The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Newbridge    Ashdown Forest  Hartfield  

Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1871The Parliamentarian Surveys of the County of Sussex by John Robert Daniel-Tyssen, F.S.A. ⇒ p. 304
1931Wealden Iron by Ernest Straker ⇒ p. 248
1997The Ashdown Forest Dispute 1876-1882 by Professor Brian Short ⇒ Notebook extract; Notebook extract

Places in Newbridge
Almshouse
Bank Cottage
Brickyard Cottage
Claypit Farm
Edgemount
Frogs Hole Farm
Furnace Farm
Heasmans Rough
Jumpers [a.k.a. Chapmans] Town
Killicks Cottage
Marsh Green
Mathews [a.k.a. Matthews] Cross
Moss Cottages
New Lodge Farm
Newbridge Brick Works
Newbridge Corn Mill
Newbridge Water House
Old Brick Kiln
Peculiars
Springhill Cottage
Suntings Farm
Thornhill Farm
Tile Lodge
Historical records

1497HistoryNewbridgeWealden Iron
In 1497 Simon Ballarde was casting large quantities of iron shot here.

1523HistoryNewbridgeWealden Iron
In 1523 the steward of the Duchy of Lancaster reported that £14 3s. 4d. was not received because no one would take the iron mills in Ashdown Forest until Lord Wiltshire took them. This refers to Newbridge.

1539HistoryNewbridgeWealden Iron
In the Forest Proceedings, 1539 (Henry VIII.), mentioned under Steel Forge, there is a series of memoranda relating to Newbridge which give us the earliest accounts of a blast furnace and its forges. ............... It reads thus :"The yron mylles called Newebridge in the Nether ende of the fforest of Ashdowne. Oone Nysell hath assignement of this mill of my lord Wiltesher and yeris yet to come vij or thereabouts. The Myll well repaired in all thyngs...............

1574HistoryNewbridgeWealden Iron
Newbridge in 1574, when Henry Bowyer of Tinsley held a double furnace there, apparently his private possession, although he acted for Queen Elizabeth elsewhere in the Forest

1650HistoryNewbridgeWealden Iron
By 1650 the works had been abandoned ; the Parliamentary Survey of June 5th in that year says that the Earl of Dorcett claimed, inter alia, " the ffish ponds and all the wast ground whereon the forges and ffurnaces and workmens howses were seated."

c 1693Ashdown ForestAshdown Forest by Barry Lucas after KeltonNewbridge GateStraker's Ashdown Forest

c 1795Colemans Hatch, Sussex - c 1795Part of the 1 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1795 by William Gardner and Thomas GreamNewbridge Gate

c 1825Colemans Hatch, Sussex - c 1825Part of the 1 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1825 by Christopher and John GreenwoodNewbridge Gate

6th Jun 1841CensusJames Bridger, M, Head, age 70 to 74, born Sussex; occupation: farmerJames Bridger, farmerNewbridge1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Elizabeth Bridger, F, [Wife], age 70 to 74, born SussexElisabeth Bridger [Russell]
Lucy Bridger, F, [Daughter], age 43, born SussexLucy Bridger

6th Jun 1841CensusWilliam Baldwin, M, Head, age 30 to 34, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourerWilliam Baldwin, labourerNewbridge1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Lucy Baldwin, F, [Wife], age 27, born SussexLucy Baldwin [Philcox]
Elizabeth Baldwin, F, [Daughter], age 12, born SussexElizabeth Beard [Baldwin]
William Baldwin, M, [Son], age 9, born SussexWilliam Baldwin
George Baldwin, M, [Son], age 7, born SussexGeorge Baldwin
Mary Baldwin, F, [Daughter], age 5, born SussexMary Card [Baldwin]
Elizabeth Baldwin, F, [Daughter], age 3, born SussexEliza Heasman [Baldwin]

6th Jun 1841CensusJohn Shoebridge, M, Head, age 35 to 39, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourerJohn Shoebridge, labourerNewbridge1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Hester Shoebridge, F, [Wife], age 35 to 39, born SussexHester Shoebridge [Heasman]
James Shoebridge, M, [Son], age 9, born SussexJames Shoebridge
Jasper Shoebridge, M, [Son], age 7, born SussexJasper Shoebridge
John Shoebridge, M, [Son], age 5, born SussexJohn Shoebridge
Joseph Shoebridge, M, [Son], age 2, born SussexJoseph Shoebridge, farm labourer
Hester Shoebridge, F, [Daughter], age 5 months, born SussexHester Shoebridge

