Old City in Philadelphia in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Franklin Privy Pit

Photographed By Nate Davidson, June 29, 2014

1. Franklin Privy Pit Marker

Inscription.
This brick-lined, circular "necessary" (privy) pit was probably built when Franklin expanded his house in 1786-87

A stone drain connecting to a vertical brick pipe conveyed waste into the pit either from Franklin's "water closet", "bathing room" or "run-off" from the sunken areaway outside the cellar kitchen. This is a remnant of areaway foundation retaining wall. Vertical brick pipe.

"… [Dr. Franklin] is obliged to use the warm bath every day to ease the pain of the gallstone. His bathing vessel is said to be a curiosity: it is copper, in the form of a slipper; he sits in the heel and his legs go under the vamp, on the instep he has a place to fix his book, and here he sits and enjoys himself …"
Rev. Belknap to Rev. Manasseh Cutler, Nov. 18, 1785

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Anthropology & Archaeology. A significant historical date for this entry is October 18, 1785.

Location. 39° 56.967′ N, 75° 8.798′ W. Marker is in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in Philadelphia County. It is in Old City. Marker can be reached from Market Street. Located within Franklin Court. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 317 Chestnut St, Philadelphia PA 19106, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Remnant of Brick Flooring (here, next to this marker); Franklin Court

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(a few steps from this marker); The History of Franklin Court (a few steps from this marker); Fragment of Stone Foundation Wall (a few steps from this marker); Historic Site in Journalism (a few steps from this marker); In 1812 (within shouting distance of this marker); Where is Benjamin Franklin's House? (within shouting distance of this marker); Franklin's Neighborhood (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Philadelphia.

Located near the back of where the house once stood. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Nate Davidson, June 29, 2014

2. Located near the back of where the house once stood.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 2, 2023. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2014, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,127 times since then and 89 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 27, 2014, by Nathan Davidson of Salisbury, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.