pewaukee.

D.A.R. Lineagle Book (Milwaukee Library) 152-191 9. Reference: 929.3 D. 23 pg. 111

AARON SIDNEY PUTNEY (1813-76) married 1835 to Sarah Mower (1813-77)

There 1840 census shows FLUSKET M. PUTNEY, East Ward, Town of Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI, as having:

1 male under 5 years

5 males 20 to 30 years

1 male 30 to 40 years

1 male 40 to 50 years

CAPT. F.M. PUTNEY married Clarissa Howell Belvidere. Reference: Milwaukee Sentinel of Nov. 19, 1839 – Milwaukee Sentinel File.

His only son was FRANK HOWELL PUTNEY, born in Rockford, IL, Oct. 31, 1841. He attended Milwaukee High School 1855-60. Attended Carroll College. Saw service in the Rebellion in the defense of the Union. Was mustered out July 16, 1865 at Louisville, KY. Was a Colonel. Studies law, practiced in State and local courts of Wisconsin. During 1874-75 was engaged in newspaper in NY. In 1878 was appointed Private Sec’y to Gov. Luddington. In 1878 he was Asst. Sec’y of State in WI. While serving in that capacity he was elected Judge of Waukesha County, taking office Jan. 1, 1882 and serving four years.

He was a Republican and an Episcopalian. He was considered one of the most enterprising and public spirited citizens of Waukesha.

Considerable more information is given about COL PUTNEY in “Waukesha County, WI. Reference: 920.077593 page 853, Milwaukee Library.

He married Bertha Witt, 1879. Reference: Sentinel file at Milwaukee Library, Aug. 1, 1879.

Historical and Biographical Sketch of the Putney Family

Origin

This surname is believed to be of Old English Anglo-Saxon origin. The derivation is from the Anglo-Saxon element PYT and from the Latin word PETEUS, meaning a well. The Scandinavian Norse Icelandic termination EY signifies and island, while the element EY from the Norman French means water. PUTNEY as a surname, no doubt, signifies a person or personage who resided near or at an island where there was a well. Since the termination EY also signifies water, the derivation is from one who lived near or at a PITT, or a well, with water (water-pit). PUTNEY is in another class of family names that are derived from features of topography that distinguished the localities where the ancestors originated. For example, we have Hurst, meaning “a wood”, Lund, “a grove”; Thwaite, “a clearing”; booth, “a house”; Ackley, “oak field”; Ridgeway, “along the ridge”, etc. Other names come from trees: ALDER, ASH, BEACH, BIRCH, ELM, LIND, OAK, PINE, THORN, etc. Tree names were often given to those who worked or lived near some conspicuous tree that served as a landmark.

CLARENCE LEROY PUTNEY was born in Sunapee, New Hamphsire, on Feb. 25, 1879. He was a student at the Boston (MA) High School and Business College, graduating in 1895. On February 14, 1905, Mr. PUTNEY married Carrie Lucelia White, and they had three children: WESLEY TRUEMAN, CLARENCE MERTON, and MARION CHARLOTTE. From 1895 to 1903, MR. PUTNEY was employed as an assistant in the manufacturing department D, of the Lothrop Publishing Company, Boston, MA; and from 1903 to 1914, with the Dana, Estes & Company Incorporated. In 1914, MR. PUTNEY became vice-president and director in charge of the production of the L.C. Page & Co., publishers, Boston, MA.

FREEMAN PUTNEY, JR. retired financial editor and writer, was born in South Hadley Falls, MA, on June 24, 1877, and was the son of Freeman and Alice Cummings (Knight) PUTNEY. He received his A.B. degree from Brown University, in 1899. On January 7, 1903, he married Anne May Larry, of Providence, RI, and they had two children: FREEMAN THEODORE, and ROGER LARRY. From 1900 to 1906, MR. PUTNEY was a manager in the mail order department of the New England Stamp Co., Boston, MA. From 1906 to 1914, he became manager and later president of the Scott Stamp & Coin Company. He was the financial editor of Poor’s (formerly Moody’s) Manuals and Financial Services from 1910 to 1932; and later became vice-president of Poor’s Publishing Company. MR. PUTNEY was a famous authority on financial markets and was the originator and author of “Corporation Security Ratings”, published annually. MR. PUTNEY also contributed short stories and serials to different magazines.

