NJ SR92

Thomas Mundy Peterson, born October 6, 1824 in Metuchen, New Jersey to a formerly enslaved mother and a free father, became the first African American to vote under the 15th Amendment on March 31, 1870 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.

Peterson cast his historic vote in an election to revise Perth Amboy's city charter, just one day after the U.S. Secretary of State certified ratification of the 15th Amendment on March 30, 1870.

Following his vote, Peterson was appointed to a seven-member committee to revise the Perth Amboy City Charter and later became the first African American to serve on a jury in Perth Amboy.

On May 30, 1884, Perth Amboy citizens presented Peterson with a gold medallion featuring Abraham Lincoln's face and an inscription commemorating his historic vote, which he wore proudly for the rest of his life.

The resolution directs copies to be transmitted to the Mayor of Perth Amboy and to Dr. Juanita C. Wooten, a descendant of Thomas Mundy Peterson.