Description
The Taunton River Basin accommodates the southeastern portion of Bristol County, Massachusetts. It’s the largest watershed in Massachusetts and has a historic and geographically cohesive identity generated by its abundant rural streams, which served agriculture and water-powered manufacturing. The cemeteries of the Taunton River Basin towns also represent a unique crossroad of stones carved out of doors the region that gave rise in turn to a unique, local school of carvers and carving.There is, in the area, abundant evidence of these earlier cultural artifacts alongside those of native “scalpors.” Fine work from shops in Newport, Rhode Island, used to be shipped upriver, and a good representation of work from Plymouth County, Massachusetts, used to be shipped westward, overland, into the Basin towns.Carvers from Newport have up to now been written up by this creator in his book Mallet and Chisel. My focus in this current book, due to this fact, is based exclusively on what has been in large part overlooked, the 18th century Taunton River Basin School of Gravestone Carvers.This rich heritage of early American folk artifacts is a precious resource for scholars of all stripes, and something to be enjoyed by an appreciative public as well. The native work of this overlooked area now has its deserved place in the story of American folk art culture as evidenced in its early gravestones and their carvers.This is the most lavishly illustrated book that we at American History Press have had the privilege to produce. Mr. Luti is without doubt one of the most knowledgeable people on the planet regarding the history of tombstone carvers in New England, and it has been our unique pleasure to work with him on this project. Gravestones in New England are unique examples of folk art that are in need of protection.