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Victor Janse Pootman

Known later as Puttman and Putman

     Victor Johannes Pootman was born in Schenectady about 1682.

     Victor married Grietje Mabie December 13, 1706, in Albany, New York.  We may know Grietje best by the English equivalent of her name Margaret.

     Grietje was a daughter of Jan Pieterse Mabie and Anna Pieterse Borsboom.

     The Mabille family has been said to come from the town of Neuve-in-Maugre, which is southwest of Angers, France.  This family was originally associated with the Castle Maille.  French "maille" means to stitch, knit, or link.  Maille is also armor made of metal chains or plates.  The Mabille family may have worked at one time in the making of body armor.

     Victor Johannes and Margaret’s first child was Cornelia who was baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany in 1707. 

     Victor purchased from his brother Arent the family homestead of their parents in Schenectady.

     Victor was associated in early baptismal records with John Mingal, who seems to have been the orphan master.  Since the Pootman children were orphans after the burning of Schenectady in 1693, it would seem that they would have had contact with the John Mingal. 

     The children of Johannes Pootman and Cornelia Bradt were associated in baptismal records with Jellis Fonda who was a gunsmith.  He may also have operated a small forge, or foundry, as a blacksmith.  

          Children:     

          1.     Cornelia.  Baptized August 3,1707, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany.

          2.     Antje.  Baptized April 25,1709, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

          3.     Johannes.  Baptized October 21,1711, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

          4.     Pieter.  Baptized February 1, 1713, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

          5.     Maritie.  Baptized December 18, 1714, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

          6.     Jacob.  Baptized March 23, 1717, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  

          7.     Arent.  Baptized February 14, 1719, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady. 

          8.     Catherine.  Baptized February 18, 1721, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

          9.     Cornelius.  Baptized December 17, 1724, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

     Victor and Grietje's first child, Cornelia, was born in Albany.  Their second child Antje was baptized in Schenectady in 1709, and the remainder of the children were baptized at Schenectady.

     Grietje's father Jan Pieterse Mabie was baptized October 4, 1655, the son of Pieter Casparsen who married about 1651 Aechtje Jans Van Naerden the widow of Abraham Williamson from Amsterdam.  The town of Narden in Holland was also called Arden.  

     Jan Pieterse Mabille, who initially was a collector of the excise tax on beer and wine in Manhattan, married about 1684 Anna Borsboom and later became in Shenectady a surveyor.  He died in Schenectady April 8, 1725.  Anna was said to have been "somewhat" related to the Christian Castle or the Mohawk Nation.

     Jan's father was Huguenot Pierre Gasparzen who signed a Walloon petition in Leyden, Holland, in 1621.

     The Mabies of Putnam County, New York, have related that Pieter Casperzen Van Naerden served on a cruiser that captured a Spanish vessel near New York.  In 1633, the West India Company ship Soutberg, which brought Director General Van Twiller and other New Netherlands, captured the Spanish caravel St. Martin.  Pieter Casperzen may have been served on the Soutberg.

     Pieter Casperzen Van Naerden was in New Amsterdam by 1647 and was called Sergeant Casparse.  He was also a witness at the baptism of a child of Joris Holmes in 1650 in New Amsterdam or New York City. 

     In 1652, Pieter brought a suit in English and was ordered to translated it into Dutch.

     Jan Pieterse Mabie and Anna Borsboom had three children who married children of Simon Volkerse Veeder, the Baker, who descendants were associated with the "Veeder Mills".   One daughter of Jan and Anna Mabie, Catherine, married Arent Samuelse Bradt, a cousin to the Pootman family.  Arent Bradt, the son of Arent Bradt ad Susanna Van Slyck Bratt.  Many members of the Bradt family were brewers, and the Van Slyck's were innkeepers.  Victor and Margaret Pootman had a son Arent was also an inkeeper.

     During Queen Ann's War, which lasted between 1702 and 1713, Victor Potman served as a private in the Schenectady Militia, and in 1715 Victor was a soldier in the Second Foot Company of Schenectady.  In the Military Census of the Upper Hudson River of 1715, Victor was the only Putman on the roster, which included every able bodied men between sixteen and sixty years of age.  Harmon Van Slyck was the captain of the company and married Jannetje a daughter Adam Vrooman. 

     In the Census of 1720 of Schenectady and Albany, Victor was listed as a freeholder in Schenectady along with brothers Arent and Cornelius Pootman.  

     In the dispute over the common lands at Schenectady between the inhabitants, Victor and this brother Cornelius Potman were opposed to the position taken by Reyer Schermerhorn while Arent supported Schermerhorn.  Reyer was uncle to the Putman's. 

     Fort Hunter west of Schenectady at the junction of the Schoharie Creek and the Mohawk River was built in 1712.

     By 1727, Victor was in ownership of land two miles from Fort Hunter in Mohawk Indian Country at Cadaughrity next to his father-in-law's patent or the Mabie Patent.  

     The Victor Putman Tract was shown on an early 1727 Parchment Map of the area and was labeled as  Cadaughrity. 

     Victor Johannes Pootman's descendant's seemed to have preferred living on Hills.  Cadaughrity was a high hill.  Later Victor's descendant's were also found on the north side of the Mohawk River at Tribes Hill.

     Victor’s Patent at Cadaughrity included a bluff, which formed the steep, west bank of Schoharie Creek below Mill Point in the Town of Glen, Montgomery County.  The hill stood 50 feet high and contained about 3 acres.  It was conspicuous from the south and east and was visible for a number of miles to the south along Schoharie Creek.  

     At Fort Hunter, the local inhabitants built Queen Ann's Church where Victor Pootman and Grietje Mabie attended church.  Most of their grandchildren were baptized at Queen Ann's Church or at Fort Hunter.

     In 1733, during the early Colonial Wars, Victor was a Captain in the Schenectady Company.  

     It was about that time that he had moved to Fort Hunter.  Later he resided with his children at Fort Putman or Tribes Hill.

     In the 1730s, Victor Pootman built Putman's Fort at the foot of Tribes Hill across the river from Fort Hunter.  Victor used the fort as a place for trade.  Most of Victor's children remained at Tribes Hill. It was after 1727, that New York opened up the Indian trade, or fur trade, to free traders.  This may have been the reason that Victor opened a "trading post" during the 1730s.

     From 1730 onward, Victor may have lived on and off at Tribes Hill, Caudaughrity, and Schenectady.

     An old letter owned by Victor Arent Putman indicated that Victor Pootman was still alive in 1753 and was then called Captain Victor Puttman.  This is the earliest recording of a form of the name Putman. 

     Victor Johannes Puttman seems to have died before the American Revolution or about 1760 perhaps during the French and Indian War.

     After Victor's death, Grietje Pieterse Mabille lived with her oldest son Johannes Victor Putman at  Tribes Hill.   Her children by Victor Putman were  the following:  Johannes V. Putman who married Ann Pruyn.  

     Pieter Victor Putman, the second son married Engeltje Van Antwerp.  He died before 1763, it appears, and left one son David. 

     Jacob Victor Puttman married Anna Newkirk.  

.    Son Arent Victor Potman owed a tavern in Fort Hunter where Sir John Johnson was a resident. Arent's daughter Clarissa had children by Sir Johnson's son William.  Arent was a merchant.  Sir William Johnson was the Governor for the Northern Tribes of American Indians.  

     Cornelius V. Putman received the farm at Schoharie Creek called Cadaughrite from his parents.  Cornelius was nick-named “Boss” Putman and remained on the farm.  

     Victor Pootman and Margaret Mabie's daughters were Cornelia, Annetje, Maria, and Catherine.

     Johannes, Maria, Jacob, Arent, and Cornelius shared in the partitioning of Victor's estate.  

