Alderman Richard Young,, was a BritishLiberal politician, merchant and shipowner.
Early Years
He was born on 22 March 1809 the son Mary and Mr. John Younge, of Scarning, Norfolk. Richard's grandfather, John had farmed in Emneth and Walsoken until he moved to North Norfolk about 1780.
Sluice-keeper, farmer, merchant, shipowner and politician
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.' In 1853 the family moved from the North Level Sluice House to Osborne House, according to his son Edmund Pear Young's 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. His eldest son was Edward Pear Young, another son born on 26 January 1861, was baptised Henry Austin Lindsay Young on 16 April 1861 in the third year of his mayoralty. In 1866 on the death of Mr. Edward Pear Young the mercantile riverside premises of 'Richard Young & son' was advertised to be let. 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. A son Joss 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. 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. 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. 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.
Richard Young's Fleet
Elizabeth Huddlestone a Sunderland built two master schooner of 75 tons was purchased by Young, Thomas Greves and Thomas Rawson and registered at Wisbech on 20 June 1837. The bulk of the shares were sold to George Prest and Richard Boucher in May 1841. Ringdove a Peterhead built brig of 91 tons was purchased by Young, she became a total wreck in 1851. 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.
Legacy
A memorial was erected in Wisbech Park, this blew down and it was re-erected.
