of 



By the Rev. A. C. ALMACK, M.A. 



far as I have been able to discover, the 

 connection of the Pitt family with the 

 parish of Blandford S. Mary begins with 

 the purchase of the advowson of the Rectory 

 by Thomas Pitt, of Blandford Forum, in 

 1644 or '45. The previous owner was Robt. 

 Ryves, who purchased it from Thos. Arundell, 

 who was the original purchaser from the 

 King after the Dissolution of S. Mary's Nunnery in Clerken- 

 well, to which house the manor and advowson previously 

 belonged. This Thomas Pitt lived at Blandford, and was 

 a brother of Sir W. Pitt, of Stratfieldsaye, in Berks, who 

 was also owner of Steepleton, and from whom the Pitt-Rivers 

 family are descended. Thomas Pitt bought the living of 

 St. Mary's for the benefit of his son John in July, 1645. 

 The Induction is duly entered in the register, and followed 

 by the statement that he read and assented to the Articles 

 of the Convocation of 1562. Of course this was in the troublous 

 time of the Civil Wars ; but John Pitt does not seem to have 



