Lieutenant Thomas PUTNAM (21) was born before 7 Mar 1614/15 in Aston Abbotts, Buckinghamshire, England.(22) May have been born in 1610 or 1615. He was baptized on 7 Mar 1614/15 in Aston Abbotts, Buckinghamshire, England.(23) He died on 10 May 1686 in Salem Village, Essex Co., MA. (24) Eben Putnam has the death on May 5th. Lt. Thomas Putnam was an inhibitant of Lynn, Mass. in 1640; freeman 1642; on of seven men (selectmen) of Lynn in 1643.

The town of Salem, Mass. granted to him, 20-11-1640, "fifty acres [of upland] 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 exchange of one-hundred acres formerly granted to him").

In 1645 the General Court passed the following order: "Mr Thomas Layghton, Edward Burcham, & Thomas Puttman are appointed by this Courte to end smale causes for ye towne of Lynne for ye yeere ensewing" 18 June, 1645. This Comission was renewed the 20 May, 1648, "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 Salem in place of Mr. William Browne. The office of constable at that date carried great authority and covered the entire local administation of affairs.

Thomas Putnam was also the first parish clerk at Salem Village and was prominent 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, as had his brothers. In 1679 he gives to the Rev. James Barley, upon his retirement 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 supported 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 Putname, Nath Putname and Joseph Hutchensen are Impowered, or any three of them, to joyne with Topsfield, Mass. about the Runninge & setlenge & full endinge of 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 confirms his apponitment as Lieutenant in the troop of horse.

When on October 8, 1672, the General Court permitted the imhibitants of Salem Farms to become 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 voted "that Lt. Thomas Putnam and Jonathan Wolcott supply the place of deacons for 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 Village. Those show very plainly the attitude of the Putnams during that exciting period.)

In 1682 occurs the first list of tax-payers at the Village. There are ninety-four names on this list. Lt. Thomas Putnam was by far the wealthist 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 eldest son to have a double portion; this became a law and continued in force until quite recent times.) he by his marriage with widow Mary Veren came into possesion of considerable property in Jamaica and Barbadoes. The homestead of Thomas although much enlarged is still standing and is now known as the "General 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 occupied by his widow in 1692. Here also his son Joseph lived during his opposition 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, its front on Essex Street embraced the western part of the grounds now occupied by the North Church and extended to a point beyond the head of Cambridge street.

In his will dated, 8 Feb., 1682/3, and proved at Boston, 8 July, 1686, he gives the eastern half of the above to his son Thomas, thw western half to his son Joseph; another estate on the western side of St. Peter's street, to the north of Federal, he gives to Edward. (The Hon. Abner C. Goodell, Jr. owned and occupied a part of this estate. Near here was also the jail wherein were confined the condemned during the excitement of 1692.) To each of his children he gives a large estate in Salem Village and a valuable piece of meadow land. To a faithfull servant Joseph Stacey, he gives eleven acres.

The children by his first wife attempted, unsuccessfully, to break this will, claiming that undue influence was used to obtain for Joseph more than his share of the estate.

Mr. Upham in his Salem Witchcraft thus sums up the character and position of Thomas Putnam in contrast with his brothers "Possessing a large property by inheritance, he was not quite so active in increasing it, but enjoying the society and friendship of the leading men lived a more retired life. At the same time he was always ready to serve the community when called for as he often was, when occasion arose for the aid of his superior intelligence and personal influence, " also in writing about the settlement of the "Farms" he says, "The Putnams followed up Beaver Brook to Beaver Dam, and spread out toward the north and west."

The will of Thomas Putnam is here given in full.

