Costin, William, 1780?-1842

William Costin was a free African-American activist and scholar who successfully challenged District of Columbia slave codes in the Circuit Court of the District of Columbia.

He was born approximately 1780 to Ann Dandridge-Costin, an enslaved woman. He became a messenger for the Bank of Washington and ran a hack business in the city. In 1800, he married his cousin Philadelphia (“Delphy”), a dower slave of Martha Washington. Upon Martha Washington’s death in 1802, Delphy became the property of Eliza Parke Custis Law, wife to Thomas Law. Delphy and their children were granted freedom shortly after, and the couple decided to stay in Washington, D.C. Together the Costins had seven children. He died in 1842.