Hopelawn in Perth Amboy in Middlesex County, New Jersey — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

First Black Voter After Adoption of 15th Amendment

— New Jersey Black Heritage Trail —

Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, September 13, 2025

1. First Black Voter After Adoption of 15th Amendment Marker

Inscription. On March 31, 1870, Perth Amboy resident Thomas Mundy Peterson (1824-1904) cast a historic vote in Perth Amboy City Hall, making him the first African American to vote following the adoption of the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution, which states: "The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Perth Amboy residents presented Peterson with an engraved medal to recognize his accomplishment. The New Jersey State Legislature designated March 31 as Thomas Mundy Peterson Day.

Erected 2025 by New Jersey Historical Commission, a division of the New Jersey Department of State. (Marker Number 2024.A.02.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Civil Rights. A significant historical date for this entry is March 31, 1870.

Location. 40° 30.383′ N, 74° 15.933′ W. Marker is in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, in Middlesex County. It is in Hopelawn. It is at the intersection of Market Square and Market Street, on the right when traveling north on Market Square. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 260 High St, Perth Amboy NJ 08861, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in New Jersey’s Central Jersey,

in Greater Princeton,

and in the New York City Metropolitan Area.

It is also in the American Northeast

and in the Mid-Atlantic.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland

and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Perth Amboy's English Elm Tree (here, next to this marker); Perth Amboy City Hall (here, next to this marker); The Earl of Perth (a few steps from this marker); Board of Proprietors of the Eastern Division of New Jersey (within shouting distance of this marker); Record Office (within shouting distance of this marker); Surveyor General's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Surveyor General's Office (within shouting distance of this marker); City Hall

Unveiling-2024.A.02 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail, September 13, 2025

2. Unveiling-2024.A.02

On September 13, 2025, the New Jersey Historical Commission (NJHC) unveiled another New Jersey Black Heritage Trail historical marker in Perth Amboy. The marker recognizes Thomas Mundy Peterson, the first Black voter after the passage of the 15th Amendment.

(within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Perth Amboy.

Additional commentary.
1. About the erection date
While the marker implies an erection date of 2024, it was installed and unveiled in 2025.

— Submitted January 2, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.

Cabinet card of Thomas Peterson. image. Click for full size.

Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of Africa

3. Cabinet card of Thomas Peterson.

“Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal - Front,” 1884. image. Click for full size.

Xavier University of Louisiana Library Digital Archives and Collections.

4. “Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal - Front,” 1884.

“Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal - Back,” 1884. image. Click for full size.

Xavier University of Louisiana Library Digital Archives and Collections.

5. “Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal - Back,” 1884.

Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal Grave at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church image. Click for full size.

Wang, Paul W. via The Amboy Guardian., 2022

6. Thomas Mundy Peterson Medal Grave at St. Peter’s Episcopal Church

Credits. This page was last revised on January 2, 2026. It was originally submitted on December 22, 2025, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 139 times since then and 100 times this year. Last updated on January 2, 2026, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. Photos: 1. submitted on December 24, 2025, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on December 22, 2025, by New Jersey Black Heritage Trail of Trenton, New Jersey. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.