26 September 1878

Maynard, Michael. Memory beginning to fail a little. Living at Coldharbour adjoining Plaw Hatch Gate in the parish of East Grinstead. Born 20th May 1809 expects he was baptised in East Grinstead.

My Mother's name was Mary Comber. She was entitled to the property I now live on. My Father and she lived on it till her death. Then I was admitted tenant to it in 1840 and my Father moved to West Hoathly where he died. I was born on the property and lived there till about 14 when I went to service on Cansiron Farm for about 1 year, then to Holtye with a Mr. Gasson who had Courtlands Farm for 1 year. Then went brickmaking in the summer and hoopshaving in the winter for 3 or 4 years. During this time I went backwards and forwards to home. Then I had my leg off at Brighton hospital from a cold caught brickmaking. Then went turnpike gate keeping and other occupations till I came home about 30 years ago.

As far back as I can remember, till I went gate keeping, my Father had litter from the Forest every year and sometimes brakes by themselves. He always burnt turf and scrub from the Forest. He always turned [out] cows and sometimes a horse, but not pigs.

Since I came home 30 years ago I have had litter off the Forest every year and sometimes brakes. I have had turf for fuel frequently down to 2 years ago. We have not used it for fuel for several years because it was so dirty and coal is better. I have turned out my stock - cows, calves and horse - every year, and sometimes a colt; never kept any sheep. I have had holly or other bushes to stop gaps in our hedges and occasionally stakes and binders, I have had stone for a new wall from a pit by the 'Goat' and gravel on more than one occasion to bottom my yard. Never had marl, it was too far to fetch it. Never been interrupted or paid anything. George Edwards came along when we were building the wall and remarked upon it but never asked for payment. Pentecost (who used to dig for the parish) dug the stone for me and I paid him Is. a load.

George Edwards has told me that we were entitled to soft wood for repairs but not to touch hard wood. He said we had peat Forest rights.

When I was about 10 years old I remember seeing Old Payne's sons carry some litter off the Forest to Leggs Heath. I remember it because there was a great row about it. A man named Gates who had no rights had cut and Payne appropriated it.

Mr. Fuller's dogs commonly hunted on the Forest. I used to see them.

This property is copyhold of Duddleswell manor and is described.