Salem Village and the Putnam's

In 1667, farmers in Salem village petitioned the general court to become independent. The Putnam's and Porter brothers were on opposite sides of the issue. In 1670, Salem town voted to build a new meeting house that served double duty as a community gathering place. They also wanted to levy more taxes to raise the necessary funds for the building. But the Putnam's refused to hand over any more wealth to the town.