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:

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.

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