m. MAUD, daughter of William De Puttenham (see Turville)
Richard and Maud gave to the priory of Canon's Ashby the church of Putenham with its appurtenances, sixteen acres of land in one field, sixteen acres of land in the other field, four acres of meadow and all the moor under their garden.(1) By another charter Maud, daughter of William de Putenham, confirmed the above grant for the soul of her husband Richard Fitz Wale.(2)
By an agreement (c.1218) between the nuns of Sandford and the canons of Ashby, Amice, the prioress and the nuns of Sandford, in consideration of the yearly rent of one mark of silver to be paid by the prior and canons of Ashby, renounced for ever every right in the church of Puttenham appertaining to them "by the grant of R de Puteham", and granted that the canons should have and retain every right that "R son of Galo, father of the aforesaid R. gave and granted them by his charter and which, after his death, M de Puteham, his mother confirmed by her charter.(3)
In a 12th century Survey of Northants Richard is listed as holding two hides in "Cydona" of the fee of Leicester.(4)
In 1177 the Pipe Roll for Bucks. records that "Ricard Fitz Wale owes 40s for the right of half a knight's fee that he has not yet had." Similar entries recur every year up to and including the 33rd year of Henry II's reign when more precise information is given: "Richard Fitz Wale owes four marks that Maud his wife may have recognition of the death of her uncle for his fee of half a knight in Penna de Tapeslawe". The following year he pays the four marks and is quit, and there is no further reference to the matter.(5)
Issue-
(1) Egerton MS. 3033 fo. 92 (2) Ibid (3) Ibid- fo.94 (4) Cott. MS. Vesp. E XXII (5) English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.II, p.671
Henry was probably never Lord of Eydon as his brother Richard died and Henry's son Richard became Lord of Eydon before 1219.
Ref:
English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.III, p.55
In 1219 Richard Fitz Wale was at law with the abbott of St. Mary's of Leicester concerning the advowson of Eydon church which his grandfather Richard had given to that convent.(1) The suit was determined in 1220 when "Richard Wale, son of Henry" recognized the abbot's right.(2)
(1) Curia Regis Rolls- 3-4 Henry III. (2) Feet of Fines- Northants., 4 Henry III
m. ALICE ______ d. before 1242/3
"Thomas, dominus de Eindon, filius Gualonis" gave an acre and a half of land in Eydon to the canons of Ashby for the salvation of himself and of Alice his wife and confirmed to them the acre of land that his father had granted.(1)
Thomas died before 1242/3 when his son Richard held a knight's fee in Eydon.(2)
(1) Egerton MS. 3033, fo. 174 (his father's charter is missing) (2) Testa de Nevill
English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.III, p.56
m. ALICE ______
John Fitz Wale of Puttenham was a minor in 1265 when Hugh De Herdebergh was appointed his guardian.(1)
In 1278 he confirmed to Canon's Ashby the advowson of Puttenham church, which had recently been released and confirmed to them by his "uncle Richard de Puteham"(2)
In 1278/9 John de Cobham and Elias de Beckingham were appointed to take an assize of novel disseisin in a plea of William le Lung of Puttenham against "John son of William de Putteham" et al. for a tenement in Puttenham.(3) In 1280/1 John De Lovetot and Elias De Beckingham were appointed to take a similar assize in the plea of John Engayne and Joan, his wife, against Hugh de Herdebergh and John De Puttenham for a tenement in Puttenham.(4)
In 1297 Ela and Isabel de Herdebergh (daughters and co- heirs of Roger De Herdebergh, the son of Hugh), held one knight's fee in Puttenham (5) John was apparently dead by 1304/5 when Sir Thomas Wale, the mesne lord, granted the manors of Puttenham & Penn to "Roger son of John De Puttenham" by service of one knight's fee and a pair of gilt spurs.(6) In 1303 "the lady of Puttenham" apparently John's widow Alice, held Puttenham.(7)
(1) Misc. Inq. No. 709 (2) Cart. Canon's Ashby, Egerton MSS. 3033, fo. 91 (3) Patent Rolls R. 7 Edward I, Dep. Keeper's Report 1887 (4) Ibid- 9 Edward I (5) Inq. Post Mortem- 25 Edward I, No. 51 (6) De Banco Roll- 15, m.23 d. V.C.H. Herts., Vol.II, p.262 (7) Cal. Feud. Aids II, 425
The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.15, p.13 English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.III, pp.73-4
m. ALINA ______ (m.2. Thomas De La Hay)
Roger, "son and heir of John De Puttenham" was granted Puttenham by Sir Thomas Fitz Wale in 1304/5 and in 1309 Alice de Puttenham, (widow of John) released two-thirds of the manor to Roger and Alina his wife.(1)
In Feb. 1315 a final concord was levied between Roger De Puttenham and his wife Alina and Ralf De Braham on the one part and Robert De Gravele and wife Alice on the other for 13/4 rent in Penn and Robert and Alice gave £10.(2) This Alice was probably Alice, widow of John Fitz Wale, married to Robert De Grevele.
