The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex

The Ashdown Forest Dispute 1876-1882
by Professor Brian Short
published by Sussex Record Society in 1997
Excerpts from this work have been reproduced on this site with the kind permission of Professor Brian Short

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William Augustus Raper
Harry Carr/Henry Card (continued)

[Carr/Card's evidence from Notebook 5 is inserted here to bring both statements together. It should be noted, however, that three years separate the two statements.]

Card, Harry. Aged 81. Owns double and 28 acres called Prickets Hatch lying across the boundary of Maresfield and Fletching parishes. This property has belonged to his Father and himself for over 100 years. His Father bought it off a man named Cole. He was born on it a small part of it. Was held of the manor of Maresfield and he enfranchised it over 30 years ago, quarterly rent 3s. 6d. He used to pay 1s. 8d. to the manor of Tarring Peverall, but has not paid it for over 40 years. Part is within the bounds of the manor of Duddleswell, but is free.

Has at times had a few loads of stone off the Forest for foundations and such like but never was asked to pay for it. I expect they did not know he had it. If they had asked him to pay he would have done so.

They used to charge for it as much as 3s. a load and he has always understood that people were bound to pay the Lord of the manor for it as well as for gravel. He never had any gravel.

Has always taken turf and litter from the forest, the latter for burning, and never paid for it. It was always allowed to Commoners gratis.

He never had any marl. Years and years ago he used to take a little underwood without paying but don't consider he had any right to do so.

He bought a piece of underwood jointly with old Master Standen now dead. We paid Edwards for it.

He never had any hollies or quicks. Has all his life turned stock on the forest without payment and never had any impounded.

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