what happened to the putnams in the past?

They basically lost seven of their eight children at birth. The wife of Thomas Putnam, Ann suspects that there is some paranormal reason for the stillborn deaths of seven of her children and blames Rebecca Nurse.

Thomas Putnam has been involved in multiple land disputes. He has often laid claim to others' land in hopes of gaining it for his own without paying for it. This why Francis Nurse and John Proctor don't like him or believe him.