Witness Depositions – Andrew Robson – 2 Apr 1690

Andrew Robson of Stella Westfeild in the County of Durham, aged Fifty Eight yeares or thereabouts Sworne & Examined.



7	To the Seaventh Inter[ogator]y This Depont said that he knows Stella Lead hill which is the Defts and hath soe knowne the same for about thirty yeares last and alsoe knowes Bladon Lead hill or the Low Lead hill and hath soe knowne the Same  for about Eighteen yeares last past



9:10:15	To the Ninth tenth & fifeenth Inter[ogator]y this Depont saith that about thirty yeares Since One Ralph Douglas and Robert Chambers farmed of the Defts father the Lead hill called Stella Lead hill and the way leave leading thereto through the Peth and once paid for the Same the Summe of three pounds a yeare which was afterwards raised to Four pounds a yeare And saith that those who brought Lead or Wood by Cartt or Carriage in and through the place called the Peth in question to the said Stella Leadhill paid four pence for Each foother or load for Way leave and Bank leave to the said Douglas and Chambers who Farmed the Same as aforesaid of the Def[endan]ts father And this Depont saith that he hath heard that about Eighteen yeares Since One Robert Addey who was the Def[endan]ts Steward made a Stopp of  a Carriage which was comeing through the said way goeing over Bladon Burne to the Low Lead hill and the reason why he Deposeth that the said Chambers and Douglas farmed the said wayleave and Bankroome and paid such Rent for it is that he was <present> with the said robert Addy who was the Defts Steward And the said Chambers and Douglas when the said Rent was paid And heard them all owne and Declare that the Same Rent was for Way leave and Bank roome in and through the said Peth and to the said Stella Leadhill And he further saith that he knows that the said Douglas Whilst he Farmed the Way leave and Bank roome has repaired the said way which was through the said Peth