Bibliography - Rotherfield, Wealden District, East Sussex
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The History of Tunbridge Wells, by Thomas Benge Burr, published 1766 (317 pp., Tunbridge Wells: E. Baker) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries   View Online

The Tunbridge Wells Guide or An Account of the ancient and present state of that place to which is added a particular description of the Towns and Villages, Gentlemens Seats, Remains of Antiquity, Founderies, &c.&c. within the circumference of Sixteen Miles, by J. Sprange, published 1797 (Tunbridge Wells: J. Sprange) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries   View Online

Parish of Rotherfield, by Thomas Walker Horsfield, published 1835 in The History, Antiquities and Topography of the County of Sussex (vol. I, rape of Pevensey, pp.397-400) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2396][Lib 3211] & The Keep [LIB/507380][Lib/500087] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Early Incumbents of Rotherfield, by Edward Turner, published 1861 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 13, notes & queries, pp.306-307) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2098] & The Keep [LIB/500232] & S.A.S. library   View Online

George Gilbert, by Mark Antony Lower, published 1865 in The Worthies of Sussex (pp.76-79) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 3208][Lib 3233][Lib 3304] & The Keep [LIB/503515][LIB/504913]

Rotherfield, by Mark Antony Lower, M.A., published 1870 in A Compendious History of Sussex, Topographical, Archaeological & Anecdotal (vol. II, pp.125-128, Lewes: George P. Bacon) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8946][Lib 3315] & The Keep [LIB/500158]   View Online

Ordnance Survey Book of Reference to the plan of the Parish of Rotherfield, published 1875 (article, London: H.M.S.O. & printed at George E. Eyre and William Spottiswoode)   View Online

Description of the Mural Paintings at the Churches of Clayton and Rotherfield, Sussex, by Charles E. Keyser, published 1896 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 40, article, pp.211-221) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2125] & The Keep [LIB/500258] & S.A.S. library   View Online

An old Churchwardens' Account Book of Rotherfield., by Rev. Canon Goodwyn, published 1898 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 41, article, pp.25-48) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2126] & The Keep [LIB/500259] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Note on the early History of Rotherfield Church, by J. H. Round, published 1898 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 41, article, pp.49-53) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2126] & The Keep [LIB/500259] & S.A.S. library   View Online

Gossip in the Sussex Oberland, by Rev. W. Connor Sydney, published 1904 in The Gentleman's Magazine (vol. 296, Jan to June, article, pp.114-131, London: Chatto & Windus)   View Online

Rotherfield Hall, the seat of Sir Lindsay-Hogg, Bt., by Country Life contributor(s), published 14 August 1909 in Country Life (article)

The Life of Sophia Jex-Blake, by Margaret Todd, M.D., published 1918 (xviii + 574 pp., London: Macmillan & Co. Ltd.) accessible at: British Library   View Online

Sophia Jex-Blake (1840-1912) was born in Hastings and died in Rotherfield. She was a pioneer in woman's education and was the first woman to practise as a doctor in Scotland

Houndstall House, the residence of Mr Arnold Ball, by A. D. Smith and C. C. Brewer, published 2 February 1918 in Country Life (vol. 43 no.1100, article, pp.108-113)

Glimpses of Rural Life in Sussex during the last hundred years, by Alice Catharine Day, published 1920 (54 pp., Oxford: The Countryman) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8859] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Dewland of Rotherfield, by Catharine Pullein, published 1922 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 63, notes & queries, p.239) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2148] & The Keep [LIB/500281] & S.A.S. library   View Online

A Rotherfield Puzzle , by Catherine Pullein, published May 1926 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. I no. 2, note, pp.53-55) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8950] & The Keep [LIB/500203] & S.A.S. library

A Rotherfield Puzzle (ref: I, 53), by W. Budgen, published August 1926 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. I no. 3, reply, pp.94-95) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8950] & The Keep [LIB/500203] & S.A.S. library

Saxonbury Camp, Rotherfield, by Catharine Pullein, published August 1926 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. I no. 3, reply, p.97) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8950] & The Keep [LIB/500203] & S.A.S. library

