Bulletin of the American Friends of Puttenham Volume IV, Number 2 June 1987

BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF PUTTENHAM

VOLUME IV, NUMBER 2 

JUNE, 1987 

PUTNAM FAMILY MEETING - APRIL 7-9, 1988: In the center of Muskingum Park, Marietta, Ohio, stands the statue shown in this month's photo (thanks to Cynda O'Brien). Designed by Gutzon Borglum, of Mt. Rushmore fame, it represents the arrival in Marietta of 48 pioneers led by General Rufus Putnam and including Allen and Jethro Putnam (April 7, 1788). While the figures were not intended to represent specific individuals, it is impossible not to identify the leader on the right with Gen. Putnam. 

The dates of our meeting have been chosen to correspond with the event com­memorated by the memorial because of its importance in American history. Truly, this landing at the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingham rivers was the "Start Westward" of the American nation into the Northwest Territory established by the Ordinance of 1787, a pattern to be followed all the way to the Pacific. Of even greater importance, however, was the formation of a local government based on the "Rights of Man" included in the Ordinance and subsequently incorporated in the U.S. Constitution. So, our reunion will help Marietta celebrate its Bicentennial by recognizing the part that one of our name play­ed in making this nation great both in size and in the development of a government of the people. 

Several other points of historical interest should be mentioned in connection with the above. Borglum's statue was commemorated by a postage stamp issued in Marietta in 1938. A year earlier the Northwest Ordinance also was the theme of a stamp, this one in­cluding paintings of Rufus Putnam and Manasseh Cutler. 

PUTNAM FAMILY REUNION IN MONTANA: The 1987 All Putnam Reunion of The Putnam Heritage Club will be held near Wolf Creek, Montana, on Sat. and Sun., July 25, 26, 1987. This family reunion is open to all Putnams, their families and their relatives. Details are enclosed with this issue of the Bulletin. 

THE OVERLORDSHIP OF PUTTENHAM: Family interest in Puttenham Manor naturally stems from its gift of our name and from its possession by our ancestors. However, as Mrs. Vincent points out in her treatment of the manor, its history is closely related to that of England. Nowhere can this be seen more clearly than in the overlordship of the manor, a track that, for several hundred years, follows closely that of English feudal politics. 

To quote from Mrs. Vincent, "In the reign of Edward the Confessor, Edwin of Caddington bequeathed his interest in the manor of Puttenham in Hertfordshire to his son Leofwin. In 1057 a new earldom of Kent was granted to another Leofwin, brother of Harold Godwinsson, earl of Wessex. (This earldom included Herts). Earl Leofwin having been killed with King Harold at Hastings, the earldom was given to Odo, bishop of Bayeux and half-brother of William the Conqueror." In 1082 Odo planned to go to Rome with a band of Norman knights to insure his succession to the papacy! William I reacted adversely, had Odo arrested and imprisoned at Rauen where he remained till just before William's death in 1087. Despite all this, Odo did not forfeit his lands and a year later led a rebellion against William Rufus to whom William I had left his kingdom in England. Odo was defeated at the siege of Rochester, was banished from England, joined the first Crusade and died at Palermo, Sicily. Evidently his holdings in England, including Puttenham, were transferred to his brother, Robert, Count of Martain, who may have been made earl of Kent at the same time. These holdings passed to Robert's son, William, Count of Martain and Earl of Kent. As a result of the son's intrigues and military uprisings during the reign of William 11, he was banished from England in 1104. At this point his lands were acquired by Robert Beaumont, Count of Meulan and Earl of Leicester. Beaumont was a strong supporter of Henry I till his death in 1118. Puttenham then passed to his son, Robert Beaumont, also Earl of Leicester, who was instrumental in bringing Henry II to the throne in 1154, following the anarchy of Stephen's reign. 

In 1168 Robert Beaumont died and once again Puttenham was inherited by a son, this time Robert Blanch mains, 3rd Earl of Leicester. This lord repeatedly supported Henry ll's sons in their wars against their father, losing his lands to the King's control in the process. Although partly returned in 1174 (probably including Puttenham), the entire holding did not revert to Robert until Richard l's accession to the throne in 1189. Robert accompanied Richard the Lion Heart on his crusade but died the following year, 1190. He was succeeded as Earl of Leicester by his son, Robert FitzParnel, the last Beaumont Earl. Puttenham remained part of the honor of Leicester for the better part of another century into the reign of Edward I, when it once again became part of the King's lands. 

PATRICK T. L. PUTNAM: In the March, 1987, issue of the Bulletin we provided some information about Harvard anthropologist Patrick Putnam and asked for additional facts from our members. Two replies have been received and these have cleared the air completely. From George Putnam, Chairman of the Putnam Management Corporation, Boston, and a 2nd cousin of Patrick, we learn that, following his death in 1953, he was buried on the family farm at Chilmark, Martha's Vineyard. He was an eighth generation descendant of John Putnam and the fourth in succession of his line to have graduated from Havard. 

Mrs. Charles (Polly Putnam) Chatfield of Belmont, Mass., also a second cousin of Patrick, reports his several visits to her parents' home, each time accompanied by a collection of exotic animals. Apparently he looked rather like George Bernard Shaw and Mrs. Chatfield particularly remembers his long reddish beard. 

Both Mr. Putnam and Mrs. Chatfield called to our attention the fact that Patrick's widow, Ann Putnam, wrote a book entitled "Madami" about their life together in the Begium Congo.

 Editor Robert E. Putnam