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:

Young, William (Commonly known as Champion Young.) 54. Living at Forest Row and now working for Bashford, carrier and coal merchant. Born at Fincham Farm, 14 January 1825. Baptised (he believes) at Hartfield. The Young family owned Fincham Farm.

My father was William Young. In consequence of a law suit my father's ownership of the farm was upset and he left it when I was a child just able to remember and he removed to Pest House for a short time and soon after to Upper Parrock Farm which was then owned by Francis Jenner as bailiff for the Honourable Anne Fuller. I worked for a time for Jenner till the farm was let to old Mr. Stephen Langridge (now dead), then I went on working there for him as carter boy for about 3 years then I went as mate with a team to Mr. George Elliott of Landhurst Farm, Hartfield, and went to and fro to London with his waggon (he was also a carrier) for 2 1/2 years. Then I went in the Spring for 3 months to Avis who had Hunts Farm at Wythyham (Lord De La Warr's property) Then I returned to old Mr. Langridge at Upper Parrock and remained as a carter till I was married about 1849. Then I went away to Hadlow at Michaelmas and stayed there for 11/2 years Then I returned to old Mr. Langridge and remained with him till his death and after that went on working there for his son Mr. Stephen Langridge who still uses the farm. I remained with him till 7 or 8 years ago and have since worked about at odd work cutting litter in the winter for anybody who would buy it. While I was working under Jenner at Upper Parrock I used to go with the ox team to the Forest after litter.

.......