The Rotherfield Swine Rent , by Catherine Pullein, published November 1926 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. I no. 4, note, pp.118-119) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8950] & The Keep [LIB/500203] & S.A.S. library

Budletts, by Catharine Pullein, published February 1927 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. I no. 5, note, pp.149-150) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8950] & The Keep [LIB/500203] & S.A.S. library

Rotherfield, The Story of some Wealden Manors, by Catharine Pullein, published 1928 (486 pp., Tunbridge Wells: Courier Printing & Publishing Co. Ltd.) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/501553] & East Sussex Libraries   View Online

Master Brown, by Catherine Pullein, published 1928 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. II no. 4, article, pp.153-156) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9327] & The Keep [LIB/500138]

Historic Houses of Sussex - Rotherfield Hall, by Viscountess Wolseley, published 1928 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. II no. 7, article, pp.274-278) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 9327] & The Keep [LIB/500138]

Rotherfield, by S.N.Q. contributor, published November 1928 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. II no. 4, article, pp.118-120) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8951] & The Keep [LIB/500204] & S.A.S. library

Saxonbury Camp , by S.N.Q. contributor, published May 1929 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. II no. 6, note, pp.190-191) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8951] & The Keep [LIB/500204] & S.A.S. library

The Date of Saxonbury Camp , by E. Cecil Curwen, published August 1929 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. II no. 7, note, pp.216-217) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8951] & The Keep [LIB/500204] & S.A.S. library

Saxonbury Camp , by S. E. Winbolt, published November 1929 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. II no. 8, article, pp.237-239) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8951] & The Keep [LIB/500204] & S.A.S. library

Bayham Abbey and Rotherfield, by Catherine Pullein, published November 1929 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. II no. 8, query & reply, p.257) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8951] & The Keep [LIB/500204] & S.A.S. library

Sussex Church Plans IX: St. Denys, Rotherfield, by W. H. G. [W. H. Godfrey], published February 1930 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. III no. 2, article, pp.50-51) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8952][Lib 8221] & The Keep [LIB/500205] & S.A.S. library

Saxonbury Camp and Iron Slag, by S. E. Winbolt, published May 1930 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. III no. 2, reply, p.64) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8952][Lib 8221] & The Keep [LIB/500205] & S.A.S. library

My Sussex Neighbours, by Catharine Pullein, published 1933 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. VII no. 4, article, pp.227-229) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2312] & The Keep [LIB/500176]

Historic Houses of Sussex - Bletchingley Farm, Rotherfield, by Viscountess Wolseley, published 1933 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. VII no. 5, article, pp.278-286) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2312] & The Keep [LIB/500176]

Rotherfield Church, Lady Chapel, by Walter H. Godfrey, published November 1935 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. V no. 8, article, pp.242-243) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2204][Lib 8223][Lib 8862] & The Keep [LIB/500207] & S.A.S. library

A Young Sussex Telescope Builder [Duncan Goulding], by R. H. Hudson, published 1937 in Sussex County Magazine (vol. XI no. 9, article, pp.570-571) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 2316][Lib 9332] & The Keep [LIB/500182]

Romano-British Bloomery at Rotherfield, by R. T. M. [R. T. Mason], published November 1957 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XIV nos. 15 & 16, note, p.278) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8232][Lib 2213] & The Keep [LIB/500216] & S.A.S. library

George Vintner: A Sussex Vicar of Bray?, by N. Caplan, published May 1964 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVI no. 3, article, pp.82-89) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8234] & The Keep [LIB/500218] & S.A.S. library

A Sussex Evangelist [George Gilbert of Rotherfield], by Richard Gilbert, published November 1968 in Sussex Notes & Queries (vol. XVII no. 2, article, pp.54-56) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8235] & The Keep [LIB/500219] & S.A.S. library

Medieval Iron-Workings in Minepit Wood, Rotherfield, Sussex, by J. H. Money, published 1971 in Medieval Archaeology (vol. 15, article, pp.86-111)   View Online