On 15 Jan. 1321/2 Roger De Puttenham, being with the King, was excused the fine imposed upon the knights and esquires of Essex and Herts.(3) This was evidently during the rebellion of Earl Thomas of Lancaster.
In 1322 Robert Spigornel, priest, son of the Justice Sir Henry Spigornel, going abroad to study, made Roger De Puttenham his attorney.(4)
Sir Roger purchased land in Penn, Bucks. in 1322 and was sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1323.(5)
Roger died before 1340 and his widow married Thomas De La Haye, as in that year, by deed enrolled, Thomas De La Haye held the manor of Puttenham for the life of his wife Alina, together with one carucate of land in Penn of Sir Thomas Spigornel, with reversion to
Roger son and heir of Roger de Puttenham".(6)
It has been stated that Alina was the daughter of Nicholas de Herdbergh, however, Nicholas died without any children as is shown by the De Banco Rolls.(7)
(1) F. Div. Cos. 2 & 3 Edward II, No. 22 (2) Bucks. Feet of Fines- 8 Edward II, No. 2 (3) Parliamentary Writs (4) English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.III, p.74 (5) The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.15, p.13 (6) Cal. Cl. R. 14 Edward III, p.441 (7) De Banco Rolls Mich.- 10 Edward III, m.348 (1336)
m. MARGERY ______
Sir Roger first appears in 1329 when John Neyrunyt Sr. had a plea against John De La Haye, "Roger son of Roger de Puttenham", Simon son of Simon de Arches et als.(1)
On 18 Oct. 1338 he had pardon for all outlawries and homicides.(2)
In 1339 and in 1340 he witnessed charters of Sir John De Molyns, the King's Yeoman.(3)
On 7 Oct. 1340, after the death of his mother Alina, Nicholas De La Beche, who had been granted the mesne lordship of Puttenham by Sir Thomas Spigornel, granted it to Sir John Molyns chivaler, together with the homage and service of Roger de Puttenham.(4) Hereafter we find Sir Roger in close association with Sir John, his overlord. He was Commissioner of the Peace in Bucks. on 20 Feb. 1349/0, in 1364, 1366, and in 1367.(5) He was Knight of the Shire for Bucks. in 1354, 1357, 1362, 1364/5, 1366, 1368, 1370/1 and in 1373.(6) On 23 Jan. 1357/8 John Lovet, going to Santiago, made Roger De Puttenham chivaler his attorney in England.(7) On 12 July 1353 "Roger de Puttenham the elder" witnessed a charter of Sir John De Molyns.(8) On 26 Nov. 1367 Roger was attorney for William De Molyns.(9)
In 1370 Robert Stratford, parson, granted Long Marston, Herts., to Christian Bardolph for life, remainder to Sir Roger De Puttenham and Margery his wife in fee tail.(10)
On 20 July 1372 Roger witnessed a Little Marlow charter.(11) On 26 June 1375 he witnessed a charter of Thomas De Hynton to the famous William of Wykeham, Bishop of Winchester.(12)
Sir Roger was an MP for Bucks. in 1355, 1363, 1366, 1367, 1370 and in 1374.
