William Lester Putman

William Lester Putman

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William Lester Putman (Jan 11, 1820 - Nov 11, 1868)

Charlotte Mabry Putman (Dec 16, 1843 - Mar 16, 1924)

William Lester Putman was born Jan 11, 1820, the son of Jahu and Rachel Putman. He lived most of his life in Wilson County, Tennessee. He worked as a saddle maker.

Mexican War 1847

At the age of 27, William Lester fought in the Mexican War (ca. 1847) with Captain Marshall's 1st Regiment of Tennessee. He lost his gun in a powder explosion and probably had to pay for the loss.

Married Cinthia Weir Sep 6, 1848

He married Cintha Weir on Sep 6, 1848 in Wilson County, Tennessee. Unfortunately, she died only two or three years later (ca.1950-1951). William Lester apparently moved to Pea Ridge, Arkansas in 1851 and started a saddle shop. Since his brother, James Pervine Putman and his wife, Marinda, had their first child, John K. in Arkansas, Sept. 19 1851, it is likely William, perhaps newly widowed, and his brother came together to northwest Arkansas. By 1860 he had moved to Cannon County, Tennessee, based on the 1860 census and his prisoner of war records on Johnson's Island. Tennessee Census

Civil War June 1861

William Lester joined the Confederate army along with a large group from Cannon and Wilson County Tennessee at Camp Trousdale, Tennessee in June 1861. He joined as a sergeant and was in Captain Carden's Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers (18th Tennessee Infantry Regiment). His older brother, Joseph Gordon Putman, also served in the Confederate army as a scout. He was soon promoted to the rank of Captain and put in charge of a regiment, which became known temporarily as Putman Regiment, a part of the mounted infantry of Tennessee Volunteers.

Fort Donelson, Tennessee Feb 16, 1862

On Feb 16, 1862 A third of Albert Sydney Johnston's forces, 12-13,000 men, surrendered at Fort Donelson. William Lester then became a prisoner of war. His name is found in a list of Confederate prisoners at Johnson's island in 1862, "Putman, William L., Captain Company L, Eighteenth Tennessee. Cannon City." Confederate Prisoners at Johnson’s Island, 1862

Vicksburg, Mississipi Prisoner Exchange Sep 16, 1862

He was in prison till September 16, 1862, when he was released as part of a prisoner exchange at Vicksburg, Mississippi. (Tennesseans in the Civil War, Vol 1. Copyrighted © 1964 by the "Civil War Centennial Commission of Tennessee"). Family history believes that he contracted tuberculosis in prison (from which he finally died in 1868). He returned to battle after his release. His regiment fought at the battle of Chickamauga on Sep 19, 1863, the last major battle for his regiment that winter.

Married Charlotte Mabry Oct 27, 1863

After the battle of Chickamauga, William Lester found time to get married. He married Charlotte Oct. 27 1863, the daughter of John W. and Marinda Mabry. Charlotte may have become pregnant soon after their marriage with their daughter, Margaret Lee, who was born in 1864, but died as an infant and was buried in Tennessee. William Lester left a pregnant wife and/or newborn daughter to continue the war.

Atlanta Campaign Dec 1863 - Jun 1864

During October, 1863, the 18th Regiment was consolidated with the 26th Regiment. The 18th regiment had sustained heavy losses at Fort Donelson, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Atlanta. Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston was replaced by General John Bell Hood and Atlanta soon fell into Union hands. Later the 18th was consolidated with the 13rd Volunteers and on December 21, 1864, there were 12 men fit for duty. Military Units of Tennessee

The Army of Tennessee retreated back to Tennessee and eventually rejoined General Johnston's forces in Mississippi. General Johnston surrendered his Army of Tennessee on the 26th of April, 1865. William Lester was paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina, on May 1, 1865. 32nd Tennessee Infantry

Tombstone of William Lester Putman, Pea Ridge, Arkansas cemetary

Northwest Arkansas 1868

After the Civil War, William and Charlotte's first son, John Janu "JJ" was born in Tennessee (Feb. 16, 1866-Dec. 24, 1942). About 1868, William returned to northwest Arkansas on a trip with Jahu and Rachel to move his sister, Sarah, to be near their brothers and sisters and their families. Their second son, William Henry was born in Arkansas (Jan. 12, 1868-June 4, 1959). William Lester had contacted T.B. while a prisoner and died Nov. 11, 1868, ten months after his second son's birth and four months before his last son, Joseph Martin "J M" was born (Mar. 31 1869-June 28, 1960). The 48-year-old father was buried in Pea Ridge Cemetery.

