Heygood Store in Greenville, S.C.
The 1809 Saint John’s Lutheran Church
The founders of Roots and Recall, have researched and assembled a database of some 15,000+ artisans, who worked primarily in South Carolina, prior to 1870. The database is called the S.C. Artisans Database. This collection has been an invaluable tool in linking individual artisans, with their finished products, including; furniture, buildings, ironwork, paintings, etc. The materials linked on this page should assist R&R’s users in better understanding and therefore appreciating the work of local artisans. Hopefully, they will help extinguish some of the “tales” that have continued to inaccurately portray the history of construction in much of the region.
ACCESS R&R’S ARTISANS “ABBREVIATED” DATABASE link located to the TOP left side of this page!
Three of the most popular notions which are incorrect are: 1) bricks were hauled to the Carolina Piedmont region from Charleston where it was off loaded as ballast – shipped from England, 2) slaves constructed most homes and other structures, (in reality the database proves otherwise, showing that Anglo Saxon, German, Quaker and Moravian or former slaves or freedmen, worked on the vast majority of construction projects under the watchful eye of a trained contractor and mechanic), 3) the mantels in my house were all carved and shipped here from —–, (no, most likely they are not hand carved, unless the house was constructed, prior to 1850s.
R&R has additional information on each of these artisans and happy to supply it to scholars or family members on a case by case basis. Feel free to contact R&R at info@rootsandrecall.com to contribute data on any of these individuals or request research assistance.
Staircase by Thomas Badgett of Laurens County, S.C. early in the 19th century these would have been made by local craftsmen Later on numerous door and sash companies provided these goods in the Carolinas.
These linked manuscripts and books, on this page, are only a few of the thousands available for additional research online as well as in research libraries at Colonial Williamsburg and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts.
Preservation Briefs
Carpenters and Joiners
- Practical Carpentry, Joinery and Cabinet-making by P. Nicholson
- The Book of Prices of the House Carpenters and Joiners
- The elements of building construction and architectural drawing by Ellis A. Davidson
- The Art of Stair Building: With Original Improvements, Designed to Enable … By J. R. Perry
- Light and Heavy Timber Framing Made Easy: Balloon Framing, Mixed Framing …By Frederick Thomas Hodgson
Stone and Brick Masons
Plaster and Paint
- House Painting By F.W. Devoe & Co
- House Decorating and Painting: 88 Illus By William Norman Brown
- The Painter’s & Colourman’s Complete Guide … Third Edition [of the Painting … By Pierre François TINGRY, J. J.
Roof Designs and Roofing
- Building Craftsmanship in Brick and Tile and in Stone Plates By Nathaniel Lloyd
- The New and Improved Practical Builder: Masonry, bricklaying, plastering By Peter Nicholson
Sash, Door, and Furniture Makers
- Early American craftsmen By Walter Alden Dyer
- The Book of Prices of the House Carpenters and Joiners
Stay Connected
Explore history, houses, and stories across S.C. Your membership provides you with updates on regional topics, information on historic research, preservation, and monthly feature articles. But remember R&R wants to hear from you and assist in preserving your own family genealogy and memorabilia.
Visit the Southern Queries – Forum to receive assistance in answering questions, discuss genealogy, and enjoy exploring preservation topics with other members. Also listed are several history and genealogical researchers for hire.
User comments welcome — post at the bottom of this page.
The database index may be opened on this page: “ABBREVIATED ARTISANS LIST” — found on the top left corner of this page. In many cases, there is additional information on each of these artisans. R&R is happy to supply it on a case by case basis. Contact R&R at info@rootsandrecall.com to both contribute data or request research assistance. Your comments are also welcome below. Preservation through sharing works for everyone!
User comments always welcome - please post at the bottom of this page.
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