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Some Special Interests => Occupation Interests => Topic started by: MarkyP on Wednesday 19 April 17 16:58 BST (UK)

Title: Ash Gatherer
Post by: MarkyP on Wednesday 19 April 17 16:58 BST (UK)

Hello, would anyone know what an Ash Gatherer does, there is very little about the term on Google and I can't find any mention in any old occupation lists. I've seen one reference to it possibly being a refuse collector and another to someone who collects wood ash to make soap, but nothing definitive. It does seem to have been an occupation that is mentioned a few time in the Census.

Title: Re: Ash Gatherer
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 19 April 17 17:12 BST (UK)

How odd...I can't find a reference either  ???
Carol

Title: Re: Ash Gatherer
Post by: Jebber on Wednesday 19 April 17 17:16 BST (UK)

Another name for Ashman, dustman. Or potash collector?

Title: Re: Ash Gatherer
Post by: stanmapstone on Wednesday 19 April 17 17:16 BST (UK)

There are many references to "Ash Gatherers" in the newspapers relating to collecting ashes from houses etc.
Gatherer is another word for Collector.
Stan

Title: Re: Ash Gatherer
Post by: Treetotal on Wednesday 19 April 17 17:34 BST (UK)

That's something else I have learned today  ;D
Carol

Title: Re: Ash Gatherer
Post by: a-l on Wednesday 19 April 17 18:08 BST (UK)

I don't know if this is any help , I remember older generations referring to the dustmen as ashmen. Also if you remember the old bins had written on them  ' no hot ashes' so there seems to be a connection to me.

Title: Re: Ash Gatherer
Post by: MarkyP on Thursday 20 April 17 15:18 BST (UK)

Thanks for all the replies, the gathering of ash seems to make sense, but for what purpose? Just to clean out fireplaces, or to use to actually make something? The reference that I found regarding using ash to make soap was an American one, did this happen in the UK?