Witness Depositions – Thoams Lawson – 2 Apr 1690

Thomas Lawson of Whittingstall in the County of Northumberland <yeom aged thirty> Five yeares Sworne and Examined 

2 & 4	To the second and Fowerth Interr[ogator]ys this Depont saith that he knowes there has beene for these Twenty Three yeares past or thereaboutes a Com[m]on high way used from Hedley, Blackhall, Dukesfeild, Water <meetings and> Severall other places in the County of Northumberland as occasion required  for all the King and Queens people and subjects att all times in the yeare for leading and Carrying with Carts Waines Horses and other Carriages wood Lead and other Com[m]odities in and through the Grounds of Stella called the Bogg alls [alias] the Blackmires, from thence to the Peth head, and from thence Downe the Ground called the Peth to Bladon Staithes <...> Bladon Leadhills adjoyneing on the River of Tine to be carryed by water in Boates or Wherryes to Newcastle & other places on the said River of Tine; and this depont saith that Dureing his remembrance <of the> said high way in question, neither he this Depont no any other that he knows or heard of was ever att any time or times Stopt or hindered with their Carts and other Carriages in useing and Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way; and he this Depont and others, have Severall times beene with their Carriages in the said Com[m]on high way when they have mett with the said Sr Thomas Tempest himselfe; and he never Demanded any recompence or satisfaction for such their useing the said way, nor never offered to stop them in the useing thereof; this Depont saith that neither he nor any other he knowes or heard off did ever att any time or times whatsoever aske leave or paid the said Sr Thomas Tempest or and other he Clames under any recompence or satisfaction for useing the said Com[m]on high way. 

3	To the Third Interr[ogator]y this Depont saith he knowes the said Sr Thomas Tempest or some byh is order repaired the said Com[m]on high way and Peth aforesaid For this Deponant saith that about Tenn or Twelve yeares since this Depont with many others with their waines or Carriages comeing to the said Peth head they found the same stopt upp and blocked by the Falling Downe of some trees the lying upon the said high way, upon which the Depont and one of his Companions went to the said Sr Thomas Tempest and acquainted him they could not for that reason pass through the Peth with their Carriages and he the said Sr Thomas Tempest then ordered them to goe with their Carriages through the East Feild adjoyning to the said Com[m]on way in question to the said Bladon Lead hills untill sich time as the said Peth was by him rydded & made passable for Carriages, which was soe done in some short time after.