Hi David
Sounds like a great project, one inwould like to be involved with
I do have some good reasearch material on hewing, adzing, and broadaxe handle carving, if I can help from afar please feel free to ask
I have worked extensively in historic trades, historic millwrights is one of my specialties especially water powered Muley sawmill (1865). Vintage, water powered grist mills, woollen mills
I have lectured on 2 occasions to the timber framers guild on different historic subjects that encompass life in the 1860's
Anyway good luck
The northern hewer
Richard casselman