Anyone know how to date a well?

[farmgirl]

I discovered a well or a cistern while metal detecting. It was covered up/sealed by a steel plate. The property was homesteaded in 1836. And the steel plate was from a creamery that I don't know when the creamery started but I know was sold in approximately 1914.

I just wanted to know if there was any way to date the well or the bricks used to make it.

It was about 4 feet deep and approximately 2 1/2 feet wide.

Thanks for all the help!

 

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[SkaBa]

Looks like the well was filled in or silted up. Usually way deeper than 4 feet deep to hit the water table.

Neat find.

 

[Ozarkshunter]

Looks like the well was filled in or silted up. Usually way deeper than 4 feet deep to hit the water table.

Neat find.

That's what I was thinking, or maybe even not a well at all, but a place to hide things judging by how far under the soil the actual lid was. That's a interesting find for sure.

 

[osage express]

You found a cistern.We hunt old ghost towns and find brick cisterns all the time

 

[uglymailman]

Looks a little shallow but they may have hit solid rock or had other water sources. I've seen them here from 6-8' up to twice that deep and 6-8' across. I've seen several at houses on hilltops that would never had gotten down to a water table. They had the guttering off the house run into the cistern. I hate to find them uncovered.