Bibliography - Pamela Combes (1936 - 2016)
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Bloomery Furnaces at Maynards Gate, Jarvis Brook, by Pam Combes, published 1977 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No. 12, report, pp.4-7) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

The Crowborough Warren Estate, 1809-1844, by Pamela Combes, published 1985 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 123, article, pp.215-224) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9514] & The Keep [LIB/500310] & S.A.S. library

The Eighteenth Century Revival of Howbourne Forge, Buxted, by Pam Combes, published 1987 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 7, article, pp.16-19, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560]   Download PDF

In view of the overall decline in the number of Wealden forges operating in the eighteenth century, the revival of Howbourne Forge from 1756 to 1785 is an apparent anomaly.

Hastings, Haestingaceaster and Haestingaport. a question of Identity, by Pamela Combes and Malcolm Lyne, published 1995 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 133, article, pp.213-224) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13209] & The Keep [LIB/500288] & S.A.S. library

Ordnance recommended to arm defensive earthworks proposed for the Sussex coast in 1587, by Pam Combes, published 1995 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 15, article, pp.4-8, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506562]   Download PDF

In 1870 Mark Anthony Lower published a copy of a survey of the coast of Sussex the original manuscript of which was, at that time, owned by a Lewes solicitor, Wynne E Baxter. The manuscript was purchased in 1971 by the British Museum and is now British Library Add ms 57494. The manuscript is entitled, 'A survey made by Sir Thomas Palmere knight and Mr Walter Couverte esquire Deputie Lieutenants of her Maties Countie of Sussex, of all the places of descente alongst the sea coast of the said shire'. The map is coloured and on vellum and the text is on paper. The survey is signed and dated Nicholas Reynolds, London, May 1587.

Oldlands Furnace, Marshalls and the Nutt family, by Pam Combes, published 1996 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 16, article, pp.13-16, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506563]   Download PDF

The origins of the Nutt family are obscure. Although Mark Anthony Lower believed John Nutt to be the son of a London merchant, he cites no authority for the statement. However, by 1616 John Nutt was rector of Bexhill, rector of Berwick and at some time a prebendary of Chichester. He was deprived of the living of Bexhill during the Commonwealth (1644-5) but remained rector of Berwick until his death in 1653. He was undoubtedly a man of substance, eventually purchasing the lordship of Berwick manor from the Earl of Dorset in 1651. Although he presumably lived in the substantial parsonage he built at Berwick, later in life his home was Mays in Selmeston.

Bishopstone: a pre-Conquest minster church, by Pamela Combes, published 2002 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 140, article, pp.49-56) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15109] & The Keep [LIB/500299] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Bishopstone, generally assumed to be a minster church, was not identified as such in a recent survey of parochial development in 11th-century Sussex.1 Despite that omission, the church incorporates some Anglo-Saxon architectural features, and manuscript evidence of the status of its chapelry at South Heighton has now come to light. This article considers the date and circumstances of its foundation, the extent of its parochial and its place in the historical topography of the hundred of Flexborough.

Iron Plat, Queenstock hammer-pond and a 15th-century ironworking site at Buxted, by Pam Combes and Christopher Whittick, published 2002 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 22, article, pp.10-17, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506569]   Download PDF

Three tantalisingly early references to ironworks in Buxted have been discovered, the first two by Brian Awty and the third by Judith Brent, in the course of the last twelve months. The purpose of this article is to locate the furnace or furnaces mentioned in two grants of land by the manor of South Malling in 1509, and to establish whether either of the two Buxted hammer ponds rated for the new cut at Newhaven in 1537 can be identified with the same site.
The documentary research upon which our conclusions have been based, although far from exhaustive, has involved a minute investigation of the records of land-ownership, and only a summary can be presented here.

Contrasting communities: Anglican ecclesiastical development in Barcombe and Hamsey in the nineteenth century, by Pamela Combes, published 2009 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 147, article, pp.169-192) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 17254] & The Keep [LIB/500365] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Reflecting the general trend over much of Britain, the population of the Sussex parishes of Barcombe and Hamsey rose significantly throughout the nineteenth century. Clearly there were concerns that the locations of their ancient churches made it difficult for them to serve the developing communities. In both parishes new churches were built in what had become more densely populated areas. In Hamsey, the new church at Offham was dedicated in 1860 and the ancient church remained in use as a mortuary chapel. The change appears to have caused little local controversy perhaps because the rector was a member of the Shiffner family, by 1840 the greatest landowners in the parish. Although from as early as 1836 there had been plans in Barcombe to build a new chapel to the north of the parish, St Bartholomew's at Spithurst was not dedicated until 1880. That simple statement masks a story of parochial controversy that had wracked the parish community for over 40 years. The differing responses to similar circumstances reflect the underlying contrasts between the two communities. Hamsey was essentially a downland parish with an influential resident landowner, whereas Barcombe, a more complex and essentially Wealden community, lacked a dominant individual with sufficient power to implement change on his own terms.

Anthony Fowle: Wealden Ironmaster and Lawyer, by Pamela Combes, published 2011 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 31, article, pp.31-59, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506578]   Download PDF

The gazetteer in the latest edition of The Iron Industry of the Weald notes the interests of Anthony Fowle in various ironworks, including Markly Furnace in Warbleton, Maynards Gate Furnace in Rotherfield and Maresfield Forge, all of which are mentioned in his will. That document also reveals something of the extent of his landed property as well as the marriage alliances made by some of his thirteen children. Those connections demonstrate that the Fowles continued the tradition of intermarriage with the families of other ironmasters that was noted by Jeremy Goring as a trait of the immediate family of Anthony's uncle Nicholas Fowle (see Appendix 2, table 1). Nicholas Fowle and his family are frequently cited as notable ironmasters, possibly because Nicholas built the ostentatious Riverhall mansion house near their furnace in Frant that can still be seen today. It is curious that Anthony Fowle has remained comparatively unnoticed since there is no doubt that his influence within the wider community was significant. During his long and active life Anthony was not only a major ironmaster but also a lawyer, serving for many years as a JP, as sheriff of Sussex in 1637/8, and on the county committee during the Commonwealth. His son Richard, who inherited his Newick property, was also of some standing in the county community, serving as a grand juror at the Assizes on five occasions between 1653 and 1659.
This note seeks to demonstrate the position of Anthony Fowle in county society and particularly draws attention to the marriage connections of his children and of his sisters, especially those with other ironmasters. His will is of particular interest to members of WIRG and a transcription is included here as an appendix. The will itself identifies many of the family relationships. Where possible others have been researched in detail, but some information has been derived from secondary sources. It is clear that family relationships were important to Anthony Fowle, all his surviving children and his then living grandchildren received some remembrance in his will. After Anthony's time the story is one of slow decline. In the longer term only the Rotherfield branch of the family flourished - and then only into the mid 18th century.
As was customary, his will records only the land he held on lease. His major estate at Newick, does not appear, and there may have been other property which remains invisible for the same reason. Where possible his property has been located, not only that named in his will, but also some that is recorded in other sources but which he may no longer have owned in 1647. His interest in ironworks, in particular at Maynards Gate in Crowborough (formerly Rotherfield) and also Little Forge and furnace in Buxted, is of particular interest and is considered in detail.