A few of the New England Putnams and some Dutch Putmans from New York State ventured up North during the mid 1700s. A few more, especially the New England English ones, headed up as the Revolution started as they were Loyalists. But then after all was settled between the various Colonies, and the American Revolution was resolved, a bunch more went up there for greener pastures. By the early 1800s and for the next half century a great many headed to Canada. There are tons there still today.
Most settled on the Coast or within a throwing distance of the border, kinda like everyone else in Canada. But as they decided the winters were too cold or there was better farm lands to the South, they stared dropping back over the Customs Border to farm and work in Northern New England, New York and Especially Michigan.
As they drifted back in the mid 1800s, they kinda got us confused as to who the heck they were. When I started doing all the U. S. Censuses, especially in Michigan, I got rather lost. Fortunately others knew who most of them were. But not all. There were a few censuses in Canada that are available, and I am giving them my best shot (with a heck of a lot of help from a bunch of others).
Rand Putnam, Matt Putnam, Robert Putnam, Lynn Gill, Mark Putnam, and others have a better grasp than I do. But, after all I am only barely related to the New England guys and not remotely to the Dutch guys from New York State. Thanks to these folks, this section may actually be helpful.
I'll first list the available Census Reports, with our comments as usual, and then set up a section of sorta group sheets on the lines that headed up to collect Maple Leaves and Snowballs.
Early Tax & Census Data
Canadian Census 1851
Canadian Census 1861
Canadian Census 1871
Canadian Census 1881
Canadian Census 1891
Canadian Census 1901
Canadian Census 1906
Canadian Census 1911
Canadian Census 1916
Canadian Census 1921