Rufus Putnam (April 9, 1738 – 1824) was a colonial military officer during the French and Indian War, and a general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Events 193 - Septimius Severus is proclaimed Roman Emperor by the army in Illyricum (in the Balkans) Year 1738 ( MDCCXXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or The French and Indian War (1754&ndash1763 was the North American chapter of the Seven Years' War. The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" He was instrumental in the initial settling of the Ohio Country following the war. The Ohio Country (sometimes called the Ohio Territory) was the name used in the 18th century for the regions of North America west of the Appalachian Mountains
Contents |
Early life and career
Putnam was born in Sutton, Massachusetts. Sutton is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. His grandfather was a half-brother to the father of Israel Putnam, the renowned general during the American Revolution. Israel Putnam ( January 7, 1718 &ndash May 29, 1790) was an American army General who fought with distinction at the Battle In this article the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies that supported the American Revolution are primarily referred to as "Americans" with occasional references to "Patriots" Rufus's father died when he was 6 or 7, and he temporarily lived with his grandfather. Putnam's mother remarried two years later to John Sadler. John Sadler may refer to John Sadler (1615-1674, English MP and Master of Magdalene College Cambridge John Sadler (1820-1910, English Rufus lived with his mother and stepfather in Sutton, where the family ran an inn. Inns are establishments where travellers can procure Food, Drink, and Lodging.
Putnam served with a Connecticut regiment during the French and Indian War. Connecticut ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. A regiment is a Military unit, composed of a variable number of Battalions – commanded by a Colonel. The French and Indian War (1754&ndash1763 was the North American chapter of the Seven Years' War. He served from 1757 to 1760. Year 1757 ( MDCCLVII) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1760 ( MDCCLX) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap During the war, Putnam saw action in the Great Lakes region, near Lake Champlain. The Laurentian Great Lakes are a chain of freshwater lakes located in eastern North America, on the Canada–United States border. Lake Champlain (French lac Champlain) is a natural freshwater Lake in North America, located mainly within the borders of the United States
After the war, Putnam relocated to New Braintree, Massachusetts. New Braintree is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. There, he worked as a millwright from 1761 to 1768. The trade of millwright is concerned with the construction and maintenance of machinery Year 1761 ( MDCCLXI) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Year 1768 ( MDCCLXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a During this period he was married twice—first, in April 1761 to Elizabeth Ayers, the daughter of William Ayers, esquire of the Second Precinct of Brookfield (now North Brookfield), Massachusetts. William Charles "Bill" Ayers (born 26 December 1944 is an American elementary education theorist and former leading 1960s anti-war activist Esquire (abbreviated Esq) is a term of British origin originally used to denote social status Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. North Brookfield is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts ( is a state located in the New England region of the northeastern United States. Elizabeth died in 1762, and on January 10, 1765 he remarried to one Persis Rice, the daughter of Zebulon Rice of Westborough, Massachusetts. Year 1762 ( MDCCLXII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year Events 49 BC - Julius Caesar crosses the Rubicon, signaling the start of civil war. Year 1765 ( MDCCLXV) was a Common year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a For geographic and demographic information on the Census-designated place Westborough please see the article Westborough (CDP, Massachusetts. While Putnam worked as a millwright, he devoted his time to educating himself, learning vast quantities about geography, mathematics, and surveying. Geography (from Greek γεωγραφία - geografia) is the study of the Earth and its lands features inhabitants and phenomena Mathematics is the body of Knowledge and Academic discipline that studies such concepts as Quantity, Structure, Space and Surveying is the technique and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional space Position of points and the distances and angles between
