My grandfather, James W. Townsend, the grandson of Levi and Martha and son of George and Carrie Townsend, documented his early childhood and the histories that were handed down and he recalled of his parents, grandparents, and cousin Haskell Barber.  Apparently Haskell (called Hassie) came to the Onondaga area in the summer and would stay with my Grandfather's family or Grandpa Barber.  He also remembers when very young and living near Chicago visiting Uncle Bert (Herbert) at Rogers Park near Chicago.

Your stories as well as the pictures are exciting.  The photo of Grandpa Barber and Haskell is great.  I'm starting to put together old family photos including Levi, Martha, and Carrie.  Martha wrote a lot of poetry which we have copies of.  Several of the poems were written while she was blind with cataracts.  Three of her children were born while she was blind and 2 of them, William and Beecher, died without her ever seeing them.  She later had cataract surgery and was finally able to see Fred for the first time when he was about 15.

Please let me know if you have any insight into Martha's parents.  The history is confusing and conflicting.  My Grandfather writes "She was born in Lorain, Ohio at the mouth of the Black River which flows into Lake Erie.  Her father's parents were Arcadians who migrated from France to Holland and then to Halifax, Nova Scotia before coming to New York and Ohio.  His name was Naracon and he was a ship builder.  Her mother was from Ohio.  We have no record of what became of her (Martha's) parents for she became an orphan and was adopted by a family by the name of Lesher.  Her foster mother's name was Aimee Israel Lesher.  In 1853 she moved with the Leshers to Michigan."  There is more, but I'm confused as to whether Aimee adopted her or was really her real mother and had just a short relationship with Israel Naracon. 

Anyway, I could go on and on, but wanted to introduce myself and let you know that so far I have had a great Saturday reading and trying to sort this stuff out.  Hope you are having a good day yourself.

Ray King