The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Hamsell Farm    Hamsell  Eridge  

Books and other documents
PublishedTitle, author and references
1931Wealden Iron by Ernest Straker ⇒ p. 262

Historical records

c 1825Eridge, Sussex - c 1825Part of the 1 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1825 by Christopher and John GreenwoodHamsall

26th Feb 1839Hamsell Farm, Sussex - 1839John Baker Stapley (occupier and owner)John Baker Stapley, farmerStack Plot, House and Buildings (1 acres 1 roods 34 perches) plot 634Rotherfield Tithe Map

6th Jun 1841CensusJohn Stapley, M, Head, age 50 to 54, born Sussex; occupation: yeomanJohn Baker Stapley, farmerHamsell1841 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Ann Stapley, F, [Daughter], age 25 to 29, born SussexAnn Stapley
John Stapley, M, [Son], age 25 to 29, born SussexJohn Baker Stapley, farmer
Mary Stapley, F, [Daughter], age 25 to 29, born SussexMary Stapley
Jemima Jinks, F, age 15 to 19, born Sussex; occupation: servantJemima Jinks
Frederick Muddle, M, age 20 to 24, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourerFrederick Muddle
James Martin, M, age 60 to 64, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourerJames Martin
William Martin, M, age 35 to 39, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourerWilliam Martin

30th Mar 1851CensusHead, widowed, employs 9+ people; occupation: farmerJohn Baker Stapley, farmerHamsell Farm1851 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Daughter; occupation: housekeeperMary Stapley
Servant; occupation: farm labourerFrederick Muddle
Servant; widowed; occupation: farm labourerJames Martin
Servant; occupation: general servantMary Kidd
Servant; occupation: farm labourerWilliam Martin

30th Mar 1851CensusHead; occupation FarmerWilliam OveryHamsell Farm1851 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
WifeSally Ann Overy
SonThomas Overy
Daughter; occupation ScholarEmily Kemp [Overy]
Son; occupation ScholarRobert Overy
Nephew; occupation ScholarCharles Overy
VisitorEmma Overy
Servant; occupation General ServantJulia Osborn
Nephew; occupation: scholarJohn Thomas Killick, saddler
Servant; occupation: farm labourerTimothy Farmer, farm labourer

7th Apr 1861CensusHorace Betts, M, Head, married, age 29, born Langley, Kent; occupation: farmer of 226 acres employing 7 men and 2 boysHorace Betts, farmerHamsell1861 Census
Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex
Sarah Betts, F, Wife, married, age 25, born Langley, Kent; occupation: farmer's wifeSarah Betts
Horace Betts, M, Son, age 1, born Langley, KentHorace Betts
James Betts, M, Brother, single, age 34, born Langley, KentJames Betts
Alfred Betts, M, Brother, single, age 25, born Langley, KentAlfred Betts
Jane Coomber, F, Servant, single, age 30, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: house servantJane Streeter [Coomber]
Harriett Killick, F, Servant, single, age 13, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: nurse maidHarriett Killick
William Martin, M, Servant, single, age 47, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: carterWilliam Martin
Samuel Streeter, M, Servant, single, age 24, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: carter's mateSamuel Streeter, farm labourer

2nd Apr 1871CensusOwen Foreman, M, Head, married, age 54, born Wadhurst, Sussex; occupation: farmer of 260 acres employing 11 men and 5 boysOwen Foreman, farmerHamsell [Farm]1871 Census
Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex
Charlotte Foreman, F, Wife, married, age 54, born Westham, SussexCharlotte Foreman
Charlotte Foreman, F, Daughter, single, age 27, born Hunton, Kent; occupation: farmer's daughterCharlotte Foreman
Alfred Foreman, M, Son, single, age 26, born Hunton, Kent; occupation: farmer's sonAlfred Foreman
Mary Ann Foreman, F, Daughter, single, age 19, born Hunton, Kent; occupation: farmer's daughterMary Ann Foreman
Elizabeth Foreman, F, Daughter, single, age 17, born Hunton, Kent; occupation: farmer's daughterElizabeth Foreman

2nd Apr 1871CensusAlbert Roberts, M, Head, married, age 28, born Goudhurst, Kent; occupation: jobbing gardenerAlbert Roberts, jobbing gardener[Hamsell Farm] Cottage1871 Census
Rotherfield and Crowborough, Sussex
Sarah Ann Roberts, F, Wife, married, age 33, born Wateringbury, KentSarah Ann Roberts

c 1875Hamsell, Hamsellwood, Bullfinches & Eridge Station, South West of Eridge Park - c 1875Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1875 by Ordnance SurveyHamsell Farm

