Putnam was born in Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts. In 1740 he moved to northeastern Connecticut.

Places named for Israel Putnam:

• Putnam, Connecticut
• Putnam County, Florida (It is not certain as to whether this one was named for Israel Putnam. There is also a possibility that it was named for Benjamin A. Putnam, an officer in the First Seminole War and local Florida politician.)
• Putnam County, Georgia
• Putnam County, Illinois
• Putnam County, Indiana
• Putnam County, Missouri
• Putnam County, New York
• Putnam County, Ohio
• Putnam County, Tennessee
• Putnam County, West Virginia