6th Jun 1841CensusSarah Mugeridge, F, Head, age 70 to 74, born Sussex; occupation: independentSarah Mugeridge, independentNewbridge1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Isaac Mugeridge, M, [Relation], age 40 to 44, born SussexIsaac Mugeridge

6th Jun 1841CensusThomas Godly, M, Head, age 30 to 34, born Sussex; occupation: farmerThomas Godly, farmerNewbridge1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Mary Godly, F, [Wife], age 25 to 29, born SussexMary Godly
John Godly, M, [Son], age 6, born SussexJohn Godly
Mary Godly, F, [Daughter], age 4, born SussexMary Ann Godly
Selina Godly, F, [Daughter], age 1, born SussexSelina Godly

6th Jun 1841CensusNed Wren, M, Head, age 76, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourerNed WrenNewbridge1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Mary Wren, F, [Wife], age 70 to 74, born SussexMary Wren [Roffe]
Eliza Kesterton, F, age 15 to 19, born Sussex; occupation: independentEliza Kesterton
Elizabeth Kesterton, F, age 1, born SussexElizabeth Kesterton
William Avis, M, age 7, born SussexWilliam Avis

6th Jun 1841CensusGeorge Adams, M, Head, age 70 to 74, born Sussex; occupation: carpenterGeorge Adams, carpenterMill Cottage1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Mary Adams, F, [Wife], age 56, born SussexMary Adams

6th Jun 1841CensusLuke Godly, M, Head, age 20 to 24, born Sussex; occupation: millerLuke Godly, millerMill Cottage1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Frances Godly, F, [Wife], age 19, born SussexFrancess Godley [Fillery]

6th Jun 1841CensusMary Heasman, F, Head, age 45 to 49, born SussexMary Ann HesmanNewbridge1841 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Maria Heasman, F, [Daughter], age 1 month, born SussexMaria Hesman

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation: labourerWilliam Baldwin, labourerNewbridge Bank1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
WifeLucy Baldwin [Philcox]

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation: millerGeorge Fillery, millerNewbridge1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
WifeMary Fillery
SonJames Fillery

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation: labourerEdward Miles, labourerNewbridge1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
WifeCaroline Miles [Divall]
Son; occupation: scholarWilliam Miles, groom
Son; occupation: scholarThomas Miles, farm labourer and woodreeve
SonEdward Miles, farm labourer
SonCharles Miles, portable steam thrasher

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; widowedPhiladelphia Shaw [Watford]Newbridge1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Son; occupation: labourerJonathan Shaw

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation GardenerWilliam Simmonds[Newbridge]1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
WifeSelina Simmonds [Godly]
SonWilliam Simmonds
DaughterFrances Simmonds

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation: labourerWilliam Hollamby, farm labourer[Newbridge]1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
WifeJane Hollomby [Stiller]
Daughter; occupation: scholarCharlotte Thorp [Hollomby]
SonJesse Hollomby, gardener

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation Farm LabourerCharles Hudson, farm labourer[Newbridge]1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
WifeSarah Hudson [Hollomby]
DaughterSarah Hudson
Son; occupation ScholarJohn Hudson, wheelwright
SonGeorge Hudson
SonJesse Hudson, farm labourer
DaughterAnn Hudson
SonJames Hudson, labourer

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; widowedElizabeth Hudson [Taylor][Newbridge]1851 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Son; occupation LabourerJohn Hudson
Servant; occupation House ServantPhillis Hudson

c 1875Gills Lap, Newbridge & Chuck Hatch, South West of Hartfield - c 1875Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1875 by Ordnance SurveyNewbridge

1878RecollectionsEdmund Hills, farm labourerNewbridgeAshdown 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:

