Forum Topic

Pitzhanger

Has anyone noticed how the  Ealing Gazette and the cheap publication that the council sends round always spells Pitshanger wrongly? Either they know something about the history of the area that I don't, or they're just plain sloppy. I suspect it's the latter.

Richard Williams ● 6508d8 Comments

yes they're taking the pitz

Al Stuart ● 6508d

On that note why is the Manor in Walpole Park and not Pitzzzzzzhanger?

Diane Gill ● 6508d

It only applies to Pitzhanger Manor House in Walpole Park which has reverted to the name adopted by the owner John Soane 1800-1810 who rebuilt the house (apart from one wing) and added to the grounds. I`ve always known the House as Walpole Library!            www.soane.org.uk

Robert Darke ● 6508d

-Thomas Gurnell owned Pitts (or Pits) Hanger Manor Farm and a modest house in the Meadvale Road area circa 1765 and acquired the grander Walpole Park house by marriage, calling it Pitshanger Place.

Robert Darke ● 6508d

Geographers'A-Z Company Limited spells it with an 's'.Peter Hounsell, author of 'Ealing and Hanwell Past' and 'The Ealing Book' spells it with an 's'. (My 1896 Ordnance Survey map just calls the building 'Manor House').So... I think perhaps the 'z' purists are on a hiding to nothing.

Eric Alan Leach ● 6507d

Pitshanger (as in Lane etc.) is spelt "Pitshanger" but Pitzhanger Manor (Ealing Green) is with a "z" - someone did explain this to me once but it has now slipped my mind!

Ian Green ● 6507d

It may be that the correct (earlier) name for what is currently known as Pitshanger,is Pitch Hanger.A hanger being a wood on sloping ground and pitch being the original name for the resin from certain coniferous trees,used for waterproofing "stuff".The first of these three maps (L to R) shows Pitch Hanger,as does the 1890 OS map.http://www.british-history.ac.uk/image.aspx?compid=22574&filename=fig11.gif&pubid=89

Tony Wood ● 6507d

Tony, That is a clearcut explanation of Pitch Hanger and the maps useful too! I should think the small usage and reliance on word of mouth with high illiteracy would have helped these sort of changes.Amazingly came across a copy of Charles Sturges, Vicar of Ealing`s map of 1777 made with churchwardens William Clary and David Roberts. They show "Thomas Gurnell Esq" as landowner/farmer of "Pitch-Hanger Farm" and there are several conifers drawn around three squares representing the buildings.Now I realise why the swimming baths are named Gurnell! 

Robert Darke ● 6491d