9.10.1879

Young, William (Commonly known as Champion Young.) 54. Living at Forest Row and now working for Bashford, carrier and coal merchant. Born at Fincham Farm, 14 January 1825. Baptised (he believes) at Hartfield. The Young family owned Fincham Farm.

My father was William Young. In consequence of a law suit my father's ownership of the farm was upset and he left it when I was a child just able to remember and he removed to Pest House for a short time and soon after to Upper Parrock Farm which was then owned by Francis Jenner as bailiff for the Honourable Anne Fuller. I worked for a time for Jenner till the farm was let to old Mr. Stephen Langridge (now dead), then I went on working there for him as carter boy for about 3 years then I went as mate with a team to Mr. George Elliott of Landhurst Farm, Hartfield, and went to and fro to London with his waggon (he was also a carrier) for 2 1/2 years. Then I went in the Spring for 3 months to Avis who had Hunts Farm at Wythyham (Lord De La Warr's property) Then I returned to old Mr. Langridge at Upper Parrock and remained as a carter till I was married about 1849. Then I went away to Hadlow at Michaelmas and stayed there for 11/2 years Then I returned to old Mr. Langridge and remained with him till his death and after that went on working there for his son Mr. Stephen Langridge who still uses the farm. I remained with him till 7 or 8 years ago and have since worked about at odd work cutting litter in the winter for anybody who would buy it. While I was working under Jenner at Upper Parrock I used to go with the ox team to the Forest after litter.

William Farmer and Edward Heasman cut some of it above the peat bogs in New Bridge and also carried in peat from the Forest for the laborers on the farm and I continued at the same work for old Mr. Langridge.

While I worked for George Elliott he had litter from the Forest I used to fetch it in between my journeys. When I returned to Langridge before I married I continued carrying litter and peat and also after my return to him from Hadlow. He was a great man for litter. Everybody all round used to have litter. Since I left the present Mr. Langridge I have cut litter for Robert Edwards of Andrews Bank and Lines and Little Parrock Farms, Mr. Langridge of Upper Parrock, Mr. Nicholas Wright of Hodore (Lord De La Warr's farm), Richard Farmer of Fitness Farm, William Young of Fincham, Piper of Cowden (not a commoner), William Thomas who had the farm on the right hand of the road just as you go into East Grinstead (by Oasted Farm), Mrs Baker of Peculiars Farm at New Bridge, Mr. Larkin of Ashdown House and Stone House Farm and I carried in 8 or 10 load 3 years ago for Mr. Keeys on Forest Row Green.

For many years I have seen Mr. Hale's men cutting and carrying litter.

I remember when Briggs had the brickyard at Chuckhatch from Lord De La Warr. I saw his men cutting furze for his kilns and saw it in the yard after it was cut. He cut a great deal and I fetched in a great many faggots for him which were cut on the 100 Roughs by the 500. I did not notice what wood they were made up of.