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:

Newnham, Edward. 40. Stevens Farm, Fletching. Farmer. Born at Mark Street close by. When I was about 14, I went to work as carter boy for 16 years with Mr. Edward Crowhurst (dead) who had Light Rowe Farm (Professor Mivart's) and Stevens Farm for 16 years (except 3 months [?j mentioned). During the whole of that time we had litter and turf off the Forest for both farms but did not turn out because it was too far off for Mr. Crowhurst's purpose and he had no more stock than he could winter at home. He gave up business and I then went to work for Mr. William Martin who had Colin Godmans Farm (Lord Sheffield) and took Stevens Farm (Lord Sheffield) and Bareland (Lord Sheffield) formerly Mr. Fuller's property for about 7 years. He had litter of the Forest nearly every winter at Colin Godmans and Stevens Farms.

...............