During The Ashdown Forest Dispute 1876-1882 commoners and land owners were interviewed by the solicitor William Raper. Their comments were recorded in a series of notebooks:

Heaver, Edward. First rate witness. Pretty robust. Aged 76. [Born] on 30 January, 1802 at the house in the Hindleap Warren. Baptised in East Grinstead.

When I was about 8 or 10 years old my father William Heaver was tenant at Plaw Hatch Farm, about 100 acres at that time. The owner was then Major Marsacks. He sold to Blunt, he to Allison, he to Harrison and he to Arbuthnot. I worked with slight intervals till 26 or 27 [years old]. Then I lodged a short time at Plaw Hatch at Quabrook and did odd work for about 10 years. Then worked at Hammerwood for Mr. Meggins for about 10 years, living during the greater part of the time at Forest Row before I left to work with a little farm of 16 acres near the turnpike at Forest Row belonging to Dr. Collins of East Grinstead which I farmed about 7 or 8 years and I then took Leggs Heath Farm which I have held for about 26 years. The first occupier of Leggs Heath I remember was old Payne who owned it. After him I think his son William had it for a year or two. He was succeeded by a Mr. Holford, then a Mr. Flint, then Gardner, then I.

.......