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

Related document
William Augustus Raper
John Winn

Winn, John. 61. Has been in Lewes Gaol for cutting litter on the Forest and for poaching. Born at Nutley. When I was a lad I worked 7 years for my uncle William Winn who used 25 or 30 acres which old Henry Card now has and Gotlands belonging to the Shelleys. Then I worked about at Wood's nursery and elsewhere. When I was 34 years old I came to live at the old forge for 7 years and then moved to Summerford where I have lived for the last 27 years.

While I lived with my uncle he always had litter off the Forest for both farms and turf for fuel in the house in which he lived in Fords Green which belonged to a Mrs. Wood.

After I left my uncle's farm and until I came to Old Forge I used to cut litter and turf on the Forest. I cut a great deal of litter for Blackwenn for Mr. Verrall, his bailiffs name was Martin (dead). Also for Woolpack Farm when Mr. Bolting was tenant (his son Jasper now uses the farm) also for Homesdale Farm, tenant Wheeler, for Hillend Farm, tenant William Osborn now the tenant of Masketts, Hale for Masketts, tenant Knight (died 30 years ago).

I know Courtlands Farm (Shelley) and Hole Farm. Russell was tenant of both when I lived with my uncle. I used to see his team loading on the Forest.

I know Whitehouse Farm. I remember several tenants there who had litter.

When I came to live at Summerford the farm was owned and used by Edward Page and afterwards Walter Walter used it. They had large quantities of litter and turf I cut a great deal for both in later years.

I have also cut for Robert Wilson at Strood and Barnsgate, Edward Page at the Workhouse, for Tutor at Cophall, for Gardner at Hendall.

The Weald is at  Database version 14.05 which has ongoing updates to the 395,000 people; 9,000 places; 613 maps; 3,308 pictures, engravings and photographs; and 248 books loaded in the previous version

ODNB  
British Libarary  
High Weald  
Sussex Record Society  
Sussex Archaeological Society  
Kent Archaeological Society  
Mid Kent Marriages  
Ancestry  
Genes Reunited  
International Genealogical Index  
National Archives  

Top
of the
page