ALBERT HUTCHINSON PUTNEY, lawyer, was born in Boston, MA, on Sept. 28, 1872, and was the son of ALBERT B. and Sarah B. (Abbott) PUTNEY. He received his A.B. degree from Yale, in 1893 and L.B. degree from Boston University, in 1895. On April 6, 1911, he married Pearl L. Avery. He practiced law in Boston from 1895 to 1898. From 1900 to 1912 dean of the Illinois College of Law. MR. PUTNEY was dean of the Webster College of Law from June, 1912, to Sept., 1913. He was an author of a great many books. Some of them are: GOVERNMENT in the UNITED STATES, published in 1904; UNITED STATES CONSITUTIONAL HISTORY and LAW, 1908; and PRINCIPLES of POLITICAL ECONOMY, published in 1909.

Of the prominent physicians bearing the surname of PUTNEY we mention the following:

DOCTOR BERNARD PUTNEY of Dixmont, Pennsylvania, was born in 1903. He graduated from the McGill University, Faculty of Medicine, which is situated in Montreal in 1929. DOCTOR PUTNEY received his license to practice medicine in the state of Pennsylvania in the following years. He was issued a license by the National Board of Medical Examiners in 1930.

CHARLES WALKER PUTNEY, prominent physicians of Staunton, Virginia, which was born in 1893 and graduated from the Medical College of Virginia, which is in Richmond, in 1921. He received his license to practice medicine in the state of Virginia in the following year, DOCTOR PUTNEY was a member o the American Medical Association, which was made up of commissioned medical officers of the Federal Government, while on active service. He specialized in Surgery.

JAMES PUTNEY of Charleston, West Virginia, was born in 1859. He graduated from the University of Maryland, School of Medicine and College of Physicians and Surgeons of Baltimore, in 1889. In the same year he was issued to license to practice medicine in the state of West Virginia. Licenses to practice medicine in other states are not shown in this physicians’ data.

DOCTOR ROBERT HUBBARD PUTNEY of Elm City, North Carolina, was born in 1889. He graduated from the Medical College of Virginia, in 1914. DR. PUTNEY received his license to practice medicine in the state of NC in the same year. Licenses to practice medicine in other states are not shown in this physician’s data.

DOCTOR WESLEY REID PUTNEY of Lake City, Florida, was born in 1888 and graduated from the University College of Medicine, which is also situated in Richmond, in 1912, DOCTOR PUTNEY has retired.

DOCTOR WILLIS HENRY PUTNEY of East Aurora, New York, was born in 1894. He graduated from the University of Buffalo, School of Medicine in 1921. In the same year he was issued a license to practice medicine in the state of New York. DOCTOR PUTNEY held a Fellowship in the American Medical Association, which was made up of commissioned medical officers of the Federal Government, while on active service.

We find mention of MABEL F. PUTNEY, who was a journalist of Connection. She was born in Guilford, CT, on March 5, 19__. She was treasurer of the Shore Line Times, Guilford, CT, in 19__.

Of the prominent residents of the state of New York, we find mention of MRS. EDMONDS PUTNEY. She married MR. EDMONDS PUTNEY, but recoreds to not disclose the date of their marriage, nor the date of birth of any children.

Of the prominent lawyers of the state of New York, we find mention of MR. WILLIAM PUTNEY. During the time that he has been in practice, he has built up a large and successful clientele.

Among the prominent lawyers of the state of New York, we find mention of MR. WILLIAM PUTNEY. During the time that he has been in practice, he has built up a large and successful clientele.

Among the prominent businessmen of the state of Kansas, we find mention of MR. H.S. PUTNEY. During the time that he has been in business, he has built up quite a respectful reputation and reputable concern.

Of the prominent ministers of the state of Missouri, we find mention of REV. R.D.S. PUTNEY, No Further information can be found regarding REV. R.D.S. PUTNEY, except that he was prominent in church activities of his community.

We find mention of MRS. CHARLES G. PUTNEY, prominent resident of the state of Oklahoma. She married MR. CHARLES G. PUTNEY, but records do not show the date of their marriage, nor the date of birth of any children.

