| Forge [a.k.a. Hamsell Forge, Old Furnace] Farm Forge Road Groombridge |
| Historical records | |||||
| 8th Jun 1598 | Leaseholder (21 yrs) | Birchden Forge | Buckhurst Terrier | ||
| Thomas Richardson, yeoman, of Birchden holds by deed the capital messuage, mansion or manor house Birchden with Sanden, Sanden Mead, Birchden Rocks, the Downes, Claiton Lands, Perriefeild, Russells field, Hollard field, waste ground, and also one iron forge called commonlie by the name of Birchden Forge, with certain Fineries, Blowmeries, Chafferies, and with all ponds, watercourse, streames, banks, baies and other appurtenances of The Manor of Birchden, in all 252 acres: viz., meadow 34 acres, pasture 82 acres, arable 20 acres, wood 115 acres. Rent £52 and 2 fat capons alive on 20th November. | |||||
| c 1795 |  | Part of the 1 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1795 by William Gardner and Thomas Gream | Old Furnace | ||
| 26th Feb 1839 |  | Benjamin Field (occupier) and Henry Thwaites (devisee in trust), Robert Foreman and John Baker Stapley (owners) | Benjamin Field, independent | Garden, House and Buildings (0 acres 2 roods 4 perches) plot 124 | Rotherfield Tithe Map |
| 6th Jun 1841 | Census | Edward Field, M, Head, age 50 to 54, born Sussex; occupation: farmer | Edward Field, farmer | Hamsell Forge | 1841 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Philadelphia Field, F, [Wife], age 45 to 49, born Sussex | Philadelphia Powell | ||||
| Ann Field, F, [Daughter], age 20, born Sussex | Ann Stapley [Field] | ||||
| Edward Field, M, [Son], age 15 to 19, born Sussex | Edward Field, farm labourer | ||||
| Benjamin Field, M, [Son], age 13, born Sussex | Benjamin Field, miller | ||||
| Malachi Field, M, [Son], age 11, born Sussex | Malachi Field, farm labourer | ||||
| Malachi Field, M, [Son], age 11, born Sussex | Malachi Field, farm labourer | ||||
| Elizabeth Field, F, [Daughter], age 8, born Sussex | Elizabeth Wickens [Field] | ||||
| Phebe Taylor, F, age 14, born Sussex; occupation Servant | Phoebe Hicks [Taylor Wickens] | ||||
| Charles Cole, M, age 14, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourer | Charles Cole, farm labourer | ||||
| 30th Mar 1851 | Census | Head, employs 7 people; occupation: farmer | Edward Field, farmer | Forge Farm | 1851 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Wife | Philadelphia Powell | ||||
| Daughter | Elizabeth Wickens [Field] | ||||
| Servant; occupation: farm labourer | James Crouch | ||||
| 7th Apr 1861 | Census | Samuel Wickens, M, Head, married, age 48, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: farmer | Samuel Wickens | Forge Farm | 1861 Census Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex |
| Leah Wickens, F, Wife, married, age 44, born Rotherfield, Sussex | Leah Wickens [Luxford] | ||||
| Harriett Wickens, F, Daughter, single, age 19, born Speldhurst, Kent | Harriet Piddlesden [Wickens] | ||||
| Mary Ann Wickens, F, Daughter, single, age 17, born Speldhurst, Kent | Mary Ann Collins [Wickens] | ||||
| James Wickens, M, Son, age 15, born Speldhurst, Kent | James Wickens | ||||
| Mary Jane Wickens, F, Daughter, age 10, born Speldhurst, Kent; occupation: scholar | Mary Jane Hollamby [Wickens] | ||||
| Lucy Ann Wickens, F, Daughter, age 8, born Speldhurst, Kent; occupation: scholar | Lucy Ann Piddlesden [Wickens] | ||||
| Samuel Levi Lawrence Wickens, M, Son, age 5, born Speldhurst, Kent; occupation: scholar | Samuel Levi Lawrence Wickens | ||||
| Eugenia Selina Leah Wickens, F, Daughter, age 1, born Speldhurst, Kent | Eugenia Selina Leah Hollamby | ||||
| Sarah Sweatman, F, Servant, single, age 17, born Buxted, Sussex; occupation: general servant | Sarah Sweatman | ||||
| George Allcorn, M, Servant, age 16, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: carter | George Allcorn, labourer | ||||
| Frederick Wilson, M, Servant, age 15, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: carter's mate | Frederick Wilson | ||||
| 1867 | Directory entry | Wickens Obadiah, farmer, Forge | Forge | Post Office Directory | |
| 2nd Apr 1871 | Census | Thomas Godly, M, Head, single, age 23, born Heartfield, Sussex; occupation: farmer of 160 acres employing 5 men and 3 boys | Thomas Godly, farmer | Forge Farm Hamsell Farm House | 1871 Census Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex |
| Alice Godly, F, Sister, single, age 19, born Leigh, Kent; occupation: housekeeper | Alice Godly | ||||
| Edwin Godly, M, Nephew, age 10, born Tunbridge, Kent | Edwin Godly, butcher | ||||