          Children:

1.    Cornelia.  Cornelia was baptized 3 August 1707 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany.

2.    Antje.  Antje was baptized 25 April 1709 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  Witnesses were Jan and Catelyntje Mingal.

3.    Johannes.  John was baptized 21 October 1711 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady. 

4.    Pieter.  Peter was baptized 1 February 1713 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  Witnesses were Pieter Mabie and Tryntie Mabie.

5.    Maritie.  Maritie was baptized 18 December 1714 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  Witnesses were Cornelius Potman and Jacomyntje Potman.

6.    Jacob.  He was baptized 23 March 1717 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  Witnesses were Helmer Vedder and Annatie Vedder. 

7.    Arent.  Aaron was baptized 14 February 1719 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

8.    Catherine.  She was baptized 18 February 1721 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

9.    Cornelius.  Cornelius was baptized 17 December 1724 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

 

Cornelia (Victor, Johannes)

     Cornelia Victorse Potman was baptized August 3, 1707, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany.

     Cornelia married William Boden, or Boen, February 15,1732, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady. 

     It was said the Pootman name meant postman.  The Dutch word "bode" means postman or messenger--one who bodes.  "Boden" is a letter.

     William was baptized June 11, 1703, the son of William Bowen and Rachel Janse Yonkers.

          Children:

1.    William.  He was baptized January 26, 1735, at Queen Ann's Church in Fort Hunter.  Sponsors were John Bowen, William Sixbury, and Susan Bowen.  William may have married Catherine the daughter of Daniel Van Antwerpen in March 1758.

2.    Victor.  Victor was baptized January 20, 1740, at Queen Ann's Church in Fort Hunter.  His sponsors were Isaac and Antje Collier, his aunt and uncle, and Cornelius Boen.

3.    Rachel.  Born May 9, 1742, she has as her sponsors Abraham Quackenbos, Mary Quackenbos, and Mary Boen.

4.    Rachel.  Rachel was baptized January 27, 1745, at Queen Ann's Church in Fort Hunter.  Her sponsors were Abraham and Mary Quackenbos and Mary Bowen.

 

Annatje (Victor, Johannes)

     Annatje Potman was baptized April 25, 1709, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany, New York.  Witnesses were Jan and Catelyntje Mingal.

     Ann Victorse Putman married March 6, 1733, Isaac Collier at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  The name Collier is an interesting one.  It seems to mean charcoal maker or collier.  

     Ann Victorse Putman and Isaac Collier were sponsors for Margaret Potman baptized April 24, 1743, at Queen Annes' Church in Fort Hunter.  

     An Isaac Calier resided in Cosage Flatts, Athens, New York, during the taking of the census of the Freeholders of the City and County of Albany, 1763.

     An Isaac Collier also was one of the first settlers to enter the Northeastern part of the Susquehanna River.  A number of settlers arrive between the Revolutionary War surrender of Cornwallis and the conclusion of the Revolution including an Isaac Collier who entered by Otsego Lake as early as 1782.  Isaac Collier was German and before the war was a taxpayer in the Mohawk Valley. 

     He opened a hotel on the Susquehanna in the settlement, which  became known as Colliersville where traveler long found food and shelter.  Isaac Collier of Colliersville may have been a descendent of Ann and Isaac Calier.

          Children:

          1.    Anatje.  She married cousin David Potman the son of Peter and Engeltje Van Antwerpen Potman.

          2.    Isaac?

 

Johannes (Victor, Johannes)

     Johannes Victorse Potman was baptized October 21, 1711, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

     Johannes married Anne Pruyn.  

     In the baptismal record of their son Jacobus the parents are John Potman and Ann Prime (Prime being Pruyn). 

     The records of the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga, Fonda, New York, shows Lybetie Pruyn the wife of Cornelius Victorse Putman in Seat No. 1, Pew 14, while and Annatie Pruyn wife of John Putman in Seat No. 3, Pew 14.  The two sisters married two brothers. 

     Johannes Victorse Potman's wife Anne Pruyn was likely Anne Franse Pruyn who was baptized March 24, 1723, the daughter of Frans Pruyn, Jr..  Anne was a sister of Elizabeth Frans Pruyn who married Cornelius Victorse Potman. Frans Pruyn, Jr., married Magaret Macklier and was a farmer although his father was a tailor.

     It appears that the name Frances appears for the first time in the Putman family in the children of Johannes V. and Cornelius V. Putman who married into the Frans Pruyn, Jr., family. 

     John Victorse Potman sold oxen to Sir. Wm. Johnson on June 12, 1755.  

     John served under Sir Wm. Johnson during the French and Indian War and was at the capture of Fort Niagara in 1759.

     In the census Freeholders of the City and County of Albany, 1763, John V. Potman was a resident of Schenectady.  It seems Johannes Victorse was then living at Tribes Hill, which was a part of Schenectady.  

     Johannes reportedly died during the American Revolution.

          Children:

          1.     Margaret.  Margaret was baptized 24 April 1743 at Queen Ann's Church at Fort Hunter, NY.

          2.     Victor.  He was baptized May 26, 1745, at Fort Hunter.

          3.     David J.  David was born in 1747.

          3.     Adam [?].  He was born about 1748.

          4.     Jacobus J.  James was baptized March 3, 1750, by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

          5.     Daughter.  She was captured by Indians, and her fate remained unknown.

          6.     Francis.  Francis was probably born before 1755.

 

Peter (Victor, Johannes)

     Peter Potman was born February 1, 1713, and baptized February 12, 1713, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany, New York.  His sponsors were Pieter Mabie and Tryntje Mabie.

     Peter married Engeltje Van Antwerp the daughter of David Van Antwerp.

     Peter and Engeltje were sponsors August 24, 1775, at the baptism of Engletje--the daughter of their son David Putman and Anatje Collier.

     Peter not being in "Freeholders of the City and County of Albany, 1763," and may have died before that date.

          Children: 

1.   David.  He married cousin Anna Collier.  Again, Collier seems to mean charcoal maker.

Child:

          1.   Engeltje.  She was born August 24, 1775, and baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church. 

Maria (Victor, Johannes)

     Maritie Victorse Potman was baptized December 18, 1714, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany with witnesses of Cornelius Potman and Jacomyntje Potman.

     Mary married Cornelius Boon July 20, 1741, at Queen Anne's Church in Fort Hunter.  

     Cornelius was the son of William Boon and Rachel Janse Yonkers.  Mary sister Cornelia Pootman married a brother of Cornelius . . . William Boen, Jr. 

     Cornelius died before February 3, 1757.

     During the Seven Years War, Sir William Johnson paid the widow of Cornelius Boen for making 12 fine and 8 course shirts.

          Children:

          1.     Peter.  Peter was baptized January 16, 1743, at Queen Ann's Church in Fort  Hunter. Peter's sponsors were John and Catherine Potman.  Peter married Anna McCarthy September 19, 1769.  He was later jailed as a Tory.

          2.     Rachel.  Baptized 24 February 1745 at Queen Ann's Church in Fort   Hunter, here sponsors were Jermiah and -- Quackenbosh and Mary Snook.

          3.     Rachel.  She was baptized 17 April 1748.

          4.     William.  Baptized by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church February 10, 1750.

          5.     Margaret.  A missionary of the New York Trinity Church baptized her May 19, 1754.

          6.     Mary.  Mary was baptized 30 January 1756.

          7.     Prob. Cornelius.

 

Jacob (Victor, Johannes)

     Jacob Victorse Potman was baptized March 23, 1717, at the Schenectady Reformed Dutch Church.  Witnesses were Helmer Vedder Annatje Vedder.  

     Jacob Putman married Ann Newkirk February 3, 1744.  It seems that her father was either Garret Newkirck or Adam Newkirk.

