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:

Brown, Stephen. 64, about. Born and lived all his life in Buxted Parish. When I was about 10 years old I went to work for Mr. Holder who had a farm of about 6 acres adjoining Sleeches and now occupied by George Bishop (Veness owner) for 2 or 3 years.

Then I worked for Mr. Stapley at Sleeches about a year. Sometime before I was 20 I went to service with Mr. Winter at Shadwell Farm (Saundas property) for 5 years. Then I went to Mr. W. Manktelow at Renold Farm, Rotherfield 1 1/2 years, then to Mr. Widenden at the Ragged Dog Farm near Boweshead, Rotherfield 1/2 year, then to Mr. John Paris at Chillies Farm, Buxted, 1 1/2 years then I got married. Some time after I went to work for Mr. John Dival at Hartwood Mill Farm, about 100 acres (which belonged to Mrs Woodward) 12 years. Then I worked on the Uckfield Railway 3 or 4 months. Then for Mr. Robert Wilson of Stroods 7 years, then for Mr. Saunders at Chillies for the last 10 years.

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