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:

Everest, James. This witness is very inferior and cannot travel. At White's land, Quabrook. Born at Marsh Green 11 October 1800. Baptised at Hartfield. Lived there till I went to service.

Before I went to service my Father cut litter for Hooker at Mount Farm, Cowden and Bachelors Folly, Wish Farm, Hartfield, and Mellish at Beech Green (Price) and Ovenden at Blackham (Price) and Streatfield at Possingford, for Wren and afterwards Chart at Marsh Green. I used to help my father rake up the litter and used to be out there when the teams used to come for it. I remember on one occasion when Hooker's teams were there with Simmons the carter and Heasman the mate one of the horses nearly bit Heasman's finger off.

When I was 14 I went to service to Mr. Hooker at Buckhurst Farm, Withyham for 1 year, then I went to live with Mr. Read at Chartners Farm (Lord De La Warr) lie a year, then to Mr. Goodrick at New Lodge 1/2 a year, then to Mr. Paris owner of Ham Farm, Withyham 1/2 a year, then to Mr. Hollandale at Fisher's Gate Farm (Lord De La Warr) 1/2 year. He had no litter. I went with his team. Then to Mr. Chart at Marsh Green 1 year; he had litter for that and Suntings. Then to Mr. Combridge at Harts 1/2 a year. He had litter there and at Pest House Farm. Then I left service and went to work at Chartners for Mr. Bourner for about 2 years. He had no litter. Then I worked about till I married and cut litter for Mr. Hall at the Green Farm (now called Falconhurst) near Coldstock Gate.

I married 55 years ago last July and then I went to work for Mr. Philcox at Lower Parrock Farm for 14 years, then for Mr. Ratcliff at Hodore and St. Tyes Farms (Lord De La Warr) for 17 years. After that I worked for Mr. Wright at Hodore and St. Tyes till I was thrown off a load of hay 14 years ago since which I have been mole catching and the like on Hodore, St Tyes, Upper Parrock, Ashdown House and the like.

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