Almost to the very end of Rolling Road, in the community of Relay, right at the Howard County line, is an African American family by the name of Williams. Most people are not aware that there has ever been an African American family residing in Relay, but the Williams family has been in their home continually since 1863. The original Williams home burned down several years ago, but it has since been rebuilt. The Williams family has very close ties both to Halethorpe because of the closeness of the community, as well as to Elkridge in Howard County, as a matter of fact, according to information provided by Ms. Nellie Williams, the oldest of the Williams clan, it was the Williams family that helped founded the First Baptist Church in Elkridge. There are no African American schools or churches in Relay. Members of the Williams family served their country during the First and Second World Wars, and whose names appear on the memorial plaque on the community center property.
Mary Matilda Ireland, descendant of the Williams family from Relay.
Photograph taken in the 1800s.
Family of Ms. Nellie Williams from South Rolling Road in Relay. The family
has been in Relay as the only African American family since 1863. Top is
Sandra (Sandy). 2nd Row left is Carol and Jennifer, Bottom ia Dwayne. In
front of Dwyane is the mother, Ms. Bellie Williams.
Left is Eliza Williams, with her sister, Nellie Williams. Both were born and
reared in Relay. They were the only African American family in the comm-
unity. The photograph was taklen in 1950.
Siblings, Denise and Dwayne Williams, in front of their home on South
Rolling Road in Relay. The photograph was taken in the 1950s.