     Gerrit Newkirk, fourth child of Arie, and Lysbeth Lambertse, was born in Hurley, Ulster County, New York before May 30, 1697. He was married in Abany, New York, October 19, 1718. Information available states that he also died on that date, indicating that he either had whale of a honeymoon, or a typographical error occurred. The latter is likely, as his children were born after this date, and he would have died at the age of 21 and left no children. He married Anna Vischer, born 1696 in Hurley. Their children include: Elizabeth, Ary, Johannes, Anna, Garret, Cornelius, Jacob and William.

     The name Ary seem to be in English Adrian, which might also have been Adam.

     The early census "Freeholders of the City and County of Albany, 1763," shows Jacob as a resident of Mohawk, NY.  Mohawk was then the area south of the Mohawk River and west of Schenectady.

     In 1759, Jacob and Ann Potman were sponsors at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga at the baptism of John the son of Cornelius V. Putman and Elizabeth Pruyn according to a paper at the Schenectady Historical Society, Schenectady, NY, 

     Early that morning of the 18th of October 1780, during the Revolutionary War, , Lieutenant Victor Putman and Garret Newkirk, who lived near Fort Hunter, had seen the light of burning buildings in Schoharie the day before, and decided to go to Schoharie to investigate the cause of the fires. The scouts fell in with the advance guard of the enemy near Oak Ridge (in present day Town of Charleston) and Newkirk was taken prisoner. Putman was able to escape back to the settlement named Cadaughrity [where Victor Janse Pootman first lived] near Fort Hunter to warn the in habitants of the impending attack. They fled to Fort Hunter.  Victor Putman may have been Jacob Putman's son.        

     Jacob died in 1795.

          Children:

            1.      Peter.  Peter was baptized 7 October 1744 at Queen Ann's Church in Fort Hunter.

2.      Probably Adam.  Born about 1748. 

3.      Garret.  A missionary of the New York Trinity Church baptized Garret February 20, 1751.  

4.      Victor.  Victor was born in 1754.

5.      Wilhelm.  William Bottman was born 27 December 1761 and baptized 18 February 1762 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Stone Arabia.

6.      Margaret.  Margaret was born 9 June 1765 and baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Stone Arabia 13 June 1765.

7.      Jeruah.  She was a daughter.

8.      Possibly Isaac.  Isaac was born about 1770.

 

Arent (Victor, Johannes)

     Arent Victorse Potman was baptized February 14, 1719, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

     He married August 5, 1743, Elizabeth Peek.  Elizabeth was the daughter of Jacobus Peek and Margariet Cornelise Van Slyck and was born February 20, 1721, and baptized December 3, 1723, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.

     Arent and Elizabeth Putman lived on the south side the Mohawk River close to Fort Hunter where Arent was an inn keeper.  As an inn keeper he may have had a brewery, blacksmith shop, or similar supports for the inn.

     By 1764, Arent and his family removed across the Mohawk River to Tribes Hill where they lived in a stone house.

     Sir John Johnson's mansion was just a short distance away.  Johnson was a prominent figure in New York previous to the American Revolution, and Arent's daughter Cornelia, also known as Clarissa, had two children by William Johnson a noted Loyalist of the Revolution.

     May 22, 1780, the Native American band of Brant and Loyalists killed Arent at Tribes Hill on one of Sir John Johnson's raids through the Mohawk Valley.

          Children:

            1.   Margrietje.  Margaret was baptized 26 February 1744 at the Schenectady Dutch Reformed Church.

2.   Jacobus.  He was baptized 19 January 1746 at the Schenectady Dutch Reformed Church.

3.   Victor.  He was baptized 20 May 1748 at the Schenectady Dutch Reformed Church.

4.   Cornelia.  She was born 29 January 1751 and was baptized 19 January 1752 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

5.   Sara.  Sara was baptized 1 March 1754 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

6.   Ann.  Ann was baptized 8 August 1756 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

7.   Cornelis.  He was baptized in May 1758 at the Schenectady Dutch Reformed Church and 29 June 1760 by a missionary of  the New York Trinity Church.

8.   Maria.   She was baptized 21 January 1763 at the Schenectady Dutch Reformed Church.

9.   John.  John was born 1 March 1766. 

 

Catherine (Victor, Johannes)

     Catherine Potman was baptized February 18, 1721, at the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectady.

     She married Capt. Henry Nicholas Hanson who was baptized June 24, 1722, the son of Nicholas Hendrickse Hanson and Engeltje Barentse Wemp.

     Nicholas Hanson's July 1713 patent just above Tribes Hill was the earliest record of any settlement in that area.  Nicholas Hanson settled the tract.  

     It was claimed that his son Henry, born in 1722, was the first white child born north of the Mohawk River between Schenectady and Palatine Bridge.

     During the Revolutionary War in one of Sir John Johnson's raids on the Mohawk Valley in 1780, Loyalist Indians killed and scalped Capt. Henry Hanson at his home.  It is ironic that Henry once express great gratitude toward and befriended the Indian who killed him.

     After killing Henry, the raiding party burned his house and left the women homeless.  

     The Indian's also killed several of Hansen's neighbors. 

     Henry Nicholas Hanson reportedly had a son named Douw, which suggests that Henry married second a daughter of Douw Fonda.

Children:

1.   Prob. Victor.  Victor lived in Tribes Hill and was listed in the 1790 NY Census.  He would have been named for his grandfather Victor Putman.

2.   Prob. Angelica.  She would have been named for her grandmother Engelitje Wemp.  She married John Douw Fonda.

3.   Nicholas.  He would have been named for his grandfather Nicholas Hanson.  Nicholas was baptized September 9, 1751.

4.   Margaret.  Baptized Juy 31, 1757, she was named for her grandmother Margaret Mebie.

5.   Deborah.  She was baptized 21 October 1760 and lived in Tribes Hill.  She was named for her great grandmother Debra Van Dorn of Albany, NY.

 

Cornelius (Victor, Johannes)

     Cornelius Victorse Potman, or Putman, was baptized December 25, 1724, at the Reformed Dutch Church of Schenectady.

     About 1745, he married Lybetie, or Elizabeth, Pruyn, born in 1726 the daughter of Franz Pruyn Jr.,  and Margaret Macklier.  Frans Pruyn was a farmer.

     Cornelius was called "Boss Putnam," and inherited from his father the land at Caudaughrity on the west side of Schoharie Creek where he lived with his family. 

     During the spring of 1756 during the French and Indian War, the Colony of New York took measures to fortify the route between Schenectady and Fort Oswego.  The route went from Schenectady along the Mohawk River and then Wood Creek, Oneida Lake, and finally Oswego River.

     August 7, 1756, Sir William Johnson contracted "Boss Potman," to build Mohawk Fort--a stockade around the Mohawks Castle that stood next to Fort Johnson (Sherry Miller, 1991).

     History of Montgomery and Fulton, Cos. describes some of the events that took place in the lives of Cornelius and his children during the Revolution:

     Cornelius, or "Boss" Putman’s homestead was called “Cadaughrity.” 

     Cornelius partnered with Saltz in the purchase of the Shucksburg Patent, which was near Cadaughrity Hill on the banks of Schoharie Creek.

     Of his five sons, Francis, John, Victor, Henry, and Peter, the last, Peter, kept the homestead.

     Peter was a boy at the time of William Johnson's descent during the Revolutionary War on the Mohawk Valley in the spring of 1780 and was staying over night with a son of Barney Hansen at the Hansen house near Tribes Hill.  Peter was not harmed, but the Indians carried off his clothes and sacked the house.  Peter followed up the marauders, and found his clothes, which they had thrown away at various points along the road to Col. Vischer's.

     Col. Vischer's house had been fired by the savages, who had also killed the inmates, but the flames had made little progress and were extinguished by the youth with a tub of sour milk, which he found in the house. 

