Younger
Author: Nev. Ramsden
The Younger Family of Whitehaven
John Younger merchant of Whitehaven became involved in a business venture with Peter How and John Wilkinson in the manufacture of tobacco and soap which went bankrupt in 1766. He was active as early as 1737 but the period when he was at the height of his prosperity was the decade 1754-1764. It was about the latter year that his co-partnership with Peter How and John Wilkinson caused their bankruptcy; all three were members of the Town and Harbour Trustees that, in effect, ran the town of Whitehaven.
This John Younger was the man who first engaged John Paul Jones as an apprentice seaman. From the 1762 census we know that John Younger lived in a house in Queen Street, somewhere near where the Gunners' Club now stands.
At the age of 13 John Paul as he was then called, was apprenticed to John Younger a Whitehaven tobacco merchant to learn the art of seamanship. His first voyage was aboard Younger's 170 ton brig “Friendship” which sailed to Barbadoes and Virginia in 1761. During the third of his voyages to America in 1763 John Younger became bankrupt and John Paul's apprenticeship came to an abrupt end. However impressed by the youth's abilities Younger obtained for him the post of third mate aboard the slave ship "King George".
taken from:- The Westward Movement - Daniel Hay [1910-1980]
Co-Partnership Indenture 1734
Indenture 7 November 1734 between – John Younger of Whitehaven, Cumberland, England, Merchant of the 1st part; Joseph Younger of London, merchant of the 2nd part; and John Thruston of Virginia in America, Merchant of the 3rd part …….. a co-partnership …… shipping goods on the Vessel called “Adventure” whereof William Whiteside is the Master for Virginia ……… where John Thruston will sell …….
There were six witnesses which included:
Joseph Younger for – John Younger Joseph Younger for himself John Thruston
taken from:- Records of Colonial Gloucester County, Virginia - By Poly Cary Mason
A comment on Caroline County in the Virginia State Records.
Many of you will remember that a John Boulware was a business associate of John Younger (from Whitehaven, England) in Caroline County which adjoins King and Queen [County] directly to the north. A Boulware also married the daughter of John Price and Ann Younger, daughter of Alexander.
[Note: Alexander is the proven father of Thomas Younger who moved to Halifax County.]