Help - Scenic/Theatre Artists in 1840's

[jomcd967]

Hi Yendis,

I have everything I need from the Australian papers, it's England I need to find him in. I have access to Gale and have searched there, but as you can imagine with name William Pitt, everything relates to the former Prime Minister! I have tried all versions of search criteria and the closest I get is the W Pitt mentioned on earlier post.

Thank you for your suggestion though,

Cheers, Jo 

[gracie23]

Could this article be of interest to you Jo?


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Pitt_%28architect%29

Especially this part of the article:
"William Pitt was born in 1855 two years after his parents William Pitt, an artist, and Jane, née Dixon emigrated to Australia from Sunderland in England"

Deb

[jomcd967]

Thanks Deb,

The William that was born in 1855 was a very successful architect, there is plenty available about him. He is the son of the William that I am looking for. I know that he and Jane (his defacto - I have all I need on Jane) left Sunderland, Durham to come to Australia on the Birman in 1853. I am fine on everything after 1853, it is his life in England prior to then that is a mystery. Unfortunately he and Jane never married so I can't get parentage from a marriage certificate and he is nowhere to be found in 1841 or 1851.

Cheers,

Jo 

[maidmarianoops]

will this fit

sylvia
Births and Baptisms  Old Independent Meeting House  Northamptonshire from [Chapel/Registry]
Full Name William Pitts
 Baptism   6 Feb 1820
Birth21 Oct 1819
Registration Date
Registration Town/County Wollaston
Ceremony  by D Hennell


Richard Pitts
Mother
Ruth Pitts
father
William Pitts
Baptism 6 February 1820

TNA ReferenceRG4 / Piece 2047 / Folio 6

[jomcd967]

Thanks Sylvia,

Definitely a possibility, I will have another look through the censuses using that birthplace and see what happens. The areas of birth that I have focused on are London - based on working at the Lyceum, Durham - based on Jane's birthplace/life, Birmingham - based on previously mentioned Pitt family of artists from there, and Devon - based on several of William's artworks in Australia having Devon in the title??? I think I really need a census result on him to work from but seem to be unable to find one. I really appreciate your efforts on my behalf.

Cheers, Jo 

[hanes teulu]

Re Gales on line did you find

Lloyds Weekly London Newspaper Apr 16 1843
City of London Theatre .... The scenery will be all new, executed by Mr J Pitt of the Adelphi Theatre

You mention his father was also a scenic artist. Unfortunately, only an initial available for this gentleman.

There are references to a Pitt, scenery designer, post 1853 - indicating at least 2 in the business around this time.

regards

[jorose]

http://www.emich.edu/english/adelphi_calendar/mgmt.htm
Pitt, Thomas H - at the Adelphi from 1824 to 1858.
There is a Thomas Pitt, artist, aged 35 in 1841 - with wife Mary Ann and possible mother Sophia.
Could be a brother?

His death is recorded in newspapers, he died 18th August 1873, described as Thomas Henry Pitt, aged 70, artist, died at 58, Westbourne-road North, Barnsbury. Connected with these theatres: Royal, Adelphi and Drury-Lane.

He is at 58 Westbourne road in 1871 - place of birth given as Croydon (confirmed by 1861).

[jomcd967]

I found the obituary for Thomas Henry Pitt and the theatre references, he is generally referred to as T.H. Pitt. I would like to think that they are related somehow? Can I ask what the other references post 53 were hanes? I must have missed some. I have been unable to find TH Pitt s birth in Croydon, would love to as it might give me a starting point. The theatre is definitely where I need to be looking. Does anyone know of any collections relating to London theatres in that time frame? You guys are so good at thinking outside the box or suggesting unheard of and obscure avenues. So appreciated.

Regards,
Jo 

[jomcd967]

 Great site Jorose, I hadn't seen this - had been looking for the Lyceum. Did you notice Miss Pitt as costume designer, maybe I should look for her?

Thank you, Jo