| Administrative History | This lead mining and smelting business was founded in 1729 by William Barker, steward of the Duke of Devonshire, and was acrried on by Alexander and Thomas Barker, the latter being steward to the Duke of Rutland. Their first smelting mill was at Shacklow but in 1748 they leased Totley Cupola and in 1752 built a new Cupola at Harewood, on the East Moor near Chesterfield. About 1759, the Barkers entered into partnership with the Wilkinsons and during the latter half of the century the firm purchased interests in a considerable numbers of mines. In 1806 Isaac Wilkinson withdrew from the partnership and a period of financial difficulty followed, partly occasioned by the low price of lead. In 1816, Benjamin Wyatt of Foolow bought a quarter share and finally purchased the whole business in 1829. After his death his son William took over until his death in 1858. |