The Art of Stone Splitting - Book

[ARCHIES914@zzzzzzz]

Rick,
I found the book that might help you.  Actually it is more like a thick
pamphlet 60 + pages.  The title is

"The Art of Splitting Stone Early Rock Quarrying Methods in Pre-Industrial
New England 1630-1825." Written by Mary Gage and James Gage.  Copyright 2002

It says "Additional copies of this publication may be obtained by sending a
money order for $10.00 plus $3.00 shipping and handling to Powwow River Books,
163 Kimball Road, Amesbury, MA 01913-5515

One chapter is titled "Early Rock Splitting Methods in New England."  The
book even has a three page bibliography which might be helpful to you.

On a lighter note the old jail house in the town near where I live was
constructed over 100 years ago of granite split using the wedges and shims method.
What I find interesting is that the building is made of quite large stones.
Around the top of the three story building are stones that are over 6 feet long
and at least 2-3 feet thick.  We have speculated why such large stones were
used up so high and concluded that the southern expression "hold my beer while
....."  Has been around for at least 100 years.

Regards,

Archie