Butler (William H.) House 148 Duke of Gloucester Street, Annapolis William H Butler Sr., a free black Annapolitan, was a successful carter, carpenter, and prosperous landowner who held title to as many as 25 properties in and around Annapolis. He donated some of his holdings to the First Baptist Church which erected its first building on Market Street. Butler was one of the wealthiest men in Annapolis in 1860; he bought this 12-room house in 1863. Butler served on the city council from 1873 to 1875, the first African American elected to public office in Maryland. His son William Butler Jr., a school teacher, was also elected to the city council from 1893 to 1897. This house remained in the Butler family until 1922.