The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex

The Ashdown Forest Dispute 1876-1882
by Professor Brian Short
published by Sussex Record Society in 1997
Excerpts from this work have been reproduced on this site with the kind permission of Professor Brian Short

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William Augustus Raper
John Jenner

16.10.79

Jenner, John. Good health and full possession of faculties living at Chuck Hatch, Hartfield. 86. Born at the Gallipot in Hartfield, 5th February 1793. Baptised at Hartfield. My Father was a laborer. When I was 7 or 8 years old I just recollect my Father moving up to Chuck Hatch to the house I now live in which he had built on the Forest. My father when he first came here was working for Mr. Everest, tenant at Cotchford Farm. His team brought our things up from Gallipot here. My Father continued in regular work for Mr. Everest for over 40 years till the latter gave up farming and then he went to work for Mr. Hartipole of Stairs Farm, Hartfield, till he was worn out. He died the year of the Queen's accession at the age of 90.

Before I was 11 years old I went to service to Mr. Streatfield at Possingford for 3 years, then I went to Mr. Everest at Cotchford for 2 years, then I went to Mr. Garretts at Fisher's Gate 2 years, then to Mr. Bishop at Pensrooks, Withyham, 3 years. Then I married about 22 years old and jobbed about for a year or two and then went to work at Fisher's Gate Farm for Lord Whitworth who had it in hand and I worked from that time for 50 years on the Buckhurst Estate. I worked a short time for the late Earl but have never worked for the present Earl. After I was married I lived at Withyham till my Father died and then I moved up to this house where I have remained ever since.

I have often heard my Father say he enclosed the land (about lie acre) from the Forest and built the house shortly before we moved here. (As a small boy I walked over to look at the house while it was being built. I jumped about on the timbers) When it had been enclosed about 18 years, Mr. David Edwards the Steward to Lord Whitworth and the Duchess required him to pay an acknowledgement of 5/- a year. This my father paid up to the time of his death and I have most of the receipts. The earliest is dated June 4 1818. After his death I paid the same rent. The last payment I made [was on] 7 June 1877 (produces receipt in the name of Lord De La Warr).

In the winter of 1877-8 I went to the present Earl himself and asked whether he would allow me to sell the property and accept the same rent or whether he would purchase it himself He asked me whether I had any mortgage upon it. I told him I had not as yet but that I should have to as I could not live on the parish allowance. My Lord promised to buy it and do it up and let me live in it the rest of my days and referred me to the Reeve George Edwards who carried the arrangement out. I drew all the money by degrees from George Edwards and paid my Lord £ 1 a year rent. I produce the receipt for the first payment. The first year I paid nothing as the house was not done up according to agreement.

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