Witness Depositions – Robert Tempest – 2 Apr 1690

Robert Tempest of Winlaton in the County of Durham Gentlem[an] Aged Seaventy one yeares or thereabouts Sworne & Examined Deposeth as followeth.



1	To the first Interr[ogator]y he saith he knows the Compl[ainan]t and Def[endan]t and Did know Sir Nicholas Tempest who was<word crossed out> the Defents Greatgrandfather And also knew Sir Thomas Tempest and S[ir] Richard Tempest Grandfather and father of the Defendt.



2	To the second Inter[rogator]y this Depont Saith That the High Street or kings high way for Cart and Carriage which leads from Hedley to Newcastle goes from Hedley to Ryton Woodside and from thence to Winlaton Mill from thence to Whickham and thence to Gateside and thence to Newcastle Which is and hath been the Usuall way for Cartt & Carriage which said way he hath knowne for about fifty yeares last past.



3	To the third Interr[ogator]y This Depont saith that he knows the way which leads out of the said kings Street from Ryton wood side to Bladon Which goes through the Freehold and Coppyhold Land of the Deft Called the Black Myres and the Peth or Peth head and hath soe known the Same for above the space of Sixty yeares Dureing all which time the said way soe leading to Bladon through the said Def[endan]ts Lands was alwaies Used and reputed a Bridle way and for Sack & Seame



4	To the fourth Inter[rogator]y this Depont saith that the way which Leads from Bladon to Newcastle called the Low Way is a Strait Narrow way through which Cartt and Carriage cannot passe But the Same is only a Brydle way and for Sack & Seame.



6	To the Sixth Inter[rogator]y this Depont saith that the said Brydle way which leads from Ryton Woodsideto Bladon goes through the Coppyhold and Freehold lands of the Deft which lyeon Both sides of the said Bridleway and saith that Bladon Burne Devides the Lord[shi]ppsof Stella and Winlaton.



7	To the seaventh Inter[rogator]y he saith that he knows the Def[endan]ts Lead hill called Stella Leadhill and the hill called the Low leadhill which beongs now aswell to the Deft as to Sir William Blackett



8	To the Eighth Inter[rogator]y he saith he hath known the Def[endan]ts Ancestor goe with Carts and Carriages throughthe way in question to the Lead hills called Stella leadhills And hath also knowne other Carriagesbelonging to others come the Same way with Lead & Wood to the Said Stella Leadhills and the Lowleadhills or Bladonhills on the other side of Bladon Burne for which as he hath heard andbeleives there was paid to the Def[endan]ts Ancestors for way leave and Bank leave or Bankroome four pence for Each Load or Tunn, That was brought through the said way in question.



12	To the twelfth Inter[rogator]y this Depont Saith that there is a way for Cartt and Carriage through a field Of the Defts Called the East feild which leads to Bladon Which the Def[endan]t of late yeares has Suffered for which he hath heard and verily Beleives those who use the Same pay and make Some Satisfaction to the Deft.