Know all men by these prsents, That I Thomas Putnam Senr of Salem, being Ancient & sencible of the declining of old age, & weakness & sumptoms of mortality daily atending upon me, but being of sound mind & memory blessed be Gog, doe make this my last will & testament, this 8th day of february Anno Dom. 1682/3 as followeth
Impr I give my soule into the hands of Jesus Christ in whome I hope to live forever, and my body to the earth, In hope of a Glorious resurection with him when this vild body shalbe made like unto his Glorious body and for the estate God hath given me, in his world, (my depts being paid), I dispose of as followeth.
It. I give & bequeath to my son Thomas putnam & to his hears & assignes the dwelling house he now lives in, with the Barne & oarchards, with all the land belonging there to containing by estimation, one hundred & fifty acres, be it more or lesse, according as it lyes bounded, as is heareafter exsprest, viz: from Hathorns medow as the water runs out of the medow, till it comes into Ipswich River, then from the bound by the river to the end of the Iland, to the great black oak betwixt my Cozen John Putnams land & mine, from thence to Cromwells bound tree, & from thence to a walnut tree & a Litle red oak where lyes a heape of stones, the trees being falen down, which is alsoe the bounds betixt Joshua Rens land & this land, & from thence to Reas bounds, that is a red oake where lyes stones: & from thence to another heape of stones, & from thence to the fence at Hathorns medow, where is a tree marked by the fence, & from thence with or along by the fence, all the upland & swamp, till it comes to the place where the water comes out of the medow, And from thence my Spong of medow on the other side the brooke, & the upland on Jonathan Knites his side, till it comes to a marked tree, neere the said Knights Corner of his field next Beare hill, & then Crosse the swamp, to the cart way that is at the lower end, of the flaggy meddow, & to take in all the meddow, & to run by the swamp, not over Andever waye, till it comes at the tree where is three rocks & the tree marked, & the tree is to the westward of the rockes: on the north side, where Andever high way turnes, & from thence to the bound where I Joyne to Topsfield men, & soe to the River; till I meet mr. Bayles meddow at the Spring, that runs into the River, a little above the bridg, & from the bridg, Andever Road to be the bounds to the tree, where is three stones, at the turne of the waye, & from thence to two trees marked at the ridg of Top of the hill, that lyes on the right hand of the path as wee come from the bridg Thomas Putnams house, and from the two trees to a great rock that is neere Hathorns brooke where Thomas & Edward are to make a bridge over the brook against the corner of Thomas his field by his Barne, within which bounds is included a pcell of land, containing about fifty acres lying by the River, which said fifty acres alsoe I give & bequeath to my said son Thomas his heirs & assignes together with the foresaid house Barne oarchards & about one hundred & fifty acres, upland and meddow, all which my son Thomas his heirs & assignes shall have & Injoy forever, after my decease
It. I give and bequeath, to my sonn Edward Putnam & to his heires & assignes a certaine tract of land, upland & meddow, containing about eighty Acres be it more or less, with the house he now dwells in, & the barne & oarchard, upon the said land, which said pcell of land, is bounded, by the land before Specifyed given to my son Thomas aforesaid, easterly: & Ipswich River westerly: Alsoe I give unto him my son Edward one pcell more of land, lying upon the little hill soe caled, containing about sixty arces more or lesse, being bounded as followeth, viz: from a forked walnut, that is alsoe Loshua Reas & nathaniell putnams bounds, from thence to a stake & heape of stones neere the Cartwaye, from thence to Cromwells bound tree soe caled, from thence to a walnut & red oak blowed downe where lyes a heape of stones, from thence to the forked walnut, Alsoe I give to my son Edward one pcell of land more, lying upon Beare Hill, containing about sixty acres more or less: being bounded, by the three Rocks & a tree standing by them marked, from thence to the bound in the swamp, where my land Joynes to Topsfeild land, from thence to william Hobs his bounds, from thence along Knights his line till it comes to a marked tree, & from the sd marked tree, Cross the land to a red oak tree standing by a great Rock on the north easterly side of Andev Road, -Alsoe I give my sd son Edward a pcell of pcell of meddow containing fower acres more or less, lying on the west side of the River, neere his house & the upland against his sd meddow, from the upper end of ye said meddow Cross my upland, to the top of the high hill & doe Straite to my brother Nathaniels line, & then to run along the line, to his bounds, at the lower end of the meddow, which is a heap of stones, upon the topp of a hill about twenty pole from the meddow containing eight acres more or less, of upland, - Alsoe I give him my sd son Edward, all my meddow lying in Cromwells meddow soe caled, contayning fower acres more or less, Alsoe I give my sd son Edward, all that my part of meddow that lyes in Hathorns soe caled, lying bounded by Joshua Reas medow on the west, Ezekiell Cheevers meddow on the south, Jonathan Knights upland on east & Thomas Putnams Spong of medow on the north, all which said pcells of lane, boath upland & meddow I give & bequeath to my son Edward, & to his heires & assignes forever, after my decease.
It. I Give & bequeath, to mary my beloved wife, & to my son Joseph Putnam, borne by her, my said wife, all that my farme I now live upon with all the buildings & houseing theire upon with all the apprtenances thereto belonging, both upland & meddow oarchards fences & prvilidges thereto be-belonging, for them to have hold & Injoy the Same to them & their assigne after my decease, for the term of my Said wives naturall life, (they making no Strip nor waste,) either of them or theire assignes to Injoy the one halfe part thereof, who will maintaine & keep in good repaire either of them theire said part the said terme, & after my said wives decease, then my will is & doe by these prsents bequeath the whole of all said farme buildings & apprtenances to my said sonn Joseph Putnam & to his Heires & assignes, from the time of my wives said decease & for ever after, which said farme containes about one hundred & twenty Acres, be it more or les, that is to say the upland & meddow of mowing ground that is adjoyning to the house which is bounded as followeth, on the west with the land formerly Richard Hutchensons, a red oak marked neere the house where Bragg dwelt, from thence to a heape of stones & a stake standing neere my oarchards, from thence to an other heape of Stones, on the side of the hill, from thence to another heape of stones, which was the Said Hutchensons Corner bounds toward the meddow, from thence to a heape of stones, which is Reas bounds alsoe, & Hutchensons & mine, from thence to another heape of stones, that is alsoe the bounds of Joshua Reas & Thomas Putnams & mine, & from thence Crosse the upland downe to the marked tree by the meddow, soe Called (which meadow is to be understood as part of the said farm, as it now lyes fenced,) & from thence the upland on the east, to a tree fallen where is a heape of stones that is the bounds of Peeter Prescotts & mr Cheevrs land, from thence on the stump, from thence to a white oake on top of the hill, that is

