James Putnam (1725 – October 23, 1789) was a judge and political figure in New Brunswick.
Putnam was born in Salem, Massachusetts, was educated at Harvard University and studied law with chief justice Edmund Trowbridge.
At the start of the American Revolution, Putnam left with the British army for New York and later went to Halifax, finally settling in Saint John, New Brunswick.
He was named to the province's Council in 1783 and served as a judge in the Supreme Court of New Brunswick until his death at the age of 64.
His son James served in the Nova Scotia assembly.