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:

Walter, James. 62. Born at Fairwarp and lived in the immediate neighbourhood all my time. My father was John Walter. He was a sawyer and when I was first able to work I used to go with him. When I was barely 20 my Father hired Northlands of Lady Shelley except 1 field (Gasson used this field before my Father in conjunction with Lampool). Later on my Father also hired the Maresfield portion of Oldlands called Siderolls and Mill Farm, 18 1/2 acres each, and later on when Mr. Lewry left Norton's Farm (adjoining Lampool) my Father gave up Northlands and took it. I helped my Father on these farms. Later on he gave up Norton and Siderolls and took Putlands and Kenwards Farms of Lady Shelley and he held them and Mill Farm till he died. I helped him farm all of these farms and after his death I took Putlands and Kenwards and still use them and my brother Alfred took Mill Farm till after Mr. Nesbitt bought it. When my Father gave up Siderolls my sister Mrs Thorp and her husband took it. Thorp died there and it was then let to Tyrrell till Mr. Nesbitt purchased it.

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