| John Copper, M, Servant, single, age 20, born Penshurst, Kent; occupation: farm servant | John Copper | ||||
| Robert Mitchell, M, Servant, single, age 15, born Withyham, Sussex; occupation: farm servant | Robert Mitchell | ||||
| Elizabeth Brown, F, Servant, single, age 15, born London, Middlesex; occupation: general domestic servant | Elizabeth S Brown | ||||
| c 1875 |  | Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1875 by Ordnance Survey | Forge Farm | ||
| 3rd Apr 1881 | Census | Thomas Fredk. Welfare, M, Head, married, age 25, born Speldhurst; occupation Gasman | Thomas Frederick Welfare | Forge | 1881 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Emma Welfare, F, Wife, married, age 26, born Lamberhurst | Emma Welfare | ||||
| Henry Thomas Welfare, M, Son, age 2, born Rotherfield | Henry Thomas Welfare | ||||
| Frederick Welfare, M, Son, age 11 m, born Rotherfield | Frederick Welfare | ||||
| 3rd Apr 1881 | Census | Joseph Brown, M, Head, married, age 54, born Shropshire; occupation: farm labourer | Joseph Brown, farm labourer | Forge | 1881 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Hannah Brown, F, Wife, married, age 56, born Northamptonshire; occupation: railway gate keeper | Hannah Brown | ||||
| Hannah Brown, F, Daur, single, age 25, born Scotland | Hannah Moore [Brown] | ||||
| Joseph Brown, M, Son, single, age 23, born London; occupation: farm labourer | Joseph Brown | ||||
| William Brown, M, Son, single, age 19, born Hertfordshire; occupation: farm labourer | William J. Brown | ||||
| 3rd Apr 1881 | Census | Thomas Godley, M, Head, married, age 33, born Hartfield, employs 8 men and 2 boys; occupation: farmer | Thomas Godly, farmer | Forge Farm House | 1881 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Rhoda Godley, F, Wife, married, age 33, born Tunbridge Wells | Rhoda Godley | ||||
| Alice Godley, F, Daughter, age 5, born Rotherfield | Alice Godley | ||||
| Frank Godley, M, Son, age 3, born Rotherfield | Frank Godley | ||||
| Florence Godley, F, Daughter, age 1, born Rotherfield | Florence Godley | ||||
| Percy Willm. Godley, M, Son, age 2 m, born Rotherfield | Percy Willm. Godley | ||||
| Mary Jane Sedgewick, F, Niece, age 14, born Southborough; occupation Visitor | Mary Jane Sedgewick | ||||
| Elizabeth Turner, F, Servant, single, age 15, born Withyham; occupation: domestic servant | Elizabeth Turner | ||||
| Benjamin Tasker, M, Servant, single, age 20, born Withyham; occupation: farm labourer | Benjamin Tasker, carter | ||||
| 3rd Apr 1881 | Census | Edward Barden, M, Head, married, age 42, born Rotherfield, occupation: farm labourer | Edward Barden, farm labourer | Forge Cottage | 1881 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Jane Barden, F, Wife, married, age 37, born Tonbridge | Jane Barden | ||||
| Ernest Barden, M, Son, age 12, born Tonbridge, occupation: scholar | Ernest Barden | ||||
| Thomas Barden, M, Son, age 9, born Tonbridge, occupation: scholar | Thomas Barden | ||||
| Arthur Berguth, M, Step Son, age 11, born Tonbridge, occupation: scholar | Arthur Berguth | ||||
| Eliza Barden, F, Daughter, age 2, born Rotherfield | Eliza Barden | ||||
| James Barden, M, Son, age 1, born Rotherfield | James Barden | ||||
| Henry Ottley, M, Boarder, single, age 53; occupation Farm labourer | Henry Ottley | ||||
| 3rd Apr 1881 | Census | Edward Tasker, M, Head, married, age 50, born Withyham; occupation: farm labourer | Edward Tasker, farm labourer | Forge Cottage | 1881 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Fanny Tasker, F, Wife, married, age 44, born Ticehurst | Fanny Tasker | ||||
| Ellen Tasker, F, Daughter, single, age 16, born Withyham | Ellen Tasker | ||||
| Philip Tasker, M, Son, age 12, born Withyham; occupation: scholar | Philip Tasker | ||||
| 5th Apr 1891 | Census | Thomas Fred Welfare, M, Head, married, age 35, born Speldhurst, Kent; occupation Gasman | Thomas Frederick Welfare | Forge Gas Cottage | 1891 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Emma Welfare, F, Wife, married, age 36, born Lamberhurst, Kent | Emma Welfare | ||||
| Henry Thomas Welfare, M, Son, age 12, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation Scholar | Henry Thomas Welfare | ||||
| Frederick Welfare, M, Son, age 10, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation Scholar | Frederick Welfare | ||||
| Frank Welfare, M, Son, age 7, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation Scholar | Frank Welfare | ||||
| Kate Welfare, F, Daughter, age 2, born Rotherfield, Sussex | Kate Welfare | ||||
