The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Stephens Farm    Sheffield Forest  Fletching  
Historical records

1597FreeholderCharles HowardStephensBuckhurst Terrier
Charles Howard, Esq. in the right of Charitie his wife, holds by deed Stephens land, 20 acres, bounds:
  • Lord Buckhurst's Ridgwood to the South
  • Rich. Michelbourne and Thomas Awcock to the West
  • Henry Snott and John Atheroll to the North
  • lane from Sheffield to Nutley to the East
Rent 5s. 4d.

6th Jun 1841CensusJames Avis, M, Head, age 29, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourerJames Avis, farm labourerStevens1841 Census
Fletching, Sussex
Martha Avis, F, [Wife], age 25, born SussexMartha Avis [Allen]
Mary Avis, F, [Daughter], age 6, born SussexEliza Avis
Frances Avis, F, [Daughter], age 4, born SussexMaryanne Avis
Sarah Avis, F, [Daughter], age 2, born SussexFrances Avis

6th Jun 1841CensusWilliam Lucas, M, Head, age 40 to 44, born Sussex; occupation: farmerWilliam Lucas, farmerStevens1841 Census
Fletching, Sussex
Susan Lucas, F, [Wife], age 40 to 44, born SussexSusan Lucas
John Lucas, M, [Son], age 20 to 24, born SussexJohn Lucas
Rebecca Lucas, F, [Daughter], age 16, born SussexRebecca Lucas
Allen Lucas, M, [Son], age 14, born SussexAllen Lucas
Susan Lucas, F, [Daughter], age 7, born SussexSusan Lucas
Henry Lucas, M, [Son], age 5, born SussexHenry Lucas
Frances Lucas, F, [Daughter], age 2, born SussexFrances Lucas
Thomas Styles, M, age 33, born Sussex; occupation Farm labourerThomas Styles

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation: farm labourerJames Avis, farm labourerStevanses1851 Census
Fletching, Sussex
WifeMartha Avis [Allen]
Daughter; occupation: scholarSarah Jane Avis
Daughter; occupation: scholarHarriet Farmer [Avis]
Daughter; occupation: scholarLucy Welfare [Avis]
DaughterElizabeth Baker [Avis]
SonWilliam Avis, farm labourer
Father, widowed; occupation: farm labourerJames Avis, farm labourer

c 1875Sheffield Forest, Sussex - c 1875Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1875 by Ordnance SurveyStephens Farm

1879RecollectionsEdward Newnham, farmerStevens FarmAshdown Forest dispute

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.

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