Thomas Brown Young (b. 1794), sailmaker and shipbroker, was the nephew of John White and related to several other business families in Sunderland. An active WM, as Sunday School teacher, class leader etc., in the 1830s he joined in the opposition to connexional policies and became a leading member of the WMA in Sunderland, before emigrating to Australia in 1852.

His son John Young (1820-1904) began his career as a chemist in Sunderland in 1841 and by 1853 had launched a wholesale chemical business. He was also involved in the manufacture of oils and paints. He was badly affected by a commercial crash in the 1870s and he died in straitened circumstances. As a young man he was a dedicated member of the WMA and the UMFC, serving as a local preacher etc. and on connexional committees, but his later allegiance is uncertain. He remained a bachelor. A man of wide intellectual interests, he was well informed on naval matters. His diary for 1841-43 has been published.

Entry written by: GEM
Category: Person
Comment on this entry