Witness Depositions – Ralph Stephenson – 2 Apr 1690

Ralph Stephenson of Newlands in the County of Northumberland yeom aged seaventy two yeares or thereaboutes Sworne and Examined. 

2 & 4	To the Second and Fowerth Interrys this Depont saith that there hath beene for these sixty yeares last past  or thereabout a com[m]on high way or free passage used form Hedley, Chopwell, Hexhamshire <Muggles> worth parke, and Severall other places both in the Countyes of Northumberland and Durham, as occation requires for all the King and Queen's subjects att all times in the yeare for leading and Carrying <with horses> Carts waines and other Carriages both wood Lead Timber and other Comodities in and through the Lands and Grounds of Stella called the Bogg als [alias] the Blackmires and soe to the Peth head and from thence to the Peth and soe to Baydon and Blaydon Staith or Leadhills adjoyning the River of Tine, to be Conveyed from thence by water in Boats or wherryes to Newcastle and other places upon the River of Tine; and he this Depont among many other have oftentimes used the said Com[m]on high way for carrying of Lead Timber or any other Com[m]odities During the time aforesaid, both in the time of Sr Thomas Tempest Grandfather of Sr Thomas Tempest the Deft, Sr Richard Tempest Father of the Said Deft Sr Thomas Tempest, and of the said Sr Thomas Tempest himselfe, and they and every of them have oftentimes beene upon the said high way in Question when this Depont and many others have been with their Carts and Carriages goeing & passing the said Com[m]on high way in the Grounds above mentioned; and neither this Depont nor any other that he knows or heard of was ever stopt in the useing of the said way either by te said old Sr Thomas Tempest the said Sr Richard Tempest or the Deft Sr Thomas Tempest through all privy & knowing <hereunto;> and niether this Deponent nor any other that he knows or heard of did ever att any times ask for leave to goe the said high way with such Carriages nor paied any Sumes of money in recompence or satisfaction for soe useing the said Com[m]on way, neither in the time of the said Sr Thomas Tempest the Defts Grandfather, his Father, or of the said Deft himselfe or any of them, that he ever knew or hear off, and saith it is Sixty yeares or thereaboutes since he first used the said Com[m]on high way, and this Depont and many others have frequently used the same way, through the Grounds aforesaid for Leading & carrying Timber Lead or any other comodity to the said Blaydon Staithes or Lead hills there; and hath Carryed Timber & Lead upon the said Lead hills or Baydon Staithes untill within Three yeares last past or thereaboutes.