Found and 1840s privy today behind an 1840s house today. Should I dig it?

[Helix]

So I got permission yesterday to metal detect a yard on 1840s house... Nothing but trash but this caught my attention... Looks like a privy... full of goodies! Ok I will let the pictures do the talking. Have you note this was the richest town in Indiana during the 1840s.... You can clearly see the original cut stone, where it goes from modern concrete to cut stone and round... So I would say this is a good find for the day... just my 2 cents.... I will dig later some time.

 

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[DFW_THer]

GET DIGGIN! Where are the finds pics?!

Congrats and best of luck.

 

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[jodan3399]

Good luck!! Hope you find some nice stuff!

 

[Helix]

I took a few hours today to explore further down.. Here I am down at about 3' and my 6' probe is buried to hand handle. Made it to about 5' and any further we would need a ladder,, right about where the danger zone begins. Nothing yet but will be back tomorrow keep going...

 

[Helix]

my shovel is at about 5' level..

I took a few hours today to explore further down.. Here I am down at about 3' and my 6' probe is buried to hand handle. View attachment 1450121 Made it to about 5' and any further we would need a ladder,, right about where the danger zone begins. Nothing yet but will be back tomorrow keep going...

 

[DetectingGodlikeOnOlympus]

Don't be afraid, just use your common sense. Don't undercut stuff or leave hanging walls.

Start digging and take her to the bottom, and you will climb out of that first pit a transcended digger. You are in the big leagues now, and it's much different than grubbing in grass roots for dirty wheat pennies. Ha!

 

[Argentium]

Nice ! Thanks for the pics and the round by round , I can't wait to see what you uncover down there !!!

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Having participated in a well dig many years ago....I would suggest digging it like you are looking for bottles, but haul ALL of the excavated material out in a truck to sift for coins later.
A single coin can make it worth the effort.

You can then fill with sand (which can be easily compacted with a hose). A 6" thick reinforced concrete slab is another option.
I too want to see some old bottles.

Also remember in town settings, it is very common to have a series of holes side by side.

 

[Helix]

Having participated in a well dig many years ago....I would suggest digging it like you are looking for bottles, but haul ALL of the excavated material out in a truck to sift for coins later.
A single coin can make it worth the effort.

You can then fill with sand (which can be easily compacted with a hose). A 6" thick reinforced concrete slab is another option.
I too want to see some old bottles.

Also remember in town settings, it is very common to have a series of holes side by side.

I sift when I can and this will be one... Yes I agree there more holes around or how should I put it,, more permissions... Thanks everyone for the positive comments, we hope to hit the "use layer" tomorrow.

 

[Helix]

Great info, thanks for sharing.

Also if you know a little civil war history Morgans Raid... That's was one of his goals, to cause problems around Madison Ind.. They came with in 5 miles to the north from town then headed east... Neat history!

 

[Professor of Engineering]

I would dig it, just take your time and be careful.

 

[NJKLAGT]

'Can't wait to see what comes out of there, keep us all posted over in the Bottles & Glass forum!

 

[Helix]

'Can't wait to see what comes out of there, keep us all posted over in the Bottles & Glass forum!

Will do, in morning

 

[Helix]

Nice ! Thanks for the pics and the round by round , I can't wait to see what you uncover down there !!!

That's my intention... Sorry monitors some time it take more then a day to get to the finds...

 

[basque-man]

OH HECK YA!!!!! DIG......DIG IT !!!!!!!!

 

[BallsDeep]

Nice!

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[Trezurehunter]

I'd be down there like a mole in a hole !

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

I sift when I can and this will be one... Yes I agree there more holes around or how should I put it,, more permissions... Thanks everyone for the positive comments, we hope to hit the "use layer" tomorrow.

I didn't mean other holes next door or down the street. It was very common when the outhouse started getting filled up, they would dig a hole next to the building, then pick it up and move it over the new hole. The old hole, then became a place to dump whatever was available as it settled.

 

[Helix]

I didn't mean other holes next door or down the street. It was very common when the outhouse started getting filled up, they would dig a hole next to the building, then pick it up and move it over the new hole. The old hole, then became a place to dump whatever was available as it settled.

This one I am currently working most likely the main pit or most used for this property.. Its stone lined and deep.. This town had some rules about privies back in the day.. They also had the "honey dipper' crews around that would clean them from time to time.. Don't see many wood liners in this town. Well more to come this evening, we hope to hit use layer this afternoon. Or other side of the coin it could hold not much at all.

 

[Helix]

Todays finds consist of one 1850s pontil bottle,, no embossing or writing on it but still way cool! also found this jug but it is much newer, early 1900s.. We are do to about 7' level with more to come.. Most bottles made in the United States before the 1850s, when the snap case tool virtually replaced the pontil rod (also called the punte or punty), have a pontil mark on their bases. The mark is formed when a bottle is transferred from the blowpipe to the pontil rod, which, unlike the blowpipe, is solid. Known as empontilling, this transfer allows the glassblower to form and finish the bottle’s mouth or bore. Though no longer used in glass manufacturing, this technique is still used in art glass today.

 

[IMAUDIGGER]

Pontil mark...good...Applied lip?

I'd be putting that dirt in the garden.