West Virginia was simply a part of Virginia from the early times up until the beginning of the Civil War. The northern and western Counties of Virginia did not want to leave the Union to join the Confederacy.
In 1775, Virginia established the west Augusta District which included all of West Virginia and part of southwest Pennsylvania. After the Mason Dixon Line was established, Virginia relinquished its claim on the Pennsylvania portion and Pennsylvania dropped any claim it may have had on West Virginia. In 1861, fifty of Virginia's western colonies applied for admittance to the Union and this was granted in 1863. West Virginia became the 35th State.
All records prior to 1863 are Virginia records. The Virginia Census data through the 1860 census should be referred to for information on West Virginia.
There were several Putman families in this Virginia/West Virginia area from the late 1700s all through the 1800s. This section is an attempt to shed some light on the matter and to try and sort them all out. Here goes!
JOHN PUTMAN of Kanawha County
THE PUTMANS of Gilmer & Braxton Counties
THE PUTNAMS of Ritchie County
ERNESTUS PUTMAN of Jefferson County
PETER PUTMAN of Hampshire County
