Trouble finding privy

[rwcw1040]

I am trying to find the prives behind a 1850 greek revival home that has been kept in its original condition. No add ons, nothing. The summer kitchen and smoke house are still entact and used. The circular drive is still in the same location. The old barns are still used to this day. My question is how close have you privy diggers found privys to the old smoke house and the old summer kitchens? Did they also put privys out by the barns for the hired help? Thanks.

 

[Staunton Dan]

I have found privies as close as 15-20 feet from the original back door of an 1820s house. I also know that from what others say, barns sometimes had their own privy. I would start my probing straight out from the back door and probe at least every foot or so for as far as it takes to locate one. Once found others may be lurking close by as when one filled up usually another was started within a couple of feet of the last. Never dug on a property with a kitchen or smoke house so I can't help you there. Good luck.