     In the autumn of that year, Johnson, accompanied by Brant, made his second foray upon the Mohawk Valley.  Coming from Schoharie over Oak Ridge, Brant's Indians, after burning the houses of Marcus Hand and Richard Hoff, west of Mill Point, proceeded to Cornelius V. Putman's.  His family had fled across the creek, and Cornelius, on the approach of the enemy, after letting out his hogs, set fire to the buildings and stacks and departed.  

     One of the Indians laden himself with tobacco from the barn.  The only property that remained was a stack of peas, a hogshead of wheat, which had been hid in a shanty in the woods, against such an emergency, and the hogs, which Mr. Putman had turned loose.  

     With this remaining property the family began life anew building a log house, which was ready for occupancy before winter.  

     Peter Putman left this place to his adopted son, Putman Van Buren, and he to his son, Martin.

     Peter Putman built a large brick house for his Van Buren son and made other improvements on the estate, but himself always lived in his old house and in winter drove his white-faced sorrel horse before a paneled box-cutter, with a back about a foot higher than the owner's head as he sat against it, he being a short person.  

     Cornelius V. Putman was a thrifty business man and accumulated a large bit of property.

     Cornelius made his will April 17, 1798, two days before he died.  In it, he styled himself "of Charlestown, yeoman."  In the will, Cornelius made his son Victor C. Putman and his close friend and nephew Garret Putman executors.

     To his son, Francis, Cornelius willed the land in Tribes Hill where Francis lived.  To Victor C., he had previously given land in Schenectady, which Victor had sold.  To Henry C. Putman's sons, Cornelius gave the lot once occupied by Henry on the road from Jeremiah Smith's to Garret Putman's in Suybees and Corries Patent.

     Peter, the youngest son, received the homestead near Schoharie Creek, and Catherine inherited land in Mabie's Patent.

     In his will, Cornelius mentioned all his children except Johannes who had died during the Revolution.

     Cornelius died April 19, 1798, and was buried at the cemetery on his farm.  Elizabeth died March 21, 1812.  Years later, descendants re-interned their remains at Auriesville Cemetery.

            Children:

1.   Francis.  Francis was baptized 4 May 1752 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

2.   Victor C.  Victor was born 31 May 1756 and baptized 8 August 1756 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

3.   Johannes C.  He was born 21 March 1759 and baptized 6 May 1759 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

4.   Henry C.  Henry was baptized 12 September 1761 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

5.   Peter.  Peter was born 13 August 1764 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

6.   Catherine.  She was born 17 September 1767.

7.   Margaret.

 

Margaret (Johannes, Victor, Johannes)

     Margaret Potman, or Putman, was baptized 24 April 1743 at Queen Annes' Church in Fort Hunter, NY.  Fort Hunter was in the present town of Florida, Montgomery Co., NY.  

     Margaret's sponsors were Annatie and Isaac Collier her aunt and uncle.

     Margaret married her cousin Victor J. Potman, son of Jacob Potman and Ann Newkirk.

     Both Margaret and Victor Putman were sponsors 11 September 1791 at the baptism of Margaret Putman the daughter of her brother David J. Potman and his wife Hannah Van Antwerp.

          Children

          1.   Please see Victor Putman (Jacob, Victor, Johannes).

 

Victor (Johannes, Victor, Johannes)

     Victor Potman, or Putman, was baptized May 26, 1745, at Queen Anne's Church in Fort Hunter, NY, and his sponsors were Jacob Potman, Catherine Potman, and Cornelius Boen.

     Little is known about Victor, and he may have died young without having issue.

 

David (Johannes, Victor, Johannes)

     David Johannes Potman was born in Schenectady in 1747.

     David married Hannah Van Antwerp who was born in 1753, and lived in Tribes Hill, NY.  All their children and many of their grandchildren were born in Tribes Hill.

     David Putman was a farmer and owned a house, which was was located just a few rods east of the Old Tribes Hill Railway Station.

     During the American Revolution, David served in the 3rd. New York Regiment under Col. Frederick Fisher.

     Hannah died in December 1806.  

     David died 10 March 1828 at 81 years of age.  

     Both David and Hannah were buried at the Tribes Hill Cemetery.  

     A descendant of David's, George Putman, wrote a booklet on the family all Descendants of David Putman.

            Children:

1.   Johannes.  Johannes was born 5 August 1773 and in Tribes Hill and baptized 15 August 1773 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

2.   Isaac.  He was born in 1781.

3.   Abraham.  Abraham was born 3 September 1775.

4.   Angelica, or Engeltje.  Angelica was born 24 August 1775 and baptized in September 1775.

5.   Hannah, or Arrantje.  She was born 12 February 1780 and baptized 27 February 1780 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

6.   Jacob.  He was born 19 June 1785.

7.   Peter D.  He was born 27 March 1789.

8.   Margaret.  Margaret was baptized 11 October 1791 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

9.   Maria.

10.  Alida.  Alida was born 11 July 1798 and baptized in 1798 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

 

Adam (Johannes, Victor, Johannes)

Adam Putman was born about 1748 and appears to be the son of John Victorse Pootman and Anne Pruyn.  Adam married Catherine Myers about 1777 and lived near Schoharie Creek in the Town of Glen.  

Soloman Meyer was recorded as a resident of Schoharie on the List of Freeholders of 1763.  It seems that Solomon Meyer was the father of Catherine Meyers as Adam and Catherine had a son named Saloman.

"Meier" in German means steward or bailiff.

Adam submitted numerous affidavits to the Montgomery Co. Court to help establish his claim to lands near Schoharie Creek where he lived.  Two of the affidavits follow:

     September 28, 1785, and affidavit was created where Jacob Seebar and Jacob Putman said that Adam Putman had possession of his lands on the east side of Schohary Creek since the fall of 1780 . . . ..

April 16, 1789, there was another affidavit of Wm. Putman and Jacob Putman in support of Adam Putman's title to lands on the south side of the Mohawks River and on the east side of Schoharie River . . ..

      Perhaps Adam was making a claim to land that was confiscated from Loyalists during the Revolution. According to New York in the Revolution, Adam Putman served in the New York Line in the Third Regiment commanded by Col. Frederick Fisher.

      Adam and Catherine Putman probably removed to Columbia and later Litchfield, Herkimer County.  

      Many of their children lived there during later censuses.

          Children:

          1.    Salomo.  Salomon was born October 20, 1778, and baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Albany.

          2.    Possibly Rebecca.  She was born in New York in 1781.

          3.    Probably Elizabeth [Bodman].  Elizabeth was born about 1783 and married Daniel Dienfendorf.  All of their children were born in the Town of Columbia, Herkimer County, New York.  They later removed to Michigan.

          4.    David [?].  David was born reportedly in New York about 1783 or before and married Dorothy Hainer of Ontario, Canada.

          5.    Anna [Bodman] [?].  Anna attended the Church at Warren, Herkimer County, New York, and married Abraham Menning.

          6.    John [?].  John was born in 1789 in New York.  He may have married a Maria and removed to Pennsylvania.

          7.    Cornelia [?].  Tradition says Cornelia was born in 1790 in the Town of Columbia, Herkimer County, New York.  She married first Jacob Crawford and second Christian Burns. 

          8.    Jacob.  He was born 31 July 1791 and baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.  Jacob lived in the Town of Columbia, Herkimer Co., New York.

Jacobus (Johannes, Victor, Johannes)

     Jacobus J. Potman, or Putman, was baptized 3 March 1750 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

     Jacobus married Elizabeth McCarthy 27 May 1777 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga, Fonda, NY.  They lived in Tribes Hill, NY, in the town of Amsterdam. 

     During the Revolution, Jacobus served in the 3rd. New York Regiment under Col. Frederick Fisher (New York in the Revolution).

     Perhaps Jacobus attached the suffix "Jr" to his name, or later transcribers of the early census mistook "J." for a "Jr."  Jacobus does not appear to be a Jr. but rather a son of John.

