the county was made in 1760 from beaufort county, though the legislative act that created it did not become effective until january 1, 1761. it was named for william pitt the elder, who was then secretary of state for the southern department and leader of the house of commons. william pitt was an english statesman and orator, born in london, england. he studied at oxford university and in 1731 joined the army. pitt led the young "patriot" whigs and in 1756 became secretary of state, where he was a pro-freedom speaker in british colonial government.