Member of Tennessee House, 7th, 8th, 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, 13th, 15th and 16th General Assemblies, 1807-21, 1823-27; representing Hawkins County in all assemblies. (Resigned during the 16th Assembly; replaced by Peter Parsons); party affiliation not indicated. Born in what is now Hawkins County on March 9, 1777; son of Robert and Jennie Young. Farmer and slaveholder in Hawkins County. Married in Hawkins County in 1798 to Elizabeth Leeper, daughter of Gawen and Margaret (Brown) Leeper. Children — Claiborne, James, Emily, Clinton, Henderson, Amanda, Louisa, Wylie, Malvina, Perry, William, and Elizabeth Young. Commissioned captain in cavalry regiment of Hawkins County, 1800; in Florida campaign, 1813. Member Presbyterian Church; Overton Lodge #5, F.&A.M., Rogersville. In 1823 he placed the name of Andrew Jackson before the General Assembly for nomination for both U.S. Senator and President. His resignation from the 16th Assembly was probably occasioned by failing health; he died before the end of the session, in Hawkins County, in December 1826. Buried near New Canton. His wife and family subsequently removed to Missouri. Father of James Young sometime members of both the Tennessee and Missouri General Assemblies.

Sources: Public Acts of Tennessee, 1817; Wilson’s Knoxville Gazette, May 17, 1813; Knoxvi1le Register, September 20, 1826; January 10, 1827; Knoxville Enquirer, January 17, 1827; information supplied by Prentiss Price, Rogersville.

From Biographical Directory: Tennessee General Assembly, 1796-1967, Issue 3