Privy digger question, southern diggers especially

[Anthonicia]

Hello again guys, still stuck on the same 1885 site. The house was actually moved towards the street in the 1920's, so using sanborn maps for reference is almost futile. Getting a proper probe here soon when FedEx gets it to me. Have been using a 3 ft. drill bit for a probe. The trouble I'm running into is I will hit soft soil, but almost everytime I hit clay. I will even dig 3 ft down to the clay and probe thru that another 3 ft and still be in clay. My question is how much clay have u guys seen in the south particularly in a privy hole?

I have gone over half of the yard not finding any wood or brick liners. The test holes I have dug where I hit glass turned up some Acls from the 60's-70's, but nothing with much age. Really need to know what to look for since I haven't hit an ash, crunchy layer, or to my knowledge I haven't anyways. Any tips are appreciated.

Below is a pic of the back door, more pics of backyard to follow.

 

[Anthonicia]

Here's a pic from same point in yard as above, just facing back of lot

 

[Anthonicia]

Here's another facing the side lot. Don't really know why I'm posting these. Maybe someone can say the privy is right there! I can see it! Yeah, I know...

 

[AntiqueMeds]

I see it. Its obvious. Right under that giant stack of bricks. Where else would it be?

 

[twowheelfan]

I'm with AntiqueMeds !

thats exactly what i was thinking!

 

[cowseatmaize]

RE: I'm with AntiqueMeds !

I'd wait for the probe. It was moved in the 20's for a reason, maybe a gas main. Be careful with the drill.[8|]

 

[madman]

RE: I'm with AntiqueMeds !

I NO ALL ABOUT CLAY! IT AINT NO FUN! WHEN YOU GET YER PROBE IT WILL BE A LITTLE EASIER, ive dug pits that were full of clay with a 6inch use layer, they generally arent super deep. best of luck!

 

[madman]

RE: I'm with AntiqueMeds !

heres some ive dug in clay

 

[Anthonicia]

RE: I'm with AntiqueMeds !

The house was moved because the property originally extended to the other street. The back lot was sold, the homeowner must've wanted more space so he moved the house closer to the street to match up with the other houses. At least that's what I'm thinking. If they had the privy at the very, very back of the property then I'm pretty much screwed because there's a apartment building and parking lot sitting on top of it. From what I can tell, the outbuildings original to the house are still accessible, or covered with grass and dirt and not pavement. So, I'm hoping that the outhouse was near the 4 original outbuildings.

Thanks for your responses. Madman- that's not very deep at all. I'm thinking they're gonna be at least 3 feet.

Been checking under the bricks as well, lol. But I think that's where the house was moved from, or where a newer garage once stood It could be, because I can't find much of anything.

 

[madman]

RE: I'm with AntiqueMeds !

keep looking,in vacant lots, check the corners, most pits ive dug were in rows of three, oldest one in back, seems that they dug the oldest at the property line, then moved forward, in most cases the deepest ive dug is 6ft