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RAMBLES ABOUT BURWASH 35
in 1620. It is surrounded by most charming woods, and the adjoining lands have as much seclusion and jungle mystery as any lover of nature could desire.
I was told in the village, the house derives its name from the fact that a grasping builder so abated his men's wages, that it was always referred to by them as " Batemans," and the name endured.
There are some fine oak-panelled rooms in the house, and it changed hands many times before Rudyard Kipling became lawfully seized and possessed of it.
A Mr. John Britain, who lived at " Batemans," died and was buried in Burwash in 1707. In " Sussex Folk and Sussex Ways " Cocker Egerton tells us that the history of " Batemans " is very hazy, and the date over the door is about the only fact that is not questioned. He also mentions that the house contained some old Sussex " dogs " (called variously " brand-irons," " and-irons," or " end-irons"), bearing the date 1585, but they were taken away by Mr. Stevenson when he left the farm about 1873.
It appears that Pook Hill is the old name for a farm and farm house not far from Burwash Weald, and bordering on Dallington Forest, Lord |
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