     We also see the name Francis again in this family which seems to come from Jacob’s assumed mother, Elizabeth Franse Pruyn and from her father Franse Franse Pruyn. 

     The English form of Jacobus is James, and Jacobus Putman appears to have been enumerated in the 1810 NY Census Index as James Putman.

     Jacobus Putman may have died between 1810 and 1820 in Tribes Hill, NY.  Elizabeth died 29 July 1824.

            Children: 

1.   Victor.  Victor was born 22 August 1778 and baptized 18 September 1778 at the Dutch Reformed church of Caughnawaga.

2.   Josua.  Joshua was born 29 February 1780 and baptized 14 March 1780 at the Reformed Dutch Church of Caughnawaga.

3.   Annatje.  Ann was born 27 September 1781 and baptized 7 November 1781 at the Dutch Reformed Church of German Flats, Herkimer Co., NY.

4.   Frans.  He was born 30 April 1785 and baptized 17 May 1785 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

5.   Timothy.  Timothy was baptized 3 June 1787 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

6.   John.  John was born about 1790.

7.   Cathrina.  She was baptized 27 April 1793 at Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.    

 

Francis (Johannes, Victor, Johannes)

     Francis Potman was probably born about 1755 and married Annatje Dens whose last name was later known as Dence.  They were married 2 May 1776 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

     September 16, 1778, Francis and Annatje Putman were sponsors at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga for Victor the son of Francis' brother Jacob J. Putman.

     Francis Putman also known as Putnam  was on the The Old United Empire Loyalist List.  Eben Putnam's Leaflets, Vol. III, No. 1, p. 29, refers to this Francis and says that "Francis Putman, from the Mohoc River is among the persons listed as arrived (at Montreal?) August 1780, Hamilton Papers, Br. Museum 21843, fo. 70."  Francis Putman was a Private in the First Battalin King's Royal Regiment of New York, Grenadier Company until 1783.  He enlisted 22 May 1780.

The King's Royal Regiment of New York by says that "Putman/Potman born 1756; from Mohawk River; 1784 - sick & not able to go on lands

(Montreal); place of birth - Am; wife's name - Ann".  Ann was likely Anna Dence.  Francis Putman had been a farmer in New York prior to the Revolution.  His name is given as an early settler of Osnabruck, which is an island in the St. Lawrence River.  He was called Francis Putman of Capt. Peter Everitt’s Company of Militia of the Battlion of Cornwall & Osnabruck” a county volunteer unit.  Francis is shown on McNiff's Map of 1 Nov. 1786.  By a patent dated 15 July 1797, Francis was awarded title to 76 acres in Osnabruck, Stormont County being W½ Lot 27, Conc. though records indicate that the land was never occupied by Francis. On 10 Feb. 1804 Francis Putnam received patent to a further 200 acres described as all of Lot 12, Conc. X, Winchester Twp., Dundas County, where he is called Francis Putnam.  It’s doubtful that he occupied this Winchester parcel of land since in 1831 it was taken by the sheriff presumably for taxes.

Below David Putman is listed as a child of Francis Putman and Anna Dens.  This is because the name "Francis" was used by David's family.  The name "William" was also used by David Putman's descendants,and it seems that Anna Dens may have been the daughter of Wilko or William Dens the son of Joseph Dens of Schenectady, New York.

 

Peter (Jacob, Victor, Johannes)

     Peter Putman was baptized 7 October 1744 at Queen Anne's Church, in Fort Hunter, NY, the son of Jacob and Ann Newkirk Putman.

     In his application for a Revolutionary War Pension, Henry Snook stated that his father William Snook was promoted to captain of his company after the death of Samuel Pettingell in the Battle of Oriskany, NY.  He also said that John Pettingell, James Phillips, Peter Putman, and Stephen Tattle were killed at the Battle of Oriskany, NY.

     Victor Jacob Putman in his Revolutionary War Pension Application stated that he had a brother who was killed at the Battle of Oriskany, NY.  Victor also mentioned though that he had a brother--Capt. Garret Putman--who served in Revolution.  

     Victor and Garret were brothers of Peter Jacob Putman.

     Peter may not have left issue.

 

Garret (Jacob, Victor, Johannes)

     Garret Putman, the son of Jacob and Ann Putman, was baptized 20 February 1752 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

     July 7, 1781, Garrit married Rebecca Garritson.  She was born in New York 15 March 1764.

     Garret was a distinguished captain during the Revolution and served in the 3rd. New York Regiment under Col.  Frederick Fisher.  Gerrit participated in the Sullivan Expedition into the Indian Lands of Central New York in 1779.

     By 1790, Gerrit and Rebecca were living on south side of the Mohawk River in Glen, which was then a part of the town of Charlestown.

     Garret died 12/13 April 1826 in Glen.  In his will was dated 2 December 1825 and probated 2 May 1826, he mentions his wife Rebecca; sons, Jacob and William G.;  daughters, Catharine, Margaret, and Elizabeth; grandchildren, Garret P., Margaret and Rebecca Post; and daughter Maria, deceased.  Garret also said that he was born 22 February 1752 and married Rebecca the daughter of Abraham Garrison at Fort Hunter 8 July 1781.

     Rebecca Garrison-Putman made an application for a Garret's Revolutionary War Pension 26 December 1836 in Johnstown, NY.  

     Her son William G. also was mentioned a legatee of Garret's in 1846. 

     Rebecca received a war pension.

     She died 13 April 1846?.

     Garret and Rebecca Garrison Putman's home was still in possession of their descendants by the early 1900s.

            Children: 

1.   Ann.  Ann was baptized 15 July 1782 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

2.   Maria.  Maria was born 13 June 1784.

3.   Margaret.  Margaret was born 22 October 1785.

4.   Abraham.  He was born 27 April 1788.

5.   Cathrina.  She was baptized 24 April 1791 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

6.   Agnes, or Angenietje.  Born 18 October 1793 and baptized 11 November 1793 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

7.   Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was baptized 3 September 1796 Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

8.   Jacob G.  Jacob was born 18 July 1800.

9.   Rebecca.  Rebbeca was born 3 November 1802.

10. William G.  William was born 1 January 1805.

 

Victor (Jacob, Victor, Johannes)

     According to his Revolutionary War Pension Application, Victor Jacob Putman was born 18 November 1754 in Tribes Hill, NY.

     Victor married his cousin Margaret Putman the daughter of Johannes Putman and Ann Pruyn.  

     In Eben Putnam's book History of the Putnam Family, Margaret was identified as "the sister of David Putman, who married Hannah Van Antwerp, and the sister of Jacob Putman, who married Elizabeth McCarthy."

     Victor served in the Line of New York.  Victor enlisted in Tribes Hill.  

     In his application for a pension, Victor stated that he had a brother [Peter ?] who was killed at the Battle of Oriskany, NY, and that he was also the brother of Capt. Garret Putman who served in the Revolution.

     History of Montgomery and Fulton Cos. seems to describe one of the roles that Victor played in the Revolution:

     The farm upon which Wilson Putnam located, was originally settled by Victor Putman, some time previous to the revolution.  During the war, Mr. Putman often took his family across the Mohawk River to Fort Hunter, for safety.     He was at one time stationed there for the purpose of arousing the neighborhood, upon the approach of the enemy, by firing an alarm gun. 

      After the Revolution, Victor and Margaret Putman remained as residents of Tribes Hill, NY. 

      It appear that Victor's assume brother Issac Putman and his family lived with them.

      At the time of the War of 1812 Victor served as captain.

      March 10, 1834, Victor filed an Application for a Revolutionary War Pension.

      Victor died in 1837 at age 83.  Both Victor and Margaret Putman were buried on their farm in Tribes Hill, NY. 

