General Notes

REFN: 117AN
REFN: P117
Notes for THOMAS PUTNAM, LT:
Lt. Thomas Putnam was an inhibitant o f Lynn, Mass. in 1640; freeman 1642;
on of seven men (selectmen) of Lynn in 1 643.
The town of Salem, Mass. granted to him, 20-11-1640, "fifty acres [of
u pland] and five acres of meddow."  This was at the same time that his
father, John Putnam, received a grant of one hundred acres from the town
("in exchan ge of one-hundred acres formerly granted to him").
In 1645 the General Court p assed the following order: "Mr Thomas
Layghton, Edward Burcham, & Thomas Putt man are appointed by this Courte
to end smale causes for ye towne of Lynne fo r ye yeere ensewing" 18 June,
1645.  This Comission was renewed the 20 May, 1 648, "to end smale cawses,
vnder twenty shillings."
11th, 9 mo., 1648 he was "Chosen for Gran-Juryman" in Salem, and
10-10-1655 was chosen constable of S alem in place of Mr. William Browne.
The office of constable at that date car ried great authority and covered
the entire local administation of affairs.
Thomas Putnam was also the first parish clerk at Salem Village and was
promin ent in the local military and ecclesiatical, as well as town
affairs.
Thomas Putnam wrote a very fine hand and had evidently received a good
education, a s had his brothers.  In 1679 he gives to the Rev. James
Barley, upon his reti rement from the ministry at Salem Village, three
acres of meadow.  During the long dispute over Barley at the Village,
Thomas and John seem to have suppor ted Barley, while Nathaniel was in
opposition.
Thomas Putnam during a number of years held, besides the offices above
mentioned, the various positions of "Layer out of Highways," "Inspector
of Bridges," "to care for rates for the minister," etc.  On the 29th day,
11 mo., 1658, "Jefferey Massey, Thomas Putn ame, Nath Putname and Joseph
Hutchensen are Impowered, or any three of them, to joyne with Topsfield,
Mass. about the Runninge & setlenge & full endinge o f our sixe mile line
in the extent of it in so many places as they shall see meet, for a full
conclusion of the worke."  Oct. 8, 1662, the General Court c onfirms his
apponitment as Lieutenant in the troop of horse.
When on October 8, 1672, the General Court permitted the imhibitants of
Salem Farms to becom e a separate parish, he was made chairman of the
committee chosen to carry on the affairs of the parish (11 Nov., 1672),
and on 25 Nov., 1680, it was vote d "that Lt. Thomas Putnam and Jonathan
Wolcott supply the place of deacons fo r ensueing;" they were continued in
office 27 Dec., 1681.  This is the first mention of deacons in the
Village records.  (In the Secretary's office at the State House many
documents relating to the religious disturbances at the Vil lage.  Those
show very plainly the attituDe of the Putnams during that exciti ng
period.)
In 1682 occurs the first list of tax-payers at the Village.  The re are
ninety-four names on this list.  Lt. Thomas Putnam was by far the
we althist in the "Village" or "Farms."  Besides inheriting a double
portion of his father's estate, (It was usual among many New England
families for the el dest son to have a double portion; this became a law
and continued in force u ntil quite recent times.) he by his marriage with
widow Mary Veren came into possesion of considerable property in Jamaica
and Barbadoes.  The homestead o f Thomas although much enlarged is still
standing and is now known as the "Ge neral Israel Putnam house."  This
house is situated a little east of Hathorne 's Hill in the northern part
of Danvers, not far from the Asylum, and was occ upied by his widow in
1692.  Here also his son Joseph lived during his opposi tion to the
witchcraft proceedings.
There was also a town residence in Salem situated on the north siDe of
Essex street extending back to North River, it s front on Essex Street
embraced the western part of the grounds now occupied by the North Church
and extended to a point be