Young, Bennett Henderson (1843-1919) Papers, 1879-1912

Held by The Filson Historical Society 

Creator:  Young, Bennett Henderson, 1843-1919 

Title:  Papers, 1879-1912 

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Collections Department. 

Size of Collection:  0.33 cubic feet 

Location Number:  Mss. A Y68 

Scope and Content Note 

Collection consists of letters of Young, 1912; notes on the constitutional convention, 1849 Oct. 1; report of Young, Regent and Financial Manager of the Bellewood Female Seminary and Presbyterian Normal School; diploma of Varina D. Hanna from Bellewood Female Seminary, 1879 June 20; biographical sketch of George Nicholas; autobiographical sketch of Samuel Davies Boggs; manuscript of a pamphlet written on the completion of the Louisville and Southern Railroad, by Henry W. Cleveland; memoirs, 1848-1850, by Micah Taul; Gowns and gownsmen, by and unknown author. Folders 1 and 5 of this collection has been digitized. To view the PDF scans, click on the links provided in the folder list below.

Biographical Note 

Bennett Henderson Young was born in Kentucky in 1843. He graduated from Centre College in Danville. In 1863, he enlisted in John Hunt Morgan’s cavalry unit. In 1864, he lead a raid across the Canadian border into St. Alban’s, Vt. After the war he married Mattie R. Robinson, daughter of Louisville clergyman Stuart Robinson, while still in exile in Canada. He continued his education in exile at Queen’s University in Ireland and at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. In 1868, he returned to Louisville where he was a successful lawyer and businessman. He also wrote several books and articles on Kentucky history. In 1895, he married Eliza T. Sharp. Young died in 1919 and was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery. 

Folder List 

Box 1 

1 Correspondence from Young to General Marcus J. Wright, 1912, about his services to the C.S.A. The letter of 1912 July 5 contains a typed autobiographical sketch. (click to access PDF)

2 Notes on the Constitutional Convention of 1849.

3 Report of Young as Regent and Financial Manager of the Bellewood Female Seminary and Presbyterian Normal School. 

4 Diploma of Varina Hanna from Bellewood Female Seminary, 1879 June 20. 

5 Biographical sketch of George Nicholas by Matilda Nicholas Barrett, 1887. (click to access PDF)

6 Autobiographical sketch of Samuel Davies Boggs.

7 Manuscript of a pamphlet about the completion of the Louisville and Southern Railroad, 1888.

8 Micah Taul memoirs, 1848-1850. 

9 Gowns and gownsmen by an unknown author, 1894.