Putnamville, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Putnamville, Indiana
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Putnamville United Methodist Church
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 Putnamville, Indiana
Location in Indiana
Putnamville, Indiana
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Putnam |
| Township | Warren |
| Elevation | 702 ft (214 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
46135
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| Area code(s) | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-62406 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2830507 |
Putnamville is a small community in Putnam County, Indiana. It is located in Warren Township within the U.S. state of Indiana.
Contents
History of Putnamville
Putnamville was founded in 1830. The community got its name from Putnam County. A post office opened in Putnamville in 1832. The town was started by James Townsend and people who had recently gained their freedom from slavery.
The Townsend Family's Role
Historians often talk about two groups of early Townsend families in Putnamville. One group is called the "Black Townsends." These were people who had been freed from slavery and took James Townsend's last name. The other group is the "White Townsends," who were James Townsend's blood relatives. The Townsend/Layman Museum in Putnamville is named after these families.
Who Were the Black Townsends?
The Black Townsends were the first Black settlers in Putnam County, Indiana. They played a very important part in building the community.
According to James Layman, who was James Townsend's grandson, some of these early settlers included Luke, Hetty, Amy, Tom, and Sibley. Sibley was the oldest of those who moved to Indiana. She was known for smoking a pipe even when she was over 90 years old. She was likely the mother of Luke Townsend.
Luke Townsend's Contributions
Luke Townsend was a very important person in Putnamville's history. Before he gained his freedom, he cared for James Townsend's daughter, Mary. Luke Townsend started the first Sunday School in Putnam County. He also helped create the church that became Bethel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Greencastle, Indiana. This church was once the largest Black church in Indiana. People remembered Luke Townsend as "one of the best citizens the county has had."
Luke Townsend had five children. One of his sons, Robert Townsend, fought in the American Civil War. He was part of the 28th United States Colored Infantry Regiment. Another son helped in an important court case in the late 1800s. This case was the first time a white person was found guilty of a crime in Putnam County based on the words of a Black citizen. Luke Townsend's son Jay was still alive in 1933 and was known as one of "Greencastle's most respected citizens."
Who Were the White Townsends?
James Townsend also had biological children and grandchildren who made important contributions. His son, John Selby Townsend, later became a politician in Iowa. He served in the Iowa General Assembly and was a county attorney.
James Townsend's grandson, James Robert Townsend, was the first American man to complete teacher training with Maria Montessori. She was a famous educator. Another grandson, James Layman, served in the Indiana State Senate.
Geography of Putnamville
Putnamville is located where two main roads meet. These are U.S. Route 40 and State Road 243.
Images for kids
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Putnamville United Methodist Church
