Like many suburban names in Sydney, Pittwater is a nod to our British heritage.
Many readers would know that the body of water we call Pittwater was named by Governor Philip in 1788 in honour of the then-serving Prime Minister of Great Britain, William Pitt the Younger.
Pitt was called “the Younger” to distinguish him from his father who had also been Prime Minister.
Coincidentally it was and remains the case that, when elected in 1784 at the age of 24, he was Great Britain’s youngest Prime Minister. He served for 16 years, until 1800, was re-elected again in 1804, but died in office just two years later in 1806, at age 46.
Pitt died from a peptic ulcer brought on by his conspicuous consumption of port. Known as “a three bottle man” – the quantity that he drank each day – his addiction had started at age 14 when a doctor prescribed port to help with a medical condition.
As well as the water body, he is remembered via Pitt Town on the Hawkesbury and Pitt Street in the city. Speaking of roads, while it is obvious why ‘our’ Pittwater Road has its name, you may wonder why there is a Pittwater Road at Ryde.
The answer is because it was the original road to Pittwater. If you look at your street directory or Google map, you will find that it commences near Punt Road on the Parramatta River at Gladesville, which in turn is opposite the end of the Great North Road at Abbotsford.
Heading north on Pittwater Road in Ryde, you come to Epping Road. If you continue just a short distance north, along the route today of the M2, you hit Lane Cove Road. This, as you no doubt know, then takes you to Gordon, St Ives and eventually to Mona Vale and Pittwater. This was the original land route from Sydney to Pittwater.
Richard Michell is the vice-president of the Manly, Warringah and Pittwater Historical Society and the secretary of Friends of Dee Why Lagoon. Visit mwphs.org.au and fodyl.au respectively.