Where did colonial people put fireplace/cooking ashes?

[cellrdwellr]

Here is a photo of the area I suspect may have had a home on. I am standing on what was an old road down to the shipyard, so probably a bit of traffic back in the day. The entrance in the stonewall seems more elaborate than the usual breaks in the wall, making me think this clearing just enclosed by the wall was not just another field.

The yellow circle indicates where there is a lot of ash in the dirt. It could be recent, from the present-day owner's bon fires, etc. I still need to tour with the owner, that will hopefully give some answers. Given all of your input, I don't know if they would have tossed their ash basically into the road, so it is probably more recent ashes.

Anyway, just thought I will post a follow-up picture in case anyone is interested!
View attachment 368367

If the house was close to the road and it burnt down that could explain it, or it could be modern ash, it does look like a great spot though and I agree that the opening looks like a little more than just a break in the wall.

 

[MattLock]

Some times they would dump it down old out house pits

 

[Chipk]

If I remember correctly, wood ash was used in making soap. It also would have been spread in gardens for fertilizer and chicken coops to eliminate mites.

Doubt much was thrown away.