South Devon Right of Way Case: An important right-of-way case occupied the attention of his Honour Judge Edge at the Newton Abbot County Court on Saturday. The plaintiff was Mr. Geo. Bond, of Buckland Barton Farm, Coombeinteightnhead, and the defendant was Mr. Wm Dobson of Treviyn, Newton Abbot. The claim was for 1s damages for unlawfully removing a gate at Buckland Barton and entering what the plaintiff claimed as his private road. … On September 30th last the plaintiff turned the defendant back. Subsequently the defendant’s solicitors wrote to Mr. Bond stating that it was one of the oldest highways in that part of the country and intimating that he would walk along the road on October 25th in order to test the fact by litigation … Mr. J. B. Pinsent, wine merchant, said he knew the road from Penn Inn to Buckland Farm, and also to Hackney Lane. His knowledge extended over the past 55 years. Mr. A. W. Reeve, bootmaker, said he had lived at Newton 28 years. He knew the roads well and had used them a great deal as public; no one objected till two or three years ago, when he was spoken to be a labourer on the farm. He had seen Mr. Walter Rendell, who had not interred with him. Mr. Chas. Rees, accountant, said came to Newton 52 years ago and knew the road to the farm, which was generally called Buckland Lane. He had often used the road, and frequently met from 20 to 50 people on the road, particularly Sundays. He had noticed the word “private” on the gate … (continues) …
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901