5
T. WILLINGALES LETTER TO' CON-
SERVATORS.
"As Mr. Dean (the Loughton
Reeve) refused to mark my cattle at
the last marking day, I should feel
obliged if you would kindly have
my name placed upon the list of
Commoners, in order that I may
continue to enjoy the same right
which I have had for a great num-
ber of years."
mr. buxton in Woodford Times.
"The notion that the existing
Verderers have trampled on the
rights of the Willingales will seem
rather laughable to those who know
the inner history of the notable case
connected with their name. I know
very well that the influence of my
colleagues as well as my own has
always been used in the direction of
the extension of the privileges of
poor men as far as is compatible
with the law, rather than their
restriction. As a matter of fact, the
elder Willingale was allowed to turn
out his cattle, and one of his sons
remains on the list with the same
privilege."
Mr. Buxton dismisses the idea of trampling on the rights of the
Willingales as "rather laughable." But they have been "trampled on,"
with other poor men's rights in the Forest parishes. Still, Mr. Buxton
admits the Willingales have rights. Will Mr. Buxton then explain—1,
When these rights were first admitted by the Conservators ; and 2, Why
the name of Willingale does not now appear, and never has appeared, on
the Register of Commoners ?
From the Corporation, although letter after letter was written, no
explanation could be obtained as to why these poor men had been refused
their old right of turn out. And it was not till nearly a year after that, by
a resolution passed at the Annual Vestry, the Loughton Reeve was forced
to give the names of those whose cattle he had received authority from the
Corporation to mark as an act of grace.
Revising the Register of Commoners.
In the early part of 1891 notice was given by Mr. Henry Homewood
Crawford, City Solicitor, that "the Conservators would forthwith revise
the Register, with the view of giving all persons whose names are not on
the Register an opportunity of asserting their claim to be placed thereon."
He also gave notice that no claims would be considered from persons
holding less than the half-acre.
The Commoners' Defence Association Secretary addressed a letter to
the Lord Mayor, point ing out that the Conservators " having announced that
they will sit at Guildhall, to hear the claims of Epping Forest Commoners
whose names do not appear on the Register of Commoners just issued by
the Corporation, as Conservators, I am desired by the Loughton Com-
moners' Defence Association to respectfully inform your Lordship that
the name of none of the old Commoners, who hold less than a half-acre of
land, but who have enjoyed the right of Commonage for many years,
appears on the Register.
" On the other hand, the names of many, if not all residents living in
new or recently built houses, with half-an-acre of land and upwards, do
appear on the Register. * * * In face of the Conservators' recent
notification, signed by the City Solicitor, that the Corporation will not
entertain the claims of any Commoner holding less than half-an-acre of
land, the Association feel that it would be useless to personally submit
claims which the Corporation state they will not consider ; quite apart
from the fact that these men are unable to afford to lose a day's work and
the cost of coming to London.