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:

Ray, Richard. Of Marshalls Farm, Maresfield. Farmer. 32 years ago I came to Maresfield and took the Chequers Inn and the farm belonging to it (Lady Shelley's) and used it 19 years. 2 or 3 years after I came there I also took Markhouse Farm (adjoining Maresfield water mill) belonging to Mr. Streatfield and carried it on for 20 years. 22 years ago I also took Lampool Farm, Northlands and Readings (or Reddings) belonging to Lady Shelley and farmed them 8 years. I always had litter off the Forest for each of these farms, some every year.

I also at times had turf off the Forest for fuel at the Chequers and was never interrupted. 14 years ago I took Marshalls Farm and came to live here and have farmed it ever since, together with the land formerly used by old Birley. Marshalls also includes about 17 acres of land called Picketts which formerly belonged to Blackvenn. The total acreage I farm exclusive of wood is 330 acres. There are no buildings on Picketts or on the land late Birleys. I have had litter off the Forest to Marshalls at times but not constantly because I generally have plenty of straw. The manure made at Marshalls goes out generally over all the land.