Well or privy or ?

[joecoin]

I came across this hole today, can anyone tell for certain what it was? It's about 15 feet from a stone foundation that includes what I believe is a root cellar.

 

[JOE(USA)]

I see from your profile that you live in Ohio. different parts of the country had different ways of doing things.
Privies were not dug and laid up with stone (NYC or another large city being an exception). Also 15' is very close to the house foundation for a privy. I would bet you have a well there. They were typically filled in with junk ,stone,etc. when they came into disuse. It could have some goodies in the bottom, but a lot of work cleaning it out. Joe

 

[joecoin]

Thanks for the responses, I was thinking it was a well also.
Just wanted some reassurance before I got down in there.

Thanks,

joecoin

 

[nova treasure]

I vote that it's a well

Nova Treasure

 

[Jimmy(PA)]

I'd say well too. Too nice for a privy. I have a brick lined privy hole sinking in my driveway. The house has had plumbing for at least 80 years so its probably pre 1900, I should try digging it.

 

[fortbball9]

Looks just like the well we have at my grandparents farm in Highland County,Va.Our well is about 10 feet deep we have to pump out all of the water once a year and clean all of the rocks down so the water stays clean.We also have a lid built over it to keep all of the leaves out.

fortbball9

 

[sniffer]

usually with a privy, about the only thing left, is a roughly rectangular depression