Publications
A Forest of Family Trees, by Leigh Lawson and Sheila Haines, published April 1993 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 51, article, p.14) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/51] & The Keep [LIB/500483]
A Forest of Family Trees, by Leigh Lawson and Sheila Haines, published June 1993 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 10 no. 6, article, pp.215-218) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14877] & The Keep [LIB/501262] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.
Preview:An extensive research project undertaken by the West Sussex Record Office on the Petworth Emigration Committee of 1832 to 1837 is described.
Poor Cottages and Proud Palaces: The Life and Work of Thomas Sockett of Petworth 1777-1859 , by Sheila Haines and Leigh Lawson, published 2007 (304 pp., Hastings Press, ISBN-10: 1904109160 & ISBN-13: 9781904109167) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries
Review by Maria Gardiner in Sussex Past and Present no. 116, December 2008:An account of the life and work of Reverend Thomas Sockett of Petworth (1777 -1859), who was born in East London, the son of an impoverished bookseller. The early part of this fascinating book deals with his transition from penury to rural clergyman under the patronage of Lord Egremont at Petworth House. In his journal recording his life from 1805 to 1807, reproduced in full, he describes playing tennis and practising French with refugee aristocrats, seeing Nelson embark from Portsmouth on his final voyage, and time spent with the Egremont children reading the classics such as Horace and Demosthenes.
We are given a picture of his domestic life, but the authors are primarily interested in his role as the thoughtful and concerned Rector of Petworth. Although he was a friend of aristocrats, he worked hard to improve the lives of the poorest of his parishioners, particularly through the teaching of literacy which he saw as a route to morality. Together with Lord Egremont, he organised the emigration to Canada of many of his parishioners, including his own oldest son, George. He was also in frequent disagreement with the guardians of the local workhouse about the treatment of its inhabitants.
Sheila Haines and Leigh Lawson have presented an insight into life in West Sussex from aristocrat to peasant at a time of political, cultural and economic upheaval. The book is meticulously researched and evidenced and should prove a valuable resource for local history students, and anyone else who likes looking into other people's lives.
We are given a picture of his domestic life, but the authors are primarily interested in his role as the thoughtful and concerned Rector of Petworth. Although he was a friend of aristocrats, he worked hard to improve the lives of the poorest of his parishioners, particularly through the teaching of literacy which he saw as a route to morality. Together with Lord Egremont, he organised the emigration to Canada of many of his parishioners, including his own oldest son, George. He was also in frequent disagreement with the guardians of the local workhouse about the treatment of its inhabitants.
Sheila Haines and Leigh Lawson have presented an insight into life in West Sussex from aristocrat to peasant at a time of political, cultural and economic upheaval. The book is meticulously researched and evidenced and should prove a valuable resource for local history students, and anyone else who likes looking into other people's lives.
Elizabeth Ilive comes alive: Petworth House archives, by Sheila Haines and Leigh Lawson, published Autumn 2010 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 78, article, p.11) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/78] & The Keep [LIB/500502]
Letters from West Sussex to Indiana 1840-1864, by Leigh Lawson, published 2014 in West Sussex History, the Journal of West Sussex Archives Society (no. 82, article, p.5) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16404/82] & The Keep [LIB/508014]