![]() One hundred and thirty-three years later (1972) the residents of Pittsfield Township voted to become a charter township and the name was changed once more to "Pittsfield Charter Township.” This name was retained until 22 March 1839 when it was changed to "Pittsfield Township" by act of the Michigan State Legislature. The Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan passed the Act enabling the organization of the "Township of Pitt" on 7 March 1834. Such admiration and respect was inspired by the great British orator and statesman, fifty years after his death, that the Township was named "Pitt Township" by its residents. His suggestion was seconded by Roderick Rowley, a resident of Section 36 (the present area west of Munger and Bemis Roads). Finally, Ezra Carpenter (his homestead was located in Section 11 - the present area southwest of Carpenter and Packard Roads) offered the name of "Pitt," for William Pitt, Earl of Chatham (see below). ![]() Some of the names proposed were too long to suit the majority. At this meeting there were 13 people present, each of whom chose the name of the town from which he had come. Prior to the organization of the township, a meeting was held at the McCracken schoolhouse for the purpose of selecting a name. The township of Pittsfield was organized according to the act of the Territorial Council, in 1834, its first town meeting being held in April of that year. By 1830, the land had been divided between Ann Arbor, Ypsilanti, and Saline Townships, as follows: two and one-half miles on the north was connected with Ann Arbor the west half of the remainder to Saline, and the east half to Ypsilanti. The population consisted of mostly immigrants from eastern states such as New York and Pennsylvania. This area, which was part of Wayne County, became Ann Arbor Township in 1827. For a list of patentees from the 1820s and early 1830s, please see 1820/1830s List of Owners by Section. Since little land was taken by speculators, it was acquired and settled quickly by individual landowners. ![]() Government land in the township was rapidly taken after Noyes purchased his lot in May 1824. Most of this area now has been annexed into the City of Ann Arbor. Section 10 is located between Platt and Stone School Roads, bordered by Packard Road on the north and Ellsworth Road on the south. Noyes in what is now Township Section 10. In 1824, the first purchase of federal land in what later would become Pittsfield Township was made by Geo. In his autobiography, Black Hawk also records coming through the township to fight on behalf of the British during the War of 1812. In the early 1800s, the famous Sauk Indian chief, Black Hawk, crossed through Pittsfield Township with other indians from the junction of the Rock River and Mississippi River (in Illinois) on their annual trip to Malden (in Canada) to receive tribute payments from the British.
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