We find mention of MR. FREEMAN PUTNEY, Jr., prominent businessman of the state of Massachusetts. He is the son of MR. FREEMAN PUTNEY, residing of South Weymouth, MA.

Letter to Uncle Byron Putney

2451 Memorial Dr.

Green Bay, WI

June 11, 1960

Dear Byron:

I made the trip to Milwaukee, and looked up the little cemetery on Thompson Ave. I too was shocked to find it in such an unkempt condition. I had always taken it for granted that our older generation were buried at Forest Home Cemetery, but I got a list of the burials there and I found six Putneys: Alva, Bertha, Clayton, Curtis, George and Rachel.

I talked to an elderly man whose father and step-father were buried in the Thompson Ave. Cemetery. He says nobody seems to have any records of the burial there. I also talked to the principle of the Thompson School across the street. The Thompson family are buried there in this cemetery and there are markers on the graves. It was he who gave the land for the cemetery, school, and small church that used to be across from the cemetery and has been torn down to enlarge the school grounds. The street is also named after this family. I told the school principal that I thought that the community (now City of St. Francis) should have enough conscience to keep up the graves of the family who was civic minded enough to donate the land.

I also talked to the wife of the scout master who has a troup at the Thompson School. He was not at home at the time. This troup had gone in there one Sat. a few weeks ago and attempted to do some cleaning up, but had accomplished very little and had not continued the work. I told her that if they would undertake it as a scout project I would make a contribution to their troup when they wrote me that ehy had completed it. Whether or not that will get results remains to be seen. She thought they would be interested.

I went to St. Francis City Hall to see if any records were available but without success. I did learn that it had been a Lutheran Church and Cemetery.

I have accumulated a great deal of data on the Putney family, but to date have not found the “missing link”. As you can see from the enclosed sheets there were three Putneys who came to the Milwaukee area in 1836 – S.G.M. Putney (I don’t know yet what the initials stand for), Robert Putney, George Putney, only the first giving data as to where he came from, namely New York State. However, since he married in 1836 he came from, namely New York State. However, since he married in 1836 he came from, namely New York State. However, since he married in 1836 he came from, namely New York State. However, since he married in 1836 he could not be the parent of our William Putney, since he married in 1851.

I shall try to do more work on George and Robert. It is possible that our line came in after 1836, sometime between then and 1851 when William Putney married in Milwaukee. All of this I will have to work on further. It seems logical that the three who came in all the same year in the fall, would be brothers, father and sons with families, or cousins. It would almost be too much a coincidence for the three men of the same name to have come to Wisconsin in the same year, unless they started out together.

I have a great deal of data on Putneys in the East, including a number of them who were in the Revolutionary War. About a month ago I located a Mrs. Whitney whom you wrote about and who had since moved. She sent me a considerable on a project on the Putneys that she once started and then abandoned when she got interested in a Patriotic Pageant which she and her husband put on in schools, etc. However nothing she gave me indicated anything of the families moving westward, although it is all good data and may be helpful later.

I have been trying to get a copy of the 221 page book “Putney 1753-1953”, which was published at Putney, Vermont. It is already a collectors item and hard to locate. I have been negotiating with a woman who found a copy in her late husband’s file, but don’t know whether I’ll get it. It may tell something about the early settlers there.

I was surprised to learn from your letter that my father and Clarence received an inheritance from Grandmother Putney. I must have been very young at the time. The only inheritance I remember their getting was from a bachelor uncle, whom we knew as Uncle Jack, and who was related on my mother’s side. It seems very unfair that they should have inherited money if your family took care of Grandmother Putney. Do you know how much was involved? I suppose this came about because she didn’t leave a will. If my father had invested wisely what he inherited from his mother, Uncle Jack, and Grandmother Putney he would have been quite comfortably situated in his old age, but because money went through his fingers like butter, we ended up paying a couple of thousand dollars in hospital and doctor bills after he passed away. I always have felt it was because he was a very good looking man and spoiled by his mother all his life. Everything came to him too easily.

I really didn’t intent to write a book when I started, but you know how women talk.

Thanks again for the Whitney data and I’ll let you know if anything more develops.

Best Wishes,

P.S.: If you’ll send me the names of your brothers and sisters, I’d like it for my records. Also anything more you know of the Ferrons.

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