Mexborough & Swinton Times, February 13, 1909

Mrs. Hardwick.

To Mrs. Hardwick, who resides at 5, Harlington lane, Mexboro’, belongs the distinction of being the oldest person in Mexboro’, who is in the receipt of an old-age pension. On Sunday last she celebrated her 88th birthday, and on Monday, a “Times” reporter had the privilege of a very interesting chat with the old lady. When he called at No. 5, Harlington lane, he found Mrs. Hardwick sitting up in bed, and was introduced to her by her daughter, Mrs. Chambers, with whom she lives.

For nearly three years Mrs. Hardwick had been confined to her bed, but that is not owing to the fact that her strength has failed her in her advanced years. She met with an unfortunate accident, broke her thigh, and has been unable to get about since then.

“And so you are the oldest State pensioner in Mexborough” asked the reporter.

“That I am,” she replied.

“Useful things, these pensions; aren’t they?”

“Oh yes, very useful. Why, do you know, I heard of one old lady who was well over 70, who found them so useful that she wanted them to give her her back money !” she replied, with a broad smile.

“How long have you been in Mexboro’?”

“About 15 years. I really come from Louth, in Lincolnshire. Then, after I was married, I and my husband lived at Boston for some time. I was very fond of Boston.”

Mrs. Chambers handed the reporter a blue envelope containing two old documents. One of these was Mrs.  Hardwick’s baptismal register. This paper gave the information that  Mrs.  Hardwick’s maiden name was Charlotte Burns, that she was the daughter of George Burns, that she was born at Louth, and that she was baptised by one Richard Soper, “Dissenting minister,” at the Cannon Street di Chapel, Louth, on Feb. 7th, 1821. The document described her father as being a “Taylor” by occupation.

The second paper showed that on May 17th, 1847, she took unto herself a husband in the person of William  Hardwick of Alford, Lines. Comparing the two documents, one interesting fact was that whilst the Rev. R. Soper had baptised Charlotte Burns, Mr. William  Hardwick had married Charlotte Bourn.

Some more information concerning the old lady was volunteered by her daughter. The reporter had enquired whether Mrs.  Hardwick usually enjoyed good health.

“Yes, I should think she does,” replied Mrs. Chambers. “Her eyes are all right; her hearing is good, and she’s got a splendid memory that beats me hollow. And appetite! She can eat a dinner with you any day, I’ll guarantee, and I don’t know what your appetite is. I believe she will live to draw her Old-Age Pension till she’s a hundred. She’s a thorough good heart and lungs. Oh, yes! it will have to be something very sudden to take mother. I tell her sometimes that if she was only as good in the legs as she is in her hands and the rest of her, she would have to go out to service!” And both mother and daughter, and the journalist too for that matter, smiled at the thought.

The photograph of. Mrs. Hardwick, which we reproduce, was taken when she was 77, but eleven years have passed away without working any appreciable change in her appearance. Our illustration gives a truthful representation of the Mrs.  Hardwick of to-day.

Making enquiries concerning Mrs. Hardwick’s family, our reporter gathered that she had six children, of which number Mrs. Chambers is the only girl. The youngest son is now Second Officer Hardwick, of the Sheffield Fire Brigade.

Mrs. Chambers’ late husband was formerly very well known in Mexboro’. He was a printer by trade, and wads connected for a long time with the establishment which has since evolved into the “Times” Office. Mrs.  Hardwick’s husband died about 18 years ago, a year or two before the death of. Mr. Chambers. Mrs.  Hardwick has some grandchildren, and somewhere about a dozen great-grandchildren. Several of the latter she has never seen.

Mrs.  Hardwick went on to speak of her father. “My father was a tailor,” she said. “And his father was before him. Ours was a tailoring family. My father used to do a lot of work for the Duke of Portland. When the old Duchess of Portland died they sent for my father to come from London. Of course, there were no railways then, so he had to make the journey by the old stagecoach, which took a very long time.”

The old lady’s pension order book was produced for the inspection of the reporter. Mrs.  Hardwick ie, of course, unable to draw her pension personally, and had to obtain a medical certificate to that effect. The doc-uested to fill up the certifi-

out eleven years nave passeo away witnouL working any appreciable change in her appearance. Our illustration gives a truthful representation of the Mrs.  Hardwick of to-day.

Making enquiries concerning Mrs. Had-wick’s family, our reporter gathered that she had six children, of which number Mrs. Chambers is the only girl. The youngest son is now Second Officer  Hardwick, of the Sheffield Fire Brigade. Mrs. Chambers’ late husband was formerly very well known in Mex-boro’. He was a printer by trade, and was connected for a long time with the establishment which has since evolved into the “Times” Office. Mrs.  Hardwick’s husband died about 18 years ago, a year or two before the death of Mr. Chambers. Mrs.  Hardwick has some grandchildren, and somewhere about a dozu. great-grandchildren. Several of the latter she has never seen.

Mrs.  Hardwick went on to speak of her father. “My father was a tailor,” she said. I “And his father was before him. Ours was la tailoring family. My father used to do a lot of work for the Duke of Portland. When the old Duchess of Portland died they sent for my father to come from London. Of course, there were no railways then, so he had to make the journey by the old stagecoach, which took a very long time.”

The old lady’s pension order book was produced for the inspection of the reporter. Mrs.  Hardwick is, of course, unable to draw her pension personally, and had to obtain a medical certificate to that effect. The doctor who was requested to fill up the certificate, enquired whether the old lady was keeping good health. The young man who had come on Mrs.  Hardwick’s behalf remarked that she was all right, and he jokingly added that she was able to eat a pound of steak for her breakfast any day!

Perhaps that was “stretching” things just a trifle, but it is a fact that the old lady has a remarkable appetite. To see her now her advanced age is apparent, but the fact that she is unable to get about is her only infirmity. She enjoys wonderful health and strength for one who is almost a nonogenarian.

Our readers will, we are sure, join with us in the wish that these happy conditions may be her lot for several years to come, and that she may live to be a century “not out.”