PERTH AMBOY– Thomas Mundy Peterson who was a Perth Amboy resident. He was the first African-American to

Gordon Bond at the Ferry Slip Museum. — Photo by Katherine Massopust

vote in an election under the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution. His historic vote occurred on March 31, 1870 in Perth Amboy City Hall. On January 2, 2012 noted historian, author and lecturer Gordon Bond spoke in Perth Amboy at the Ferry Slip Museum about the circumstances leading up to that historic vote. During the discussion Bond gave a detailed background not only of Mr. Peterson but of some of the well-known abolitionists in the area such as Rebecca and Marcus Spring whom were intertwined in the Mundy Peterson story.

On May 30, 1884 Peterson was honored by the City of Perth Amboy with a medal to commemorate his historic vote. Thomas Peterson never felt he was completely dressed unless he wore his medal on his coat and over his heart. March 31 is annually celebrated as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day. In Perth Amboy, Elementary School No. 1 was once called Thomas Mundy Peterson School in his honor. It now serves as an annex to William C. McGinnis Middle School located on State Street.

For more information or to learn more on Thomas Mundy Peterson or to have Gordon Bond speak to your organization contact 732-356-2992.