Hi
interesting that Esther was known as Hardy and Price. Perhaps Price was her maiden name and Hardy her married name?
It looks to me as if Esther was maybe born a Hardy (illegitimate) then her mother married a Price so the family may have been known as the Prices. Or vise-versa

I say this because the marriage index and parish records normally indicate where a person is a widow/widower.
As for James Axon there is nothing at Northenden, plenty in Stockport, but one that stood was this in the parish of Bowden.
18/May/1761 James Axon carpenter of Northenden and Mary Heath of Bowden.
Do you have their children's names ? the girls may be a help in identifying the mum.
peterbennett