Lydia Irving

She was a leading Quaker and she worked closely with Elizabeth Fry seeking to improve conditions for women in prisons and on convict ships filled with those to be transported.

[2] In 1825 she joined the British Ladies Society for promoting the reformation of female prisoners which had been founded for years previously.

[2] Irving got involved with the finances but she was a keen visitor to White Cross Street debtors' prison.

[1] Irving served on the convict ship sub-committee and she had a financial success when she persuaded the Navy board to fund "gifts" for the transportees.

[6] The text on the quilt reads: The convict ship committee included Elizabeth Hanbury, Katherine Fry and Hannah Bevan.

Hanbury would in time take over the organisation of convict ship visiting as Elizabeth Pryor was disowned after she asked the prison authorities for remuneration.