HARDIE, Mathew Musical Instrument Maker in Edinburgh ¹

   Another name for Mathew was HARDIE, Matthew.

  General Notes:

Old Parish Register
Jedburgh Parish Roxburghshire
Baptisms

"1754
Nov 27th
Stephen Hardie Clock maker in Jedh had a Son born the 23d/currt and Day foresaid baptized named Matthew Witness Wm Brown late Baillie and Wm cavehill wright both in Jedh"

Here are a number of paragraphs from the book Early Scottish Melodies that provides unusual detail about Matthew Hardie:

"Matthew learned the trade of a joiner, and on 19th May 1778 he and a younger brother named Henry, also a joiner, enlisted in the South Fencible Regiment, commanded by His Grace Henry Duke of Buccleuch, giving his age as 26, which was plainly an overstatement. He obtained his discharge on 21st October 1782, on presenting as his substitute a certain John Scott.

Matthew Hardie's name is first found in connection with music in the list of subscribers to Niel Gow's Second Collection, 1788. After that it appears in Peter Williamson's Directory for 1790-92 as 'Matthew Hardie, Musical Instrument Maker Lawnmarket.' In Williamson for 1794-96 he is styled 'Fiddle Maker,' and has changed his residence to Carrubber's Close, but apparently he did not remain long there, for he is entered in Aitchison's Directory for 1795-6 as 'Musical Instrument Maker, head of Baxter's Close, Lawnmarket.' In 1799, Hardie removed to 'opposite the Fountain Well north side,' where he remained till 1811. It may be mentioned that in 1800, the year of the dearth, the following appeal was made on his behalf in an advertisement dated 3rd May.
'Subscription Concert and Ball For the Benefit of Matthew Hardie and his Family Who have been honoured with the patronage of Her Grace the Duchess of Buccleuch Eight Hon. Lady Charlotte Campbell Hon. Mrs Dundas of Arniston Besides several other Ladies and Gentlemen of distinction To be held in Bernard's Room Thistle Street on
Tuesday the 9th May curt at eight o'clock in the evening Leader of the Band Mr Bird, Piano Forte Mr Clark......
Tickets (Three Shillings each) to be had at Mr Hardie back of Fountain Well, at all the Music Shops, and at the Door of the Rooms.'

The next year he is again appealing for funds on account of his numerous family, in the following terms 'Ball-under the Patronage of the Right Hon. the Earl & Countess of Dalkeith and the Officers of the 4th Regiment N B M Will be held on Tuesday the 24th Feb. 1801 in Bernard's Rooms, Thistle Street For the Benefit of Matthew Hardie Violin Maker To begin at Eight o'clock Evening Since the conclusion of the American War, when the South Fencibles were discharged in which corps M. H. had the honour of serving, he has applied himself to making Violins etc. but on account of his numerous family, has never been able to acquire a sufficient stock to carry on trade to advantage, Therefore the Right Hon. the Earl and Countess of Dalkeith, with the Officers of the Regiment commanded by his Lordship have generously agreed to patronise him. His Lordship has likewise permitted the Band of the Regiment, so much and justly admired to perform some Favourite Pieces before the opening of the Ball. Tickets 3s each to be had at M. Hardie's house back of Fountain Well, at all the Music Shops and at the doors of the Rooms.'..........
Hardie was located at the back of the Fountain Well longer than at any former or subsequent residence. His name does not appear in the Directory for 1811-12, but after that date he is found in Bailie Fyfe's Close, from which place he removed in 1814 to 24 Low Calton, where he remained till 1822, and in that year he changes to No. 10 Paul's Work. His name then disappears, but in 1824-25 the firm of Matthew Hardie & Son appears again at 15 Shakespear Square. Whether Hardie actually resided there, or as the result of his intemperate habits was already in the Charity Workhouse, is uncertain'97 probably his name was used with the sole intention of transferring the business to his son. Matthew Hardie was a member of the Edinburgh Musical Fund, but apparently could not keep up his payments, and as a result of not clearing his arrears, his name was, after several warnings, struck off the
membership in April 1825 (arrears from 1817 onwards).

The following entry is from the Greyfriars Burial Register : 'Matthew Hardie Violin Maker died 30th August 1826 C W H (Charity Workhouse) buried in Greyfriars on 31st.' His age (71) is not recorded in the entry." ^{2 4}

  Research Notes:

"MATTHEW HARDIE, 1755 - 1826. Violin maker

Matthew Hardie was an important and influential violin-maker, who has been called the 'Scottish Stradivari'. Born in Edinburgh, he probably trained as a cabinet or pattern maker. His instruments, which always followed the Stravidari model, were praised for both their beauty and quality of tone. From his premises on Calton Hill, Hardie also dealt in old violins and undertook repairs.

Although renowned as the foremost maker in Scotland, towards the end of his life, Hardie's business was undercut by cheaper factory imports and he spent some time in a debtor's jail. He died in St Cuthbert's Poorhouse. His skills, however, had been passed on to his son, Matthew, and his cousin, Paul, in what was to become a dynasty of violin makers.

Hardie preferred to find wood that had already been aged for his violins. One contemporary anecdote tells how Hardie, in a farmhouse kitchen, spotted an old baking-board made of maple. 'I see, mistress, ye have a fine fiddle here', commented Hardie. The woman assured him that there was no such thing in her house, but, if he could find one, he could have it. Hardie's reply was to take the baking-board and make from it the 'hidden fiddle' !"


A portrait by Sir William Allan may be seen of Matthew Hardie in the St Cuthbert's Poorhouse in Edinburgh (copyright National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh), or on the SCRAN site, from which the above notes are taken with thanks.


In the Introduction to The Beauties of the North (52 pages : ISBN 0-946868-02-6), Bill Hardie comments:

"My family, the Hardies, originated in Perthshire, near Dunkeld, my great-great-grandfather Peter Hardie (c. 1775-1863) being a pupil of the famous Niel Gow (1727-1807). His cousin Matthew Hardie (1755-1826) was the Edinburgh violin-maker whose work was so highly praised by William C. Honeyman in his Scottish Violin Makers: Past and Present. "

Mathew married Juliet BAILLIE, daughter of Alexander BAILLIE of Ross-Shire and Unknown, on 12 February 1779 in Edinburgh Parish, Edinburgh, Scotland. (Juliet BAILLIE was born about 1760 and died on 17 September 1801 ².)

  Marriage Notes:

Old Parish Register
Edinburgh Parish Midlothian
Marriages

"February 12th 1779
Matthew Hardie soldier in the south fencibles and Julliet Baillie College Kirk parish daughter of Alexander Baillie Ross-shire" ⁵

Mathew next married Hannah McLAREN, daughter of Alexander McLAREN 'taylor Edinburgh' and Unknown, on 29 May 1802 in Canongate parish, Edinburgh, Scotland. (Hannah McLAREN was born about 1770.)

  Marriage Notes:

Old Parish Register
Canongate Parish Edinburgh Midlothian
Marriages
29 May 1802

"Matthew Hardie fiddle maker & Hanna McLaren daughter of Alexr McLaren Taylor Edinr Gave up their names for marriage"