Hand Carved Slate Stones
Photo Gallery of Stones
Commission a Stone
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Portrait Miniatures
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J, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTER

J, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTERJ, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTERJ, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTER
Hand Carved Slate Stones
Photo Gallery of Stones
Commission a Stone
Pumpkintown Primitives
Portrait Miniatures
Wood Bowls
Indigo
Online Store
Contact Us
More
  • Hand Carved Slate Stones
  • Photo Gallery of Stones
  • Commission a Stone
  • Pumpkintown Primitives
  • Portrait Miniatures
  • Wood Bowls
  • Indigo
  • Online Store
  • Contact Us

J, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTER

J, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTERJ, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTERJ, DAVID GILLESPIE, STONECUTTER
  • Hand Carved Slate Stones
  • Photo Gallery of Stones
  • Commission a Stone
  • Pumpkintown Primitives
  • Portrait Miniatures
  • Wood Bowls
  • Indigo
  • Online Store
  • Contact Us

Hand Carved Slate Tombstones, & Plaques, Carved with Chisel and Mallet

Hand Carved Slate Tombstones, & Plaques, Carved with Chisel and Mallet Hand Carved Slate Tombstones, & Plaques, Carved with Chisel and Mallet Hand Carved Slate Tombstones, & Plaques, Carved with Chisel and Mallet

Hand Drawn & Hand Carved Letters

  Each stone is carved with careful attention to detail the same way it has been carved for thousands of years, all with Chisel and Mallet. Each letter is lettered by Hand, no computers, stencils or templates. Hand Carved stones reach a level of crispness and clarity that modern techniques have a hard time achieving.

Gallery of some of David's work

The oldest dated stones in America are Slates from the 1650s

why slate?

Quite simply, because it lasts. Cemeteries are full of Marble stones from the 1860s that are unreadable with huge letters but when you see slates from the 1760s whose letters are shallower, thinner and as crisp as the day they were carved, I think you will agree.

J. David Gillespie, Slate Tomb and Grave Stone Cutter

Biographical Sketch

David's has been carving slate gravestones since 2003. Having been trained person to person he has gained commissions as far North as Connecticut and as far South as Edisto Island South Carolina. He has been commissioned for stones to go into Historic, Private and Modern Cemeteries. He has been commissioned for works in Municipalities, The Congressional Cemetery in Washington DC, and Drayton Hall Plantation, Charleston SC.  


David has been selected as one of America's Best Craftsmen, & Listed in Early American Life Magazine, in the Directory of Traditional American Crafts,  where the judges are Museum Curators, and  Historic Material Culture Professionals from all across the US.  


David uses only the best slate which is monument grade and listed as unfading. Colors for monuments can be Blue Black, Green or Purple.  

David's work is heavily influenced by 18th century original stones that yields timeless designs. He has carefully studied techniques proven over the centuries to produce pleasing effects carved into stone.

My Process to Commission a Stone

Please Click the Link Below to See my process and more of your questions can be answered about how to commission your own Stone that should last for hundreds of years.



My Process to Commission a Stone
Great for use for design ideas!

Our Book on 18th Century Gravestones

 David's book "A Brief Treatise on Tomb and Grave Stones of the 18th Century" is perfect as a "design catalog" for you to gain many ideas for your own stone project. $19.99 and click below to buy it now or to see more details.

Buy it Now!

Introduction to Slate Gravestones

Check out this great video!

About Us

David Gillespie

David Gillespie

David Gillespie

A Native of South Carolina, David has been carving slate gravestones since 2001. He and his wife Renee also set up at Reenactments and are period Sutlers selling wares of the 18th Century. David is also a Portrait Miniature Artist. 

Renee Gillespie

David Gillespie

David Gillespie

Renee Gillespie is a Native of Pennsylvania and holds a Bachelors of Arts from Washington College of Chestertown, MD. She is an accomplished Indigo Dyer and Paper Marbler as well. 

James Gillespie

David Gillespie

James Gillespie

Is David's Father and our Bowl maker expert. He makes all manner of wooden Treenware such as Bowls, Bread boards, Rolling pins and Trenchers. 

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  • Hand Carved Slate Stones
  • Photo Gallery of Stones
  • Pumpkintown Primitives
  • Portrait Miniatures