Bloomeries in the upper (east) Rother basin, by C. S. Cattell, published Spring 1972 in Wealden Iron Research Group (First Series No 3, article, p.13) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506558]   Download PDF

Iron Age and Romano-British iron working site in Minepit Wood, Rotherfield, Sussex, by J.H. Money, published 1974 in Historical Metallurgy (vol. 8, no. 1, article, pp.1-19)

A Missing Will Preserved, by Michael J. Burchall, published June 1974 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 1 no. 5, article, pp.139-141) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 7965] & The Keep [LIB/501253] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

The Vestry Minute book of Rotherfield deposited at E.S.R.O. contains copies of two wills. Richard Austin - 5 October 1522 and Robert Mason - 1 January 1526

The Excavation of a Late Sixteenth/Early Seventeenth Century Gun Casting Furnace at Maynard's Gate, Crowborough, East Sussex, by Owen Bedwin, published 1978 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 116, article, pp.163-178) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 7197] & The Keep [LIB/500313] & S.A.S. library

This was a rescue dig, in advance of industrial development, by the Sussex Field Unit, ably undertaken by Dr Owen Bedwin. Although extensive robbing of stonework had taken place since the furnace was abandoned, and little of the furnace itself remained, other features of great interest were found and recorded before destruction. The carefully-contrived pattern of drains under the furnace was still intact, emphasising the importance of dryness in furnace working, and much of the wheel pit remained with its ashlar walls and timber base (rather surprisingly of chestnut).
Perhaps the find of greatest interest was the second Wealden gun casting pit to be excavated. This dated from 100 years earlier than the first to be found, in 1974 at Pippingford Furnace. At Pippingford the timber pit lining was intact and, short of partial destruction, it had been impossible to determine by excavation exactly how it had been constructed. At Maynards Gate, perhaps fortunately, all the upright timber staves had been robbed, leaving, down the sides of the pit, a regularly-spaced series of horizontal wooden hoops to which the missing perpendicular staves had been fastened. The laths forming the hoops had overlapping chamfered joints; these were nailed together in such a way that this could only have been done before they were placed in the pit. One may therefore surmise that the large barrel- like structure, 1.5 m. across and 3 m. deep, was built on the surface and lowered into the pit. Elaborate precautions, clay caulking, had been taken to make the pit watertight. Excellent photographs and drawings illustrate the finds.
The Maynards Gate excavation has added significantly to our knowledge of the Wealden gun-casting industry and we are grateful to, the Field Unit for undertaking it at short notice and in limited time.

Richard Maynard - yeoman and ironmaster, published September 1979 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 1 no. 2, article, pp.72-76) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 17603] & The Keep [LIB/501187] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.

The story of Richard Maynard of Copyhold Farm at Hamsell in Rotherfield. Includes 'An inventory of all and singuler the good cattell & debtes of Richard Maynard late of Retherfeld in the county of Sussex yeoman deceased taken and prised the one & Twentieth day of January in Anno dni 1618'

Field Group Report: Maynards Gate Forge, compiled by C. F. Tebbutt, published 1981 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 1, report, pp.20-23) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559]   Download PDF

A Burges Family Marriage Settlement of 1570, by R. B. Fry, published December 1981 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 4 no. 10, article, pp.314-317) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 8672] & The Keep [LIB/501256] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

"Indenture tripartite made 12th September, 12 Elizabeth [1570] between John Burges the Elder of Retherfyld co Sussex, yeoman, John Burges the Younger of the same, the soon of the forsayd, and Alexander ffarmer of the same, yeoman"

Minepit Surveys 1: Excavation of two mine pits in Minepit Wood, Rotherfield, by Giles Swift, published 1982 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 2, article, pp.15-19) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559]   Download PDF

As part of research into the mining of iron ore in the Weald two minepits were excavated in July 1981 in Minepit Wood (TQ 521343). The pits were excavated in order to:
1. survey and record the section of a minepit,
2. determine the feasibility of discovering the profile of minepits by systematic probing.
The two pits were chosen for their accessibility as the excavation was carried out by a mechanical digger. Both were probed before excavation using a 5m probe.

