Rev. James Little Young (1808 - 1867)
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James Little Young, a son of Francis and Nancy Little Young, was born in Abbeville District, South Carolina on December 8, 1808. After attending the Church Hill Academy in Abbeville, S. C. and the Viney Grove Academy in Lincoln Co., Tennessee; James entered Miami University at Oxford, Ohio and graduated in 1832. He studied theology in the congregations of Associate Reformed Theological Seminary at Allegheny, Pennsylvania under Rev. John T. Pressly, D. D. and was licensed to preach by the Second Presbytery of the Carolinas in the spring of 1835.
In 1836, he was ordained and installed pastor of the united Bethel, Laurens, Providence and Head Springs A.R.P. churches. Here he labored for 15 years and demitting his charge he removed to Pontotoc Co., Miss., in 1851 and was called to the pastorate of Bethany and Hopewell churches in April, 1854. His Bethany church was organized June 5, 1852, and was mostly made up of families who were members of his charge in South Carolina. He demitted the Hopewell branch of his charge in 1856 and devoted his whole time to Bethany.

Rev. Young was married in May 1836, to Miss Margaret Isabella Todd, a daughter of Andrew Todd and Mary Simpson of Laurens County, S. C. She died October 22, 1861, in Pontotoc Co., Miss. She was born in County Monaghan, Ireland.

Mr. Young married the second time, Mrs. Martha Jane Pressly, of Due West, S. C., January 8, 1867. She was a daughter of Rev. Charles Strong and Agnes Harris, and was born in Newberry Co., S. C., January 18, 1820. She was the widow of the Rev. John S. Pressly, to whom she was married Sept. 29, 1842, and who died June 1, 1863. There were no children by that marriage.

Rev. James Little Young died at his home in Lee Co., Miss., on the morning of January 31, 1867. He was moderator of the Synod at Hopewell, Newton Co., Ga., in 1845, was for a time stated clerk of the Second Presbytery. He was also stated clerk of the Memphis Presbytery from its organization, April 15, 1853, until 1856.

He was an able and faithful minister. He left at his death a wife and four children to cherish his memory. Hon. James L. Young, of Plant City, Florida and William A. Young, M. D. of Tipton County, Tennessee are his children.


Source of bio & photo:
The Centennial History of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church 1803- 1903. Published by Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in 1905