The life and times of Rev. Joshua Young, deaf abolitionist of Vermont

by Timothy Page

Joshua Young, a Congregational Unitarian minister, was a steadfast abolitionist who rubbed shoulders with some of the most influential figures of the mid-19th century. Born on September 23, 1823, in Randolph, Maine, Young’s life was marked by his unwavering commitment to the cause of ending slavery. Despite facing backlash and persecution, Young remained resolute in his convictions, earning him a place in the annals of American history.

In 1852, Young began his tenure as minister at the First Congregational Church in Burlington, Vermont, where he would serve for ten years. During his time in Burlington, Young became known for his progressive views and his commitment to the abolitionist cause. He was a self-described “Garrisonian abolitionist,” referring to the radical abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison, and was an active member of the Boston Vigilance Committee, which aimed to assist fugitive slaves. and he frequently sheltered fugitives in his own home, providing a safe haven for those seeking freedom.

Young’s involvement in the abolitionist movement did not go unnoticed, and he soon became a target for criticism from those who opposed his views. In 1858, he was accused of harboring fugitive slaves in his home, a charge that was never substantiated. Despite the controversy, Young remained popular among his congregation, and when he resigned his pulpit in 1862, the church held a meeting to persuade him to withdraw his resignation.

However, it was Young’s involvement in the burial of John Brown, the abolitionist who led the raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, that would prove to be a defining moment in his life. When Brown’s body passed through Rutland, Vermont, en route to his final burial in North Elba, New York, Young traveled to attend the service, where he was asked to preside. Despite never having met Brown, Young felt compelled to take part in the ceremony, which was attended by prominent abolitionists, including Wendell Phillips.

The funeral service, held on December 8, 1859, was a somber affair, with Young delivering an impromptu opening prayer that was described as “impressive” by a reporter present at the ceremony. As the body was being lowered into the grave, Young felt moved to recite words of the apostle Paul: “I have fought a good fight. I have finished my course. I have kept the faith” (2 Timothy 4:7).

Young’s decision to preside over Brown’s funeral had far-reaching consequences. Upon his return to Burlington, he faced severe backlash from his congregation and the local community. He was socially ostracized, and prominent members of his church resigned in protest. Young was even threatened with violence, with some suggesting that he should be hanged from the highest tree on the common.

Despite this persecution, Young refused to waver in his commitment to the abolitionist cause. He continued to speak out against slavery, even when it meant facing opposition from his own community. In 1899, he presided over a ceremony in which ten of Brown’s men, who had been buried elsewhere, were reburied next to Brown’s grave.

His deafness did not seem to hinder the esteem in which he was held by his congregations.

“In a Massachusetts village there toils a minister, and for more than a quarter of a century has toiled, though his deafness is so extreme that speech with him is scarcely possible, who once told me that in all these years no unpleasant reminder of his infirmity, either by act or word, had ever come to him from his people… I cannot think I need hesitate to say that my reference here is to Rev. Joshua Young, of Groton. With this testimony before them, all deaf people should pray for the prosperity of his church,” a fellow minister said.

Young’s legacy serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of standing up for what is right, even in the face of overwhelming opposition. His unwavering commitment to the abolitionist cause inspired generations, and his story continues to resonate today.

He died February 7, 1904.