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- Waiting for the program to start
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- MC Dot Daniel, The Right Rev. William “Chip” Stokes and Rev. Anne-Marie Jeffrey
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- A newspaper article describes the story of Thomas Mundy Petereson
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- Middlesex County Sheriff Mildred Scott
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- Dot Daniel stands behind PAHS Student Stephanie Rodriguez as she reads the 15th Amendment
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- Senator Joe Vitale 19th District reads Thomas Mundy Peterson’s biography
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- Mayor Wild Diaz reads a list of Perth Amboy’s Firsts in Historic Accomplishments
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- St. Peter’s Episcopal Church Choir under Musical Director Douglas Sheldon
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- Joshua Bishop Mbachu reads a personal essay that he wrote
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- Ceremony at the gravesite of Thomas Mundy Peterson
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- Joshua Bishop Mbachu at the gravesite
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- Participants and others at the reception
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- Resident Richard Allen stands at the grave of Thomas Mundy Peterson
PERTH AMBOY – Thomas Mundy Peterson, the first African-American to vote under the 15th Amendment was celebrated on March 30, 2014.
Peterson cast his historic vote on March 31, 1870. The Church was packed to hear the impact of that important event, not only in Perth Amboy, but in the Country as a whole.
Thomas Mundy Peterson
The program was a brainstorm of Senator Joseph Vitale who asked St. Peter’s Member Dorothy Daniel for assistance.
Ms. Daniel asked for and received the assistance of Pastor Anne Marie Jeffery, Mayor Wilda Diaz, the St. Peter’s Church Choir under the direction of Douglas Sheldon, Charter School Student Joshua Bishop Mbachu and PAHS Student Stephanie Rodriguez.
The invocation and gravesite tribute was given by The Right Reverend William “Chip” Stokes, the Episcopal Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton. Stephanie Rodriguez read the 15th Amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. Senator Vitale read the biography of Thomas Mundy Peterson. Mayor Wilda Diaz read a list of Perth Amboy: A City of Firsts. The Choir sang two musical selections: “Witness” and “My God is a Rock.” Johsua Bishop Mbachu read an essay he wrote to mark the day.
Everyone joined the choir in singing the Black National Anthem: “Lift Every Voice and Sing.”
Those present included: St. Peter’s Church Members, State and local politicians and Members and Clergy and other Members from local Churches.
Ms. Daniel related when she was growing up, there was unity between all races. “And that was the Perth Amboy I knew.”
