11 Facts About William Costin

William Costin's enslaved mother was Ann Dandridge-Costin, whose father is reputed to have been Col.

William Costin is believed to have been of African and Cherokee descent.

Around 1800, William Costin was transferred from Mount Vernon to Washington City, what later became known as Washington, DC About that time, he married Philadelphia "Delphy" Judge, whom Martha Washington had given to her granddaughter Elizabeth Parke Custis Law as a wedding present in 1796.

In 1812, William Costin built a house on A Street South on Capitol Hill.

From 1818, William Costin worked as a porter of the Bank of Washington.

William Costin worked to save his money and buy properties in the developing capital.

In 1821, William Costin challenged part of the DC Code which restricted African Americans.

William Costin refused to comply, and was fined five dollars by a justice of the peace.

William Costin ruled that those who had lived in the District prior to the law's enactment were exempted from having to abide by it.

In 1807 and 1820, William Costin purchased the freedom of seven relatives.

William Costin remained in cordial contact with the Custis family throughout his life.