Both the board wall (stacked plank) and gravel wall methods of construction
were discussed and popularized by Orson S. Fowler in his book "A Home For
All..." (1848)- more well known for its advocacy of "The Octagon Mode of
Building".

He treats the board wall more enthusiastically in the second edition (1853)
where he goes to some length to show lumber costs for a board wall house to
be less than for frame construction.

Fowler's book and ideas had a vogue in the U.S. at mid century; his book
went through several editions and nine printings, and I  suspect board wall
and gravel wall structures are more common
than migh be supposed.

Several board wall houses are known in Crown Point, NY (which also boasts
an octagon house)-
I lived in one for a number of years. In this structure the board wall
construction was a ca. 1850's-60's two story addition to an earlier timber
framed farmhouse.

Greg Furness
Mineville, NY