John Lewis 1713-1792 Richmond brewer who secured public rights of access to the park 1758

"It was 250 years ago that a Richmond brewer called John Lewis succeeded in re-establishing the rights of the public to walk across the Park using rights of way dating from before its enclosure in 1637. In April 1758 judgment was given in favour of Lewis at Kingston Assizes, when the Ranger, Princess Amelia, was ordered to reinstate ladderstiles which would again allow access. On 16 May that year the ladderstile at Sheen Gate was opened." - http://www.frp.org.uk/news/59-a-park-milestone-celebrated