New-York tribune., 1906-06-10
PUTNAM COTTAGE.
Historic Edifce To Be Scene OF
Dedication at GreenzCich. Conn.


Greenwich, Conn, June CspeciaD.-G
has begun to put holiday attire for the oeoi-
cation of Putnam Cottage on THURSDAY alIei
noon. This little old cottage of yellow shingles
and sharp angles with its curious cel-like addl-
| ton of stone on the east end. is to be forInahy
dedicated and thrown open TO the public by fut-
nam Chapter Daughters OF the American Revo-
luton. of Greenwich which thus gives ITS ap-
proval to the tradition that here were the quar-
ters of General Israel Putnam, and hence he es-
capped when surprised by body of Brlush
! horsemen under Commander Thomas Merritt
| and made his dash down the steps of Puts Hill
and into history.
The idea of making a museum of Putnams
cottage and of placing it at the disposal or the
public at stated periods originated with the
late Colonel H H Adams who died at his home
in Greenwich a month ago Colonel Adams ana
Mrs Adams, who is regent of Putnam Chdptei'
had their plans far advanced at the time OF the
formers fatal illness. and it was the colonefs
expressed wish that the programme be carried
out along the lines he had planned. So putnam
Chapter had gone with the plans, although
the death of Colonel Adams has lessened the
ardor of preparation.
All the preliminary arrangements nave peeh
made by the cottage committee OF putnam
Chapter which consists of Mrs Helen Reddlns
ton Adams widow of Colonel Adams; MISS
Jennie Kent Mrs r. Jay Walsh and Miss susan
Mead. A general committee OF forty memp5IS D
OF the chapter and prominent reSluehtS Oh Tue
town has been appointed to assist In the recep-
ton and entertainment of the guests The heV
NJ. George Thompson is to be president OF the
day, and the vice-presidents appointed are
James McCutcheOn w. II. McCOrd Harry h
Adams, jr John d. Barrett, Albert II. AShfoftn
A. Foster Higgins, r. J. Walsh and seaman
Mead.
Among those who have accepted invitations TO
attend General Stewart L. Woodford. min
lister to Spain under President Mckinley; Gov
ernor Roberts and staff. General Fred d. Grant,
General o. o Howard, General OBelrne, Seha-
tor Morgan G. Bulkeley Rear Admiral Coghlan'
Congressman E. J. Hill, former Governor .. '.
Coffin Charles +. Stone, of the Connecticut So
ciety; Miss Kenney, D. A. r. state regent or Con-
necticut; General James Grant Wilson Dr. 10
siah Strong, Senator John NJ. Thurston, or Ne
braska; the Rev. Dr. X. S. Macarthur, Br1gadler
General Russell Frost and staff, OF the Con-
necticut National Guard and A Noel Brakeman
of the Loyal Legion.
Among the organizations that Will be present
are the Minute Men. body of Sons of the Amer,
lean Revolution, who will appear In Coiomai
costume; the Putnam PhalanX, of Hartford
Governors Foot Guards. of New Haven delega-
tions from Lafayette Post, G. A. r., New Y ork'
Of which Colonel Adams was post commander
and from other patriotic organizations In New
York including the Order of Founders and
Patriots and Company L, Sd c. N e., or Green
wich
OF course all Greenwich will attend the cere-
mony, and there will be crowds from all over Col-
necticut The exercises will begin with paraoe'
which will get under way about 80 O'Clock IN
the afternoon. It is planned to have the process
sion arrive at the cottage ABOUT p m me
flag will be run up the cottage. chorus or
school children will sing patriotic songs and
there will be speeches by Governor Roberts, MISS
Kinney, General OBeirne. General Stewart L.
Woodford, General James Grant Wilson and Dr.
Josiah Strong
furniture and hangings in keeping with its age
and historical interest. Most of the pieces are
of the Revolutionary period and have histories
In some cases II has been necessary 10 use
copies.
Whether or not Putnam Cottage was ever the
headquarters of General Putnam, il is certainly
old enough to have been. Standing amid the
costly dwellings of some Of GreenWich's wealthy
residents il presents contrast that attracts the
eve and holds the attention It is a low. shingled
structure. with scarcely style enough to warrant
the thought Of architecture. There are two
stories and a small attic. and at the east end
curious addition OF stone.
It is much better looking on the inside than 1t
is without. According to the data obtainable It
was erected some time between 1862 and 1I29
by one Timothy Knapp. From earliest times II
used as an inn. and Notwithstanding It's
nearly two hundred years Of existence 1t is to-
day IN a fair state of preservation. Through
purchased few years ago and presented to
Putnam Chapter, Daughters of the American
Revolution
At the time of the Revolutionary War in
which General Putnam made his famous dash
for liberty ii seems 10 have been owned by
Israel Knapp, a son of Timothy Knapp and con-
Quoted by him as an inn. Knapp was Tory
and that is one reason why the skept1cs main
tain that General Putnam meyer had his head
be meeting place Of those hostile to the pa
triots. Tradition has 1t that General Putnam,
having returned a short time previous from
ball, stood before a mirror in a south room
of this cottage shaving, early on the morning
of February 90 1719, when he saw the British
horsemen approaching over what is now Putnam
avenue. With one side of his face lathered he
fed to his horse, which happened TO be saddled
in the rear of the cottage, and in a twinkling
was galloping toward the Congregational meet
ing house, where his men drawn up to
meet the British. The force too small TO
offer effectual resistance, and General Putnam,
bidding the men dsperse. galoped off to the
east toward Stamford for reinforcements.
steep. rocky declivity, in the face of which were
cut rude stone steps for the convenience of
pedestrians The British. under Commander
Thomas Merritt, almost upon General
Putnam when he reached the brow of this hill.
The tradition has il that he turned his horse
toward the steps and without seconds hesita-
ton plunged down where the British dared not
follow. He was near the bottom of the hill
they recovered sufficiently from their astonish-
ment to fire on him. One of the bullets pierced
his hat. Turning in his saddle he shook his
fist at the redcoats and shouted, ''TI hang ye to
the next tree when | get yc." He rode on to
stamford and soon returned with reinforce
menJS and drove out the redCoats.
Some who have made careful investigation s.
sert that General Putnam did not ride down the
flight of stone steps but took course through
the rough rocks and underbrush of the hill that