Witness Depositions – William Stephenson – 2 Apr 1690

William Stephenson of Chopwell Low Carrs in the County of Durham aged Seaventy yeares and upward Sworne and Examined. 

2 3 & 4	To the Second Third and Fowerth Interr[ogator]ys this Depont saith he this Depont and the rest of the Countrey both in the Countyes of Durham and Northumbeerland for about Sixty yeares last past to the knowledge of this Depont both <from> Hexhaamshire Mugglewick Hedley and Elsewhere as occasion requires, had used and Enjoyed a Com[m]on high way for Leading and Carrying of Timber Barke and such like Com[m]odities with Horses waines Carts and Carriages in and through Stella gate formerly called the Moores gate through the Bogg or Blackmires in and through the Peth head and Downe the Peth to the Two Leadhills att Stella and Blaydon called the East and West Leadhills, both in the time of the Defts GrandFather, and alsoe in the Defts Father's time from which leadhills the said Goods were conveyed by water Downe to Newcastle or elswhere upon the River of Tine; and this Depont saith that the Defts Grandfather Frequently seen this Depont and the rest of the Country round about use and Enjoy the said Com[m]on high way with waines and Carriages as aforesaid; yett did not his Grandfather or Father or any other that this Depont knowes or <has> heard off Stopp or hinder this Depont or any other that he ever heard off in the useing and Enjoying of the said Com[m]on high way as aforesaid; nor never Demanded any Satisfaction for the Enjoyment thereof either from this Depont or any other that he ever heard of, nor was any thing ever paid for the said High way and previledge aforesaid, save what was paid for bankleave & liberty of laying and placeing the Goods upon the said Leadhills to Reynoldson & Chambers and the Farmers of the said Leadhills.