Sir William Heathcote, 3rd Bt. of Hursley (1746-1819) was one of Gardner's greatest friends and most important patrons. Gardner often stayed with him in Hampshire, and painted at least 25 portraits of various members of his family. Elizabeth Drake, née Heathcote, was Sir William's aunt, daughter of Sir William Heathcote, 1st Bt. In November 1763 she married her paternal cousin, Francis William Drake, who was descended from the Elizabethan naval hero, Sir Francis Drake. Drake joined the Navy at around eight or ten years old, and by the age of nineteen held the rank of Commander. He served extensively in North America, commanding the 60-gun HMS Edgar throughout the Seven Years War, until retiring from the Navy in 1763 to embark on a political career. However, by 1778 he was back in active service as a rear-admiral in the America War of Independence, becoming Vice-Admiral in 1780, commanding a squadron of the Channel Fleet.
Francis and Elizabeth's two daughters, Sophia and Marianne, were painted several times by Gardner, as well as in the present family portrait.