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:

Edwards, Abraham. 66. Living at Suntings Farm, Hartfield and in the service of Mr. Hale. Born 8 March 1813 at Quarock in Hartfield. Baptised at Hartfield.

Has cut litter for Mr. Hale for 16 years. Before that he cut for Fillery at New Bridge Mill, who is Lord De La Warr's tenant. All De La Warr's tenants take litter.

We lived at Quarock till I was about 8 years old then I remember moving to Cat Street, Hartfield. When about 12 years old I went to service. Before and after we moved, my Father worked for Mr. Combridge at Harts Farm and the summer before I went to service I worked for Mrs Combridge at 4d. a day. I then went to service at Lower Parrock Farm under Mr. Richard Spencer for 3 years as odd boy 1111 years and carter boy 11/2 years.,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I then got married at the age of 30 or 31 and worked at various places on the border of the Forest in Hartfield for 2 or 3 years. Then I went to work 11 years for Mr. Fillery who had Newbridge Mill and Peculiars Farm and I lived at the farm house.

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