Family background
Charles Joseph Pittman was born c1857. He married Catherine Cranney (1854-1933) on 20 July 1881 in Sydney, NSW and they had 4 sons and 2 daughters. Charles Joseph Pittman died on 12 June 1937 at Ashfield, NSW, aged 80 years and he was cremated at the Rookwood Crematorium. He lived at 178 Morehead Street, Redfern (1903)
Occupation & interests
Pittman was a coach builder. In 1905 a case was proceeded against Pittman for withholding the wages of an apprentice in his employ following a dispute that had arisen under the indentures. In the Abstracts of Specifications of Patents issued from the Patents Office, Sydney, during December 1891, Charles Joseph Pittman was issued a patent in respect of an improved method of hanging doors of broughams, hansom cabs, or similar vehicles. The doors were so arranged as to be under the control of the driver, and may be opened and closed at will.
Community activity
Charles Joseph Pittman was President of the Waterloo branch of the Australian Democratic Union (1913). He was a Freemason and a member of Lodge Sunny South No 19 UGL of NSW. Pittman was also a justice of the peace (JP). In 1905, Pittman had the status of Waterloo Town Hall examined. The Zetland estate on which the town hall was built, was leased by the Cooper family for 99 years from 1880 to Waterloo Council. Pittman confirmed that the site remained under leasehold. Some thought Mayor Hogan had acquired freehold title about 1882.
Local government service
Charles Joseph Pittman was an alderman on Waterloo Council in 1901-07 representing North Ward. He was mayor in 1905.
References
‘Municipal Nominations’, The Sydney Morning Herald, 30 January 1901 p.4, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/14367693
‘Land Question at Waterloo’, Evening News, 7 July 1905, p.8, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/114470585
‘Employer and Apprentice’, Argyle Liberal and District Recorder, 23 June 1905, p.2, http://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/99654051