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:

Homewood, Ambrose. 40. Barnes Gate, Buxted. Stockman under Mr. Robert Wilson. My Father Michael Homewood (dead) lived under Mr. Kenward who owned Welshwood Farm (40 acres), Rock's Farm (100 acres) and Stonecross Farm (30 acres), all in Rotherfield. He lived on Welshwood Farm. When I was a boy of 9 or 10 I used to go with my Father on to Ashdown Forest to bring in turf for the labourer on all those three farms. They used to have litter (but I cannot say whether from the Forest or from Pippingford). About 14 years ago I came back from Newick to Barns Farm and worked for Mr. Robert Wilson about 3 years. I then went to work on the Uckfield Railway a short time and then I went to live at Chillies and worked for Mr. Saunders about 6 months and then came back to Barns Gate 11 years ago last July and have worked there ever since.

.......