            Children:

1.   Peter V.  He was born in 1781.

2.   Jacob V.  Jacob was born in 1782.

3.   Francis V.  He was born in 1786.

4.   Prob. Aaron V.  Aaron was born in 1790.  He probably was the unnamed son Victor J. and Margaret Putman who was baptized September 1790 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga, Fonda, NY.

5.   Garrit.  He was born 19 September 1793.

6.   Catherine.  She was born 19 September 1793.

7.   Hannah, or Annatje.  Ann was born 9 March 1799 and baptized in 1799 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

 

William (Jacob, Victor, Johannes)

     William Putman was born 27 December 1761 and baptized 18 February 1762 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

     During the Revolution, William served as a private in the New York Line in the 3rd. Regiment commanded by Frederick Visscher.  William served six years and three months and received the Badge of Merit for six years faithful service.

     William Putman was on the "1790 List of those Discharged who Owned Military Lands" located in what is now Onondagua Co., NY, (NYGR, 1899).

            Children:

1.   Poss. Arent W.  He was listed in the Index of Deeds Montgomery County, NY.

2.   David?

 

Margaret (Jacob, Victor, Johannes)

     Margaret Putman was baptized 13 June 1765 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Stone Arabia.

     Margaret married 29 June 1786 Richard Hoff Jr. and lived near Schoharie Creek in Glen, Montgomery Co., NY.

     Richard Hoff Jr. dated his will 9 March 1833.

 

Jeruah (Jacob, Victor, Johannes)

     Jeruah Putman was born about 1772 and married Simon T. Viele about 1790.  

 

Isaac (Jacob, Victor, Johannes)

     Isaac Putman appears to have been a son of Jacob and Anna Newkirk Putman. 

     The Newkirk family used the name Isaac, and it appears that Anna and Jacob "should" have had a son Isaac Jacobse Putman.

     According to the family sketch of John Putman of Litchfield, NY, in History of Herkimer County, NY, Isaac Putman lived in "Mohawk." the town that contained Tribes Hill where Jacob Putman and Ann Newkirk Putman lived.

     From the number and ages of the members of the household of Victor Putman, Isaac's brother, it appears the Isaac's may have lived with Victor.

     Isaac's offspring are somewhat hard to trace, but it is believe that the Putman's of the early 1800s with the middle initial "I." belonged to him.

     Also, since one of his sons appears to have been Carty Putman, it may be that Isaac's wife might have been a daughter of sister of Timothy McCarthy of Tribes Hill.  

Children:  

1.   Jacob.  Jacob was born about 1793 in NY.

2.   Prob. David I.  David may have been the David of Syracuse born about 1795 in Amsterdam, NY.

3.   Prob. Carty.

4.   Prob. Arent I.

5.   Prob. Francis I.

6.   Prob. John I.

7.   Prob. Peter I.

8.   Poss. Victor I.

9.   Poss. Henry I.

Margretje (Arent, Victor, Johannes)

     Margaret Putman was baptized 26 February 1744 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  She was the eldest daughter of Arent Putman and Elizabeth Peek and probably married Jacob Snook.

     Arent and Elizabeth Putman may have had only one daughter named Margaret.  Eben Putnam in History of the Putnam Family lists two Margaret Putman's born to Arent Putman and Elizabeth Peek.  Eben says that the second Margaret married Simon H. Vedder 1 June 1777.  However, Eben gives the same husband for Margaret Putman the daughter of Cornelius and Elizabeth Putman.   Both can't be true.

     It is likely Arent and Elizabeth Putman had but one daughter named Margaret, born in 1744, and she married Jacob Snook and lived in Tribes Hill, NY.

     Margaret Snook held Pew No. 19, Seat No. 1, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga in Fonda, NY.  This seat was previously held by Elizabeth Peek Putman.  

Jacobus (Arent, Victor, Johannes)

     Jacobus Putman was baptized 19 January 1746 at the Schenectady Reformed Dutch Church.  About 1780, he married Sarah Osterhout.

     Jacobus and Sarah live din Tribes Hill during the 1790 NY Census.  Jacobus may have died before 1800.  

Children:  

1.   Maragriet.  Margaret was baptized 11 November 1781 at seven weeks at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

2.   Arent.  Arent was born 17 November 1786 and baptized 6 March 1786 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

3.   John.  John was born 8 September 1791 and baptized 23 October 1791 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

4.   Gerty.  She was baptized 1 January 1797 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

 

Victor (Arent, Victor, Johannes)

     Victor A. Putman was born at Tribes Hill in 1746 and baptized 20 May 1748.  He married Margaret Schultz 9 November 1773.

     Since most of their children were baptized at the Lutheran Trinity Church of Stone Arabia, it is possible they once lived in Stone Arabia. During the 1790 NY Census, Victor lived in Tribes Hill.

     Victor became a blacksmith in Tribes Hill and during the American Revolution served as a private in the New York Line in th Third Regiment commanded by Col. Frederick Fisher.  Victor and Margaret lived in Tribes Hill until 1799 when they purchased Lot 62 in Sacandaga Patent 3 miles east of Johnstown and 2 miles north of Tribes Hill, NY.

     Victor died in Tribes Hill 12 October 1800 and was buried in the family plot on his Sacandaga farm.  Margaret married second Case Van Allen.

     In 1901, Victor's remains were removed to Tribes Hill Cemetery.   

Children:

1. Magdalena.  Magdalena Bottman was born 21 May 1774 and baptized 4 June 1774 at the Lutheran Trinity Church of Stone Arabia.

2. John V.  John was born April 1776 and baptized 5 December 1783 at the Lutheran Trinity Church of Stone Arabia.

3. Aaron V.  Aaron was born 2 July 1779 and baptized 3 August 1779 at the Lutheran Trinity Church of Stone Arabia.

4. Elizabeth.  She was born 1784 and baptized 27 January 1784 at the Lutheran Trinity Church of Stone Arabia.

5.   Poss. Lodewyck.  He was born in Palatine and baptized 17 February 1787 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

6.   Poss. Barent.  Born September 17, 1798, and christened in 1798 at Caughnawaga.  Parents were Victor J. and Maryte Schall.

 

Cornelia (Arent, Victor, Johannes)  

     Cornelia Putman was born 29 January 1751 and baptized 19 January 1752 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.  She was best known as Clarissa the subject of the book Clarissa Putman of Tribes Hill by John Vrooman.

     Mary Jo Marks of New York wrote a paper on Clarissa's life, which was used for the following sketch:

     Clarissa was born as Cornelia Putman on January 29, 1751,

the daughter of Arent Putman and Elizabeth Peek.  The Putmans lived in a stone house in Tribes Hill.  A few miles away was the home of Sir William Johnson, superintednent of Indian Affairs for King George III of England.  Sir William had a son John, who was later to succedd to his father's vast estate of 240,000 acres of land and his title of Baronet.  In 1765 at 23 years of age, John was sent to

 England to broaden his social contacts and represent his  father in business affairs.  While in England, John was presented at court and knighted by the King.  After tow years abroad, Sir John returned home, but to his father's disappointment he had not met a lady he wished to marry and had not acquired any special assignments or employment.  After his return to the Mohawk Valley, John meet and fell in love with the daughter of Arent Putman.  Clarissa was just 15 years old when she went to live with Sir John Johnson at Fort Johnson.  By 1772, children were born to John and Clarissa--a daughter, Margaret, and a son, William.  This relationship fell heir to Sir William Johnson's political concerns.  Sir William Johnson foresaw future event which were to lead to the American Revolution and felt that a marriage between his soldier son and the Putmans would be disastrous to his ties to England because of the rebellious views of Clarissa's father Arent and her brother Victor.  Clarissa and her children were removed from Fort Johnson.

