Dr. Thomas Pitts was killed in a gun accident. A news article posted on his Find a Grave site explains the situation, "This well known physician, formerly of of 69 Orchard street, but more recently of No. 2 Rutgers street, was suddenly deprived of existence last evening in the following matter. He had been on a hunting excursion in New Jersey, and had returned about dusk. While passing up Centre street, in his gig, in which was his dog and double-barreled gun, as he was in the act of crossing the bars of the Harlem railroad, one of the barrels of the gun exploded, and the contents entered his right side, the reins were loosed from his hands, the horse became restive, and before the bystanders could discover the cause of the explosion, the unfortunate sufferer had breathed his last." Mentioned in 18391209SSS_WHS: "Dr Pitts delivered your Burt safe on Saturday evening after he left you, by candlelight, we did not think so much of it, but the next morning we were delighted. It is the second one of the kind I ever was pleased with. It stands on the shelf with your Ma and myself. The Dr was immensely gratified with the safe delivery of the charge. He will deliver your Umbrella to you. Doctor Pitts has sanguine hopes of obtaining his office. He certainly is rising fast in reputation amongst his political friends in this County. I still think the appointment would be good."