Witness Depositions – William Rowell – 2 Apr 1690

William Rowell of Winlaton in the County of Durham aged Sixty one yeares or thereaboutes Sworne & Examined Deposeth as followeth. 

2 & 4	 To the Second and Fowerth Interr[ogator]ys this Depont saith he very well knowes and remembers that for these Fifty yeares last past or thereaboutes there hath beene com[m]on high way for Carts waines & Carriages for Carrying and Leading of <pe>at Timber Lead & such like Comodities for all Inhabitants round the Countrey in the severall Counties of Northumberland & Durham held used & Enjoyed in & through the Lands & Grounds of Stella called the Bogg or Blackmire to a place called the Peth head and soe Downe the Peth to the Two Lead hills att Stella and Blaydon <where> such Goods were Landed to be carryed by water Downe to Newcastle Downe the River of Tine; And this Depont hath frequently and often seene the said Carriages goe pass & goe forward & Backwards with their Loadings of Goods in & through the said Com[m]on high way; And this Depont saith that Dureing all the time aforesaid he this Depont never knew of any that used or Enjoyed the said Com[m]on & now in question with their Carriages as aforesaid Stopt or hindered in any the parts or places aforesaid; nor <n>ever knew or heard of any Satisfaction or recompence that <was> Demanded or paid for any useing or Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way with such waines & carriages as aforesaid; But saith he hath heard that some Satisfaction or payment was paid by <any> that used such way as aforesaid <to the> Farmers that farmed or tooke the said Leadhills for Bankeage or Groundage for placeing the said Goods upon the said Leadhillswhich is called Ban<keage> But saith that he hath Cridibly heard & verily beleives the same Satisfaction is given onely for Bankeage and not for way leave and this Depont can the better depose herein for he hath Dwelt & inhabited all his life time about a Mile Distant from Blaydon, and saith the same high way now in question, by all the people & inhabitants round the Countrey is reputed a Com[m]on high way for all people & <carriages>