Major General George Dean Pitt (1781 or 1772 – 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.

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 (Staffordshire Volunteers) 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