1740 Permission

[Outdoorsman258]

This is my 1740 permission. I found the capped well slightly to the right and behind the house. I can not find the outhouse. In an area of the front yard that is now wooded, I found an area with daffodils and circler hole about 5 feet across and a foot deep. I don't think the outhouse would be in the front? Any suggestions where the outhouse would be?

 

[Bucktrout]

I’ve generally found them in the rear of the house to one side or the other.

 

[GeoAngelo]

I wouldn't be surprised on a house that old to find multiple pits. Straight out the back door would be my guess. Any evidence of infill that could be masking the locations? Have you looked at aerials and satellite?

 

[Tpmetal]

The outhouse was often placed in relation to the well or vise versa. If there is a well you can eliminate that area and look downhill from there. They were not fans of drinking their poop water any more than we are.

 

[backwater]

Always heard they were to the N.E. or SE. of the house, down wind if possible. That place looks EPIC !

 

[Tpmetal]

Always heard they were to the N.E. or SE. of the house, down wind if possible. That place looks EPIC !

depends on what part of the country you are in and where the winds come from but also a very valid point. they didn't like smelling poop anymore than we do either!

 

[Outdoorsman258]

I wouldn't be surprised on a house that old to find multiple pits. Straight out the back door would be my guess. Any evidence of infill that could be masking the locations? Have you looked at aerials and satellite?

I have looked at both aerial and satellite. Couldn't see much. The well is in the back right of the house.

 

[Outdoorsman258]

Always heard they were to the N.E. or SE. of the house, down wind if possible. That place looks EPIC !

The outhouse was often placed in relation to the well or vise versa. If there is a well you can eliminate that area and look downhill from there. They were not fans of drinking their poop water any more than we are.

I will check the woods on the left side of the house. The aerial from 1934 shows a big yard, now 90% is woods.

 

[hoser]

Dang! I would crawl through a mile of broken glass to have that house. The shallow pit you mentioned is probably a cistern. Outhouse; place to stink and read, usually located outside a dwelling in rear of house.

 

[markinmichigan]

Every inch should be detected, looks like a very cool place to md. Good for you.

Mark in Michigan

 

[Longhair]

Another thing to look for when locating a privy is ornamental shrubbery, lilacs specifically. If there is an old clump of lilacs on the down-wind side of the backyard, I would bet on there being a privy hole behind it.

 

[metaladdict]

There should be countless large cents and various state coppers for Tom to get all huffy about there!