Inventory of the Ironworks at Hamsell in 1708, by Anne Dalton, published 1983 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 3, article, pp.8-11) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559]   Download PDF

The inventory reproduced here was taken when Robert Baker, the owner of Hamsell Furnace and Birchden Forge, was declared bankrupt in 1708. It is mentioned by Straker but many members may not have read Miss Bell-Irving's Mayfield, Straker's source, and seen a list of the equipment and manufactured goods to be found in a furnace and forge in the early eighteenth century.

Richard Maynard - Yeoman and Ironmaster, by Michael J. Burchall, published 1983 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 3, article, pp.18-24) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506559]   Download PDF

Richard Maynard of Copyhold Farm at Hamsell in Rotherfield was the eldest son of John Maynard (d.1592) of Mead Farm in the same parish. He was a substantial yeoman farmer with interests in at least two farms, and in addition derived considerable income as an ironmaster. Shortly before 1603 he rebuilt Copyhold Farm which in that year, together with his other lands held of Rotherfield Manor, were enfranchised. He also held a lease of Birchden Farm valued at his death at %pound;30. He was one of a number of joint occupiers of Old Mill Furnace in Mayfield but his interest there may only have been as a feofee of John Baker the owner. He held Birchden Forge of Baker, who had purchased it in 1617 of the Earl of Dorset. It is also likely that he had some business connection with Hamsell Furnace in Rotherfield, owned by the Dyke family into which his son married. He died 12 January 1619 and was buried at Rotherfield the following day, leaving a son Richard then under age. On Richard obtaining his majority in 1623, an Inquisition Post Mortem was held on the father at Horsham, 20 August, and Richard declared heir. Three years later, in 1626, Richard married Mary, daughter of the ironmaster-rector of Frant, William Dyke, and died 29 October 1631 aged 29 leaving two young children Elizabeth and William Maynard.

A Rowdy Wake at Rotherfield in 1673, by Hylda Rawlings, published March 1986 in Sussex Genealogist and Family Historian (vol. 7 nos. 3 & 4, article, p.104) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [MP 6277] & The Keep [LIB/501193] & CD SXGS from S.F.H.G.

Dadswell: A Sussex Name Born and Bred, by Barbara Balch, published September 1986 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 7 no. 2, article, pp.72-73) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10461] & The Keep [LIB/501259] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

Field Notes: Owlsbury Farm, Rotherfield, Sussex, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 1987 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 7, report, p.2, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560]   Download PDF

Dissenters and their Records in Rotherfield, by Mrs. Claire McGill, published June 1987 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 7 no. 5, article, p.178) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10461] & The Keep [LIB/501259] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

A Rascal Unknown, by Brian Tasker, published December 1987 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 7 no. 7, article, p.271) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10461] & The Keep [LIB/501259] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

The author traces his research for Philip Tasker Knight, thought to be the son of Sarah Knight and William Tasker, born 1766 in Withyham. Article covers the years 1675 - 1766 in the parishes of Rotherfield and Withyham

Field Notes: Owlsbury Farm, Rotherfield, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 1988 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 8, article, pp.2-11, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 16400] & The Keep [LIB/506560]   Download PDF

The Cuckoo Line, by A. G. Elliott, published 1 September 1988 (76 pp., Wild Swan Publications Ltd, ISBN-10: 0906867630 & ISBN-13: 9780906867631) accessible at: West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Forest Camera: Portrait of Ashdown, by Peter Kirby and edited by Rosalind Bowlby, published 22 October 1988 (176 pp., Sweethaws Press, ISBN-10: 0951179551 & ISBN-13: 9780951179550) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503107] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

