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:

Hills, Edmund. Living at Newbridge, Hartfield. Labourer aged 70, 29 April last. Born at Coleman's Hatch, Hartfield. My father William Hills was bailiff of the Holly Hill Estate for Squire Breton and afterwards Colonel Young. When he sold to Mr. Jackson my Father resigned the place on account of age and continued to live at the Hatch till his death about 1843. From the earliest recollection my Father was Bailiff. As soon as I could run about I was about with my Father. When I was 9 years old I milked and looked after the cows and I worked there till I was 14 or 15. I then went to Ashurst Wood 2 years, then to Mr. Henry Isted at Charmers Farm, Hartfield, 2 years, then to Broadstone Farm under Mr. Brooks 2 years, then back to Charmers for a year. Then I returned to Holly Hill for about 10 years, then I went to Pippingford under Mr. Mortimer 26 years and Mr. Gray 1 year, then back to Holly Hill 6 years ago.

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