Witness Depositions – George Stokoe – 2 Apr 1690

George Stokoe of Blaydon Towne in the County of Durham wherryman aged Seaventy yeares or theraboutes Sworne and Examined Deposeth as followeth. 

2 & 4	To the Second and Fowerth Interr[ogator]ys this Depont saith that he knowes that for these Sixty yeares last past and upwards untill with these Two or three yeares, there hath beene a Com[m]on high way for Carts waines and Carriages for the Leading and Carrying of great Timber Lead and such like comodities for all Inhabitants round the Countrey in the Counties of Northumberland & Durham held used and Enjoyed in and through the Lands & Grounds of Stella called the Bogg or Blackmires to the Peth head and soe Downe the Peth to the Two Leadhills att Stella & Blaydon where they Landed their Goods for Carrying by water in Boates or wherrys to Newcastle or elsewhere on the River of Tine; and this Depont saith that Dureing all the time of his knowledge or remembrance of the said high way and now in Dispute, he never knew or heard of any useing or Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way with such their Carriages as aforesaid Stopt or hindered in any the parts or places aforesaid, nor knowes nor never heard of any Satisfaction or recompence that was Demanded or paid for any useing or Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way with such waines & Carriages as aforesaid; But saith when and soe often as they layed and landed there Goods in and upon the said Leadhills for carrying by water to Newcastle then was Two pence a Foother and Fower pence a Tunn paid to the Farmers of the said Leadhills for Liberty to lay & Land their Goods in and upon the said Leadhills and was called Banckmoney or Groundage, But never anything was paid for useing the said Com[m]on high way as aforesaid that this Depont knowes or ever heard off; and this Depont can the better speak & Depose to the matters & perticulars aforesaid for this Depont was borne and brought upp in Blaydon, and the same Com[m]on high way now in question hath <alwaies> since this Depont knew or rememberd any thing been <..t> reputed to have beene a Com[m]on high way for all manner of Carriages.