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Thomas Putnam

Thomas Putnam
Born Not recognized as a date. Years must have 4 digits (use leading zeros for years < 1000).
Salem Village, Massachusetts Bay Colony
Died June 3 [O.S. May 24], 1699 (1699-06-04) (aged 47)
Salem Village, Province of Massachusetts Bay
Nationality British
Known for Accuser in the Salem witch trials
Spouse(s) Ann Putnam (née Carr)
Children Ann Putnam, Jr. and 11 others
Parent(s)
  • Thomas Putnam, Sr. (1615–1686)
  • Ann Putnam (née Holyoke)

Thomas Putnam (March 22, 1652 [O.S. March 12, 1651] – June 3 [O.S. May 24], 1699) was a member of the Putnam family and a resident of Salem Village (present-day Danvers, Massachusetts) and a significant accuser in the notorious 1692 Salem witch trials.

His father, Lt. Thomas Putnam, Sr. (1615–1686), was one of Salem's wealthiest residents. He was excluded from major inheritances by both his father and father-in-law. His half-brother, Joseph, who had benefited most from their father's estate, married into the rival Porter family, fueling ill will between the clans. Putnam, his wife, and one of his daughters (Ann Putnam, Jr.) all levied accusations of witchcraft, many of them against extended members of the Porter family, and testified at the trials. He is responsible for the accusations of 43 people, and his daughter is responsible for 63. He and his wife had 12 children in total. Both Thomas Putnam and Ann Putnam, Sr. died in 1699, leaving 10 children orphans, two children having predeceased them.

In the play, the Crucible, by Arthur Miller, Thomas Putnam is married to Ann Putnam, and together have a daughter, Ruth Putnam, who is afflicted with a grave illness, similar to that of Betty Parris. They both have lost seven children in childbirth, and turn to witchcraft for the cause of it. He appears in Act 1 & and is apparent during Act 3. Thomas twist Reverend Parris to make him on his side, urging him to see that it is witchcraft that is making Salem go mad. He uses the trials to get the other villagers' land, such as Giles Corey's. Giles later takes Thomas to court regarding the issue.


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