During The Ashdown Forest Dispute 1876-1882 commoners and land owners were interviewed by the solicitor William Raper. Their comments were recorded in a series of notebooks:

Tester, Charles. 68. Laborer working for Mr. Nesbitt. Born at Duddleswell 21 December 1811. Father Charles Tester was a laborer. I have lived in this part [of] the Forest all my life. My Father (now dead) used to cut litter every winter and dig stone and gravel for anyone who wanted them. When I was about 9 or 10 years old I used to go out with my Father on the Forest and take up the litter as he cut it. When I was bigger I used to cut myself. When I was a boy John Page owned and occupied a small farm close by (Summerford Farm). When John died he was succeeded by his son Thomas Page and on his death Tutor hired Cop Hall and used it till about 2 years ago when Page's daughter Mrs Pilbeam came to it. When Edward Page died his widow and sons used it till her death a year or two ago since which Norman hired it one year and Mrs Page's sons now use it.

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