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:

Tingley, James. Of Courtlands, West Hoathly. Born 15 June 1803 near Twyford and baptised at West Hoathly. Just before my birth, I have heard my Father tell, after General Sewell's death in 1835 when he took Denman's Farm on Courtlands estate and used it for 10 years. Then he used Buss' Farm in the parish of West Hoathly away from the Forest. When I first recollect Captain Sewell was owner of Twyford estate. He died in 1832 and was succeeded by his nephew General Sewell who died in 1835. General Sewell's sons succeeded but all died.

I went to school at West Hoathly till about 14 years old. Then I went as post boy for Mr. Smith to East Grinstead for 4 years. About half the time I went across the Forest and filled up the time as odd boy about Twyford. Then I went to farm work on the estate as odd man for about 4 years. At 22 I went away to Lewes for 3 years and became a bricklayer and often came up home in the meantime. At 25 years I came back to Twyford and set up as a bricklayer and worked as such ever since. For 30 years I did the work, always at Twyford sometimes at Courtlands, and all about the neighbourhood. The first 5 years of that time I lived in the Lodge at Twyford. Then I moved to Denman's Farm with my father and when he left I went to live with him at Buss' for 2 years. Then I came back to work at Denmans and farmed it 30 years. Then I came back to Courtlands.

I have been constantly at Twyford all my life till 2 years ago. When I was a boy Captain Sewell let off 4 or 5 little lots of cottages and land and farmed the rest himself.

.......