Second from Right, West Side: Putnam/Phelps

Not much is known about this window. It is another narrow lancet that includes as the central motif a painted scene of a man and woman on a boat as it crosses a body of water. It could have depicted a boat captain and his wife. The woman appears to be pointing toward a structure on the shore, perhaps indicating a safe harbor. The green background is intensified by a blue sky that grows darker the higher it goes. The woman also appears to be with child. At the top oval section is a tracery set in a gold leaf look. It contains an oil lamp with leaves and flowers as adornment. The bright appearance of this upper part is in sharp contrast to the more subdued look of the scene below. At the bottom are two inscribed words, “Putnam” and “Phelps.”

This window was in memory of Captain Hiram Putnam and his daughter’s family, the Dudley Phelps. Miss Anna (Putnam) Phelps was a great teacher and did much for our religious education program. Captain Putnam was a great captain at sea and was known as the “seaman type.” He came to Syracuse in 1829 and was a prominent citizen. He was a village Trustee in 1832 and 1841 and assessor in 1834 and 1836. He also was a partner with T. A. Fitch in the drug business, and was officially connected with banks in the community. Hiram was part of the original members of the church in 1839. He was instrumental in the calling of Sam May as minister and also was a pall bearer at Rev. May’s funeral. He also was active in the underground railroad. He died November 8, 1874.