William Carden married Katherine Barneston in 1568 by Chancery. William
was Keeper of Wingfield Manor, and Servant to George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury
(d. 1599), then to George's son Gilbert. A letter from William to the Earl,
concerning his own wages and administrative matters, indicates that he
was working as Keeper as early as the 1580's. William's son Michael and
grandson Michael were living in Wingfield Park, which was part of the estate.
They signed the Protestation Oath in May 1641. Wingfield Manor was dismantled
by order of Parliament, the Roundheads announcing their determination to
destroy any place which might serve as a "nest for malignants". The ruins
of today attest their efficiency.
After the Civil War left Wingfield Manor in ruins, the Carden families
who worked on the estate would have most likely had to find other means
of earning a living. Also, at this time parish records and other important
documents were destroyed by the unruly soldiers. We next locate the family
living in Matlock, to be precise at Common Wood, [now known as Artist's
Corner] which lies between Matlock and Matlock Bath. Samuel Carden married
Mary Flint in 1677 and become a Lead Miner. A mining document dated 1681
shows that he was a Coper, working in the Nestus Mine. In 1734 we find
Michael Carden, brother Samuel [grandsons of the former Samuel] involved
with other miners in an agreement to take John Woolley into partnership.
Michael Cardin was Bar Master in 1839 a very responsible position. The
mines were quickly being worked out and the Cardins were leaving the area.
Thomas and Mordecai, Michael's sons, became guides, showing tourists around
the Old Roman Lead Mine and the Great Masson Cavern. Job Hall Cardin, son
of Mordecai, became the proprietor of High Tor Grotto, a grand natural
crystallized cavern. Several distinguished persons visited, namely the
Empress Eugenie [of France], H.R.H. Princess Victoria and Lady Alice Stanley.
At the Worshipful Company of Turners of London Prize Competition 1894,
Job Hall was awarded 1st. prize and the freedom of the city of London for
the best specimen of turning in stone, the exhibit being a fine pair of
Blue John Vases. With Job Hall a death in 1928 came the end of the CARDEN/CARDIN/CARDING
association with the mines and caverns, after almost 250 years.