(1) Coram Rege R. Mich. 3 Edward III, 135, No. 2 (2) Cal. Cl. R. 1338 (3) English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.III, p.74 (4) Cal. Pat. R. 1340, p.635 (5) Cal. Pat. R. passim (6) Parl. of England 1213-1702 passim (7) Cal. Pat. R. 1358, p.650 (8) Cal. Cl. R. 1353, p.603 (9) Cal. Pat. R. 1367, p.35 (10) V.C.H. Herts., Vol.II, p.287 (11) Cal. Cl. R. 1372, p. 451 (12) Ibid- 1375, p.205
The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., "The American Genealogist", Vol.15, pp.12, 15
William was Commissioner of the Peace in Herts. together with John Duke of Lancaster, Henry de Berkhampstead et als. on 1 Oct. 1377.(1)
In 1380 he was fined for default in a view of frankpledge at a court held at Weston Turville for the Honor of Lancaster.(2) This entry would indicate that William was lord of the manor of Puttenham at this time.
In 1383 William Puttenham, sergeant at arms, John De La Haye et als. were on an inquisition touching the lands of Thomas Parker.(3)
(1) Cal. Pat. R. 1 Richard II (2) PRO Court Rolls, Duchy of Lancaster 30, 80/1103 (3) English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.III, p.75 (4) Coram Rege Roll 518, Rex R. m.18
of Edlesborough 1387, 1390, 1401.
The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.15, pp.12, 15
of Edlesborough
Nicholas was granted a half acre of arable land in "Wowefurlong" in Eddlesborough by Joan Hoygges, widow, of Eddlesborough on 20 June 1430. The land was bordered by Hallyngway field and land of Nicholas West and was witnessed by Joan Fitz Hugh, Thomas Cokerell, Richard Plowe, Joan Hucche, and William Cook.(1)
(1) Herts. Deeds, County Muniment Rooms, Hertford, Herts., CC 11880, quoted in TAG- Vol.24, p.257
The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.24, p.257
In 1464 John witnessed a deed concerning a gift of books to Edlesborough. In 1471/2 he was one of the jurors on the inquisione post mortem of Robert Rufford.
In 1476 John Puttenham was seized of sixty acres of land in Dagnell and Eddlesboro held by fealty and a rent of 17/6(1). The land in Dagnell was later held by his son Nicholas who was involved in a suit against Thomas a Dene of Dagnall.(2)
In 1482 John witnessed a charter for land in Edlesborough.(3)
John Puttenham sued William More and John Haweley, parish clerk of Eddlesboro, for trespass in 1504.(4)
(1) Inq. P.M.- John Brecknok, 16 Edw. IV, quoted in TAG- Vol. 23, p.94 (2) De Banco Roll 997, Mich.- 3 Henry VIII, m.53, quoted in TAG- Vol.23, p.94 (3) The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.15, pp.12, 15 (4) Coram Rege Roll Mich.- 20 Henry VII, quoted in TAG Vol.23, p.94
b.c.1490 m. JOAN ______ will 12 Dec. 1556-26 Feb. 1556/7
In his will Richard of Woughton gave his house in Slapton: "to Joan my wife for life, with remainder to John my son." He also gave a legacy to his son John and his wife and children. He also names his son Harry and his daughter Joan with Harry being made executor and with: "John Putnam my son " and Richard Brinclow overseers.
The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.15, pp.10-12
b.c.1520 m. MARGERY ______ d. 1573
John was assessed at "Wingrave with Rowsham" on 18 Feb. 1545/6 on £7 in goods for 4/8 and again on 20 Apr. 1549 for relief on £12 in goods for 12/.
In his will John named his sons Nicholas, Richard and Thomas. To his son Richard he left his house in Wingrave with eight yards of meadow lands and a close called "Smythes Green". The Wingrave Court Roll for 1573/4 shows that at his death John held a house there of the Manor of Berkhampstead by knight's service, which house was "sometime the town house, with a close called Smythes Green and 8 yards of meado in franchise and 3 acres of arable land. Richard Putnam is his heir, of full age, whereby 4d is due the Queen for his relief".(1) It must be noted that Richard was not the eldest son, but is described as heir because he was devisee of this land by his father's will. John Jr. was not named in his father's will because he was already provided for having received all the lands in Edlesborough and Northall.
(1) Court Rolls & Minister's Accounts, Berkhampstead, Portfolio 155, No.38
The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.15, p.9
m. 30 Jan. 1577/8 Wingrave, Bucks., MARGARET d. of JOHN GOODSPEED d. 1598 Aston Abbots, Bucks.