East Sussex Census 1851 Index: Rotherfield (inc. Crowborough) and Mayfield, by June C. Barnes, published May 1989 (vol. 14, booklet, C. J. Barnes & printed at Battle Instant Print Ltd., ISBN-13: 9781870264129) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 11243] & The Keep [LIB/503433] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Religious Survey 1851 - Uckfield district, edited by John A. Vickers, published August 1990 in The Religious Census of Sussex 1851 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 75, pp.51-58, ISBN-10: 085445036X & ISBN-13: 9780854450367) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 10578][Lib 13824] & The Keep [LIB/500452][LIB/507827] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Uckfield district incl. Rotherfield, Mayfield, Framfield, East Hoathly, Waldron, Isfield, Maresfield, Fletching & Buxted

Rotherfield - Land Tax 1785, edited by Roger Davey, published 1991 in East Sussex Land Tax, 1785 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 77, pp.177-184, ISBN-10: 0854450386 & ISBN-13: 9780854450381) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 11681][Lib 13075] & The Keep [LIB/500454][Lib/507860] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Rotherfield Recollections, by Ella Carr and Ann Lunt, published 1993 (Crowborough: East Sussex Press) accessible at: East Sussex Libraries

Sophia Jex-Blake: A Woman Pioneer in Nineteenth Century Medical Reform, by Shirley Roberts, published 21 October 1993 (The Wellcome Institute series in the history of medicine, x + 207 pp., London: Routledge, ISBN-10: 0415087538 & ISBN-13: 9780415087537) accessible at: British Library & East Sussex Libraries

Sophia Jex-Blake (1840-1912) was born in Hastings and died in Rotherfield. She led the campaign that won for British women the right to enter the medical profession. Before taking up this cause she had studied women's education in England, Germany and the United states, and rejected the popular contemporary view that higher education would be wasted on women. Her medical crusade in Britain resulted in women's rights to professional careers and financial independence being more widely accepted.
After years of extensive lobbying, she founded the London School of Medicine for Women in 1874 and two years later, largely due to her efforts, legislation was passed enabling women to take qualifying examinations in medicine. Shirley Roberts shows Sophia Jex-Blake to have been a determined and resourceful pioneer, skilful in winning over both public and political opinion. But she was also an impetuous and at times tactless woman, who could provoke hostility, as well as loyalty. Sophia Jex-Blake is a fascinating account of one woman's struggle for equality.

Is that you, Mr. Johnson?, by Hedley Hunnisett, published September 1995 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 11 no. 7, article, pp.266-267) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 14878] & The Keep [LIB/501263] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

Tracing the origin of the Hunnisett name from the immigration from the French-speaking Low Countries of Jakes Hanizet, a skilled iron worker, who with his wife Mercy came to this country in 1517 and settled in the Hundred of Rotherfield where in 1543 he was assessed for tax.

Rotherfield - 18c. Schools, edited by John Caffyn, published 1998 in Sussex Schools in the 18th Century (Sussex Record Society, vol. 81, pp.223-225, ISBN-10: 0854450424 & ISBN-13: 9780854450428) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 13825][Lib 13828] & The Keep [LIB/500458][Lib/507864] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries

Rotherfield Hall: History and Renaissance, by Roy Pryce, published 2002 (240 pp., G. L. Wright, ISBN-10: 0954254007 & ISBN-13: 9780954254001) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/503478] & East Sussex Libraries

Memories of my life and the village, by Gordon Redman, published 2004 (published by the author)

Field Notes: A bloomery in Rotherfield, East Sussex, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 2004 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 24, report, pp.2-5, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506571]   Download PDF

Field Notes: A bloomery site in Rotherfield, East Sussex, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 2006 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 26, report, pp.2-5, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506573]   Download PDF

Field Notes: A Bloomery site in Rotherfield, East Sussex, compiled by J. S. Hodgkinson, published 2007 in Wealden Iron Research Group (Second Series No. 27, report, pp.2-5, ISSN: 0266-4402) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/506574]   Download PDF

Rotherfield, Historic Character Assessment Report, compiled by Roland B. Harris, published June 2008 (Sussex Extensive Urban Survey (EUS), 35 pp. + appendices, E.S.C.C., W.S.C.C. & Brighton and Hove City, funded by English Heritage)   Download PDF