In 1769, Putnam left his occupation as a millwright and became a farmer and surveyor. Year 1769 ( MDCCLXIX) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a A farmer is a person who raises living organisms for food or raw materials Surveying is the technique and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional space Position of points and the distances and angles between Rufus Putnam, along with Israel Putnam and two others, traveled in 1773 to near present-day Pensacola, Florida. Israel Putnam ( January 7, 1718 &ndash May 29, 1790) was an American army General who fought with distinction at the Battle Year 1773 ( MDCCLXXIII) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Pensacola is the westernmost city in the Florida Panhandle and the County seat of Escambia County. Florida ( is a state located in the southeastern region of the United States, bordering Alabama to the northwest and Georgia to the There, Putnam surveyed and chartered lands along the Mississippi River that were to be granted to veterans of the French & Indian War. The Mississippi River is the second longest River in the United States, with a length of from its source in Lake Itasca in Minnesota to A veteran (from Latin vetus, meaning "old" is a person who has or is working in the armed forces
Revolutionary War
After the shots at The battle of Lexington were fired, Putnam immediately enlisted the same day, on April 19, 1775, in one of Massachusett's first revolutionary regiments. The Battles of Lexington and Concord were the first military engagements of the American Revolutionary War. Events 1012 - Martyrdom of Alphege in Greenwich London. 1529 - At the Second Diet of Speyer Year 1775 ( MDCCLXXV) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Putnam later enlisted in the Continental Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, under the command of David Brewer. The American Continental Army was an Army formed after the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War by the colonies that became the United States of America Lieutenant Colonel ( Lieutenant-Colonel in English from the French grade 's spelling is a rank of Commissioned officer in the armies Sir David Brewer, CMG (born 1940 was Lord Mayor of London between 2005 and 2006 Brewer's regiment first engaged with the British Army in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Roxbury is a neighborhood within Boston, Massachusetts USA It was one of the first towns founded in the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630 and became a Putnam, drawing from his knowledge and skill as a millwright, was essential in constructing the fortifications necessary for obtaining victory. His fortifications played as a key advantage for the Continental Army, securing victories at Sewall's Point, Providence, New Port, Dorchester Heights, Long Island, and West Point. West Point is a federal military reservation (and a Census-designated place) located North of the Village of Highland Falls in Orange County New York
General Washington appointed Putnam to be the Chief of Engineers of the Works of New York. George Washington (February 22 1732 December 14 1799 served as the first President of the United States of America (1789&ndash1797 and led the The Chief of Engineers commands the US Army Corps of Engineers. New York ( is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern regions of the United States and is the nation's third most populous He was soon promoted to engineer with the rank of colonel; however when the Continental Congress rejected his proposition to establish a corp of engineers in December 1776, Putnam resigned. Colonel ( RP ˈkɜnəl GA ˈkɜrnəl is a Military rank of a Commissioned officer, with corresponding ranks existing in almost every country The Continental Congress was a convention of delegates from the Thirteen Colonies that became the governing body of the United States during the Year 1776 ( MDCCLXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a
He reenlisted in the Northern Army and served under Major General Horatio Gates. Major General or Major-General is a Military rank used in many countries Horatio Lloyd Gates ( circa 1727&ndash 10 April 1806) was a British soldier turned American General during the Revolutionary Under Gates, Putnam commanded two regiments in the battle of Saratoga. Background See also Saratoga campaign The British plan and Howe's blunder The original conception of the campaign had been for Burgoyne with some eight Putnam also constructed crucial fortifications, including Fort Putnam at West Point in 1778. Year 1778 ( MDCCLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or In 1779 Putnam served under Major General Anthony Wayne after the capture of Stony Point. Year 1779 ( MDCCLXXIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Anthony Wayne (January 1 1745–December 15 1796 was a United States Army general and statesman Putnam's remaining military career was rather uneventful. In January 1783 he was commissioned as brigadier general. Brigadier General is the lowest ranking General Officer in some countries usually sitting between the ranks of Colonel and Major General.
Post-war activities
After the war was over, Putnam returned to Rutland, Massachusetts. Rutland is a town in Worcester County, Massachusetts, United States. He had bought a confiscated farm here in 1780, and returned to reside upon it. Year 1780 ( MDCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Putnam returned to working as a surveyor, inspecting lands in Maine (then part of Massachusetts). The State of Maine ( is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America, bordering the Atlantic Ocean Putnam was a strong advocate of granting lands to veterans of the Revolution. He was one of the authors of the army's Newbergh Petition, which was submitted to Congress requesting land disbursements.
