Witness Depositions – Ralph Dodd – 2 Apr 1690

Ralph Dodd of Bywell in the County of Northumberland yeom aged Sixty Eight yeares or thereaboutes Sworne and Examined. 

2 & 4	To the Second and Fowerth Interrys this Depont saith that he this Depont and the whole Country round for these Forty yeares since and upwards to the knowledge of this Depont have used and Enjoyed a Comon high way way with horses Carts waines & Carriages for leading & Carrying of Lead Timber & other Comodities from Hedely and Elsewhere in the Counties of Northumberland & Durham, as the County lyes and occasion requires unto and through the Lands and Grounds of Stella called Stella Gate the Bogg als the Blackmires to the Peth head, and soe Downe the Peth to the Leadhills in Stella and Blaydon called the East and West Leadhills where they laid & Landed their Carriages, from whence itt was carryed by water to Newcastle or elsewhere upon the River of Tine, without being stopt or hindered with their Carriages in the said high way by the said Sr Thomas tempest or any other that he knowes or ever heard off; and this Depont saith that neither he this Depont nor any other that he knowes or ever heard off, Did ever ask leave or pay any sume of money or any other satisfaction to the said Sr Thomas Tempest or any other person whatsoever Clameing under him for the useing of the said Com[m]on high way, save what the owners of the wood & Lead and such other Comodities paid to the owners or Farmers of the said two Severall Lead hills or Staithes for the Bankeroome of such Goods But never was any recompence or payment paid or given for way leave to the said Lead hills that this Depont knowes or ever heard off.