BULLETIN OF THE AMERICAN FRIENDS OF PUTTENHAM

VOLUME XV, NUMBER 3

DECEMBER 1997

"THE ARTE OF ENGLISH POESIE"

A number of years ago "The Arte" and its disputed authorship were mentioned in the Bulletin. At that time the relationship of its most likely author, George Puttenham, to the Putnam family was noted as was an error in this relationship made by Eben Putnam in his "Putnam Lineage". Stimulated by receipt of a large amount of information from my English cousin, Mr. Charles Hurray-Willis, I feel the time has come to treat this subject more thoroughly. 

In his letter to me, Charles, the grandson of Frank Houlton Putnam of Houlton, Maine, and Marjorie Weldon of London, England, having a strong interest in the subject, makes the following somewhat edited plea: 

    "Your support is needed for the recogniti6n of a brilliant literary figure living in England in the 16th century during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (1533-1603). George Puttenham's name has been languishing in obscurity and misunderstanding for 400 years. It is about time we gave him the credit he deserves. Not only was he one of the most original writers in the 16th century but he also was an important influence on William Shakespeare (1564-1616) and Ben Jonson (1572-1637). Host of his works/poems have been lost (perhaps through intentional destruction by enemies in the religious controversy of the times) but fortunately three significant works and a collection of original letters in his own hand have survived." 

Charles has provided summaries and some photocopies of G.P. 's works. These are available from the Bulletin editor for the cost of copying (6 cents/page). Photocopies of the original manuscripts can be obtained from Charles at a cost of about 70 pence { $1.10) per page plus postage. The high cost of the latter is due to the care required in handli11g the 400 ­year old manuscripts. A description of the works follows. 

1. "Partheniades". An unpublished collection of 17 poems (555 lines) presented as a New Year's gift to Queen Elizabeth now in the British Museum Library. This unique collection is the only surviving example of his poetry and needs to be published in a modern version along with a modern appraisal of the life and times of G.P. 

2. A "Justification of Queen Elizabeth in relation to the Affair of Mary Queen of Scots", commissioned by Elizabeth in 1581 and in the original hand of G.P. has never been published. At present it is in the Camden Society Museum Collection in the British Museum. It consists of a 24- page preface and 67 pages of the Justification.

3."The Arte of English Poesie" was published anonymously in 1589 and was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth. There are facsimile copies of the original publication of 1589 owned and signed by Ben Jonson in the Library of Congress. Ten copies in the public, university and college libraries of London, Oxford and Cambridge were accessible in 1936. The best modern version is that by Gladys Willcock and Alice Walker, published in 1936, Cambridge Univ. Press. This work contains 102 pages of preface and introduction together with 315 pages of G.P. 's writings. The introduction contains an excellent summary of what is known about Puttenham's life and works. This work will be discussed further in the next issue of the Bulletin, as will my cousin's thoughts on the possible connection of George Puttenham with John Putnam's removal from Buckinghamshire to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1640/41. 

BOOK REPORTS 

Chase Putnam of Warren, Pa., earlier this year sent to me a delightful book entitled "English Prelude", a work describing a tour of England which emphasized the places of origin of many of the original settlers of New England. Written by Marguerite Allis and published by G. P. Putnam's Sons in 1936, it is arranged by County and covers nearly 300 hamlets, villages, towns and cities. In addition it is illustrated with drawings by the author. On page 224 there is a short paragraph devoted to Puttenham and its relation to the Putnam family and on the previous page there is the lovely drawing of "Puttenham Manor" reproduced below This 16th century farm house is very similar in style to that of the oldest section of the Washingtons' home, Sulgrave Manor, in Northamptonshire, built about the same time. To show that very little has changed between 1936 and 1991 this drawing is compared with a photo taken at the same spot from which Marquerite Allis' drawing was made. The photo was taken by Larine Biggs of Wichita, Ks., during the AFOP visit to Puttenham in 1991. The Americans at the table are Larine's brother, Hadley Wait, and Caroline and Bob Putnam.

Halbert's, Inc., of Bath, Ohio, is at it again. This time they are advertising a book called a "Putnam history book" that promises that your own name is mentioned. Attorney Harold Putnam of Vero Beach, Fl., has contacted Chief of Police George Reuscher of the Bath Police Dept. to determine that the name Raymond J. Putnam used in their advertising is indeed fictitious. Your name is mentioned by way of a listing of telephone book-derived addresses of Putnam families all across the country; otherwise the book is devoted entirely to generalities and information of little historical significance. It is not likely that either the Chief of Police or the Postal Service will be able to stop this misrepresentation so it's a particularly irritating case of caveat emptor. 

According to an advertisement by Warner Books, "Whistled Like A Bird" by Sally Putnam Chapman (with Stephanie Mansfield) is "the untold story of Dorothy Putnam, George Putnam and Amelia Earhart." It further states that "just before she died, Dorothy Binney Putnam entrusted her diaries to her granddaughter, Sally Putnam Chapman. Now, years later, Sally Chapman is ready to share their contents and take a piercing, heartfelt look at her grandparents, their world-famous friend Amelia Earhart and the turmoil, passion, and tragedy that filled their lives. They quote Mary Lovell, author of "Sound Of Wings", an earlier book about George Putnam and Amelia Earhart, as saying that Chapman's book is" A wonderful and important addition to the Amelia Earhart genre. I could not put it down and hope it enjoys the huge success it deserves. " I have not seen a review that comments on its literary value.

