Witness Depositions – Thomas Walker – 2 Apr 1690

Thomas Walker of Muggleswick in the County of Durham yeom aged Sixty yeares or thereabourtes Sworne and Examined.

2 & 4	To the Second and Fowerth Interr[ogator]ys this Deponent saith that both he this Depont and the whole Countrey round about as well in Northumberloand as Durham for these Forty Three yeares past or thereaboutes untill of late yeares have had used and Enjoyed a Com[m]on high way for the Leading and Carrying with Horses waines Carts and other Carriages Lead wood Timber and such like Goods and Comodities from Hedley Muggleswick Hexhamshire and other places both in the Counties of Northumberland and Durham, where they tooke upp their Loadings unto and through certaine Lands and Grounds in Stella called Stella Gate, the Bogg al[ia]s Blackmire and soe to the Peth head Downe the Peth to the Two Lead hills called Stella and Blaydon Lead hills, from whence itt was Conveyed on water to Newcastle or elsewhere on the river of Tine; and saith that niether he this Depont nor any other useing the said Com[m]on high way with their Carriages as aforesaid dureing the said time of Forty Three yeares Did ever att any time or times aske or seek leave nor ever paid or gave any Sum[m]e or Sum[m]es of money or any other satisfaction to the said Sr Thomas Tempest or any other whome he clames under; for useing and Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way that this Depont knowes  or ever heard of; Nor Doth this Depont know or ever hear of any Demand made by the said Sr Thomas Tempest or any for him, or by any other person or persons whomsoever of any paymt or Satisfacfation to be made or given for such useing and Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way from this Deponent or any other people or Inhabitants in either the said Counties of Northumberland and Durham or elsewhere in the Countrey round about the said way in Question.