Witness Depositions – William Ran – 2 Apr 1690

William Ran of Bentforthsyde in the County of Durham yeom aged Sixty yeares or thereaboutes 

2 & 4	To the Second and Fowerth Interr[ogator]ys this Depont saith that for these Forty yeares last past or thereaboutes this Depont knowes there hath been a Com[m]on high way for leading and carrying of Timber & all such Com[m]odities from Hedley Newbigin Hexhamshire and other places both in the County's of Northumberland and Durham with Horses Carts waines and Carriages in and through certaine lands and Grounds of Stella called the Peth head and Peth & soe Downe the said Com[m]on high way to the Two Leadhill att Stella and Blaydon, which were from thence carryed and Conveyed by water to Newcastle and other places on the River of Tine and this Depont and the inhabitants in the Country round hath Frequently Dureing the time aforesaid used the said com[m]on high way with Cart and Carriage, and saith that niether he this Depont nor any other that he knowes or ever heard of was never Stopt or hindered or and Satisfaction Demanded of this Depont nor any other for useing the said Com[m]on high way with such carriages, either by the Deft Sr Thomas Tempest or any other on his behalfe, save onely Fower pence <a Tunne> & for the Bankroome or wharfeage for laying & placing the Timber upon the said Stella and Blaydon Staithes or Leadhills; and the same Satisfaction was paid and given for Bankage and wharfeage only, and not for wayleave; to one Widow Barnes Robert Chambers Robert Procter <the> respective Farmers of the said Leadhills; and further saith that about Thirty yeares Since, and for Some yeares since that time he this Depont hath brought and Carryed wood by waines in Land Carriages from Swalwell lying <to the East> Downe the River of Time from Blaydon upp to Blaydon Towne, and soe upp the Peth and Peth head being the grounds in question through Stella gate for the Grand Lense Colliery without being Stopt, or paying any <recompence or> Satisfaction for useing & Enjoying the said Com[m]on high way, to the said Sr Thomas Tempest or any other person that he knowes or ever heard off.