5
Various prints and pen-and-ink drawings illustrate the local
topography, history and traditions.
Visitors will notice with interest the original lopping axe and
bill which belonged to Thomas Willingale, a labourer of
Loughton, who was imprisoned in 1866 for asserting, in defiance
or ignorance of a restraining Order of the High Court, his ancient
right of lopping trees within the Loughton Manor.
Various documents connected with Epping Forest while it was
still a Royal Forest are exhibited. Among these are several manu-
script Exchequer Orders for the payment of Forest officials, and the
original Grant of the Chief Forestership of New Lodge Walk to James
Sotheby, Esq., by the Earl of Lindsey, Lord Great Chamberlain to
Queen Anne, and Chief Warden of the Forest, dated May 15th, 1706.
Some idea of the perquisites attaching to former Forest officials
and other favoured persons is afforded by the Warrants to kill deer
one of which may be given in full:—
" By virtue of a Warrant from His Majesty.
" These are to will, and require you to Kill, or
" cause to be Killed within your Charge, One
" Fat Buck of this Season, and deliver the Same for the
" Use of The Governors & Directors of the East India Compy.,
" And for so doing this shall be your Warrant. Given
" this 24 Day of July, 1810, in the 50th
" Year of his Majesty's Reign.
" For the Ranger or Keeper of
" Epping Forest. (signed) Geo. Hassell. "
This Warrant is endorsed :—
" to be Delivred at the London Tavern on or Before
" the 7th of August. "
Among other curious objects associated with the past history
of the Forest may be seen a Toll Ticket, issued at the Lea Bridge
tollgate on the turnpike road, just before its abolition in 1868, and a
couple of small clay roundels, found at Epping in 1894, which are
believed to have been passes issued to. carters whose employers
compounded in lieu of paying the turnpike tolls on each occasion of
using the road.