Nicholas' brother Richard in his will 21 June 1576-27 Oct. 1576 left to Nicholas "my house at Wingrave and all the freehold land which I now have in possession, given me by the will of my father John Putnam".
In his will 1 Jan. 1597/8-27 Sept. 1598 Nicholas gave his son John his land in Aston Abbots.
The English Ancestry of John Putnam of Salem, MA- G. Andrews Moriarty Jr., The American Genealogist, Vol.15, pp.8-9
bpt. 17 Jan. 1579/0 Wingrave, Bucks. m. PRISCILLA (6) GOULD (b. Bovingdon, Herts.) d. 30 Dec. 1662 Salem, MA
Tradition states that John arrived in 1634 and settled in Salem where Priscilla was admitted to the church in 1641.
"At a meeting the 20th of the 11th moneth 1640... Granted to John Putnam one hundred acres of land at the head of Mr Skeltons ffarme between it & Elias Stileman the elder his ffarme, if there be an hundred ares of it. And it is in exchange of one hundred acres wch was granted to the said John Putnam formerly & if it fall out that there be not so much there then to be made up neere Liuetennt Davenports hill to be layd out by the towne. And tenne acres of meadow in the meadow called the pine meadow if it be not there formerly graunted to others.
Granted ffiftie acres of land unto Thomas Putnam and ffive acre of meadow both to be layd out by the towne."(1)
It is possible that John was here very early and at first owned land at the end of Broad street extending to Essex where it joins the Boston turnpike. In an old deed dated 1658 John Putnam (probably the younger) deeds a part of this land to Henry Kenny. Perhaps it was here that John built a house and brick kiln and that this is the first grant spoken of above.
The town of Salem in 1644 noted that a patrol of two men be appointed each Lord's day to walk forth during worship and take notice of such who did not attend service and who were idle and to present such cases to the magistrates. John Putnam and John Hathorne were appointed for the 9th day. John was admitted to the church in 1647 and was also made a freeman.
John was a farmer and was exceedingly well off for those times. The deeds on record are from 14 Feb. 1652 until 31 Oct. 1662. The earliest deed is a grant of land from Ralph Fogg consisting of: "a farme four score acres lying between old father Putnam's farme and Daniel Reies and more than eight acres near the house which John Hathorne built."(2) On 2 Jan. 1653 he gave his son Nathaniel one half of his lands and on the next day he gave Thomas the other half of his lands.(3) James and Jonathan Putnam were in possesion of John's original estate in 1692 which consisted of the 1641 town grant of 100 acres, 80 acres granted to Ralph Fogg in 1636, 40 acres granted to Thomas Lathrop in 1642 and 30 acres which were granted to Ann Scarlet in 1636. The estate was located between Davenports Hill and Porters Hill and west of Daniel Rea's grant in Danvers.
The following account of John's death was written in 1733 by his grandson Edward: "He ate his supper, went to prayer with his family and died before he went to sleep".
Issue- all baptized at Aston Abbotts, Bucks.
(1) Essex Institute Historical Collection- Vol.IX, p.109 (2) Essex Deeds- Vol.VI, p.481 (3) Ibid- Vol.II, p.36
Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England- Savage, Vol.III, p.496 A History of the Putnam Family in England & America- Eben Putnam, pp.3-6 Priscilla, Wife of John Putnam- Read H. Putnam, NEHGR, Vol.119, pp.174-6; English Origins of New England Families- First Series, Vol.III, pp.411-2
bpt. 7 Mar. 1614/5 Aston Abbotts, Bucks. m.1. 17 Oct. 1643 Lynn, MA, ANN (3) HOLYOKE (d. 1 Sept. 1665) 2. 14 Nov. 1666 Salem, MA, Mary ______ (m.1. Nathaniel Veren, d. 16 Mar. 1694/5) d. 5 May 1686 Salem, MA
Thomas was an inhaabitant of Lynn in 1640 and was made a freeman in 1640. He was one of the seven selectmen of Lynn in 1643 and was admitted to the church in Salem 3 Apr. 1643 and made a Freeman 18 May 1642.
On 20 Jan. 1640/1 the town of Salem granted him "fifty acres of upland and five acres of meddow".
In 1645 the General Court passed the following order: "Mr Thomas Layghton, Edward Burcham, & Thomas Puttnam are appointed by the Court to end smale causes for ye towne of Lynne for ye yeare ensewing" 18 June 1645. This commission was renewed 20 May 1648 "to end smale cawses, under twenty shillings".
