Putnam, Rufus

Rufus (1738-1824), a soldier of the American Revolution. He was born at Sutton, Massachusetts. While a young man he learned to build grist mills and to survey land. Prior to the Revolution he served in the French and Indian War, and was employed in surveying Florida lands. He entered the Revolutionary army as an engineer, but later took command of a regiment. He retired with the rank of brigadier-general. He took a prominent part in the suppression of Shays' Rebellion. In 1787 he became a director of the Ohio Company. It was proposed to employ a capital of $1,000,000 in securing land in the Northwest Territory. A million and one-half acres were purchased from Congress. Location was made in the southeastern part of what is now Ohio. In the year following the passage of the Ordinance of 1787, Putnam located the first colony at the present site of Marietta, Ohio. He held various political and judicial positions in the Northwest Territory. He died at Marietta, the last American survivor of the officers of the Continental Army. His papers and correspondence are cherished by the library of Marietta College.