Thomas Mundy Peterson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Mundy Peterson
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| Born | October 6, 1824 |
| Died | February 4, 1904 (age 79) |
| Known for | The first African American to vote in the United States after the passage of the 15th Amendment |
Thomas Mundy Peterson (born October 6, 1824 – died February 4, 1904) was a man from Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He is often said to be the first African American man to vote in an election after the 15th Amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution. This important amendment gave African American men the right to vote.
Peterson cast his vote on March 31, 1870. The 15th Amendment had been approved on February 3, but it was only officially announced on March 30. Because of this timing, Peterson's local election happened to be scheduled the very next day. This is why he might have been the first to vote right after the amendment was made official.
However, it's important to know that Thomas Mundy Peterson was not the first African American ever to vote in the United States. Many African Americans had voted before him. For example:
- Some New England towns and northern states allowed free Black men to vote even before the country was formed.
- New Jersey allowed Black residents to vote until 1807, as long as they met certain rules.
- In the southern states, after the American Civil War, many African Americans voted. For instance, in 1868, Louisiana elected its first Black lieutenant governor and mayor.
In total, over 700,000 African Americans had already voted in U.S. elections before Peterson cast his ballot.
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Who Was Thomas Mundy Peterson?
Thomas Mundy Peterson was born in Metuchen, New Jersey. His father, also named Thomas, worked for a family called Mundy. His mother, Lucy Green, was born into slavery but gained her freedom at age 21.
Later, Thomas Mundy Peterson moved to Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He married Daphne Reeves, whose mother had also been enslaved.
Peterson worked for the Board of Education in Perth Amboy for several years. He was a custodian (someone who takes care of a building) at School No. 1. He also worked as a general handyman around town. He was involved in politics, supporting both the Republican Party and the Prohibition Party. It's also believed he was the first Black person to serve on a jury in Perth Amboy, though there's no clear proof of this.
His Historic Vote
Peterson is best known for voting in a local election in Perth Amboy City Hall. This election was about the town's rules, called its charter. Some people wanted to change the charter, while others wanted to get rid of it completely. Peterson voted to change the existing charter, and his side won by a lot of votes (230 to 63).
After his vote, Peterson was chosen to be part of a special committee. This committee helped make more changes to the town's charter, which were approved in 1871. Through his work on this committee, he helped shape the city's education system. He helped organize the Perth Amboy Board of Education in 1870 and helped build School No. 1, which was the city's first public school. When the school opened in 1871, Peterson became its first custodian.
The Gold Medal
To honor Thomas Mundy Peterson for his historic vote, the people of Perth Amboy raised money to give him a special gold medal. The medal had a picture of Abraham Lincoln on it. It was given to Peterson on May 30, 1884, which was then called Decoration Day (now Memorial Day).
There was a big celebration at City Hall to honor him. Many important people spoke, including the mayor. James Kearny presented Peterson with the medal. It's said that Peterson loved his medal and always wore it proudly.
What Happened to the Medal?
Over time, when Peterson was older and didn't have a full-time job, he sometimes needed money. He would sometimes use his medal as a promise for a small loan, planning to get it back later. After he passed away, the medal ended up with a judge named Harold E. Pickersgill, who collected items about New Jersey.
Later, in 1948, Xavier University of Louisiana bought a large collection of items related to African American history, and the Peterson-Mundy medal was part of it. Today, the medal is kept safe at the XULA Library Archives & Special Collections. It has been shown in many historical exhibits, including at the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
His Name
Even though he is known today as "Thomas Mundy Peterson," old records don't usually show all three names together. Most documents call him Thomas Peterson or Thomas (or Tom) Mundy. His death certificate and other official papers call him "Thomas H. Peterson" or "Thomas Henry Peterson." The name "Thomas Peterson-Mundy" was used on the program for the ceremony where he received his voting medal.
Legacy
Thomas Mundy Peterson's legacy lives on:
- In October 1989, School No. 1, where Peterson worked, was renamed after him. It is still on State Street in Perth Amboy.
- In New Jersey, March 31 is celebrated every year as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day. This day remembers his important vote and his place in history.
