He was chairman of the Peterborough, Wisbech and Sutton Railway and a member of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers. He owned over 40 ships at different times. "Elizabeth Huddlestone" a Sunderland built two master schooner of 75 tons was purchased by Young, Thomas Greves and Thomas Rawson and registered at Wisbech on 20 June 1837. The bulk of the shares were sold to George Prest and Richard Boucher in May 1841. "Ringdove" a Peterhead built brig of 91 tons was purchased by Young, she became a total wreck in 1851. "Huzza" a two-masted schooner of 169 tons, built at Prince Edward Island, Arthur Oldham states that the crew were rescued as a result of the use of rocket apparatus and that the incident is preserved in an oil painting owned by Rev. Belton Young. A memorial was erected in Wisbech Park, this blew down and it was re-erected.