Reuben Putnam was born on June 5, 1758, in Sutton, Massachusetts.  He entered the Continental Army in January 1777 and served through 1780.  His family reported that he told stories of seeing General Washington several times.  It is possible that he was at Valley Forge during the very cold winter of 1777-78, but he never gave any description of his service.   

Reuben Putnam married Huldah Cummings in 1784, and they had multiple children. Huldah passed away in 1817, and after a house fire in 1818, Reuben came to live with his son on Burritt Rd in Parma.  Around that same time, he applied for a pension for his service in the war and was granted $8 per month.

Reuben Putnam passed away on March 4, 1838.  Although no headstone remains, he is believed to be buried in the Atchinson Cemetery which adjoined his farm.