Major-General George Dean-Pitt, KH[1] (1781[2] or 1772[3][4] – 8 January 1851) was Lieutenant-Governor of the former New Zealand Province of New Ulster from 14 February 1848 to his death on 8 January 1851.[2]

Early life

He was born George Dean, the illegitimate son of George Pitt, 2nd Baron Rivers.[5]

During his military career before arriving in New Zealand, Dean-Pitt, at the time a Major, was stationed (January – September 1828) at Malta with the 80th Regiment of Foot (Staffordshire Volunteers).[6]

Arrival in New Zealand

Dean-Pitt arrived with his family on the barque Minerva at Auckland on 8 October 1847.[3] 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.[7]

Personal life

In 1818 he married Susan Baillie (1797–1875) in Bristol, England.[citation needed] In 1819 he adopted the surname Dean-Pitt by Royal Licence.[citation needed]

Children

References

  1. ^ Knight, Hanoverian Order. (see: Lundy, Darryl. "A list of some Honours recipients". The Peerage.[unreliable source])
  2. ^ a b List of Leaders of former New Zealand Provinces
  3. ^ a b "Arrivals on the Minerva 1847". Archived from the original on 27 October 2009. Retrieved 5 October 2007.((cite web)): CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  4. ^ "Cemetery Records – Symonds Street and St Stephens". Auckland Council. Retrieved 28 September 2011.
  5. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "Brief Biography at thepeerage.com George Snr". The Peerage.[unreliable source]
  6. ^ "The British Army Garrison in Malta. 1828 – 1865". Archived from the original on 29 May 2007. Retrieved 5 October 2007.
  7. ^ "Major General George Dean Pitt". Karangahape Road Business Association. Retrieved 4 October 2020.
  8. ^ a b c Marriages mentioned in The New Zealander 1843–1890
  9. ^ "Lt.-Gen. George Dean-Pitt, C.B". Geni. 30 April 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  10. ^ Lundy, Darryl. "Brief Biography at thepeerage.com George Jnr". The Peerage.[unreliable source]


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