two Levels petitioned the Lord Keifer, the owners of the Upper Levels, that they & the owner of Wittersham Level that they might be governed by their own particular Commission as formerly. And, upon hearing of counsel on both sides, Nov. 11th, 1629, his Lordship ordered—
That there should be six indifferently chosen of the owners of the Upper Levels, who had no lands in Wittersham Level, and six owners of Wittersham, who had no lands in Upper Levels, and the twelve or major part, should consider of some means for the draining of Upper Levels, without prejudice to Wittersham, or, if they should receive prejudice, then they might be secured out of the lands of the said Upper Levels. In pursuance whereof, Sir George Fane, knt., and five others were chosen for the Wittersham Level, at Robertsbridge; and Sir Edward Hales, knt., and five others, were chosen for the Upper Levels, at Maidstone. That, after the space of two years or so, upon February 15th, 1631, these twelve made an agreement for completing certain works for the recovery and preservation of the Upper Levels, and also for securing and indemnifying Wittersham Level.
Then followeth the several articles of agreement, and the Decree further sheweth —" that all these articles were agreed to and benefit reaped therefrom by Upper Levels; but before all things were accordingly accomplished, the sea and dead waters of the Upper Levels broke in upon above 1500 acres of land in Wittersham Level, and that great danger threatened the rest: whereupon the aforesaid Lord Keeper, in September 1635, ordered (on complaint made to him) that the waters broken in should there remain, and Sir Edward Hales and others should enter into convenants to Sir George Fane and others, to make satisfaction for damage which was, or should be, sustained by the owners of Wittersham Level, by reason of the continuing the sea and letting off the river of Rother into the indraught until such securities as formerly mentioned should be perfected; or otherwise Krell Dam should be made up at the charges of the said Upper Levels."
Other articles of agreement follow, including one in which Sir Edward Hayles and others “agree to pay the rent by indraught landowners half-yearly, at the church porch, in the town of Rye, and to make good all damages done."
The Charities - Important Changes
And now - to repeat what was first stated-on the 26th of April 1832, another enquiry was suggested, and the CorporationResolved that in consequence of the late increased number of freemen it was deemed necessary to examine and regulate the several charities and funds invested in the Corporation, the same to be reported on at the next meeting by the following committee:-
The Mayor and Deputy Mayor, W. Scrivens, Jos. Hannay, Walter and Nathaniel Crouch, Wm. Thorpe. Geo. Duke, K. B. Baker, Wm. Edwards, Wm. Amoore, Geo. Robinson, Geo. Jackson. Jas. Winter, Wm. Ransom, Wm. Longley, J. Mannington, Wm. Chapman and Jas. Emery.
The committee appointed to investigate the condition of the Charities submitted their report at a meeting of the Corporation on the 28th of May nearly as follows
"We find on J. Henbry's part of Parker's Charity that several buildings have been erected, the whole hedge is in a dilapidated state, thus making the high road dangerous, the hen-house adjoining the Fortune of War, encroaching 3 feet, a footpath leading to the side door also an encroachment, the meadow land badly farmed, a large piece of the 8½ acres in a filthy state, with hog-sties and a slaughter-house, all of which are encroachments, and a footpath made across the 8½ acres opposite the beer shop on the Barrack ground towards Mr. Puttock's house which has no right. We recommend that Mr. Henbrey have notice to put all things to rights and to use the land in a husbandry-like manner. On proceeding to that part of the said estate let on lease to George Robinson and now occupied by Mr. Wyatt, we find the land in a very good state of cultivation, all in good repair and no encroach -
