Pittypat was born Sarah Jane Hamilton in 1801, but was given her nickname by her father as a small child and it remained with her for the rest of her life. Upon the death of her brother, Col. William R. Hamilton, she became the legal guardian of her niece and nephew. Pittypat is known to be a silly, innocent and rather helpless person, beloved by Atlanta society and exposed to nothing that might shock her sensibilities. She is prone to swooning at the least sign of excitement, though this is more pretense than actual weakness of heart. In the film, she is portrayed by Laura Hope Crews.