J. David Gillespie, Stonecutter

Hand Carved Slate

Tombstones & Plaques,

Carved with Chisel and Mallet

Hand Drawn &

Hand Carved Letters

Drayton Hall: Charleston SC
Blue Black Welsh Slate
Rectangular with Angled Face

Raised panel center with Ogee Moulding.

Drayton Family Crest David carved from John Henry Drayton's original design he drew in an 18th century letter. 

Dr Carter Hudgins, left, President of Drayton Hall Preservation Trust, and David Gillespie, right, set the stone at Drayton along the Ashley River. 

Blue Black Slate

Honed Face

18th Century Lettering

April 2022

Hourglass with Wings

Installed in Northern Virginia

Detail of above stone, v cut lettering.

18th Century Lettering Style all drawn and carved by hand.

Copy and photos from Pumpkintown Primitives.

Pistols and Daggers on Tombstones

The tombstones below are carved by William Rufus "Rock" Jackson and are found at Mt. Hickory Cemetery in Chambers County, Alabama. They are located in the same cemetery as George Martin Riser the great, great grandfather of Art Riser.

"Rock" carved tombstones from about 1850-1890. There are many elements that are unique to his many tombstones such as the circle composed of short dashes as seen in the last photograph. Different style heart motifs are very common and can be seen in the 4th image.

Pistol and D Guard Bowie

Photos by Jan Riser.