     Sir John was encouraged to look for a suitable wife among the prominent families of New York.  In 1772, he spent the Christmas holidays there.  During the winter, he became engaged to Mary Watts, the daughter of John Watts, a banker and merchant.  In 1775, the American Revolution began.  Sir William Johnson had died shortly before, so his son was now Director of Indian Affairs.  Sir John was a Loyalist and in the insuing years led many raids upon the Mohawk Valley, in which two-thirds of the inhabitants were killed.

     Clairssa's father was amongh the dead as were many other Putman men.  When the war was finally over, Sir John and his family were captured and returned to Johnstown where they were placed under house arrest.  Before he could be brought to trial, however, he and his entire household and tenants fled to Cornwall in Upper Canada.

     In 1784, after the signing of a peace treaty with England, Sir John Johnson made contact with a former friend in Schenectady, NY, merchant, Daniel Campbell.  Johnson then sent money to Campbell to assist in the care and schooling of his American children.  When his son William was a young man, Johnson had Campbell persuade Clarissa to allow their son to come to Canada to lived where he promised to find William a suitable job.  Clarissa relented, and William made the journey through Niagara, where he stayed with Johnson relatives and later went on to Cornwall.  William married a Margaret Clark, a Canadian, and had six children, one of whom was named Clarissa Ann.  William died in 1836 at age 66 years.  Johnson also tried to persuade Clarissa to part with their daughter, Margaret, but she refused.  Margaret married into the Van Horne family of Schenectady.  From an unsigned article comes the following:

     Clara Putman's daughter was a famous beauty who married Jame E. Van Horne, son of Abraham Van Horne founder of VanHornesvile.  The marriage displeased the Van Horne family, and the young couple went to Stone Arabia where they ran a store.

     In 1809 at age 67, Sir Johnson sent for Clarissa to come to Montreal.  According to the present Sixth Baronet, Sir John Johnson, "She arrived in the summer of 1809 and was ushered ito the presence of her former lover with fitting ceremony . . . ..  The baronet stated his reasons for requesting her presence, which were to settle on her an annuity for life, a cash payment of $1,000, and a house."  When the house was finally finished, it was a large brick building, which was later known as Van Horne Hall.  Clarissa deeced the property to her son-in-law, J. E. Van Horne, a few years before her death.  James Van Horne married Mary Conant, and their son, William, ran a hat store in the VanHorne Hall Buildling.  He was the mayor of Schenectady from 1848-49.  The building burned in 1934 (now the site of the Schenectady Savings and Loan Association.)  Both Clarissa and John Johnson lived to an old age.  Johnson died in Canada in 1830 at the age of 88.  Clariisa died in Schenectady, NY, 1 July 1833.  She was 82 years old.  She was buried in Vale Cemetery in Schenectady on the the Van Horne Plot.  One can only guess at the difficulties that Clarissa Putman must have faced as she tired to make a life for her and her children during time of the American Revolution and afterward.  (Mary Jo Marks, 1991)  

          Children:  

          1.   John.

          2.   Margaret.  

 

Sara (Arent, Victor, Johannes)  

     Sara Putman was baptized 1 March 1754 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.  

     Most early authors list this Sarah as the wife of Jacob De Graff, and this seems to be true.  His name is also written as Graff, Groff, and Craft.

     A report says that Jacob married Sarah Putman in 1771 at the Johnstown Presbyterian Church. 

     Jacob Graff was born in 1726 and came from Hanover, German, about 1760.  He settled in what is now the Village of Fond, New York.  

     According to her gravestone, Sarah Putman was born in 1742 and died October 20, 1805, at the age of 63 years.  Jacob died October 3, 1805.  Both were buried in Fonda, Montgomery County, New York.

          Children:  

          1.   Peter.  He was born in 1763.  Peter married Elizabeth Frye March 7, 1785 in Caughnawaga, or Fonda, New York.  Peter saw service during the Revolutionary War and was present at the surrender of Burgonye.  He was afterward a farmer and gunsmith.  Peter had children Philip, Anne, Peter, Abraham, and Clarisa. 

          2.   Daniel.  He was born June 10, 1769, at the Lutheran Church of Stone Arabia with sponsors Daniel Serbes and Margaretha Postman.  Parents were Jacob and Sarah De Graff.  Daniel married Margaret Ackerman.

          3.   Margaret Putman.  She was born December 4, 1772, and baptized June 6, 1772, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Fonda, New York.  Her sponsors were Jacob Simmons and Margaret Putman.

          4.    Phillip.  He was born January 2, 1774.  He married Deborah Wemple April 15, 1791, the daughter of Barent Wemple and Sarah Smith.  Phillip was a member of the Rangers mentioned in Stone's "Life of Joseph Brant". 

          5.   Johannes.  He was born January 12, 1775, and baptized April 16, 1775, at the Dutch Reformed Church of Fonda, New York.  His sponsors were Johannes Kitts, Jr., and Anna Kitts.  Johannes married an Angene. 

          6.   Maria.  She was born June 19, 1777, and baptized August 13, 1777, at the Dutch Reformed Church.  Sponsors were Cobus Davis and Rebecca Davis.

 

Ann (Arent, Victor, Johannes)  

     Ann Putman the daughter of Arent Putman and Elizabeth Peek was baptized 8 August 1756 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.  I have not further information on her.    

 

Cornelius (Arent, Victor, Johannes)  

     Cornelis Putman was baptized in May 1758 and married Derkie Vosburg in 1789 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.  They probably lived at Tribes Hill, NY.  

          Children:  

          1.   Annatje.  She was baptized in 1790 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          2.   Elizabeth.  She was born 17 June 1792 and baptized 8 July 1792 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          3.   Jannete.  She was born 16 August 1797 and baptized in 1789 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          4.   Maryte.  She was born 23 April 1801.  

 

Maria (Arent, Victor, Johannes)

     Maria Putman the daughter of Arent Putman and Elizabeth Peek was baptized 21 January 1763 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Schenectady.  Maria may have married Francisco Kingsbury 23 September 1787 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.  Another possibility is that she married John Kitt.

     The Pension Compendium says that John Kitt was born in 1758/9 and was a resident of Lowville, Lewis County, New York, in 1832.  In his Revolutionary War Pension Application, John said he entered the military from his home in Johnstown, New York, in 1775, and was a corporal for three years under Captain Andrew Wemple in the 3rd. New York Regiment commanded by Frederick Fischer.  In May 1780, captain Wemple deserted to the enemy and Colon Fischer was wounded and scalped.  John's company command was then turned over to Captain Minard W. Quackenbush and Colon Volkert Veeder.  John Kitt served as a sergeant and was appionted to that rank in 1778.

          Children:  

          1.   Jacob.  He was born in June 13, 1785, and baptized July 1, 1785, at the Dutch Reformed Church.  His sponsors were  of Caughnawaga John and Lena Beser [?].

          2.   Eva [?].  She was born February 8, 1791, and baptized March 6, 1791, at the Dutch Reformed Church.  Her sponsors were Jacob Kits and Elizabeth Kitts.

 

John (Arent, Victor, Johannes)

     John A. Putman was born at Tribes Hill in 1766.  He married Matilda, or Machtelt, Visscher the daughter of Johannes and Annatie Visscher.  She was born at Fort Hunter 22 July 1769.  John and Matilda lived for a few years in Albany but resettled in Tribes Hill.  John is shown by deeds to have owned part of the land set off to Arent Putman.  Arent received the original tract from the partition of the property of Victor Putman, his father.

     John Putman died 14 October 1841 and was buried in Tribes Hill, NY.  Matilda died 10 November 1849 and was also buried in Tribes Hill.  

          Children:  

          1.   Hannah.  She was born 1790.

          2.   Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was born 5 March 1791 and baptized 10 April 1791 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          3.   Fisher.  Fisher was born 29 October 1793.

          4.   Margaret.  Margaret was born July 1795 and baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          5.   Aaron.  He was born 2 September 1796.

