Edward Boys Ellman's memoirs were published in 1912, six years after he died aged 91. They portray an amusing picture of town and country life in Lewes and the villages of Glynde, Firle, Wartling and Berwick during a century of turbulent change. Local characters long since forgotten were immortalised in his anecdotes together with the great men of that time who attended the Royal Court at Brighton and were frequent visitors to Wellman's home. The play chronicles the life of this retiring hero who became Rector of Berwick in 1846 and transformed his parish.