Saturday, February 4, 2012

Thomas Mundy Peterson

Thomas Mundy Peterson 
First Black Voter in the United States
Birth - October 6, 1824
Death - February 4, 1904 
Voted March 31, 1870 

Article is from
The News Tribune 
December 5, 1977 

















Since The News Tribune article was written:

In 1983, Peterson's Medal 
was graciously loaned by Xavier University for three weeks.   
during Perth Amboy's 300th Anniversary Celebration. 


In 1987, A plaque was placed by the staff and students
honoring Thomas Peterson in
No. 1 School where he worked as a custodian.


In October 1989, School No. 1 was officially renamed the
Thomas Mundy Peterson School.


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14 comments:

  1. Jim CaffreyFebruary 4, 2012 at 5:23 PM

    Wonderful story and information I was not aware of. Thanks for posting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. FrannieFebruary 4, 2012 at 6:20 PM

    You're Welcome Jim.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Claire DeRosaFebruary 5, 2012 at 6:38 AM

    Thank you for taking the time and effort to post this. I am amazed by the courage Mr. Peterson had to vote during that time.

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    Replies
    1. FrannieFebruary 6, 2012 at 7:45 AM

      Thanks Claire! There are plans for a dig on the site where Mr. Peterson's house once stood. Right now there are insurance issues that have to be resolved.

      Delete
  4. The Helpful Art TeacherFebruary 5, 2012 at 7:39 AM

    Just in time for Black History Month. Thank you for providing our students with this resource.
    -Rachel H. Wintemberg,
    Teacher of visual art, William C. McGinnis School.

    ReplyDelete
  5. The Helpful Art TeacherFebruary 5, 2012 at 11:22 AM

    Thank you for granting me permission to use your photographs and link to your blog.

    http://thehelpfulartteacher.blogspot.com/2012/02/black-history-month.html

    ReplyDelete
  6. DevineMrsGFebruary 28, 2012 at 10:28 AM

    As a decendent of Thomas Mundy Peterson I am overjoyed to see him getting his recognition.

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  7. FrannieFebruary 28, 2012 at 5:16 PM

    Thank you for your kind words and for visiting our site! Mr. Peterson deserves to be recognized throughout the Nation.

    ReplyDelete
  8. DevineMrsGFebruary 28, 2012 at 8:27 PM

    Frannie, do they still celebrate Thomas Mundy Peterson Day in Perth Amboy?

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  9. FrannieFebruary 29, 2012 at 5:20 AM

    I am not sure what the city has done or will do in Perth Amboy. Before I retired from teaching,I always mentioned Mr. Peterson when the classes were learning about the History of Perth Amboy. There is a renewed interest in Mr. Peterson's life and historic vote. Last month, Mr. Gordon Bond gave a talk entitled, "To cast a Freedman's Vote: How a handyman from Perth Amboy made Civil Rights history" at the Perth Amboy Tottenville Ferry Slip Museum. Also there is talk about a dig on the site where Mr. Peterson's house once stood. Is there any information you can provide about Mr. Peterson's life or his family? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  10. FrannieFebruary 29, 2012 at 6:15 AM

    If you go to http://www.metuchen-edisonhistsoc.org/8.html Then scroll down to No. 052. Click on the number 52 and it will bring up the paper Mr. Bond wrote on Mr. Peterson.

    ReplyDelete
  11. UnknownFebruary 23, 2020 at 12:57 AM

    Frannie! So glad you wrote this! It really was such a brave move. I'm working on a Black History Month story on him for NBC 4 in New York. Can I use the image of the school that you have in this blog? I can credit to you... please let me know. Melissa.Mack@nbcuni.com
    thank you!

    ReplyDelete

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