Perth Amboy, NJ
Thomas Mundy Peterson was the first African-American to vote in an election on March 31, 1870 under the provisions of the 15th Amendment to the United States Constitution. Born in Metuchen and the son of a slave, Peterson cast his vote in Perth Amboy in a local election over the town’s charter, which he voted in favor of revising. He was given a medal for making history at the time by local citizens Along with making history as America’s first Black voter. The medal is housed at the historically Black Xavier University of Louisiana. Peterson was also the first Black person in Perth Amboy to serve on a jury.