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