Israel Putnam was born January 7, 1728 in Danvers, Mass. Israel Putnam didn't like to study and as a result he lacked much formal education. Israel Putnam married Hannah Pope who was from Salem Mass., in 1739.

Israel moved his wife and new son to the wilderness of Connecticut to look for a new life. He bought land from the Governor in a part of Mortlake Manor which was later to become the town of Brooklyn. Israel destroyed a wolf that was killing sheep in the area with the help of some local men.

Israel was one of the first men to volunteer in the British Army when the French and Indian War broke out. Israel also became famous in the Revolutionary War when he was second in command to General George Washington. He came back to Brooklyn to live. He was active in his church and died on May 19,1790, after a 2 day illness.