The Ohio Company
Putnam's advocacy for land grants led him to establish the Ohio Company of Associates for the purchase and settlement of Western lands. For the earlier Ohio Company of Virginia see the Ohio Company The Ohio Company of Associates, also known as the Ohio Company [1][2] The Ohio Company was established in Boston on March 3, 1786 by Putnam, Benjamin Tupper, Samuel Holden Parsons, and Manasseh Cutler. Events 1284 - Statute of Rhuddlan incorporated the Principality of Wales into England 1575 - Indian Year 1786 ( MDCCLXXXVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common Samuel Holden Parsons ( May 14 1737 &ndash November 17 1789) was an American lawyer jurist and military leader Manasseh Cutler ( May 13, 1742 &ndash July 28, 1823) was an American clergyman involved in the American Revolutionary Its primary purpose was to settle the North-West Territory, the land granted for colonization by the US from the Treaty of Paris (1783). For the Canadian territory see Northwest Territories. For the northwestern corner of the Lower 48 see Northwestern United States. The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, and approved by the Congress of the Confederation on January 14, 1784, formally
The Company bought 1,500,000 acres (6,100 km²)of land north of the Ohio River, between the present day sites of Marietta, Ohio, and Huntington, West Virginia. The Ohio River is the largest Tributary by volume of the Mississippi River. Marietta is a city in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Washington County. Huntington is a city located in the State of West Virginia along the Ohio River. Cutler had attempted to purchase all of the land between the Ohio and Scioto Rivers, but the western half of this tract was purchased by the Scioto Company. The Scioto River (saɪˈoʊtoʊ sigh-OH-toe or /saɪˈoʊtə/ sigh-OH-tuh) is a river in central and southern Ohio more than 231 miles (372 km in The Scioto Company was a French institution which granted worthless deeds in the Ohio Country (later Northwest Territory and then Ohio) to French
Later life
Putnam led a group of Revolutionary veterans to settle the land in 1788. Year 1788 ( MDCCLXXXVIII) was a Leap year starting on Tuesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap These American Pioneers to the Northwest Territory arrived at the confluence of the confluence of the Ohio and Muskingum rivers, on April 7, 1788, and established Marietta, Ohio as the first permanent American settlement in the Northwest Territory. American Pioneers to the Northwest Territory included soldiers of the Revolution and members of the Ohio Company of Associates. The Ohio River is the largest Tributary by volume of the Mississippi River. The Muskingum River is a tributary of the Ohio River, approximately 111 miles (179 km long in southeastern Ohio in the United States. Marietta is a city in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Washington County. Putnam went on to serve as a Supreme Court judge for the Northwest Territory. A supreme court, also called a court of last resort or high court, is in some Jurisdictions the highest judicial body within that jurisdiction's A judge, or justice, is an Official who presides over a Court of law
He served in General Anthony Wayne's Ohio campaign against American Indian tribes, and in 1796, Putnam was appointed as the first Surveyor General of the United States, a position he held until 1803. Anthony Wayne (January 1 1745–December 15 1796 was a United States Army general and statesman The Northwest Indian War (1785&ndash1795 also known as Little Turtle's War and by various other names was a war fought between the United States and Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples from the regions of North America now encompassed by the continental United States Year 1796 ( MDCCXCVI) was a Leap year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Putnam died on May 4, 1824. Events 1256 - The Augustinian monastic order is constituted at the Lecceto Monastery when Pope Alexander IV Year 1824 ( MDCCCXXIV) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian Calendar (or a Leap year He was buried at Mound Cemetery in Marietta, Ohio. Mound Cemetery in Marietta Ohio is home to the Great Mound or Conus built by the Mound Builders, and is reportedly home to the largest number of American Marietta is a city in the US state of Ohio and the County seat of Washington County.
The town of Putnam, Ohio (now a part of Zanesville, Ohio) was named for Rufus Putnam. Zanesville is a city in and the County seat of Muskingum County, Ohio, United States.
References
- ^ Hulbert, Archer Butler: The Records of the Original Proceedings of the Ohio Company, Volume I, Marietta Historical Commission, Marietta, Ohio (1917).
- ^ Hulbert, Archer Butler: The Records of the Original Proceedings of the Ohio Company, Volume II, Marietta Historical Commission, Marietta, Ohio (1917).
Bibliography
- Barker, Joseph: Recollections of the First Settlement of Ohio, Marietta College, Marietta, Ohio (1958); original manuscript written late in Joseph Barker's life, prior to his death in 1843.
- Hildreth, S. P. : Pioneer History: Being an Account of the First Examinations of the Ohio Valley, and the Early Settlement of the Northwest Territory, H. W. Derby and Co. , Cincinnati, Ohio (1848). This historical book is available online via the Google Books Library Project at Early Settlement of the Northwest Territory.
- Hulbert, Archer Butler: The Records of the Original Proceedings of the Ohio Company, Volume I, Marietta Historical Commission, Marietta, Ohio (1917). This historical book is available online via the Google Books Library Project at Ohio Company, Volume I.
- Hulbert, Archer Butler: The Records of the Original Proceedings of the Ohio Company, Volume II, Marietta Historical Commission, Marietta, Ohio (1917). This historical book is available online via the Google Books Library Project at Ohio Company, Volume II.
- Summers, Thomas J. : History of Marietta, The Leader Publishing Co. , Marietta, Ohio (1903). This historical book is available online via the Google Books Library Project at History of Marietta.
External links
| Preceded by Richard Gridley |
Chief of Engineers 1776 |
Succeeded by Louis Lebèque Duportail |
| Persondata | |
|---|---|
| NAME | Putnam, Rufus |
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES | |
| SHORT DESCRIPTION | Continental Army officer, pioneer to the Ohio Country |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 1738 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Sutton, Massachusetts, United States |
| DATE OF DEATH | 1824 |
| PLACE OF DEATH | Marietta, Ohio, United States |
Dapyx Software network: MP3 Explorer | Ebook Manager | Zenithic