Having sensed a little doubt in the thoughts and written word of those who responded to the Posting in regards to Sir John Harrington, I took the opportunity to do additional research pertaining to this subject. I was able to confirm the actual history of the "flush" toilet. Knowing that it was a major concern of yours, I did take the opportunity to locate a copy of the material and lecture outline for the treatment of wastewater developed by the EPA. A small part of this lecture pertains to the History of Wastewater Treatment. Under the topic of Closet / Flush Toilet the following information was provided:
1596 - Sir John Harrington, modern flush toilet
1775 - Alexander Cummings, valve for flush and gases
1872 - Sir Thomas Crapper, valveless toilet
1800 - Thomas Jefferson, 1st water closet in White House
Date Unlisted - George Vanderbilt, 1st Bathroom, lavatory, tub and toilet in White House

Although, I realize that this does not prove the ancestral connections between ourselves and Sir John Harrington. That documentation is provided in written form via genealogy charts from the present back to pre-Sir John Harrington. I have these organized in succession for each of the families for those of you that would like to review them.

At this point you are wondering to yourself, how does he know all this or is he leading us astray! Perhaps it would place a little validity to my postings if I would reveal to you that I have been working on this research for the past eight years and just now feeling comfortable that my work is near completion.

Although Sir John Harrington was the god son of Queen Elizabeth, it did not earn him automatic knighthood although he was in very good favor of the Queen. In 1559, the Earl of Essex set out on an ill fated expedition to Ireland. The Queen never trusted Essex, especially on this military expedition. She sent her Godson John Harrington as "Master of the Horse" with orders to "to take account of all that passes in your expedition and keep journal thereof, unknown to any in the company, this will be expected of you. I have reasons to give for this order." It was during this expedition that Earl of Essex knighted John Harrington.

With the invention of the flush toilet, as part of the documentation pertaining to his invention, he wrote the following, "how unsavory places may be made sweet, noisome places made wholesome, filthy places made cleanly" at a cost of thirty shillings and eightpence.

So the next time you got to the flusher, think of this wondrous invention that you set upon and thank Sir John Harrington for not having to go out to the little shack out back.