21.11.1879

Mepham, James. 59. Taylor's Farm, Fletching. Have occupied this farm of 15 acres for 27 years last past and succeeded Henry Smith who occupied for 30 years. I lived in the neighbourhood all my time and was on intimate terms with Smith (dead) and used frequently to come to see him for many years before he died here. I know Smith turned sheep out on Ashdown Forest at times and he used to have litter and turf for fuel off it. He was a great man for turf fires and he had stone for making a bank and repairs. Since I have used the farm I have had litter regularly every year including last year and this. I used to have turf for fuel but we do not use it now. I have never turned out on the Forest.

The owner of the farm is Mrs Lusted, South Park, Reigate.

I know Moyses Farm and Lawrence's Farm in Fletching, together about 79 acres. They have been used together for many years and both belong to Sir Spencer Maryon Wilson. When I was about 15 I went to live for about 2 years at Moyses under Mr. Edward Hobbs who farmed both the farms and during that time I went with his team to Ashdown Forest and brought litter for both farms and turf for Moyses. Lawrence's has no house. I and the old man Brown (dead) used to go up in slack times and cut litter. Hobbs turned out young stock on the Forest.

6 years ago last Michaelmas I hired both farms and farmed them till Michaelmas 1878 when I gave them over to my son James Mepham. During the five years I farmed them, I regularly had litter from the Forest for both farms and turf for fuel in Moyses Farm House. I did not turn out.

I know Hillwood Farm about 100 acres belonging to Lady Shelley. About 30 years ago I went to work there under Mr John Adams (dead) for 4 or 5 years. I went with his team and used regularly to bring litter off the Forest and I also burnt turf in the house from the Forest. He turned out stock on the Forest occasion[ally].