On 11 Nov. 1648 Thomas was "Chosen for Gran-Juryman" in Salem and on 10 Oct. 1655 he was chosen constable of Salem in place of Mr. Willian Browne. Thomas was also the first parish clerk at Salem and was prominent in the local military and church as well as town affairs. He was in addition to the above the "Layer out of highways", "Inspector of bridges", "to care for rates for the minister", etc. On 29 Feb. 1658/9 "Jeffrey Massey, Thomas Putname, Nathl Putnam and Joseph Hutchensen are Impowered, or any three of them, to joyne with Topsfield 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". On 8 Oct. 1662 the General Court confirmed his appointment as Lieutenant in the troop of horse.
When on 8 Oct. 1672 the General Court permitted the inhabitants of Salem Farms to become a separate parish Thomas was made chairman of the committee chosen to carry on the affairs of the parish and on 25 Nov. 1680 it was voted "that Lt. Thomas Putnam and Jonathan Welcott supply the place of deacons for yeare ensueing". This is the first mention of deacons in the Village records.
In 1679 Thomas give to the Rev. James Bayley upon his retirement from the ministry at Salem Village three acres of meadow. During the long dispute over Bayley at the Village, Thomas and John seem to have supported Bayley while Nathaniel was in opposition.
In 1682 was the first list of tax payers at the Village. Thomas had the largest amount of £18/6/3. From the tax list it is noted that the three Putnam brothers and their sons-in- law were by far the wealthiest in Salem. Besides inheriting a double portion of his father's estate Thomas by his marriage with Mary Veren came unto possession of considerable property in Jamaica and Barbados. Thomas' homestead is still standing and is known as the General Israel Putnam house and is situated east of Hathorne's Hill in the northern part of Danvers. Mary was living in the house in 1692 with her son Joseph during his opposition to the witchcraft trials. Thomas also had a town residence in Salem on the north side of Essex St. extending back to North River its front on Essex St. and embraced the western part of the North Church grounds and extended to a point beyond the head of Cambridge St.
"Know all men by these prsents, That I Thomas Putnam Senr of Salem... do make this my last will & testament, the 8th day of february Anno Dom. 1682/3...
I give & bequeath to my son Thomas Putnam... the dwelling house he now lives in, with the Barne & orchards, with all the land belonging there... one hundred & fifty acres... from Hathorns medow... till it comes into Ipswich River then... to the end of the Iland, to the great black oak betwix my Cozen John Putnams land & mine from thence to Cromwells... from thence to... Joshua Reas land & from hence to... the upland on Jonathan Knites... neere the said Knights Corner of his feild next Beare hill & then Crosse the swamp... & from thence to the bound where I Joyne to Topsfeild men & soe to the River till I meet mr. Balyes meddow... and from the two trees to a great rock that is neere Hathorns brooke where Thomas & Edward are to make a bridg over the brook... within which bounds is included a pcell of land containing about fifty acres lying by the River which... alsoe I give... to my said son Thomas...
I give and bequeath to my sonn Edward Putnam... a certaine tract of land, upland & meddow containing about eighty Acres... with the house he now dwells in & the barne & orchard... Also I give unto him... one pcell more of land lying upon the little hill soe caled containing about sixty acres... Alsoe I give to my said son Edward one pcell of land more lying upon Beare Hill containing about sixty acres... Alsoe I give my sd son Edward a pcell of meddow containing fower acres... lying on the west side of the River neere his house... to my brother Nathaniells line... Alsoe I give him my sd son Edward all my meddow lying in Cromwells meddow... contaying fower acres... Alsoe I give my sd son Edward all that my part of meddow that lyes in Hathorns...
