George Dean Pitt


George Dean Pitt was Lieutenant-Governor of the former New Zealand Province of New Ulster from 14 February 1848 to his death on 8 January 1851.

Early life

He was born George Dean, the illegitimate son of George Pitt, 2nd Baron Rivers. In 1819 he adopted the surname Dean Pitt by Royal Licence.
Major Dean Pitt was stationed at Malta with the 80th Regiment of Foot from January to September 1828.

Arrival in New Zealand

Dean Pitt arrived with his family on the barque Minerva at Auckland on 8 October 1847. He was the second most important military man in the new colony during the governorship of George Grey. His son and two of his sons-in-law were part of the military establishment as well. His residence was located in Pitt Street, which had originally been called Pyt Street after a childhood home of the first governor William Hobson, it is likely the spelling changed because of Dean Pitt's presence.
Ill for some time, he died on 8 January 1851 while Lieutenant-Governor and was buried with full military honours in the Symonds Street Cemetery in Auckland. A number of retail businesses in Auckland closed for the day of his funeral.

Personal life

He married Susan Baillie at St James' Church, Bristol, England, on 21 May 1818.

Children

  • Georgina Dean Pitt Born at Clifton
  • Emelia Marie Dean Pitt Born at Edinburgh. m. 23 May 1848 at St. Paul's Church, Auckland, Captain J. H. Laye
  • George Dean Pitt Born at Cheltenham. m. 22 November 1842 Louisa Jones
  • Georgiana Dean Pitt
  • Louisa Dean Pitt Born at Malta. m. 18 November 1848 Lieutenant George Hyde Page, at St. Paul's Church, Auckland
  • Susan Dean Pitt Born at Malta.
  • Douglas Charles Dean Pitt Born in Ireland. m. 10 December 1878 Alice Antoinette Birdwood at Mahableshwar, Bombay, India.
  • Charlotte Marcia Dean Pitt Born at Malta. m. 18 November 1848 Captain Charles Lavallin Nugent, at St. Paul's Church, Auckland
  • William Augustus Dean Pitt m. 11 June 1863 Anne Isabella Lloyd Gellibrand at Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. He was buried in Symonds Street Cemetery next to his father.
  • Clara Eliza Dean Pitt Born at Bristol. Died at Kensington, England, unmarried.
  • Susan Dean Pitt