Mighall, William. [At] Chapel Row, West Hoathly. Laborer. Born 31st March 1803 at West Hoathly and believe I was baptised there. When I was 13 or 14 years old I went as carter boy to Mr. Robert Heath at Hazleden Farm in East Grinstead for 2 years, then I went to Court Inholmes Farm under Mr. Bedford for a year. Then I went to Mill Place in East Grinstead under Mr. Jacob for 1 year. Then I went to Ardingly for 1 year and then came to Courtlands lands, then called Barns Place. I worked there 44 years first under Fashion Nairn, then Wm. Nairn and then Lady Kendrick, then Mr. Ramsbottom, then Sir Frederick Stovin and others. I left there in 1868 and went as keeper to Saint Hill, East Grinstead, for 1 year, then I went to Moatlands at Selsfield Common under Mr. Linklater for 4 or 5 years. Then I went to Hampshire and came back Christmas 1878.

When I was with Mr. Heath he used to turn out 4 bullocks on the Forest in the summer. He marked them by punching a hole in the ear and tying a piece of ribbon through it. I used to go out on Sundays to look after them. I remember we lost one and it was at last found at a Mr. Fry's farm in Hartfield (no doubt Hart's Farm). Mr. Heath did not take litter or brakes because he had plenty of straw on his own land. I did not know him take anything else. I do not remember whether Mr. Bedford or Mr. Jacob turned out or had litter. Courtlands comprised 1760 acres. I have always known part of Courtlands by the name of Cuckhams. I was all my time in the employ of the gentleman who lived at Courtlands. Sometimes they farmed a good deal of the property and sometimes only a small portion. In the earlier part of the time I worked at Courtlands they used to turn out stock on the Forest. I saw them go out and come home. The Forest used to be driven. I remember Gardner who farmed Mudbrooke. I remember his telling me one day that he found old Ned Heaver (of Tablehurst), who was called the head driver, had got one of his heifers so he went up to him and said he saw he had one of Fashion Nairn's, pointing to his heifer upon which Heaver at once got it and turned it back. Gardner told me that as a good joke. He knew they would not interfere with Nairn's cattle. Heaver afterwards told me the story was true. We used to have brakes and litter off the Forest. I used to see it brought [in] and on one occasion I remember Peter Horrell who lived on the Forest near Twyford and had rights to cut some litter down on Leggs Heath Bank and Mr. Nairn ordered me and a brother of mine (dead) and John Francis (dead) to fetch it in. Horrell was there and we had [a] fight over it but we got it in. Horrell went to the lawyers and afterwards came to Mr. Nairn and demanded to be paid 30/- for the litter. I was standing by. Mr. Nairn said `Damn you, I'll pay you' and then called to one of his servants to fetch his dog whip. When Peter heard this he did not wait for any more.

Mr. Nairn also owned and used Leggs Heath at this time and I used to see the litter used on the farm. In later years I do not think the Courtlands people turned out or had litter.

When I was at Court Inholmes I remember old Payne had Leggs Heath and Charlwood and I used to see his cattle being turned out on the Forest.