Gilmour, Robert

Epithet: American loyalist merchant

British Library Archives and Manuscripts Catalogue : Person : Description : ark:/81055/vdc_100000000625.0x00015a

William Young (1755–1829), a bookseller, printer, and publisher moved from Philadelphia to Rockland, Delaware, where he opened a paper mill in the 1790s.

William Young was born in 1755 in Scotland and briefly attended a Presbyterian seminary there before becoming a bookseller. After arriving in Philadelphia in June 1784, Young opened a book store and printing shop on Chestnut Street.

According to Thomas Gravell, Young purchased a paper mould in March 1794 and by 1795 was making paper. By 1802 Young had sold his Philadelphia retail and publishing operations to William W. Woodward, and moved to Delaware. The paper mill proved profitable until a fire in 1814 destroyed the mill. Young rebuilt the business as a woolen mill, but when the business was unsuccessful Young returned to Philadelphia, where he was active in the Associate Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia.

Robert Gilmour operated the Delaware paper mill at Brandywine with William Young as William Young & Co. until 1803 when Young became the sole proprietor.

McA MSS 007, Young and Woodward Business Papers. Library Company of Philadelphia. http://www.librarycompany.org/mcallister/pdf/young_woodward.pdf (accessed May, 29, 2009). Scharf, J. Thomas. History Delaware 1609–1888, Volume 2. Lewes, Delaware: Delmarva Roots, 2001. Gravell, Thomas L. American Watermarks 1690–1835. New Castle, Del.: Oak Knoll Press, 2002.

From the guide to the Robert Gilmour letter to William Young, 1794 May 16, (University of Delaware Library - Special Collections)