I Give & bequeath to mary my beloved wife & to my son Joseph Putnam borne by her... all that my farme I now live upon... which said farme contains about one hundred & twenty Acres... bounded... on the west with land formerly Richard Hutchensons... neere the house where Bragg dwelt... to a heape of stones which is Reas bounds alsoe & Hutchensons & mine from thence to another heape of stones that is also the bounds of Joshua Reas & Thomas Putnams & mine... & from thence to... the bounds of Peeter Prescotts & mr Cheevrs land from thence to Hamer beame... from thence to... the bound... of Henry Kenny & mr Cheevers & from thence... along by the land of Robert Princes to... Beaver Dam & from thence to... Hutchensons land by Braggs house also... a pcell of upland & meddow sixteen acres... lying on the west side of the great River... Alsoe one pcell of meddow more containing two acres... lying in Hathorns litle meddow... alsoe five acres lying in Peeterses meddow... also my meddow at Bishops... containing two acres... alsoe my meddow lying by John nichols upland about two acres Alsoe my old orchard with all the land fences & timber with the share of Hathorns farme as it now lyes bounded by my brother nathaniell Putnams land & my brother John Putnams land...
I give & bequeath to my beloved wife mary & my son Joseph all that my house & ground in the town... which said house & ground my said wife bought of Phillip Veren before her marriage...
I give & bequeath to my son Edward my halfe acre of land that I bought of Robert Temple & of John Simond deceased & Job Swinerton Junr...
I give to my daughter Ann deceased late the wife of william Trask: to her fower children Viz: Ann, william, Sarah, & Susana ten pounds to each of them to be paid as they com of age...
I give to my daughter Deliverance one hundred pounds...
I give to my daughter Elizabeth, three & forty pounds...
I give to my Daughter Prudence fifty pounds...
I give to my three sons Viz: Thomas Edward & Joseph ten acres of meddow... lying in the place caled blind hole...
I give to mary my beloved wife, fifty pounds... the plate to be a part as Invintoryed...
I give to my son Joseph... all my plow geer & kart & tacking of all sorts with all my tooles, implyments of all sorts kind & quallyty what soe ever, my mill stone & grinston & Cider mill...
I give to my servant Joseph Stacy if he shall live to serve out his time & be diligent, a pcell of land containing about eleven acres of upland & swamp...
I doe apoynt and ordaine my beloved wife Mary to be my executrix & my son Joseph executor Joyntly... in case I depart this life before my sonn Joseph comes of age & my said wif see cause to marry... before he comes of age... the estate Shalbe divided betweene them... & my said son Joseph may then choose his guardian... my said son Joseph shall have the possession & improvemt of his part at the age of eighteene yeares & I doe desire my loveing freinds & apoynt them, Vizt. Ensigne Israell Porter and Seargt. John Leach to be overseers... to whome I give twenty shillings each of them... witnes Hilliard Veren, Thomas feilld..."
"This fourth of January one thousand six hundered Eigtie five
Where as my will being made some Considerable time past and therefore doe see cause to allter some perticulars in my said will... in my will that I have given to my three sons namely thomas Edward and Joseph: my meddowe it being ten Acres mor or Lese Lying in blinde hold... I doe give & bequeth it to my twoe sons vide Thomas and Edward as allsoe part of the Land that I have purchased and given to my sons: thomas and Edward Liying in topsfilld towneship... my will is that my Land and orched belonging to my old house: as allsoe my Land that was my brother John hathorns Share of danforths farme all which Contains about Eighty Acars... I doe give to my three sons thomas Edward: and Joseph Equily... and whereas I have given my wife fifty pound... I doe allsoe give and bequeth to my son Joseph... his Liberty of Choyse to take twoe oxen & twoe Cowes and sixe sheep and A horse or A mare and where as I have given to my daughter diliverance A hundered pounds upon my will there Remains but fourty... as allsoe my daughter Elizabeth haveing all Redy Receved sixty and eight pounds: seven shillings & sixe pence there Remains to make up to her... thirty & one pounds: twelve shillings & sixe pence my daughter Prudence allsoe haveing all Redy receved fifty and nine pound five shilings there Remains to make up to her... fourty pounds and fiften: shillings... witness Israell Porter, John Leach."(1)
The children by his first wife attempted, unsuccessfully, to break his will claiming that undue influence was used to obtain for Joseph more than his share of the estate.
Upham in his Salem Witchcraft summed up Thomas' character: "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."
In 1684 Mrs. Putnam in the apportionment of seats in the meeting house at the Village was seated in the first, or principal pew reserved for women.
Issue- all born in Salem, MA
(1) Essex Co. Probate Records
A History of the Putnam Family in England & America- Eben Putnam, pp.7-21 Genealogical Dictionary of the First Settlers of New England- Savage, Vol.III, p.497
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