Moulton in Lawrence County, Alabama — The American South (East South Central)
Judge Thomas M. Peters
A scientist of national fame, Peters (1810-1888) lived for many years in Moulton with his wife Naomi (Leetch), a relative of President James K. Polk, who possibly visited here. A man of many talents, Peters was a noted linguist, early civil rights and women's suffrage activist, and lawyer. At various times, he was a newspaper publisher, educator, state representative and senator, Alabama Supreme Court Chief Justice, Alabama Constitutional Convention delegate, and a pro-Union Republican leader. In the election of 1844, he is credited with sinking the presidential hopes of Henry Clay. After military authorities ordered suspension of the local newspaper (now the Moulton Advertiser) in 1867, Peters leased and edited the paper for six months before returning it to the White family. Considered a pioneer of botany in Alabama, Peters identified several new plant species. On Sipsey River in northern Winston County, 8 Jan 1853, he discovered a plant known as “Peters' filmy fern.” He published 'Lichens of Alabama.' Many of his works can be found at Harvard, the Smithsonian Institution, and the University of Alabama. Thomas Peters was elected a member of the American Scientific Association. Peters and his family are buried in the Old Moulton Cemetery.
Erected by Lawrence County Historical Commission, Inc.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Civil Rights • Education • Government & Politics • Science & Medicine. A significant historical date for this entry is January 8, 1853.
Location. 34° 28.554′ N, 87° 17.559′ W. Marker is in Moulton, Alabama, in Lawrence County. Marker is at the intersection of Market Street (Alabama Route 33) and College Street, on the right when traveling south on Market Street. Marker is in front of the Board of Education building. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Moulton AL 35650, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. General Leroy Pope Walker (within shouting distance of this marker); Moulton Church of Christ (approx. 0.2 miles away); General Phillip Dale Roddy (approx. ¼ mile away); A County Older Than The State (approx. 0.4 miles away); Confederate Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Lawrence County Vietnam Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.4 miles away); Anne Newport Royall (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Hot Spot (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Moulton.
Also see . . .
1. Thomas Minott Peters. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on August 4, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The University of North Carolina Chapel Hill Herbarium. University website entry:
The UNC Herbarium has found about half a dozen specimens collected by Dr. Peters, all collected between 1870 and 1874, from Alabama. Of particular interest are several specimens of Trichomanes petersii Gray collected by Dr. Peters in Winston County, Alabama in 1870, 1874 and 1875. (Submitted on October 24, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA.)
Credits. This page was last revised on August 4, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 24, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. This page has been viewed 1,076 times since then and 31 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on October 24, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. 2. submitted on August 4, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. 3. submitted on October 24, 2013, by Sandra Hughes Tidwell of Killen, Alabama, USA. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.