Charles Putnam was born in Chesham in 1833, and he learned bootmaking when he was apprenticed to Reuben Clark in Hammersmith. In 1861 he married Mary Ann Clark at St Martin's in the Fields, London, and he was then living at 137 Drury Lane. They moved to Chesham, and the following year their son Philip was born, followed by, Thomas, Joseph, Charles, Frank Henry, George Wilson, James, William Clarke, Sydney Augustus, and Maud Marian in 1881. Charles senior was a boot maker employing three men. He moved to Lambeth, but died in 1889, and Mary Ann remained there, living with some of her children.

The three eldest boys had become teachers, and Charles junior was an office boy in 1881, but ten years later Charles was a grocer's assistant to Mr. Yarrow, of 225 High Street, St. Paul's, Deptford.

Charles Putnam junior moved to Rushden sometime in the 1890s, where he married Emma Knight in 1899, the daughter of Samuel Knight, draper, and Sarah his wife. Charles was a partner in the Tailby and Putnam grocery stores. At first they lived at 11 Irchester Road, later moving to ‘Ormidale’ in Victoria Road. They had five children, Stewart, Ray, Charles, Doreen and Marie.

Fixtures at 11 Irchester Road, invoiced by Mr. W. B. Madin, town surveyor and architect, in 1899 were: £ s d Venetian Blinds to front windows 2 10 - Other blinds - - - Latch on Front door & two keys 3 6 7 picture hooks 9 Water barrel 2 6 Fruit trees, Rose tress, &c &c in Garden 7 6 2 Shelves in Middle Room & 1 in small Bedroom 3 6 Coal 5 - £ 3 12 9 Settled 8th Nov 1899 W B Madin

Charles was examined by the Medical Board, to register for National Service, on 5th July 1918. He was found to be Grade 2, and was 5’ 1¾” tall, with grey hair and would be aged 51 the following month.

In 1915 Charles Putnam bought the company of P Collins & Co, following the deaths of Percy Collins, and Henry Collins. Four of his children, Doreen Maud, Stewart Augustus, Frank Raymond and Marie Louise were the company directors, along with their father. The company was re-titled Putnam Ltd. in 1965.

Charles Edward Putnam (born 1902), Charles' eldest son, married Betty Botwright (born 1918) in 1937. Together they ran the Tailby and Putnam shop in Newton Road, Rushden. They had two children, Judy and Stewart.