Putman Cemetery Tennessee
(Photo courtesy of Charles Turner Neal, Brentwood, TN)
Putman Cemetery located at 3316 Vestry Dr. Murfreesboro, Tennessee 37129
Putman Cemetery in Rutherford County, Tennessee
September 10, 2004, Kim Denny listed the Putnam (name misspelled) Cemetery of Rutherford County, Tennessee on the internet. She used the same names and dates as above and said it was located in the backyard of a home on Vestry Ave. She included a picture of the back yard with tombstones under a tree. July 2006, Charles Turner Neal, great-great grandson of Joseph Gordon Putman located the cemetery. From Smyrna, Tennessee: go East on 266 (W. Jefferson Pike), cross 840, turn left on Powells Chapel Road, turn left on Dunmire Drive, turn right on Vestry Ave. There is a house at 3318 Vestry and a house at 3314 Vestry. It would appear that 3316 Vestry was set aside for this Putman cemetery. There is a chain link fence with gate that surrounds the cemetery on what would be lot 3316 Vestry that extends across the back yard of 3314 Vestry. Someone appears to be taking care of the cemetery lot but we have not found out who it is. I am sending a picture of the stones located under a large tree that Charles Neal says is over 100 years old. The tree has upended most the stones. This was once Joseph Gordon Putman's farm that was sold to the John's family. In 1971, it was listed as Dayton John's farm. Charles Neal said 300 acres, that included the cemetery, were recently sold by the John's family. It is now a subdivision. Please credit the pictures to Charles Turner Neal Jr., Brentwood, Tennessee
 Mary E. Robertson, Died 1909 Come Ye Blessed Mary E. wife of C.A. Robertson July 21 1839 - Dec, 6 1909 We will meet again |
 Lucina S. Consort of J.G. Putman born Jan 24 1815 Died Feb 8 1878 |
 C.A.Robertson Born Feb.29, 1831 Died Nov.14, 1906 An honest man the noblest work of God |
 Elizabeth Clopton age 83 years (ca. 1810- 1893) Elizabeth Ann Heard was Lucina's sister and was married to John A. Clopton |
Genealogical Research by Betty Riley
1805 - Walter Clopton acreage and location not listed Capt. Fanviel's Militia District which included Fall Creek. (Tax List of Wilson Co., TN 1803-1807, compiled by Thomas E. Partlow, Gen. Pub. Co., 1981 p. 41) 1806 - Walter Clopton 640 A on Fall Creek. (ibid p. 85) 1807 - Walter Clopton 640 A Fall Creek (ibid p. 130)1816 - 29 Nov., This indenture made between Walter Clopton and Margaret Bond, both of Wilson County, Tennessee. $900. for a certain parcel or tract of land lying and being in Wilson Co., TN on the waters of Fall Creek beginning at an ash, at southeast corner to Roger Quarles, running north with said Quarles line to a dogwood and ironwood in said Clopton's south boundary line, thence east with said line of creek, thence up the meanders of said creek to Patrick Florida's corner, a white ash on the line of Henderson's line, thence south with said Florida's line to said Florida's corner a white ash in the lien of Henderson's heirs, thence west with said line a direct corner to the beginning. Containing 263 acres more or less. Witnesses: A. Harvess (?) (the ? is the transcribers, it was probably A. Harris), Walter Clopton, Jr., Enos T. Allen. Deed registered April 5, 1817. Wilson County, Tennessee Deed Book F P335.
1820 US Census Statesville, Wilson County, Tennessee: Walter Clopton.
Margaret Bond is the mother of Rachel Bond who married Jahu Putman.
Rachel and Jahu's son, Joseph Gordon Putman, married first, Lucinda (Lucina) S. Heard, daughter of Samuel and Mary "Polly" Roberts Heard.
Samuel Heard b. 1777 married Mary Roberts 29 September in Greene County, Georgia. They moved to Bedford County, Tennessee.
Lucinda's sister, Elizabeth Ann Heard, married John A. Clopton, son of this Walter Clopton. This is the Elizabeth Heard Clopton who is buried in the Putman Cemetery with her sister, Lucinda. Her stone reads only "Elizabeth Clopton, age 83." According to the family, she and John had no children. In the 1880 US Census, District 5, Rutherford County, Tennessee she was age 70, living with Caleb and Mary Putman Robertson (dau. of Joseph and Lucinda Heard Putman) listed as "Aunt." Combined data gives her birth year as 1810 and death date as 1893.
Samuel Bonaparte Heard was brother of Lucinda Heard Putman and Elizabeth Heard Clopton. He married Mary Ann Hiles. They had a daughter named Eliza C. Heard. Eliza C. married first a man named Tilford. Tilford died and Eliza C. "Kate" was living with her father and step-mother in Wartrace, Bedford County, Tennessee at the time of the 1880 US Census. This is our "Cousin Kate" who was the second wife of Joseph Gordon Putman. She was supporting herself as a dressmaker.
1850 US Census District 25, Bedford County, Tennessee: S.B. Heard 28 b. Georgia, Blacksmith worth $400.; wife Mary Ann 29; Eliza (our "Cousin Kate") 6; James 4; Joseph 3; William 1; living with them was James Rufred age 22 a Blacksmith.
1860 US Census District 3, Bedford County, Tennessee: Sam B. Heard 37, born in Georgia, Merchant $1700. Real Estate and $7000. Personal Estate. Wife, Mary A 38 born TN; Eliza C. 17 b. TN; James L. 13; Joseph S. 12; William 10; Virginia 8.
1880 US Census Wartrace, Bedford County, Tennessee: S.B. Heard 58, Post Man; wife Cleretine Heard 28 "deceased" ; wife, Elisabeth Heard 51; Kate Tilford 39 daughter, widow, "Millenry"; Wm. Heard son 28; Laura Heard daughter 19.