Thomas Mundy Peterson, First African-American Voter

Thomas Mundy Peterson lived in Perth Amboy, where he became the first African-American to vote after the passage of the 15th Amendment in 1870, which prohibits federal and state governments from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude." Peterson was active in the Republican Party, and he became the first African-American to hold elected office in Perth Amboy, on the Middlesex County Commission. Peterson's grave can be found at St. Peter's, one of New Jersey's oldest churches.

"It Happened Here: New Jersey" is a production of Kean University, in partnership with the New Jersey Historical Commission. The series is narrated by Willie Geist. PCK Media is serving as producer of the series. For more information about this and other activities planned for New Jersey's 350th Anniversary, visit www.officialnj350.com.