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Past Investigations & public Events
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Private Case - The Old Farmhouse - West Sussex, England - 20th February 2010
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Private Case - Oxfordshire, England - 30th January 2010
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The Falstaff Experience - Evidence Page - 6th February 2010
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The Devil Stone Inn - Shebbear, Exeter, England - 6th February 2010
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Exeter Castle - Devon, England - Evidence Page - 28th November 2009
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Eastbury Manor - Barking, London - Evidence Page - 21st November 2009
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Hell-Fire Caves Halloween Special - Evidence Page - October 28th 2009
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Private Farmhouse - West Sussex
Location: ( West Sussex, England)
Date: 20th February 2010
Time: 9:00pm - 3.30am
Investigation Team:
Barri Ghai (Lead Investigator)
Bongo (Spiritualist Medium)
Matt Watkins (Technical Manager & Investigator)
Sheena Prew (Investigator)
Toni Seale (Investigator)
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Private Farmhouse - (West Sussex) As it looks today 2010
Case History
The client contacted G.P.S to enquire about a female apparition that she and her husband have seen several times in and outside the house.
Our client has kindly provided with almost everything that can be found about this farmhouse.
This farmhouse is a lovely and charming Tudor farm house of considerable size. It is located near the village Washington/West Sussex and lies among the South Downs. Several outer buildings like a barn and workshops belong to the farm, as well as a few acres of land.
The building was first mentioned in 1296 and belonged to Andr (Andrew?) att Sande according to tax records during the reign of Edward I and II, but earth works on the property suggest, that there used to be a settlement even before that time.
In 1327 a woman called Alice turned up in the tax records and there exists an account report from the year 1448/49, concerning the property of a certain Robert Capeleyne. In this report it is mentioned that at least a part of the property formerly belonged to a John at Sonde.
In the 16th Century it was owned by the family Juden/Iden/Judewyne/Jugden (plus other various spellings). They were yeomen and there were a lot of them.
The parish records start in 1558, but the first definite link to the farmhouse is in 1594, when Joan, wife of Philip Rolfe alias Juden, died here. Philip Juden died in 1597, our client even found his last will and testament.
In the 1580’s several major changes were added to the farmhouse. Most of it was rebuilt then.
The following century saw the house and farm occupied by the Parsons family. The Parsons had been in Washington since the start of Parish records in 1558.
The Manor of Winston along with various lands, including the farm, passed from John Earl of Thanet to John Fagge of East Hoathly Esc.
in 1685 another John Parsons died, and according to his will, he only left his wife 2/-. but his daughters Mary and Anne got £50 each plus a feather bed and sheets. The rest went to the next John.
It seems that around this time most of the farm went to William Wood, whose land surrounded it. There is a possibility that the house was freehold as he was paying the poor rate for the building and farm in 1730.
The next John that owned the building was a carpenter and died in 1737 leaving £22.10.2d. and the building to his widow.
“He had no live beast and Thomas Parsons, brother, is next heir to the premises. But that Mary Parsons, his widow, ought to hold the same for so long time as she shall live chaste and unmarried.”
William Wood sold out to William and Mary French. He was a baker of the Broadway in the Parish of St. Margarets, Sandhills cost him £416. His wife Mary’s father was another John Parson. Who knows which one?
In the following decades the property was let to several tenants. Records show the following names:
Ca. 1740 William and Mary Hronrk
1780 - 82 William Hickex
1783 – 86 John Cease
1787 – 88 John Brown
1789 – 1812 Charles Penfold (overseer to the poor)
It was then, that the owner Lucy French, widow of William French, put the property up for auction and it was bought by Charles Goring of Wiston.
Mr Gorings’s first tenant was Henry Float. Like other families there were a lot of them. Another Henry Float had the Lime Kilns. They had shops in the village and various other holdings, but still had family in the workhouse.
Henry took Elisabeth Burnell “of the Parish” in 1819. The Parish was responsible for people who could not support themselves – hence the Poor Rate. She would have been an orphan and Henry would have been paid around 3/- a week to have her. There is a receipt for her boots 7/-. A bit later he took Eliza Hills, and a year later Mary Kingsholf.
In 1851 John Skinner took over the farm as a tenant, he already had Green Farm next door.
1861 Census
George Starling and his family departed and George Batting came In 1891 he was 36, his wife Eliza 36 They had one son called Arthur aged 1.
There was reference to Charles Sadler, a live-in farm servant. They couple did not stay long so by the 1901 Census there was the Butler Pattenden family recorded. The names included Butler Pattenden, 33, his wife Abigail, 36, his son Weston, 3, daughter Marjory, 4. His parents James, 67, and Sophie, 62, also lived with them.
The building then passed to a cattle farmer around 1905. He did not stay long and went to work for the railways.
Around this time the Farm was then split into several lots. In 1930 the occupiers were Butler Joe Pattenden and William Butcher. William Butcher had a hell of a reputation. He was called “Blommin Butcher” as every time there was an illegitimate child, someone would say “it’s that blommin Butcher again”. During this time the farm fell into disrepair.
Hay making at Green Farm. Sid Float on top, on the right grandfather William (Hedgehog) Butcher, on the left his son William (Blommin) Butcher
The Wiston rent roll of 1930 gives Mrs B.J. Pattenden 95 acres at £65 a year. Part of 306 (late Mr Maple) was added in 1934 ‘no increase in rent’. She paid £2/9/0 in rates in 1936 and was given notice to quit in September 1938. The land was then let to Mr Heryeth (Green Farm) for £90. During the last few years the Sandpit had been started and was increasing rapidly. There was not a great deal of land left, so he used it just for hay and pasture. Mrs Pattenden left in 1938.
After the Second World War, the house was let to Vivian and Eileen Davidson and their son Tony. Vivian had been living in Warren Lodge, which was a home for the wounded. His friends, the Beavans, in the village told him of the property. He worked at the National Provincial Bank in Worthing and paid rent of £100 per annum.
In 1951, Tony and Pat Linfield with their two daughters Sally and Tessa moved into the farmhouse.
In 1971, our client and her husband bought the property and restored, rebuilt and extended all the buildings on the farm up until today.
The Haunting
"...Soon after we came here I was aware of a presence at the bottom of the kitchen steps. Our dog, Holly, would get up, wagging her tail. As I turned I would see her go. I feel uncomfortable sitting with my back to the door as I feel I am turning my back to someone..."
"...Over the years she has been seen at the kitchen corner of the house and at the door in the end bedroom..."
"...However, on three occasions I have seen her much more closely. The first time was some 25 years ago when I saw her from the left-hand window of the sitting room coming down the path..."
"...She was slim with scraped back hair and wearing something dark. She passed out of view, probably coming to the middle window which was once the door – you can still see the step..."
"...The next time was about ten years ago and I looked out of the same window one night and saw the shape of someone coming down the path. Just before she passed out of sight she lit up as though someone had opened the door..."
"...The last time I saw her was Christmas about four years ago. I came out of the bathroom and she was barely two feet away at the top of the steps. She has to date from between about 1780 when the back was built and the 1830’s when the door was probably filled up by Henry Float..."
"...My logic and brain tells me there is no such thing as the supernatural, but it is difficult when one’s eyes and senses tell you differently. All I can say is that she generates great peace and security. I have no desire to send her on her way, as it seems to be the place she is happy to watch over..."
By (Client) Mrs. W
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