Two of the men are unidentified. Little is known about Townsend, aside from the facts that he is buried in the Grove Street Cemetery and was descended from a family that traced its New Haven roots back to the 1730s, says Sammons. According to family lore, she notes, prior to drawing the portraits, Townsend had quit his job as a grocery delivery boy because he felt demeaned by having to knock at the back doors of his customers. The vibrancy of his 22 Amistad sketches certainly supports that speculation. The portraits will be on view through Jan. 31.
Admission is free.