Byrd, Rebecca Young, approximately 1758-1834

Rebecca Byrd was a an English Quaker minister. She was the daughter of John and Jane Young of Shrewsbury, and when 26 she became a minister (in 1784). She formed a strong friendship with minister Deborah Darby, in company with whom she journeyed all over Great Britain and Ireland, and together they visited North America for three years from 1793-1796. Their encounter with Stephen Grellet at a meeting in Newton, Long Island, played a role in his conversion to Quakerism.

In 1800 Rebecca married William Byrd of Marnhull, Dorset, and after the death of Deborah Darby in 1810 he accompanied Rebecca on her travels in the British Isles. At this period she preached extensively to other denominations, as well as to Friends.

In 1829 Byrd was seized with apoplexy at Yearly Meeting time, and never fully recovered. She died in 1834, aged 76.

Adapted from the Dictionary of Quaker Biography, Haverford College.