The Reverend Richard Symes, A.M. was a Prebendary of Wells, Somerset. He died and was buried in the Parish Churchyard of Yatton, Somerset. A typed transcription of his memorandum reads, 'Mr Needham by Eldridge [sic] Given me by miss Fanny Smith of Tounton [sic], to whom Mr Needham was engaged, but died at an early age, he was a friend of Eldridge [sic] who painted this miniature, her brother-in-law and gave it to her.'
Edward Fleet Alford's maternal grandmother was the only sister of Rev. Symes.