Carr, Harry. 84. Pricketts Hatch, Nutley, Maresfield. Born 11 January 1795 and baptised at Maresfield. My Father Vince Carr bought the Pricketts Hatch property about 28 acres in 1768 from one Cole. I produce the purchase deed of the freehold portion and he lived on it. I was born in the house on the property and have lived in it ever since. My Father died when I was 2 years old and my Mother carried on the farm for many years, I helping her, and when I was old enough she gave the farm up to me and I have used it ever since.

From my earliest recollection we always had litter and turf off the forest every year down to the present time, except as regards turf which we have not used regularly of late years. We had some turf 2 or 3 years and were using it last year. We used to cut a good deal of wood for fuel on the forest and bring it home. The looker named Avis used to see us and threaten proceedings but none were ever taken. There has been nothing to cut of late years.

I well remember a meeting of Commoners taking place at Nutley Inn when I was a young man. I was not present at the meeting shortly after I was married. I was married in 1814.

I remember the Duchess about that time had various enclosures made on the Forest, some of which were planted and I saw them. I remember it was a matter of common notoriety that the Commoners required her to have the enclosures levelled by a certain 25th of March if not they were going to bring an action against her. Nothing was done till a few days before the time expired when she employed people at double pay to level them down in time. One was levelled on the Camp Hill and the trees there now have I think been planted since. Another was on Stone Hill and one on the Millbrook. You can see the marks of the rings there now. George Fuller (dead) a neighbour of mine was a looker on the Forest for the Lord of the Manor and he told me he set the men to do the work and had to give them double pay - men used to earn 2s. a day in those times and he gave them 4s.