Hills, Edmund. Living at Newbridge, Hartfield. Labourer aged 70, 29 April last. Born at Coleman's Hatch, Hartfield. My father William Hills was bailiff of the Holly Hill Estate for Squire Breton and afterwards Colonel Young. When he sold to Mr. Jackson my Father resigned the place on account of age and continued to live at the Hatch till his death about 1843. From the earliest recollection my Father was Bailiff. As soon as I could run about I was about with my Father. When I was 9 years old I milked and looked after the cows and I worked there till I was 14 or 15. I then went to Ashurst Wood 2 years, then to Mr. Henry Isted at Charmers Farm, Hartfield, 2 years, then to Broadstone Farm under Mr. Brooks 2 years, then back to Charmers for a year. Then I returned to Holly Hill for about 10 years, then I went to Pippingford under Mr. Mortimer 26 years and Mr. Gray 1 year, then back to Holly Hill 6 years ago.

......


1878RecollectionsCaesar Gurr, farm labourerNew BridgeAshdown 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:

Gurr, Caesar. Rents a cottage and about an acre of land of Mr. Melville at New Bridge. Aged 60. Born in Maresfield in a house built by my grandfather Bennett on the edge of the Forest. Lived there till I married when I was over 30. I used to do job work till I was 20 and then went to work daily at Pippingford out in the Forest where I still work. For the first 30 years I was always about in the Forest on the Maresfield side. I used to cut a little litter for my father's pigs but I cut for no one else. I saw most of what went on in the Forest.

.......


3rd Apr 1881CensusMark Haffenden, M, Head, married, age 75, born Buxted; occupation: labourerMark Haffenden, farm labourerForest Rough1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Sarah Haffenden, F, Wife, married, age 70, born BuxtedSarah Haffenden [Farnes]
John Haffenden, M, Son, single, age 21, born Hartfield; occupation: labourerJohn Haffenden
Charlotte Haffenden, F, Granddaughter, age 8, born Hartfield; occupation: scholarCharlotte Crowhurst [Haffenden]
Charles Haffenden, M, Grandson, age 4, born HartfieldCharles Haffenden

3rd Apr 1881CensusFrances Fuller, F, Head, single, age 37, born Mayfield; occupation GrocerFrances Adams [Fuller]Newbridge1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex

3rd Apr 1881CensusCeaser Gurr, M, Head, married, age 60, born Maresfield; occupation: gardenerCaesar Gurr, farm labourerNewbridge1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Elizabeth Gurr, F, Wife, married, age 57, born MaresfieldElizabeth Gurr [Stevenson]
Ceaser Gurr, M, Son, single, age 14, born Hartfield; occupation: labourerCeaser Gurr
Albert Gurr, M, Son, single, age 12, born Hartfield; occupation: scholarAlbert Gurr
Mabel B.Gurr Stace, F, Visitor, age 3, born HartfieldMabel B.Gurr Stace

3rd Apr 1881CensusDaniel Heasman, M, Head, married, age 49, born Hartfield; occupation: labourerDaniel Heasman, sawyerForest Cottage1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Eliza Heasman, F, Wife, married, age 43, born HartfieldEliza Heasman [Baldwin]
George Heasman, M, Son, single, age 17, born East Grinstead; occupation: blacksmithDaniel Heasman
Abel Heasman, M, Son, age 15, born East Grinstead; occupation: labourerGeorge Heasman
Emily Heasman, F, Daughter, age 11, born East Grinstead; occupation: labourerAbel Heasman
Ada E. Heasman, F, Daughter, age 9, born East Grinstead; occupation: scholarEmily Heasman
Daniel Heasman, M, Son, age 22, born East Grinstead; occupation: scholarAda Elen Crowhurst [Heasman]
William Baldwin, M, Father-in-law, widowed, age 75, born Lamberhurst; occupation: labourerWilliam Baldwin, labourer

3rd Apr 1881CensusJohn Wheatley, M, Head, widowed, age 72, born Hartfield; occupation: farmerJohn Wheatley, farm labourerForest1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Mary Ann Wheatley, F, Daughter, single, age 37, born HartfieldMary Ann Langridge [Wheatley], lodging-house keeper
Joseph Wheatley, M, Son, single, age 21, born Hartfield; occupation: labourerJoseph Wheatley, farmer

3rd Apr 1881CensusRichd. Lepard, M, Head, single, age 24, born Brighton; occupation: labourerRichard Lepard, labourerForest Cottage1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Amos H. Lepard, M, Brother, single, age 22, born Brighton; occupation: labourerAmos H. Lepard

