PITT, GEORGE DEAN (1781-1851) was born in Ireland. He received his first commission in the 42nd Regiment in 1805 and transferred to the 96th. (Captain, 1809; major, 1814; lieutenant-colonel 80th Regiment, 1837; major-general 1846.) He saw service at the capture of the Danish West Indies (1807), at Martinique (1809) and in the Peninsula (1811-14), being present at Albuera, Vittoria, Pampeluna, the Pyrenees and the siege of Badajoz. (C.B.; K.H.) After some time as inspecting field officer in Great Britain he was appointed to the command in New Zealand (1847). He took the oath as lieutenant-governor of New Ulster (14 Feb 1848) and assumed office when Sir George Grey left the province in Aug and Nov. In Aug 1849 he was rewarded for distinguished service and in the same year was called to the Legislative Council. Pitt died in office on 8 Jan 1851. He was a Knight of the Royal Hanoverian Guelphic Order. The name of 'Pitt' was assumed in 1818, in which year he married Susan Baillie. A daughter married General J. H. Laye, G.I. His eldest son, GEORGE DEAN PITT, who was an ensign in the 48th Regiment (1839) and was promoted captain in the 80th Regiment (1849), was private secretary to his father as lieut-governor of New Ulster (1848). In 1863 he proceeded to Australia with F. D. Bell and Gorst to raise volunteers for the Waikato war. The first Waikato Regiment, of which he was gazetted lieut-colonel in Jun, was known as 'Pitt's Four Hundred.' He was afterwards assistant military secretary and later was in the office of the Keeper of the Crown jewels.

The second son, WILLIAM AUGUSTUS DEAN (1833-90) was an ensign in the 60th Rifles (1852); transferred to the 55th as lieutenant (1856), and sold out in 1857 to settle in Australia. He married a daughter of the Hon J. T. Gellibrand and was prominent in organising the Victorian volunteers. Pitt came to New Zealand in 1864 and took up land at Blueskin, Otago, a few years later. In 1886 he moved to Auckland.

N.Z. Gaz., 1848-51; P.R.O., W.O. 42.38.205; Army Lists; Gudgeon, 211; Buckingham and Chandos papers, Brit. Mus., 1862-64; Cowan; New Zealander, 11 Jan 1851; N.Z. Herald, 10 Nov 1890, 9 Jul 1926; Poverty Bay Herald, 5 Jan 1924.

Reference: Volume 2, page 88

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