Hi to the list I hope someone with more knowledge of this subject will elaborate on this - but in response to why Buckingham - there are slate quarries and I was told the Welsh were wonderful carvers, I don't know what else they did, but the tombstones in Arvonia in the Arvonia Cemetery are a wonderful testament to their workmanship. There are what I consider unique markers in that cemetery and the stones are just like the day they were placed. This slate quarry is still there and I don't know if they make tombstones still but definately do roofing and garden slates. I would think Randy Kidd might have some imput on this!! Alice in Fluvanna