The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1891-08-28

Visiting his Old Home

Mr. William Flowers. of Cecil county, native of
Har1ord, Is visiting his nephew, Mr.. John r.
flowers IN Bel Ar, and his brother. MIR. James
Flowers Mr.. Flowers is in his Goth year and left
the neighborhood of Bel Air thirty years ago The
Old health is perfect and he is as bright
and active in mind and body as most men of half
his age. He said: II aever paid doctor fl pen-
ny bit in my life. l chew and smoke little, but
used to drink good deal, but l thought i had INV
share and held up" He expressed great surprise
at the changes for the better which have taken
place IN Bel Air. His recollections of the town 20
back to time when there were only four or five
houses in the place and before the court house or
he remembers are still standing. One of them is
the house in which Major ID. II. Burrell keeps his
hotel, which was formerly occupied by Misses Ann
and Martha Robinson, who kept small store
Another building he recognized is the old one
store house on Main street adjoining Mr.. VIM G.
Jeffery's sewing machine warerooms Mr. Thomas
A. ii avs kept store there, and in the oden time
the wareroom, in which bags full of rags were kept
was used for several days before every election as
therein and brought out ON election day and voted
Mr.. George F. Walkers Eagle Hotel is also
bers, when it was kept by Major William Richard
son, the father of DIR. E. Hall Dr. William s. and
Mr.. Henry Richardson.
Bel Air, which has now five churches had no
place OF worship, when Mr.. Flowers first came
here. The first church built was a Union church
which occupied the site of the Masonic Temple. 1t
torn down several years ago.
There were no streets in the town. One road
passed through the town from Abingdon towards
dublin ana one from CnurchYllle towards Balti-
more crossed it, These were only wagon roads
and IN the winter and spring were axle deep
in mud.
Saturdays at one time. were devoted chiefly tn
quarter races" and chicken fighting The race
track was from Major Richardson's tavern north.
ward to the JarrettsyiIe road, the distance being
something less than quarter of a mile. Hence
they were called quarter races"
MIR. Flowers when lad peeled bark in the tan.
merry OF John MooreS, the grandfather Of the pres
ent John Moores.
His father David Flowers marched to the defence
OF Baltimore against the British in 1914. He was
at nome on tlrlough when news came that the
British had landed at Chincapin Hill. David
Immediately mounted his horse and taking young
William behind him rode TO Baltimore sending
William back home with the horse.
The old gentleman has vivid recollection OF
Thomas A. and N. w. S. Hays, Major William
Richardson, John Mckenny, Gen. Israel d. Mauls-
by, Otho Scott, Harry D. Cough, Col Harry Dor
Sey, for half a century clerk of court, Dr. Briefly
Buckler Bond and many others whose names are
associated with the early history of Bel Air
MIR. Flowers great grandfather. David Flowers,
came TO this country from England and settled at
Richmond, Va, from whence his son. David Flow
ers, the father of William, removed to Hartford
county, settled OIL the spot where Watervale now
stands. AT that time the country was inhabited bv
Indians and The woods Were full of bears, deer and
once owned Spesutia Island, but sold his claim in
it. William Flowers is next to the oldest of six
brothers. only three Of whom are living, William
Flowers, Parker Flowers, of York county, and
James Flowers, who lives near Bel Air. The old
gentlemen loves to recall the incidents of his boy
hood i'll Bel Air. and wherever he goes he finds an
attentive and interested audience