          6.   Tunis.  He was born 2 November 1800 and baptized 1800 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          7.   James.  James was born 8 July 1803 and baptized 1803 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          8.   Abraham.  Abraham was born 21 October 1810.

          9.   Sally Maria.  She was born 4 July 1813.

          10. Charles.

          11. Alida.

          12. Henry.  

 

Francis (Cornelius, Victor, Johannes)

     Francis Cornelius Putman was born 4 May 1752 in Johnstown, NY, and baptized 4 May 1752 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

     Francis married Maria Fonda 28 December 1777 and kept a hotel at Tribes Hill for fifty-six years upon which was a sign dated "1777" after the date of their marriage.

     In 1775, as a resident of the Town of Charlestown, Montgomery Co., NY, Francis Putnam enlisted in the Continental Army, and up until 1781, he served at various times in the Revolution as Private, Ensign, and First Lieutenant in the Third Regiment of New York commanded by Frederick Fisher.

     Francis also served under Capts. Jacob Gardner and Harman Mabie.  

     In June of 1776, Victor Putnam then a resident of Tribes Hill, NY, and Garret Putman a Second Lieutenant served under Lt. Francis Putnam.

     Francis Cornelius Putman fought in the Battle of Oriskany, the Battle of Burgoyne, and the Battles of Stone Arabia and Johnstown and had a total length of service of thirteen months.

     Francis later received a Revolutionary War pension that was executed 19 September 1832 while he was a resident north of the Mohawk River in Johnstown, NY.

     Maria Fonda Putman died 19 September 1830.  

     Francis died in Johnstown, NY, 23 November 1834 leaving no widow.

          Children:

          1.   Cornelius.  Cornelius was born 31 November 1778 and baptized in December 1778 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.  He probably died before 1790.

          2.   Johannes.  He was baptized January 1783 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          3.   Elizabeth.  She was born 9 February 1787 and baptized in March 1787 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          4.   Peter F.  He was born 3 July 1792.

          5.   Angelte

          6.   Catherine.

          7.   Mary, or Maria.  She was born 19 August 1797 and baptized at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

          8.  Anna.

          9.   Margaret.  She was born 16 July 1800.

         10. Cornelius.  Cornelius was baptized 31 July 1805 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

 

Victor (Cornelius, Victor, Johannes)

     Victor Cornelius Putman was born 31 May 1756 and baptized 8 August 1756 by a missionary of the New York Trinity Church.

     Victor married first Anna Garretson, daughter of Abraham Garretson:  Anna was born 18 June 1767 and died 14 February 1813.  Victor C. married second Margaret Visscher, eldest sister of Col. Frederick Visscher of the Revolution.  Margaret was born 30 December 1747 (McConville, 11 March 1759).  

     The English word garret means a watchtower.

     When Margaret married Victor, she was the widow of Myndest S. Ten Eyck by whom she had a daughter Elsie.

     Victor served under Lt. Francis Putman during the Revolution.  

     At the time of the Visscher family massacre during the Revolution, Margaret and her sister were able to escaped.  

     From Legacy of Historical Gleanings, Catherine Bonney describes the hazards through which Margaret lived:

     Aunty Putman . . . would graphically narrate the perils from the Indians in her younger days.  Harassed by perpetual alarms night and day, in constant fear of hostilities, and ever dreading the sight of the Indians in their grotesque paint and feathers, their encroachments kept all the whites in a state of terrible commotion.  She well remembered when Col. John Johnson in 1780 with a party of soldiers consisting of British, Tories, and Indians, made a raid through that country, killing, burning, and pillaging; she recalled how the men never neglected taking their guns to church, or the field, with them; not daring to venture out to any distance for fear of an ambush; constantly on the alert regarding the treachery of the Indians, or their creeping up stealthily to tomahawk some unfortunate individual who had ventured too far away from forts.  Many a tale of suffering and privation she would most eloquently recount.  This old lady was Margaret, sister of Col.  Frederick Visscher; she had four husbands, the last one was Victor Putman, she survived her husband many years, and died at old Caughnawaga.  Her fears were awfully realized at last in 1780 on May 20th at Tribes Hill, part of Caughnawaga, when barns and houses were burnt and people scalped in the march of these savages and Tories from Johnstown all along the valley of the Mohawk.  The inhabitants, unsuspicious of danger, were buried in sleep at midnight when the Indians approached in great numbers, entered the house of Capt. Garret Putman with horrid yells, intending to murder the entire family, but fortunately all were absent; the people occupying the house were killed; many of her own loved neighbors were instantly slain and scalped.  About the same time, her mother's house was assaulted.  She was then a young girl living with her mother and sister, Rebecca, together with two brothers, her brother Frederick's family being safe from all trouble in Schenectady, he was staying with them.  After her wonderful escape from the Indian, she secreted herself in a large Dutch oven, built a short distance from the house, where with the most indescribable agony she could hear the wild yells of demoniac triumph, and knew her own "loved ones" were the unfortunate victims.  

     Margaret died 18 September 1835.  Victor died 9 November 1816.  

Children:  

1.   Cornelia.  She was born 29 April 1785 and baptized 17 May 1785 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

2.   Cornelius V.  He was baptized 27 April 1786 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

3.   Abraham V.  He was born 28 August 1790.

4.   John V.  John was baptized 12 October 1795 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

 

Johannes (Cornelius, Victor, Johannes)

     Johannes Putman was born 21 March 1756 and baptised 6 May 1759 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.  He may have died young.

     Warren T. Putman related that John entered the militia when he was 18 or 19 years of age and was killed at the age of 20 by a shot under the arm.)

 

Henry (Cornelius, Victor, Johannes)

     Hendrick Putman in his “Book” dated 22 January 1777 wrote:

                    Steel not this book my honest friend

                Afraid the gallows should be your end

                    The gallows is one thing the book is another

                Steal not this none for fear of the other.

                Hendrick Putman (1761 - 1798) 

     Henry Potman was baptized 12 September 1761 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

     He married Mary Quackenbush 4 March 1781 in Charlestown, NY.  She married second Peter H. Mabie 2 March 1800.  By Peter Mabie, Mary had Harman, born 30 November 1801 and Henry, born 10 October 1804 or 1806.

          Children, of Henry Putman and Mary Quackenbush:

          1.   Elizabeth.  She was born 20 August 1787.

          2.   William.  William was born 5 May 1790.

          3.   Margaret.  Margaret was born 2 July 1793 and baptized 9 August 1793 at Caughnawaga.

          4.  Cornelius H.  He was baptized 29 June 1796 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

 

Peter Cornelius, Victor, Johannes)

     Peter Putman was born 13 August 1764 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

 

Catherine (Cornelius, Victor, Johannes)

     Catherine Putman was born 17 September 1767, and she married William Van Buren 23 August 1785.  

     William was born 2 May 1757 and died 11 February 1831 at 74 years of age.

          Children:    

          1.   Barent.  Barent was born 16 January 1788.

          2.   Cornelius.  He was born 14 September 1792.

          3.   Catherine.  She was born 3 November 1795 and died of smallpox 26 November 1797.

          4.   Elizabeth.  Elizabeth was born 5 October 1798.

          5.   Hendrick.  Henry was born 9 February 1802.

          6.   Tobias.  Tobias was born 4 August 1805.

 

Margaret (Cornelius, Victor, Johannes)

     Margaret Putman married Simon Veeder of Rotterdam, Schenectady Co., NY, in June of 1777 at the Dutch Reformed Church of Caughnawaga.

     Later, both Simon and Margaret were sponsors for Margareta, daughter of Hendrick Putman and Maria Quackenbos.

     Margaret died prior to 1798.

          Children:

          1.   Maria.  Maria was born 20 December 1779.

          2.   Cornelius.  Cornelius was born 19 October 1781.

          3.   Elizabeth.