LETTERS FROH MEMBERS 

I never cease to be amazed at the frequency with which our members discover relatives in the most unlikely ways. As the most recent example, Bill Putnam of Carthage, Mo. writes as follows: "In 1988 Charlie Phillips and I were elected to the Board of Directors of Hardware Wholesalers, Inc. We are both in the lumber/hardware business - he in Reedsburg, Wi., and I in Southwest Mo. We had never met but, with our wives Cindy (mine) and Ginny (his), soon became good friends. I served as Chairman of the Board in 91-92 and he in 92-93. Somewhere along the way he mentioned he had a 'great grandmother' who was a Putnam. We never checked it out till we visited the Phillips in Reedsburg last month {Aug. 97)." 

In summary Bill states that he and Charlie are ninth cousins, their common ancestor being John Putnam of Aston Abbotts, Bucks, and Salem Village, Mass. Bay Colony. They both were born in 1943. The probability of that happening after 9 generations is about the same as winning a state lottery. 

MISSING PERSONS

On Aug. 1, 1997 The American Air Museum In Britain at Duxford, Cambridgeshire, was opened officially by Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II. The event was commemorated by publication of a beautiful Opening Ceremony Programme. One of the featured photos in the Programme was taken on July 6, 1944 and shows Princess Elizabeth after she christened the  B-17G bomber "Rose of York" named in her honor. The princess posed for the photo with 306th Bomb Group Commanding Officer Colonel Claude Putnam. Can any of our members identify this American officer?

Paul and Janice Putnam are searching for information about Paul's great grandfather, William Putnam, b. Sept. 5, 1835 and d. July 30, 1903. He married Julia Ann Foster Dec. 27, 1854 in Hamilton Cty, Il. They had eight children, Thomas, James, Richard Henry, Barney, Lou, Martha Hatila and twins Mandy and Winnie. It is possible that William was the son of Bennet Putnam and his wife Sarah who are listed in the 185@ census for Hamilton County, Il., with 6 children, one of whom matches William's age.

A FOOTNOTE TO HISTORY 

Last week I watched with great interest Public Television's series called "LIBERTY" about the American Revolution. The last section dealt with the difficulties in the country between the end of the war and the formation of the United States from the united States of the Declaration of Independence. Very brief mention was made of the farmers' uprising in Massachusetts, called Shay's Rebellion, typical of the internal threats to the new idea of Liberty. One of the people caught up in this event was General Rufus Putnam as described in a "HISTORY OF PELHAN, NASS. ", by C. O. Parmenter, published in 1898.

Daniel Shays had been commissioned a captain in Col. Putnam's regiment in 1779 and then left the service the following year. He returned to Pelham and was elected several times to offices there. In 1786 he became involved in the farmers' economic troubles and was chosen to lead them in their defiance of the Courts and laws which ultimately led to armed rebellion. Shays defended his action in the rebellion in an interview with Gen. Putnam seventeen days before he led an attack on the Springfield, Ma., armory. Gen. Putnam reported the interview to Governor Bowdoin in a letter from his home in Rutland, Ha., dated Jan. 8, 1787. 

"Sir:-As I was coming through Pelham the other day I met Mr. Shays in the road alone, where we had a conversation, some of which was of a very particular kind. I shall state the whole, by way of dialog, as far as I can recollect; but in order to understand the meaning of some parts of it, it is necessary you should know that the week before they stopped Worcester court the last time, I spent many hours with Shays and his officers, endeavoring to dissuade them from their measures, and persuade them to return to their allegiance. 

    Mr. Shays-Do you know if the petition drawn up at Worcester has been sent to the governor or not?

    Putnam-I am surprised to hear you inquire that of me; you certainly ought to know whether you have sent it, or not - however, since you ask the question I tell you I have been credibly informed that so late as last Friday it had not been presented. 

    Shays-They promised to send it immediately, and it was very wrong they did not; but I don't know that it will alter the case, for I don't suppose the governor and council will take any notice of it. 

    Putnam-You have no reason to expect they will grant the prayer it. 

    Shays-Why not? 

    Putnam-Because many things asked for it is out of their power to grant; and besides that since you and your party have once spurned at offered mercy, it is absurd to expect that another general pardon should be ever granted. 

    Shays-No! Then we must fight it out.

    Putnam-That as you please, but it's impossible you should succeed -....."

The report goes on at great length but Gen. Putnam failed to convince Shays to give up the project. The attack on the armory was a failure and Daniel Shays subsequently disappeared from American history. He is best remembered by way of the Daniel Shays Highway, U.S. Rt. 202, through Pelham, Ma.

ODDS AND ENDS

In August, 1997, the Marietta Brewing Co. (Restaurant and Brewery) opened at 167 Front St., Marietta, Oh., the first brewery to function here after many decades. Recently Caroline and I joined another couple for dinner there. The food was excellent but the high point was sampling their Putnam Porter, the specialty of the day. The restaurant was so busy that I could not get to the manager to find out whether the brew was named for the main street (thus after Gen. Israel Putnam) or for Gen. Rufus Putnam, the leader of the group of New Englanders who first settled Marietta in 1788. In any case it did justice to its name. 

INTERNET HOME PAGE 

Thanks to my son, Andrew, we now have a Home Page on the Internet complete with photos, arms and historical data. The address is http://www.iwaynet.net1~akputnam/home.html I reach it quickly by searching "puttenham". The photos of the church are lovely. 

NEW MEMBERS

A new member welcomed to the American Friends of Puttenaham since those listed in the July, 1997, issue is: 

Wayne Putnam, M.D. 

Halifax, N.S. Canada

Editor Robert E. Putnam 

Link to Scanned Copy of the Bulletin