| 5th Apr 1891 | Census | Joseph Brown, M, Head, married, age 66, born Wellington, Shropshire; occupation: plate layer | Joseph Brown, farm labourer | Forge | 1891 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Hannah Brown, F, Wife, married, age 66, born Ashton, Northamptonshire; occupation: gate keeper | Hannah Brown | ||||
| Alice Gammon, F, Granddaughter, age 16, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: scholar | Alice Gammon | ||||
| 5th Apr 1891 | Census | Edward Reynolds, M, Head, married, age 50, born Lincolnshire; occupation Farm Labourer | Edward Reynolds | Forge | 1891 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Naomi Reynolds, F, Wife, married, age 45, born Rotherfield, Sussex | Naomi Reynolds | ||||
| Edward Reynolds, M, Son, single, age 21, born Wadhurst, Sussex | Edward Reynolds | ||||
| Elizabeth Reynolds, F, Daughter, single, age 15, born Mayfield, Sussex | Elizabeth Reynolds | ||||
| Thomas Reynolds, M, Son, single, age 13, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation Scholar | Thomas Reynolds | ||||
| May Reynolds, F, Daughter, age 9, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation Scholar | May Reynolds | ||||
| Joseph Reynolds, M, Son, age 5, born Wadhurst, Sussex; occupation Scholar | Joseph Reynolds | ||||
| William Meopham, M, Boarder, single, age 17, born Wadhurst, Sussex; occupation: carter's mate | William Mepham | ||||
| 5th Apr 1891 | Census | Frederick Simmonds, M, Head, single, age 28, born Maidstone, Kent; occupation: farmer | Frederick Simmonds, farmer | Forge | 1891 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Esther Tassell, F, Housekeeper, widowed, age 39, born Chatham, Kent; occupation Housekeeper | Esther Tassell | ||||
| Mary Charity Stutely, F, Servant, single, age 13, born Stone, Kent; occupation: general domestic servant | Mary Charity Stutely | ||||
| 2nd Apr 1911 | Census | William Alfred Rogers, M, Head, married, age 54, born Hadlow, Kent; occupation: farm foreman | William Alfred Rogers, farm foreman | Forge Farm Cottage, Groombridge | 1911 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Harriett Elizabeth Rogers, F, Wife, married 29 years, age 51, born Rotherfield, Sussex | Harriett Elizabeth Rogers | ||||
| Beatrice Ann Rogers, F, Daughter, single, age 26, born Rotherfield, Sussex | Beatrice Ann Rogers | ||||
| William Albert Rogers, M, Son, single, age 24, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: railway porter L.B. and S.C.R. | William Albert Rogers | ||||
| Cyril Henry Rogers, M, Son, single, age 22, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: gardener | Cyril Henry Rogers | ||||
| Frederick Auther Rogers, M, Son, single, age 15, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: railway learner L.B. and S.C.R. | Frederick Auther Rogers | ||||
| 2nd Apr 1911 | Census | George Howell, M, Head, married, age 47, born Kingsnorth, Kent; occupation: waggoner on farm | George Howell, waggoner on farm | Forge Farm Cottage, Groombridge | 1911 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Harriet Howell, F, Wife, married 25 years, age 53, born Gillingham, Dorset | Harriet Howell | ||||
| Charles George Howell, M, Son, single, age 24, born Ruckinge, Kent; occupation: stockman on farm | Charles George Howell | ||||
| Joseph Henry Howell, M, Son, single, age 23, born Bilsington, Kent; occupation: horseman on farm | Joseph Henry Howell | ||||
| Thomas John Howell, M, Son, single, age 22, born Ivychurch, Kent; occupation: nurseryman | Thomas John Howell | ||||
| Edward James Howell, M, Son, single, age 17, born Newchurch, Kent; occupation: horseman on farm | Edward James Howell | ||||
| Richard Hains Howell, M, Son, age 12, born Newchurch, Kent; occupation: school | Richard Hains Howell | ||||
| 2nd Apr 1911 | Census | Frederick Dray, M, Head, married, age 53, born Withyham, Sussex; occupation: labourer on farm | Frederick Dray, labourer on farm | Forge Farm House, Groombridge | 1911 Census Rotherfield, Sussex |
| Isabella Dray, F, Wife, married 25 years, age 50, born Withyham, Sussex | Isabella Dray | ||||
| Arthur Dray, M, Son, age 10, born Withyham, Sussex; occupation: school | Arthur Dray | ||||
| Gertrude Sales, F, Neice, age 13, born Bermondsey, London; occupation: school | Gertrude Sales | ||||
The Weald is at Database version 14.05 which has ongoing updates to the 395,000 people; 9,000 places; 613 maps; 3,308 pictures, engravings and photographs; and 248 books loaded in the previous version
