I 



I 



Figure 50. — W'rouoiit-iron slab, found in Room \', Structure E, behind 

 fireplace. Purpose unknown. Size, 6 by 35 inches. 



the ivitclu'ii was at ground level, so that a raised step 

 at the north side would ha\c been not only unneces- 

 sary, hut impossible. 



Wi- know from the ledger that Barry built an oven 

 and raised a chinuiey. That the latter was a central 

 chinmey may be assumed on the basis of the e\ idence 

 of the two fireplaces placed back to back. There i.s, 

 however, no archeological evidence that there was 

 an o\en within the structure, and every negative 

 indication that there was not. The rectangular pro- 

 trusion, exactly in line with the end of the fireplace 

 thus was apparently the foundation for a brick o\en, 

 the domed top of which extended outside the building, 

 with its opening made into the north end of the 

 fireplace. Protruding ovens are known in New York 

 and .\ew England, but none in X'irginia has conic 

 to the writer's attention. On the other hand, 

 protruding foundations like the one here are also 



imknuwn in N'irginia kitchens, except where s\.i:,f- 

 ing ground, as at Mount N'crnon, has made Mrps 

 necessary. 



It may be concluded that .Stniciuj 

 plantation kitchen, that it was bui'' 

 had two rooms (a cixikroom with tn 

 a large fireplace, and a second room with 

 fireplace), that an oven built against i! 

 the building opened into the north ei 

 place, and that the first, and prol>ably the only, Hoor 

 was at ground level. .-Xrcheological evidence p<ii' t- 

 to final destruction of the buildini; by fire. (Mciw ; 

 indicated that fire had threatened it prcxioiisly in the 

 entry in his journal for .April 22, 1765. wh: ' ■ ' 

 "kitchen roof catch"d fire.") In the form > 

 artifacts, it also shows that the structure wa.s ■ 

 in the early 19th century, since the latest kliuih 

 artifacts date from almut IRUO. 



105 



