Mitchell Putman (1794-1887) fought in the War of 1812 and the Indian Creek War. His arm was injured in 1836 when he served under General Sam Houston in the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution, the Battle of San Jacinto.
In 1838, by the Guadalupe River near Cuero Texas, four of Mitchell Putman's children were kidnapped by Comanches. This has been written about in numerous books. In Savage Frontier Vol. II, Stephen L. Moore writes:
"A group of five individuals -- Matilda Lockhart, thirteen, Rhoda Putman, seventeen, Elizabeth Putman, six, Juda Putman, two, and James Putman, ten -- ventured out into the woods to gather pecans near the homes of their parents. The five children were captured and taken into captivity by the Indians.
"These young prisoners were treated terribly. Matilda Lockhart was later delivered to Texas commissioners in San Antonio in 1840. Elizabeth and James Putman were eventually reclaimed from the Indians, but their sister Juda remained a captive for some fourteen years before being ransomed to traders. By that time, she had all but forgotten the English language and even who she was. The final child, Rhoda Putman, became the wife of a chief and refused to leave the Indians."
Juda Putman was traded north several times and eventually sold to a man named Chinault, with whom she lived for seven years before he happened to move to Gonzales County, Texas. The strong Putman family resemblance led Chinault's neighbors to realize that she was the long lost Juda Putman. So, twenty-one years after being kidnapped, Juda was returned to her family.
The spelling of the last name of Mitchell and his children is Putnam, not Putman, a common misspelling. Note that Mitchell Putnam is buried in the Putnam Cemetery in Gonzales County, Texas. See also: "Indian Depredations in Texas" by J. W. Wilbarger.
ReplyDeleteYeah I'm Juda Putnam's offspring, so thanks for that.
DeleteBoth of their tombstones read "PUTMAN."
DeleteTheir Laurens,SC ancestors are all listed as Putman. See Warrior Creek Baptist church, Laurens, SC
DeleteI am descendant of Mitchell Putman through Elizabeth Putmans line. All family references writings and historical accounts list him as Putman, as is his name is spelled on the San Jacinto Monument.
DeleteMark Arlage Stone
DeleteThe name spelling of Putman is correct for all reasons cited and more. I am descended through Rebecca Putman who married William Freeman and Mitchell Putman is a distant cousin. I've researched the ancestral story(s) of Mitchell and Rebecca Putman, and abduction of the children for over six years and am now well into writing a novel titled "All But One" to be published this fall. It chronicles the life of Mitchell from his first wife, Sara Elizabeth Dollar, through the end of his amazing life in 1887. If any direct off-spring of Mitchell and Sara or Rebecca would care to offer their understanding of events, particular to the abduction matter, or family history, I would be pleased to learn of them. Two other published novels are "Samuel of the Nations and "Jaded Horses, Far Beyond Alamo and Goliad", both are family history novels. With regards to all.
ReplyDeleteMr Landerman-Moore - I would like to hear of when "All But One" will be published. Would love to read your book!
DeleteThanks!
Mark Stone - Mitchell Putman descendent