History:
Thomas Fuller purchased 'Sheperdes' (later to become Rose Hill) in 1697 from William Peake's family. Thomas Fuller extended the estate to 95ha (230 acres) and rebuilt the house around 1699, and on his death passed it to John Fuller (1680–1745).
The eldest son of John Fuller(early), John Fuller (1680–1745) married Elizabeth Rose who was a Jamaican Plantation owner Fulke Rose's daughter. Fuller renamed the house 'Rose Hill' in the honour of Elizabeth and added an additional 59ha (145 acres) to the estate.
Their son, John Fuller (1705–1755), spent heavily on the estate between 1745 and 1755, rebuilding the house and adding the west and the office wings. He also further extended the estate by purchasing another 372ha (920 acres) and created a deer park around the new house.
It would seem that John (1705–1755), had inherited the furnace and the gun making from his father and his second son Rose Fuller (named in honour of his mother) inherited the Plantation business in Jamaica.
On John's(1705–1755) death the estate was passed to his brother Rose Fuller.
There was a third Fuller brother Henry (1713- 1761) who was a vicar in Hampshire, and had a son John Fuller (1757–1834) later to be known as 'Mad Jack' or 'Honest John'. Henry died in 1761 when John was four.
Rose Fuller died in 1777, and passed the estate in his will to his nephew John Fuller(Mad Jack) Henry's son.
Please be aware Rose Hill is a private property and there is no public access to the house or its gardens.
Other Reading
If you would like further details of Mad Jack, the Fullers or the Brightling area please click on the following links: