Robert Young (Hawaii)
Encyclopedia
Robert Young was a Hawaiian chief and the son of John Young, the British advisor of Kamehameha the Great. Named after his paternal grandfather, Robert Young of Lancashire, England, he was probably called Lopaka by his mother and other Hawaiians.
. He was one year older than James, 8 years older than Fanny, 10 years older than Grace, 14 years older than John and 17 years older than Jane.
, Massachusetts
for a Western education. A letter in the Archives, dated in 1804, referring to Robert having been left at school in America, would indicate the event to have been an early politic step. This letter has not before been referred to, it is believed, and gives material that might have connection with the inquiries mentioned at the opening of this paper, were it not known that the lad died before reaching his teens. It is dated at Canton, February 10, 1804, directed to John Young, and is as follows:
According to this letter, Robert could have only arrived in Boston, on October 1803. He made have started out from Hawaii in 1802, but the journey even by the standard of those days would not have taken more than 11 or 10 months.
. Although he was half-British
, he was captured by the British
and taken prisoner in the Battle of Lake Champlain. He was sent to the island of Bermuda
, where he became lost to history. Nothing definite was ever heard from him again. Once source states: It is said that he died early in his school career and was buried in the States, but no particulars can be gathered.
Early life
He was born February 14, 1796, the eldest son of John Young and his wife Namokuelua. Robert's mother, the chiefess Namokuelua, was of Oahuan aristocracy, although not of high rank. Robert's father was the well noted advisor and aikane (favorite) of Kamehameha the Great. Even though he was his father's first son, John was still advanced in age, being over 48 while Robert's mother was 16 when he was born. Robert was the elder full brother of James Kanehoa Young, and he was elder half-brother of Fanny Kekelaokalani Young, Grace Kamaikui Young, John Kaleipaihala Young, and Jane Lahilahi Young, children of his father's second marriage to KaoanaehaKaoanaeha
Kaōanaeha Mele or Mary Kuamoo Kaōanaeha was a Hawaiian high chiefess during the formation of the Kingdom of Hawaii.-Parentage:She was born circa 1780...
. He was one year older than James, 8 years older than Fanny, 10 years older than Grace, 14 years older than John and 17 years older than Jane.
Education
In 1802, Robert and probably James were both sent abroad to BostonBoston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
, Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
for a Western education. A letter in the Archives, dated in 1804, referring to Robert having been left at school in America, would indicate the event to have been an early politic step. This letter has not before been referred to, it is believed, and gives material that might have connection with the inquiries mentioned at the opening of this paper, were it not known that the lad died before reaching his teens. It is dated at Canton, February 10, 1804, directed to John Young, and is as follows:
I have sent you by Mr. Davis 20 pieces of Blue Nankeens and two boxes of tea. I left your son Robert well in America about six months since; he is at school and behaves very well. I shall do everything for him that I promised you, you may depend on it. I am very fond of him, and shall take great care to make him a good man. Remember me to Stewart, Davis, and Holmes when you see them, and believe me,
- Your friend, JAMES MAGEE.
According to this letter, Robert could have only arrived in Boston, on October 1803. He made have started out from Hawaii in 1802, but the journey even by the standard of those days would not have taken more than 11 or 10 months.
Death
Robert joined the American Navy at age 16 and served in the War of 1812War of 1812
The War of 1812 was a military conflict fought between the forces of the United States of America and those of the British Empire. The Americans declared war in 1812 for several reasons, including trade restrictions because of Britain's ongoing war with France, impressment of American merchant...
. Although he was half-British
British people
The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...
, he was captured by the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and taken prisoner in the Battle of Lake Champlain. He was sent to the island of Bermuda
Bermuda
Bermuda is a British overseas territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. Located off the east coast of the United States, its nearest landmass is Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, about to the west-northwest. It is about south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, and northeast of Miami, Florida...
, where he became lost to history. Nothing definite was ever heard from him again. Once source states: It is said that he died early in his school career and was buried in the States, but no particulars can be gathered.