What you're describing sounds like an outhouse to me.
I'll certainly grant that it may sound like it - but it's not. And getting any deeper into this topic is also way OT for the forum and especially for this particular board. So, as I said, Google is an excellent resource in explaining what it is that I'm talking about - and I know this because I used it to do my own research before I made my initial post last night. Anyone who might be interested in knowing more info should probably do the same.
Also, keep in mind that, as with many things on DS, we're not necessarily limited to the way things actually were in colonial America. If it existed somewhere in the world at the time, if it was in any way feasible, and if enough money could have made it possible to exist in a Collins household, then the Collinses *could* have had it even if no one else around them did. That's simply one of the great advantages of being a Collins (and particularly being a Collins running a shipping business).
How on earth is talking about the possibility of there being an outhouse in the Old House off topic? It came up in the captions, to start with. Why are outhouses off topic for this board, when the characters you are working with surely used them on a daily basis? Besides, you were the one who, while saying that everyone who *didn't* think that there was a toilet in the OH from day one in 1767 was "guilty" (of being wrong, one presumes), brought up all those dates when toilets were invented and developed. So I was just following your lead in quoting historical facts, but am now wondering why it feels very much like no one is allowed to disagree with you.
As for Google as an excellent resource, sure, it's a great place to start on this kind of research, however, I based my findings on an even more excellent and factual resource, that is, what I read in published non-fiction history books. I've been reading those for years, so I feel pretty confident that my conclusions about the existance or non-existance of a toilet in the OH are accurate.
Yeah, okay, in a perfect, romantic Dark Shadows world, they could have had an indoor toilet. I just prefer to be more realistic about it.
Regards,
MaineGirl