3rd Apr 1881CensusEdmund Hill, M, Head, married, age 36, born Hartfield; occupation: labourerEdmund Hill, labourerNewbridge1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Lucy Jane Hill, F, Wife, married, age 34, born HartfieldLucy Jane Hill [Thorpe]

3rd Apr 1881CensusHenry Thorpe, M, Father-in-law (Head), married, age 94, born Maresfield; occupation Retired GamekeeperHenry ThorpeNewbridge1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Philydelfy Thorpe, F, Wife, married, age 68, born Horsted KeynesPhiladelphia Thorpe [Manner]
Louisa Dall, F, Visitor, age 1, born SurreyLouisa Dall

3rd Apr 1881CensusEdward Hollamby, M, Head, married, age 68, born Hartfield; occupation: labourerEdward Hollamby, farm labourer and shoemakerW Newbridge1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Mary Hollamby, F, Wife, married, age 57, born HartfieldMary Hollamby [Tester]
Elizabeth Hollamby, F, Daughter, single, age 30, born Tunbridge WellsElizabeth Hollamby
Alfred Hollamby, M, Son, single, age 5, born Hartfield; occupation: boot and shoe makerAlfred Hollamby, gardener and boot and shoe repairer

3rd Apr 1881CensusSophia Battchelor, F, Head, widowed, age 16, born FrantSophia BatchelorNewbridge 1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex

3rd Apr 1881CensusObed Sheeter, M, Head, married, age 44, born Rotherfield; occupation Miller's labourerObed SheeterNewbridge 1881 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Caroline Sheeter, F, Wife, married, age 39, born MayfieldCaroline Sheeter
Owen Sheeter, M, Son, age 5, born Uckfield; occupation ScholarOwen Sheeter
Phoebe Sheeter, F, Daughter, age 4, born Framfield; occupation ScholarPhoebe Sheeter

5th Apr 1891CensusLeonard Divall, M, Head, married, age 42, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: farmer and brickmakerLeonard Divall, brick makerNewbridge Brickyard1891 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Hannah Divall, F, Wife, married, age 39, born Hartfield, SussexHannah Tasker Divall [Weeding]
Mary Divall, F, Daughter, single, age 20, born Hartfield, SussexMary Jane Divall
Leonard Divall, M, Son, age 14, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: farmer's sonLeonard Divall
John Divall, M, Son, age 7, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: scholarJohn William Divall
Naomi Divall, F, Daughter, age 5, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: scholarNaomi Divall

5th Apr 1891CensusWilliam Adams, M, Head, married, age 41, born Tunbridge Wells, Kent; occupation: master grocerWilliam Adams, grocerGrocers Shop, Newbridge1891 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Frances Adams, F, Wife, married, age 46, born Mayfield, SussexFrances Adams [Fuller]

5th Apr 1891CensusElizabeth Gurr, F, Head, widowed, age 66, born Maresfield, SussexElizabeth Gurr [Stevenson]Newbridge1891 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Ceasar Gurr, M, Son, single, age 24, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: farm labourerCeaser Gurr
Albert Gurr, M, Son, single, age 22, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: farm labourerAlbert Gurr
Charles Thompsett, M, Boarder, widowed, age 66, born Fletching, Sussex; occupation: Farm labourerCharles Thompsett

5th Apr 1891CensusAlfred Hollamby, M, Head, married, age 35, born Hartfield, Sussex; occupation: gardenerAlfred Hollamby, gardener and boot and shoe repairerNewbridge1891 Census
Hartfield, Sussex
Mary Hollamby, F, Wife, married, age 28, born Flimwell, KentMary Hollamby [Jackson]

c 1899Newbridge, Sussex - c 1899Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1899 by Ordnance SurveyNewbridge

c 1945Newbridge MillNewbridge Mill, Ashdown ForestPrivate collection

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

ODNB  
British Libarary  
High Weald  
Sussex Record Society  
Sussex Archaeological Society  
Kent Archaeological Society  
Mid Kent Marriages  
Ancestry  
Genes Reunited  
International Genealogical Index  
National Archives  

Top
of the
page