He was married to Ann HOLYOKE (daughter of Edward HOLYOKE and Prudence STOCKTON) on 17 Oct 1643 in Salem, Essex Co., MA.(25) (26) Eben Putnam has the marriage at Lynn, MA. Ann HOLYOKE was born on 18 Jan 1620/21 in Tanworth-in-Arden, Warwickshire, England.(27) May have been born in Tamworth, Staffordshire, England She died on 1 Sep 1665 in Salem Village, Essex Co., MA. (28)(29) The Holyyoke family were one of the most prominent and aristocratic families in the colony. Lieutenant Thomas PUTNAM and Ann HOLYOKE had the following children:

+9 i. Ann PUTNAM
+10 ii. Sarah PUTNAM
11 iii. Mary PUTNAM was born on 17 Oct 1649 in Salem Village, Essex Co., MA. (30) She was baptized on 19 May 1650 in First Church, Salem, Essex Co., MA.(31) Not mentioned in her father's will
+12 iv. Sergt. Thomas PUTNAM Jr.
+13 v. Deacon Edward PUTNAM
+14 vi. Deliverance PUTNAM
+15 vii. Elizabeth PUTNAM.
+16 viii. Prudence PUTNAM
17 ix. Joseph PUTNAM died in Sep 1665 in Salem Village, Essex Co., MA. (32)(33) He was born on 1 Sep 1665 in Salem Village, Essex Co., MA.(34)

He was married to Mary on 14 Nov 1666 in Salem Village, Essex Co., MA. (35) Mary (36) was born about 1626. (37) Birth date is calculated from age 69 at death. She Will dated on 8 Jan 1694/95.(38) She died on 15 Mar 1694/95 in Salem, Essex Co., MA.(39) (40) Other sources have the death on the 16th or 17th. She had a will proved on 20 May 1695. (41) In 1684, Mary (Veren) Putnam, in the appointment of seats in the meeting house at the Village, was seated in the first, or principal pew, reserved for women.

The will of Mary bequeaths to her husband's children, Thomas Putnam, Edward Putnam, Deliverance Wolcott, Elizabeth Bayley, Prudence Wayman, and to her own son, Joseph Putnam. In a deposition Mary lindall. aged forty-five, wife of Timothy Lindall, calls Mrs. Mary Putnam, "Mother Putnam," and George Ingersoll, senior, calls her "sister Mary Putnam."
Lieutenant Thomas PUTNAM and Mary had the following children:

+18 i. Joseph PUTNAM