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

Related document
William Augustus Raper
Thomas Newnham

Newnham, Thomas. 87. (Witness is infirm and rather vague in memory but he will keep to what is noted down.) Living near the Star at Piltdown. I was born at Annwood Farm, which then belonged to Mr. Charles Marchant. My Father used the farm, over 200 acres. I worked for my Father on the farm and lived there till I was about 50. During 3 or 4 years of that time I went to live at Horsted Kaynes where my Father also used the Oddins Farm and I still worked at Annwood. After I gave up working for my Father, I still lived at Annwood and worked for Mr. Mabbott at Forest Farm and Gooses Farm near Chelwood Common for 24 or 25 years. Then I took a little farm called Aliens Farm, but its proper name was Wilmots (8 acres) joining Chelwood Farm and near Annwood Farm. I had it about 5 years then my wife died about 6 years ago and I gave up work except doing a little for Mr. Hoather at Annwood Farm.

My Father used Annwood Farm several years after I gave up working for him. He had litter off the Forest I may say every year from the time I can first remember till he gave up the farm. When I was old enough I used to go out and rake up the litter. He also had turf at times off the Forest and so did I in my cottage on the farm.

While I worked for Mr. Mabbott he had very large quantities of litter off the Forest and also off the Chelwood Common and he used to turn out stock.

I had litter and turf off the Forest when I was at Allens or Wilmots Farm and turned out my cows on Chelwood Common and they used to go on the Forest.

I know Colin Godmans Farm. When I was a boy Lucas was the tenant. Lucas had litter.

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