Hi all,
I'm new to the neighborhood, and had a couple questions about my new place! I'm renting a tiny trinity on Monroe St, between 2nd and 3rd. My little place is located behind the front house - it's accessible through a gated alley (instead of being right on the street). There's two other attached trinities that share this entrance. All three are located behind two larger streetside houses. (Does that make sense?)

I was wondering if anyone had any information on when these (back) houses were built? Were they built at the same time as the front houses? If so, I assume that's easy enough to look up on the deed of the front house. But maybe the trinities are older? Newer? I'm guessing early-ish 1800s...

I also wanted to know if anyone knew the purpose of these little back houses? They're so small that I immediately think "servant's quarters" - but that's purely based on my imagination, not on anything factual.

Anyone got a lead? I've been poking around different Philly historical websites, but haven't gotten very far.