" Capt Hardy, Uncle of Hannah Annett Mrs. John Grey of Milfield, written on reverse, a copy of a miniature from Milfield. "

Probably an army officer because of the star shaped buttons. Approximately
1781-93.

"Thomas Hardy died 13 September, 1798, aged 60 years. Monumental inscription, Alnwick. His daughter, Hannah, married Ralph Annett, of Alnwick, and died in Edinburgh, 29 December, 1837." From note page 280, "Six North country diaries by John Crawford" on line here.

"Josephine's new grand piano took pride of place. This was the wedding present from a rich great uncle, Joseph Hardy, after whom she was named" page 30 of "Patron Saint of Prostitutes , Josephine Butler and a Victorian Scandal" by Helen Mathers. published 2014.

See letter here from H. E. Grey Dilston 30 Dec 37 & Dilston Dec 30th 1837: " My poor mother was buried on Tuesday, in the new burying ground on the Calton Hill."
(Her mother was Hannah Annett nee Hardy).

Ralph Annett bought Heckley Fence. Photo © Copyright Russel Wills and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

William Annett farmed at Heckley High House Photo © Copyright Sally Holmes and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence

Bells Weekly Messenger 20 October 1816

Berwick Advertiser 17 November 1838

28 February 1811 Perthshire Courier

Newcastle Journal 25 January 1834

Annotated Joseph Hardy
Alnwick 12 June 1820
(date incorrect must be after 1848 possibly 1850)
Dear Sir,
I received your favor of the 10th inst with a Ck for Seventeen pounds which is payed to your credit – there was no occasion to apologise about a short delay in sending it – any time that suits yourself will suit me.
I am glad to hear Mrs Grey has accomplished her trip to Holy Island and sincerely hope she will receive much benefit from the change of air etc - it is to be regreted your matters would not allow you to give a little of your time to join the party. I would indeed have been most happy to avail myself of your kind invitation but my very precarious state of heath and great weakness prevents me leaving my own fireside or a change of bed. I have not done so since I visited you & and Mr C Howey for years – excepting a day and a half on my visit to your sister at Charlton Hall as a Bride in Sept -1848 -nor is it likely I shall be enabled to do so. I hope however Mrs G. Grey will be able to pay me a quiet visit whenever it is convenient – that we may not quite forget each other – it will afford me great pleasure. I write with great difficulty and am as usual tired and weary – and with kind love to your good lady and yourself must conclude this scrawl. I am Dear Sir Yours most truly
Jos: Hardy

G A Grey Esq Milfield Hill

Letter in Berwick archives. (NRO 496 - Grey of Milfield)

This is possibly the uncle Joseph Hardy who bought Josephine Butler her piano. A. S. G. Butler in his book about Josephine, records that her rich uncle paid 200 guineas for it and that it had won first prize at the Great Exhibition. (Portrait of Josephine Butler, 1954, p. 42) However the above Joseph Hardy died in 1851. He appears on the 1841 census at Narrowgate, Alnwick, aged 60, occupation Bank Agent, with two female servants: Jane Vardy aged 40 and Jemina Lockey 15, and the tax on his will is listed in 1851, with John Grey, Dilston as his executor.

Index to Death Duty registers 1796-1903 National Archives reference IR27/297 from findmypast online

"Annett. Mrs Hannah. Spouse of Ralph Annett Esq. from No.19 Duke Street is buried in New Ground. 6 feet N. from W.S.K Lawries ?flat stone She died 20th December 1837. 74 Decay of Nature." p.229

"Annett. Ralph Esquire, from No 19 Duke Street, is buried in the New Ground in the same grave with Hannah Annett his spouse. See page 229. 79 Decay of Nature." p. 316

From scotlandspeople Old Parish Registers, online.

Below : A speculative family tree made from some secondary sources which need to be verified.

 

Heckley Fence sale: The York Herald & General Advertiser, Saturday May 17, 1817, p.1.

Berwick Advertiser, January 1884

Tyne Mercury, 10 January 1815