 Israel Putnam's, May 29,1780 letter to George Washington. General Putnam's Tomb in Brooklyn, Connecticut The General was buried in the Brooklyn cemetery. A tomb two or three feet high was built of brick, and across the top was placed a marble slab with this epitaph by the Rev. Timothy Dwight, who, five years later, became the President of Yale College, and who had been intimately acquainted with the hero in private and public life. In 1888, General Putnam's remains were removed and reburied under the new bronze equestrian statue in Brooklyn, Connecticut. The following epitaph was placed on the new monument. Sacred be this Monument to the memory of Israel Putnam, Esq. Senior Major General in the Armies of the United States of America, who was born at Salem, in the Province of Massachusetts, on the 7th day of January, A.D. 1718 and died on the 29th of May, A.D. 1790, Passenger, if thou art a soldier drop a tear over the dust of a Hero, who ever attentive to the lives and happiness of his men dared to lead where any dared to follow. If a Patriot, remember the distinguished and gallant services rendered thy country by the Patriot who sleeps beneath this marble; if thou art honest, generous & worthy, render a cheerful tribute of respect to a man whose generosity was singular, whose honesty was proverbial; who raised himself to universal esteem and offices of eminent distinction by personal worth and a useful life. |
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