William Lester Putman and Charlotte Mabry Putman had four children:

1. After William Lester's death, his wife, Charlotte, married James Monroe Bogle on Aug. 20 1874 and had seven children. Charlotte had 11 children total, counting four children she had with William Lester. She moved to Texas with James Bogle. She died in 1924 and was buried in the Crowley Cemetery, Tarrant CO, TX. Margaret Lee (1864, died when an infant, and buried in Tennessee)
2. John Jahu (JJ) Putman (Feb. 16, 1866-Dec. 24, 1942) married Mary Ann Lee. He is buried in Pea Ridge Cemetery. They had six children:
3. Charlotte "Lottie" (Jul 12, 1888) married John Webb
4. Lena Kate (Feb 18, 1890-Dec 19, 1927) Married Dr. Everett Pickens
5. William Henry (Born Aug 25, 1891) married Edna Swift
6. Nellie (Oct 13, 1894-Dec 06, 1897)
7. Calvin (May 05, 1906) married Retha Buttry
8. George Carl "Stookie" (May 05, 1906-Apr 25, 1983)
9. William Henry Putman (Jan. 12, 1868-June 4, 1959) married Theresa Mae Curran on Feb. 27, 1901
10. Willie Mae (Nov 22, 1903 - Nov 15, 1974) married Frank Gouger
11. Joe Kyle (Jul 4, 1905 - Jun 17, 1974) married Lucile Hall
12. Robert Lee (Oct 28, 1912 - May 25, 1983)
13. Joseph Martin (JM) Putman (Mar 31, 1869 - Jun 28, 1960)
14. Albert (Mar 23, 1890-Jun 25, 1958) married Lela Ann Hileman
15. William Thomas (May 02, 1899-Mar 24 1984) married Sibyl Florence Carden
16. Ida Marindra Bogle (May 8 1875 - Sep 14 1949)
17. Curry Earl Bogle (Jul 31, 1876 - )
18. Edgar Bogle (Jul 24 1878 - Jul 16, 1946).
19. Luther Lee Bogle (1880 - )
20. Ada Bogle (Apr 9, 1882 - Jan 16, 1967)
21. Denny E Bogle (Feb 20, 1884 - Mar 3 1963)
22. Leora Bogle (May 20, 1887 - April 14, 1888)

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William Lester Putman (Jan 11, 1820 - Nov 11, 1868)

Charlotte Mabry Putman (Dec 16, 1843 - Mar 16, 1924)

William Lester Putman was born Jan 11, 1820, the son of Jahu and Rachel Putman. He lived most of his life in Wilson County, Tennessee. He worked as a saddle maker.

Mexican War 1847

At the age of 27, William Lester fought in the Mexican War (ca. 1847) with Captain Marshall's 1st Regiment of Tennessee. He lost his gun in a powder explosion and probably had to pay for the loss.

Married Cinthia Weir Sep 6, 1848

He married Cintha Weir on Sep 6, 1848 in Wilson County, Tennessee. Unfortunately, she died only two or three years later (ca.1950-1951). William Lester apparently moved to Pea Ridge, Arkansas in 1851 and started a saddle shop. Since his brother, James Pervine Putman and his wife, Marinda, had their first child, John K. in Arkansas, Sept. 19 1851, it is likely William, perhaps newly widowed, and his brother came together to northwest Arkansas. By 1860 he had moved to Cannon County, Tennessee, based on the 1860 census and his prisoner of war records on Johnson's Island. Tennessee Census

Civil War June 1861

William Lester joined the Confederate army along with a large group from Cannon and Wilson County Tennessee at Camp Trousdale, Tennessee in June 1861. He joined as a sergeant and was in Captain Carden's Regiment of Tennessee Volunteers (18th Tennessee Infantry Regiment). His older brother, Joseph Gordon Putman, also served in the Confederate army as a scout. He was soon promoted to the rank of Captain and put in charge of a regiment, which became known temporarily as Putman Regiment, a part of the mounted infantry of Tennessee Volunteers.

Fort Donelson, Tennessee Feb 16, 1862

On Feb 16, 1862 A third of Albert Sydney Johnston's forces, 12-13,000 men, surrendered at Fort Donelson. William Lester then became a prisoner of war. His name is found in a list of Confederate prisoners at Johnson's island in 1862, "Putman, William L., Captain Company L, Eighteenth Tennessee. Cannon City." Confederate Prisoners at Johnson’s Island, 1862

Vicksburg, Mississipi Prisoner Exchange Sep 16, 1862

He was in prison till September 16, 1862, when he was released as part of a prisoner exchange at Vicksburg, Mississippi. (Tennesseans in the Civil War, Vol 1. Copyrighted © 1964 by the "Civil War Centennial Commission of Tennessee"). Family history believes that he contracted tuberculosis in prison (from which he finally died in 1868). He returned to battle after his release. His regiment fought at the battle of Chickamauga on Sep 19, 1863, the last major battle for his regiment that winter.

