GA-117-5 Putnam County

Marker text: PUTNAM COUNTY

Putnam County was created by Act of Dec. 10, 1807 out of Baldwin County. Among the prominent men born in Putnam County were Joel Chandler Harris and L. Q. C. Lamar. It was named for General Israel Putnam (1718-1790), Massachusetts hero of the Revolution. He fought with the British in 1755 and in ÒPontiacÕs WarÓ in 1762. One of the leaders at the Battle of Bunker Hill, he was a gallant soldier and brave general. First officers of Putnam County, commissioned January 14, 1808, were: Samuel Reed, Sheriff; William Williams, Clk. Sup. Ct.; Landling Williams, Clk. Inf. Ct.; George Hill, Coroner.

Georgia Historical Commission, 1956