Richard Young (MP)

He was born on 22 March 1809 the son Mary (nee Spickings) and Mr. John Younge (sic) (died 1851), of Scarning, Norfolk. Richard's grandfather, John had farmed in Emneth and Walsoken until he moved to North Norfolk about 1780.[2]

Aged 28 he was appointed Keeper of the North Level Sea Sluice and Surveyor of the North Level Main Drain.[3] In 1848 he was advertising 'PURE SPALDING'S RED SEED WHEAT may be had of Mr. Richard Young, North Sluice, Wisbech, at 7s. 6d. per bushel, ready money. The above wheat is now lying at his South Marsh Farm, near Sutton Bridge.'[4]

He was dwelling at Tydd St Mary and the Receiver of rates for the Commissioner's of the Nene Outfall in 1849. [5] After the death of his father, John Young's estates in Walsoken were put up for auction in eight lots at the White Horse Inn, Wisbech on 12 June, 1852. [6]

In July 1852 Young was advertising the sale of Guano imported from Ichaboe Island by his ships into Sutton Bridge. [7] In 1853 the family moved from the North Level Sluice House to Osborne House, according to his son Edmund Pear Young.[8]

In 1856 he topped the poll for the South Ward to become a town councillor, was elected mayor in 1858, Alderman in 1859 as well as mayor in 59, 60, 61 & 62. He had been nominated as mayor in November 1857, the mayor T.S.Watson and another member were also nominated and Young withdrew his nomination.[9]

At the opening of the Mission House, Tydd St.Mary Fen in July 1859 Young is reported as saying that it was 25 years since he had been associated with the parish and that he had been church Warden under Rev. Charles Ash. [10]

His eldest son was Edward Pear Young (died 1866), another son born on 26 January 1861, was baptised Harry Austin Lindsay Young on 16 April 1861 in the third year of his mayoralty.[11][12] As was the custom at that time for a chief magistrate, whose wife gave birth to a son, the parents were presented with a silver cradle. This was in the form of a nautilus shell, on the top of the cradle was engraved the arms of the borough and on the side an inscription. [13]

In October 1863 it was reported that Young had purchased the Newton Hall Estate of 314 acres formerly the property of the late J.E.Todd. [14]

In 1866 on the death of Edward Pear Young the mercantile riverside premises of 'Richard Young & son' was advertised to be let.[15]

In 1871 he was chairman of the Peterborough, Wisbech and Sutton Bridge Railway company. [16]

On 26 September 1878 at St. John's church, Knotty Ash near Liverpool, a son George Frederick Young married Ada Constance daughter of Sidney Withington of Ulverstone, Torquay.[17]

A son Jesse Young F.R.G.S.,F.R.A.S. Astronomer to the 'Giles' expedition from Adelaide to Perth, Australia died at Perth on 8 October 1909.[18]

Young was elected Liberal MP for Cambridgeshire in 1865 but lost his seat at the next general election in 1868. He sought election for King's Lynn at a by-election in 1869 but was unsuccessful.[19][20]

During his life, Young was also a Justice of the Peace, and a Deputy Lieutenant of Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. From 1858 to 1863 he was Mayor of Wisbech and in 1871 he was Sheriff of London and Middlesex.[21]

He was a director of the Great Eastern railway and their first passenger ship on the Harwich-Continental route was named after him, 'Richard Young'. He was chairman of the Peterborough, Wisbech and Sutton Railway and a member of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers. He owned over 40 ships at different times.[22]

He was nominated for the Shrievalty by the Lord Mayor at the Mansion House banquet on 10 April 1871. At this time his town house was 151, Buckingham Palace-road, Austin-friars. [23]

On September 26, at Saint John's Church, Knotty Ash, near Liverpool, George Frederick Young, son of the late Richard Young, to Ada Constance, daughter of Sidney Withington, of Ulverstone, Torquay. [24]

A daughter Emma, wife of Andrew Alexander, Esq died on 29th September, 1889 at 8 Portland Place, Bath. [25]

Arthur Artis Oldham lists 43 vessels these include:- Elizabeth Huddlestone a Sunderland built two master schooner of 75 tons was purchased by Young, Thomas Greves and Thomas Rawson and registered at the Port of Wisbech on 20 June 1837. The bulk of the shares were sold to George Prest and Richard Boucher in May 1841.

Tycho Wing the first of his ships built in Wisbech by Cousins. Launched in 1849. Lost in 1850.

Ringdove a Peterhead built brig of 91 tons was purchased by Young, she became a total wreck in 1851.

Lady Alice Lambton a screw-driven steamer of 700 tons purchased in 1853 and this with the Great Northern were chartered in 1854 for use in the Crimean War. He also sold the newly built Sir Colin Campbell to the Turkish government.[26]

In 1863 the Robert Lowe was used to bring tea from Hangkow.

Huzza a two-masted schooner of 169 tons, built at Prince Edward Island, Arthur Oldham states that the crew were rescued as a result of the use of rocket apparatus and that the incident is preserved in an oil painting owned by Rev. Belton Young. [27]

A memorial was erected in Wisbech Park, this blew down and it was re-erected.[28] A stained glass window in All Saints church, Walsoken was dedicated to his memory by his widow and eight children.[29] The bells in the church were restored and re-hung in 1901 by Young's children.[30] A portrait of him by H.F.Creighton hangs in the Wisbech Town council town hall. This portrait shows him as Sheriff of London and Middlesex. However, Richard Young died two days after receiving the honour and never wore the robes and insignia.[31] The robes were given by his widow to the Wisbech Borough council in 1883. They are on display in the council chamber and are worn only once by each new Mayor when taking the office of mayor at Mayor making.[32] His former home, Osborne House built in 1853, burnt down in 1920.[33] There is a Richard Young Close in Wisbech.[34]

• Hansard 1803–2005: contributions in Parliament by Richard Young