Witness Depositions – Richard Richardson – 2 Apr 1690

Richard Richardson of Blaydon in the County of Northumberland yeom aged Sixty Fower yeares or thereaboutes Sworne & Examined Deposeth as followeth. 

[word(s) obscured] Fowerth Interr[ogator]ys this saith that to his knowledge for about these Fify five yeares last past untill within [t]hese Two or three yeares there hath beene a Com[m]on high way for [word(s) obscured] <carrying> of wood Lead and such like Com[m]odities for all the King & Queenes Subjects and inhabitants round the Countrey in the Severall Countys of Northumberland and Durham [word(s) obscured] in & through the Lands & Grounds of Stella called the Bogg or Blackmires to Stella Peth head and soe Downe the Peth to the Two Leadhills att Stella and Blaydon, where they [word(s) obscured] <carrying to Newcastle> by water or elsewhere on the River of Tine; and this Depont hath Severall times seene great carriages goe or come through the Peth & way in question through Blaydon [word(s) obscured] Towne of Blaydon with Corfe Bowes and Corfe rodds, which this Depont hath heard and verily beleives went to and unloaded the same at Swallwell & Whickham two Townes eastwards from <the> Towne of Blaydon; and this Depont saith that Dureing all the time aforesaid he never heard of any person or persons whatsoever useing or Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way & now in [dis]pute with such Carriages as aforesaid, was ever Stopt hindered or obstructed in the useage or enjoyment of the said high way as aforesaid, Nor does this Depont know nor ever heard of [any] sum[m]e of money or other Satisfaction that was peid given or Demanded for the country people or inhabitants in the said Counties of Northumberland & Durham useing or Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way with such their Carriages, Save onely Two pence a Foother & fower pence a Tunn that was paid for the Bankeage or Groundage of such Goods upon the said two Leadhills att Stella & Blaydon and the same was onely paied to them that farmed the said Leadhills for Bankeage or Goundeage onely, and not in Satisfaction or recompence for way leave; and this Depont can the better Depose and speak to the matters & perticulars aforesaid, for that he this Depont hath beene an inhabitant within the said Towne of Blaydon from the time of his infancy and Seene the said Carriages goe & pass the said way; and the same way in dispute hath beene alwayes reputed a Com[m]on way for all Carriages.