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The First African-American Voter Under the 15^th Amendment

PERTH AMBOY – Finally, the day arrived and the official plaque honoring Thomas Mundy Peterson was unveiled at a ceremony that took place at Historical St. Peter’s Episcopal Church in Perth Amboy. The importance of having this event at St. Peter’s Church is because Thomas Mundy Peterson was a parishioner there, and that is his final resting place along with other Perth Amboy notables. 

The church was filled not only with residents from Perth Amboy, but from other towns and out of staters. Anna Wilkins Daily who is a member of the Perth Amboy Historic Preservation Commission and was the driving force for the Thomas Mundy Peterson Project introduced the speakers. She spearheaded the committee to make this day possible. 

The plaque will eventually be hung in the Perth Amboy City Council Chambers. 

The Historic Preservation Committee had a discussion on how to honor Thomas Mundy Peterson. Several ideas came to the table including a statue of Thomas Mundy Peterson to be put on the site of where his house used to stand. Also discussed was a plaque to be hung in the City Hall Council Chambers so that future generations would know the importance of Thomas Mundy Peterson’s historic vote. The then Chair of the Perth Amboy Historic Preservation Commission, Reinaldo Aviles went to Buckeye Partners and asked them to fund the cost of the plaque. Buckeye agreed. The Commission composed the writing on the plaque which was verified by local historians. HPC Commissioner Anna Daily was like a gnat to the City Council who pushed the plaque through. Anna Daily made it her mission to make sure this happened. It finally came to fruition on Friday, June 29, 2018. 

Daily enlisted the help of Perth Amboy Resident Dorothy Carty-Daniel who is the one who was instrumental in renaming the Elementary School on State Street the Thomas Mundy Peterson School. Peterson worked as a Custodian a that school Daniel was persistent in bringing Thomas Mundy Peterson’s Medal (awarded to him by the Citizens of Perth Amboy when it was authenticated he was the first Black voter under the 15^th Amendment) temporarily back home last year. She personally contacted Xavier University who owns the medal to agree to her request.

Besides Anna Daily, others who spoke included: Mayor Wilda Diaz, Tahesha Way (New Jersey Secretary of State), Perth Amboy City Historian Anton Massopust, Historians John Dyke and Gordon Bond, Carole Dortch -Wright (Executive Board Member of PRAHD), Congressman Pallone and a Representative for Senator Cory Booker (The First African-American Senator from New Jersey).

When Mayor Diaz made her remarks, she thanked Buckeye, the City Council, the HPC, especially Anna Daily and Melvinia Knight. “Peterson was ahead of his time,” Diaz stated. She mentioned how many of the people of Perth Amboy respected and embraced him at that time. “I’m proud of the work done here. This is just the beginning of us honoring him and we hope to build a monument.”

NJ Secretary of State Tahesha Way thanked Anna Daily and the City of Perth Amboy for inviting her to this momentous occasion. “Peterson became active in his community and we embrace all Americans. The right to vote is maximized and protected. In 1965, the Voting Rights Act was passed and in 2013 it was struck down. Voter discrimination exists. This plaque is to strive for a more perfect union. Individual voices do matter. Governor Murphy sends his regards.”

When City Historian Anton Massopust came up to speak, he said, “St. Peter’s is the oldest Religious Congregation in New Jersey. The day that Peterson cast his vote, he was taking care of horses. James Lawrence Kearny happened to see him and told him today he could exercise his right to vote. Thomas Mundy Peterson then went home for lunch, and met Marcus Spring who told him he could go vote.” Massopust then mentioned the custom of the Blackfeet Tribe (American Plains Indians) having sage in their moccasins when going on a new adventure (for luck). “Peterson did not have sage in his moccasins. He did not have even have moccasins on. He had the courage of the Kearny family, the wisdom of Marcus Spring and the grace of St. Peters Church. The result was the first Black man to vote in the United States of America (under the 15^th Amendment) right here in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.”

Historian John K. Dyke remarked that it was great to be back in St. Peters. He encouraged visitors to take time to walk around the graveyard and see the names on the gravestones. “Many are unmarked graves of slaves and indentured servants who came before Peterson. I really like Thomas Mundy Peterson. He was a tempest. He didn’t want the medal awarded to him until he was sure he was the first Black man to vote under the 15^th Amendment. He voted for a revised charter in Perth Amboy and he knew about the history of  both Perth Amboy and the State of New Jersey. Perth Amboy was given a royal charter by Governor Robert Hunter in 1718. This means the Mayor’s Office, City Clerk Office, Business Administrator, and other City offices are 300 years old. As Thomas Mundy Peterson would say, “Happy 300^th Anniversary Perth Amboy.”

When Historian Gordon Bond came forth, he stated that Perth Amboy held the first election after the 15^th Amendment was passed. “Peterson was awarded the medal on May 30, 1884 (on Decoration Day) from the citizens of Perth Amboy. Peterson embraced the democratic process (in spite of how he and those who were like him were treated.) I am working with the library to restore a damaged photo of Thomas Mundy Peterson. I am also working on a new book about Thomas Mundy Peterson. I’m glad to see all of you here on this occasion.”

Carole Dortch-Wright came forward to represent PRAHD and the Community. She thanked Anna Daily and said, “God bless you for all of your work.” She also acknowledged the Local, State, County and Federal representatives that were present and the clergy. “I’m honored to represent my community and this bond that strengthens us. We need this kind of acknowledgement. You being here steers up the courage of others. The community builds and maintains the social support and common unity. We all need help in fulfilling our vision in different ways. It can be through the government, church, and different organizations.

When Anna Daily spoke, she first recognized Mel Knight for going to meetings to speak about Thomas Mundy Peterson. She acknowledged the City Council, “Because you heard us, but we’re not finished. We need a statue and an archeological dig, and the community was behind us. I want to thank our Secretary of State for coming and I also want to recognize Kim Nesbitt Good who brought people by bus from Elizabeth.” She also acknowledged Pastor Amos Dickerson Jr. and members from St. James AME Zion Church, the Perth Amboy Library Staff “For putting up with me.” She acknowledged the Perth Amboy Historic Preservation Committee, the Program Committee Members and the NAACP. “I don’t think Mayor Diaz knew what she was in store for, when she honored me with the Thomas Mundy Peterson Inspirational Award.”

Congressman Frank Pallone spoke next, “Peterson represents that we always have to be vigilant about voting rights. I’m glad to see everyone here to pass this on for future generations.”

The plaque was unveiled and Daily called Thomas Mundy Peterson’s descendants to come up for a photo-op. She then continued to call the clergy, and she specifically asked for former Assemblyman John Wisniewski who sponsored a bill pertaining to Thomas Mundy Peterson.

Anna Daily concluded, “I want to thank God. I had surgery and I’m walking better today than I have in the last few months.” 

Following the conclusion of the unveiling, a wreath was carried outside by the clergy which was laid at the St. Peter’s Church gravesite of Peterson and his wife, Daphne. Refreshments followed.