ASHES, footprint in
1775
L. SHAW
History of Moray
249.
When the corpse is lifted, the bed-straw, on which the deceased lay, is carried out and burnt in a place where no beast can come near it; and they pretend to find next morning, in the ashes, the print of the foot of that person in the family, who shall die first.
1845
J. TRAIN
Isle of Man
II 115–16.
On New Year's Eve, in many of the upland cottages, it is yet customary for the housewife, after raking the fire for the night … to spread the ashes smooth over the floor with the tongs in the hope of finding in it, next morning, the tract of a foot; should the toes of this ominous print point towards the door, then, ...