Married Charlotte Mabry Oct 27, 1863

After the battle of Chickamauga, William Lester found time to get married. He married Charlotte Oct. 27 1863, the daughter of John W. and Marinda Mabry. Charlotte may have become pregnant soon after their marriage with their daughter, Margaret Lee, who was born in 1864, but died as an infant and was buried in Tennessee. William Lester left a pregnant wife and/or newborn daughter to continue the war.

Atlanta Campaign Dec 1863 - Jun 1864

During October, 1863, the 18th Regiment was consolidated with the 26th Regiment. The 18th regiment had sustained heavy losses at Fort Donelson, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, and Atlanta. Confederate General Joseph E. Johnston was replaced by General John Bell Hood and Atlanta soon fell into Union hands. Later the 18th was consolidated with the 13rd Volunteers and on December 21, 1864, there were 12 men fit for duty. Military Units of Tennessee

The Army of Tennessee retreated back to Tennessee and eventually rejoined General Johnston's forces in Mississippi. General Johnston surrendered his Army of Tennessee on the 26th of April, 1865. William Lester was paroled at Greensboro, North Carolina, on May 1, 1865. 32nd Tennessee Infantry

Tombstone of William Lester Putman, Pea Ridge, Arkansas cemetary

Northwest Arkansas 1868

After the Civil War, William and Charlotte's first son, John Janu "JJ" was born in Tennessee (Feb. 16, 1866-Dec. 24, 1942). About 1868, William returned to northwest Arkansas on a trip with Jahu and Rachel to move his sister, Sarah, to be near their brothers and sisters and their families. Their second son, William Henry was born in Arkansas (Jan. 12, 1868-June 4, 1959). William Lester had contacted T.B. while a prisoner and died Nov. 11, 1868, ten months after his second son's birth and four months before his last son, Joseph Martin "J M" was born (Mar. 31 1869-June 28, 1960). The 48-year-old father was buried in Pea Ridge Cemetery.

William Lester Putman and Charlotte Mabry Putman had four children:

After William Lester's death, his wife, Charlotte, married James Monroe Bogle on Aug. 20 1874 and had seven children. Charlotte had 11 children total, counting four children she had with William Lester. She moved to Texas with James Bogle. She died in 1924 and was buried in the Crowley Cemetery, Tarrant CO, TX.

Margaret Lee (1864, died when an infant, and buried in Tennessee)

John Jahu (JJ) Putman (Feb. 16, 1866-Dec. 24, 1942) married Mary Ann Lee. He is buried in Pea Ridge Cemetery. They had six children:

Charlotte "Lottie" (Jul 12, 1888) married John Webb

Lena Kate (Feb 18, 1890-Dec 19, 1927) Married Dr. Everett Pickens

William Henry (Born Aug 25, 1891) married Edna Swift

Nellie (Oct 13, 1894-Dec 06, 1897)

Calvin (May 05, 1906) married Retha Buttry

George Carl "Stookie" (May 05, 1906-Apr 25, 1983)

William Henry Putman (Jan. 12, 1868-June 4, 1959) married Theresa Mae Curran on Feb. 27, 1901

Willie Mae (Nov 22, 1903 - Nov 15, 1974) married Frank Gouger

Joe Kyle (Jul 4, 1905 - Jun 17, 1974) married Lucile Hall

Robert Lee (Oct 28, 1912 - May 25, 1983)

Joseph Martin (JM) Putman (Mar 31, 1869 - Jun 28, 1960)

Albert (Mar 23, 1890-Jun 25, 1958) married Lela Ann Hileman

William Thomas (May 02, 1899-Mar 24 1984) married Sibyl Florence Carden

Ida Marindra Bogle (May 8 1875 - Sep 14 1949)

Curry Earl Bogle (Jul 31, 1876 - )

Edgar Bogle (Jul 24 1878 - Jul 16, 1946).

Luther Lee Bogle (1880 - )

Ada Bogle (Apr 9, 1882 - Jan 16, 1967)

Denny E Bogle (Feb 20, 1884 - Mar 3 1963)

Leora Bogle (May 20, 1887 - April 14, 1888)