George Dean Pitt

Who was George Dean Pitt?

Major-General 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. His father was George Pitt, 2nd Baron Rivers.

During his military career before arriving in New Zealand, Pitt, at the time a Major, was stationed at Malta with the 80th Regiment of Foot.

Married Susan Baillie

Pitt arrived with his family on the barque Minerva at Auckland on 8 October 1847.

Pitt 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.

He died while Lieutenant-Governor and was buried in the Symonds Street Cemetery in Auckland.