Witness Depositions – Stephen Thompson – 2 Apr 1690

Stephen Thompson of Mickley in the County of Northumberland yeom aged Fifty Three yeares or thereaboutes Sworne and Examined Deposeth as followeth. 

	To the Second Third Fowerth and last Interr[ogator]ys this Depont saith that he this Depont for others and the whole Countrey round for about Forty yeares last past to the knowledge of this Depont untill of late had used and Enjoyed a com[m]on high way for Leading and Carrying of wood Barke Slates Lead and such like Comodities with waines Carts Carriages, from Hedley Stifford Hexhamshire Mugglewicke and elsewhere both in the County of Northumberland & Durham to Stella gate and soe through Stella Grounds called the Bogg or Blackmires to the Peth head and Downe the Peth to the Two Leadhills att Stella and Blaydon, where they laid & Landed their Carriages from whence itt was conveyed by water to Newcastle and elsewhere upon the river of Tine; and this Depont and Severall others to the knowledge of this Depont Dureing the time aforesaid hath alsoe taken and Carryed Dales and other Com[m]odities which came & were landed <att> Blaydon & Stella aforesaid by water from Newcastle aforesaid in along & through the Com[m]on high way aforesaid westward to Hexham and elsewhere in the Country; and this Depont and Severall others to the knowledge of this Depont Dureing the time aforesaid have used the Com[m]on high way aforesaid & in Leading & carrying with waines Carriages Spiles Breasts & such like short wood unto and through Blaydon Towne lying Eastward of Blaydon Leadhill, and soe Eastward away Downe to Swallwell, and neither he this Depont nor any other he knowes or ever heard off was never stopt in the useage of the said Com[m]on high way; nor was ever any Satisfaction Demanded or given from this Depont or any other that he knowes or ever heard of for the useage and Enjoymt of the said Com[m]n high way; and this Depont saith that when any Stopp happened in the Peth by the <meeting> of Carriages, the empty carriage went alwaies a Syde a Small peice out of the way, and was not interrupted that this Depont knowes or ever heard off.