Witness Depositions – John Willey – 2 Apr 1690

John Willey of Hedley-Hill in the County of Northumberland yeom aged Seaventy yeares or thereaboutes Sworne and Examined.

2 & 4	To the Second and fowerth Inerr[ogator]ys this Depont saith he very well knowes and remembers that these Forty Fower yeares past or thereaboutes this Depont himselfe and other people and inhabitants round about the Counties of Northumberland and Durham have used and Enjoyed a Com[m]on high way and free passage for their Horses Carts waines and other Carriages for the leading and Carrying of Timber Lead and other Com[m]odities from Hedley Blackhall and many other places in the severall Counties of Northumberland and Durham; as the Country lyes and occasions required unto and through the land and Grounds of Stella, called Stella gate thence Downe the Peth to the Leadhills in Stella and Blaydon Grounds called the East and West Staithes or Leadhills; where they unload their Carriages to be thence Conveyed by water Downe to Newcastle; and saith that neither he this Depont nor any useing the said Com[m]on high way with their Carriages as aforesaid, did at any time or times whensoever ask leave <...> any Sume or Sum[m]es of money or any other Satisfaction to the said Sr Thomas Tempest or any Clameing  under him for the useing and Enjoymt of the said Com[m]on high way with their Carriages as aforesaid Nor this Depont nor any other that he knowes or ever heard of was never att any time or times Stopt or obstructed in their useing the said Com[m]on high way now in Dispute.