The Sawyer family in Rotherfield manor up to about 1550, by Nigel Sawyer, published December 2009 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 18 no. 8, article, pp.420-421) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 15860] & The Keep [LIB/508993] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

The Rotherfield parish records are pretty complete and go back to at least 1540. A SAWYER family tree can be constructed starting with William SAWYER, father of Thomas (1541), Margaret (1542/3), Edward (1544/5), Philip (1547) and Mary (1549). William appears to have died in 1566 and an Elizabeth buried in 1578 is likely to have been his wife. Thomas married in 1568 to a Jone (OSMARE/ HOSMER) and they had children from that date onwards and not all were christened or buried in Rotherfield for there are gaps on the parish records. The family tree therefore is not complete but a backbone can be drawn that starts before 1540.
Enter the Rotherfield manor records from archives of the DYKE family of Frant, Waldron and Kent and the PENKHERST family of Mayfield and Buxted held by the East Sussex Record Office (ESRO Catalogue reference DYK) as recorded on the Access to Archives (A2A) website. From these an even earlier SAWYER family tree can be drawn up.

Rotherfield, St. Denys - Church monuments, edited by Nigel Llewellyn, published 2011 in East Sussex Church Monuments, 1530-1830 (Sussex Record Society, vol. 93, pp.282-286, ISBN-10: 0854450750 & ISBN-13: 9780854450756) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 17926] & The Keep [LIB/500470][LIB/507876] & West Sussex Libraries & East Sussex Libraries   View Online

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.

5 Brecon Cottages, Church Road, Rotherfield (NGR: TQ55502972) - watching brief report, by Sean Wallis, published August 2012 (Reading: Thames Valley Archaeological Services)   View Online

The Barbers Alias Nynnes of Rotherfield, by Geoffrey Barber, published September 2012 in Sussex Family Historian (vol. 20 no. 3, article, pp.101-106) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/508852] & CD SFH40 from S.F.H.G.

The BARBER alias NYNNEs lived in Rotherfield between the early 1500's to c1670. They owned a property there called "Drapers", and provided four generations of churchwardens to the parish. One of these, George BARBER, has his name inscribed on one of the church bells as "George BARBER, Edmund KNELL, Wardens 1603" providing a tangible link to my ancestors from Rotherfield.

The Jarvis Family of Crowborough and East Sussex, by T. G. Hill, published 2013 accessible at: The Keep [LIB/507836]

Land to the rear of Little Oak, Mayfield Road, Rotherfield (NGR: TQ55512935) - evaluation report, by David Platt, published April 2013 (Reading: Thames Valley Archaeological Services)   View Online

Barber alias Nynne: Five Hundred Years of Family History in Rotherfield, Tonbridge and Brighton, by Geoffrey Barber, published 2014 (287 pp., published by the author, ISBN-13: 9780994211217) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/508475]

The Taylor Family (18th Century) of Rotherfield; The Jarvis Family (18/19th century) of Rotherfield; The King Family (19th century) of Frant & Tunbridge Wells, by Trevor Hill, published c.2015 accessible at: The Keep [LIB/504135]

Analytical survey and landscape context of Saxonbury hillfort, Rotherfield, East Sussex, by David Lea and Judie English, published 2015 in Sussex Archæological Collections (vol. 153, article, pp.29-40) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 18934] & The Keep [LIB/509033] & S.A.S. library   View Online

The results of an analytical survey of Saxonbury hillfort are reported and include the presence of a probable prehistoric field system. A possible re-interpretation of earlier excavation results is offered, as is some consideration of the relationship with nearby iron production sites.

Crowborough, Jarvis Brook and Rotherfield War Memorials, by Nigel Allison, published 1 July 2016 (163 pp., Nigel Allison Publishing, ISBN-10: 1526204134 & ISBN-13: 9781526204134) accessible at: The Keep [LIB/509248]

Parish Church of St Denys, Rotherfield, published (no date) (pamphlet, St Denys Rotherfield) accessible at: W.S.R.O. [Lib 4998]

1841 Census vol.16 - Rotherfield area, published (no date) by PBN Publications (Ref: BPCR, CD-ROM)