Witness Depositions – Edward Ward – 2 Apr 1690

Edward Ward of Mugglesworth Parke yeom aged <Eig>hty years or thereabouts Sworne and examined.

2 & 4	To the Second and Fourth interrys this Depont saith that he very well knowes that there hath been for these sixth Eight years past or thereabouts a high way or Free passage att all times and seasons of the yeare for all the King and Queens subjects to goe or Travel with horses Carts Waines or other Carriages <fr>om Hedley Downe in the County of Northumberland, Dotland Parke wood, Muggleworth Parke and severall other places in the Counties of Nrthumberland and Durham unto the Hamlet of Blaydon and Blaydon Lead hills in the County of Durham; and saith the said high way or passage lyes and goes through the several <.....> of Ground in the Lordpp [Lordship] of Stella called the Bogg or Blackmires, and from the<nce> along the Peth head, and from thence downe the Peth a soe to Blaydon Leadhills; where all persons that used and came through that way had Liberty to lay and place wood Lead or any other Comoditie att the Lead hills aforesaid for their con<ve>niency of conveying and getting the same Carryeid by water with Wherries and Boats downe to Newcastle or any place in the River of Tine; And this Depont Saith that for the said time of his remembrance of the said high way being Sixty Eight years since he this Depont who hath often used the said High way himself with Carriages, neither he this Depont nor any other that he knowes or heard off was ever stoppt or hindered in the said way, now ever paid any sume or sumes of money to the said Sr Thomas Tempest or [word obscured] other in satisfaction of their using the said way and passage through the said Grounds through the Blackmires Peth head Peth and the said high way to the Leadhills, nor for laying or leading Timber upon the said Lead hills that he knowes off; nor this Depont now any other that he knowes or heard off; did ever ask leave for their Carriages and using the said high way; of the said Sr Thomass Tempest or any other, Butt saith that Eight pence for every Fother or Load of wood that was carried from the said Lead hills to the Towne of Newcastle, to the watermen that carryed the same, was paid for Landing the same Goods upon the said Lead hills, and not for way leave or passage through the said Grounds in Question.