3rd Apr 1881CensusThomas Pratt, M, Head, married, age 57, born Rotherfield, employs 5 men and 2 boys; occupation: farmerThomas Pratt, farm labourerHamsell Farm1881 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Mary Pratt, F, Wife, married, age 57, born RotherfieldMary Ann Pratt [Latter]
Jane Pratt, F, Daughter, single, age 23, born RotherfieldMary Jane Pratt
Joseph Pratt, M, Son, single, age 21, born RotherfieldJoseph Pratt
Thomas Pratt, M, Son, age 13, born RotherfieldAlfred Thomas Pratt, farmer

1890HistoryHamsellFirmin's Guide

Hamsell Lake is well worth a visit. It is about two miles and a half only from the Cross, and so within an easy walk. Surrounded by dense foliage, the forms and shades of which are clearly reflected in it, it presents a view in striking contrast to the general scenery of Crowborough. The bright light of the sky shines all along its centre, while the deep grey-green of the shadows encircling the light as a girdle emphasises the contrast. The shades from the leafy groves which cover the hills on both sides to the very brink of the water, are a most refreshing retreat on a bright warm day, and we can linger on the banks of the lake for many hours, dreaming sweet day-dreams, if so inclined.

There are two roads or paths to this lake, both of which the pedestrian will find attractive.

The one by Pilmer Lane leads through the lower part of the Beechen and Bream Woods, and every break in the leafy canopy opens up charming glimpses of the opposite hill, while the blue-grey distance occasionally adds its beauty to the scene. The other road is through the gate at Cooke's Corner under the ancient oak tree. It skirts the upper part of the Beechen Wood, passes Gildridge Farm and along the border of Bream Wood to Orznash Farm; then entering the wood it descends into the valley to the lake. Here we may stay to while away many a pleasant hour in peaceful solitude, or we may continue on into the Groombridge Road, and keeping to the right arrive at Eridge Station.

From there we may get back to Crowborough by Boar's Head and Steel Cross. This route, however, will be perhaps a longer journey than many would care to take. The greater number will no doubt prefer retracing their steps through the wood to the Cross.

There is another ramble which will certainly please every lover of wild nature. Take the road as far as Steel Cross, and on arriving at the sign-post go down the path on the right and take the first turning on the left, which is known as Pell's Gate Road. On reaching a group of cottages a road on the left will be seen; this leads over a piece of wild common by the Lime Kiln Wood to Redgate Mill. The road past this mill goes on to Rotherfield. If instead of going over the Common the pedestrian continues on the Pell's Gate Road it will lead him to Maynard's Gate, a little way beyond the Crowborough Railway Station.


5th Apr 1891CensusThomas Pratt, M, Head, married, age 69, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: farmerThomas Pratt, farm labourerHamsell Farm1891 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Mary Ann Pratt, F, Wife, married, age 69, born Rotherfield, SussexMary Ann Pratt [Latter]
William Pratt, M, Son, married, age 41, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: farm labourerWilliam Pratt, farm labourer
Joseph Pratt, M, Son, single, age 30, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: farm labourerJoseph Pratt
George Renolds, M, Servant, single, age 26, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation Farm LabourerGeorge Renolds
Charles Martin, M, Servant, single, age 14, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: farm labourerCharles Owen Martin
Eliza Braiden, F, Servant, single, age 17, born Brighton, Sussex, occupation: general domestic servantEliza Braiden
Henry Rogers, M, Visitor, single, age 49, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation Farm LabourerHenry Rogers

5th Apr 1891CensusAlfred Thomas Pratt, M, Head, age 23, born Rotherfield, SussexAlfred Thomas Pratt, farmerHamsell Farm1891 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Rose Thomas Pratt, F, Wife, age 23, born Kingsomborne, HampshireRose Pratt [Parkhouse]
James Beith, M, Father-in-law, married, age 64, born Kingsomborne, Hampshire; occupation: farm labourerJames Beith
Eliza Beith, F, Mother-in-law, married, age 63, born Romsey, HampshireEliza Beith

c 1899Hamsell Farm & Copyhold Farm, Sussex - c 1899Part of the 6 inch to 1 mile map of Sussex produced in 1899 by Ordnance SurveyHamsell Farm

2nd Apr 1911CensusAlfred Thomas Pratt, M, Head, married, age 43, born Rotherfield, Sussex; occupation: farmerAlfred Thomas Pratt, farmerHamsell Farm, Eridge Green1911 Census
Rotherfield, Sussex
Rose Pratt, F, Wife, married 22 years, age 43, born Kings Lamborne, HampshireRose Pratt [Parkhouse]

2001TodayHamsell Farm Cottage

2001TodayHamsell Farm

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