| Peter L. Cunningham | |
| Birth Date: | 15 August 1814[1] |
| Birth Place: | New York City |
| Residence: | South Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Death Place: | Norwalk Hospital Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Office: | Mayor of South Norwalk, Connecticut |
| Order: | 9th |
| Term Start: | 1883 |
| Term End: | 1884 |
| Predecessor1: | Christian Swartz |
| Successor1: | Richard H. Golden |
| Office2: | Member of the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk |
| Term Start2: | 1861 |
| Term End2: | 1862 |
| Predecessor2: | William T. Craw, Samuel Olmstead |
| Successor2: | Josiah Carter, Ebenezer J. Hill |
| Spouse: | Amelia Chichester |
| Children: | Mary |
| Party: | Republican |
| Signature: | Peter_L._Cunningham_signature.xcf |
| Battles: | American Civil War[2] |
| Rank: | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Unit: | 8th Regiment Connecticut Volunteers |
Peter L. Cunningham (August 14, 1814 – April 22, 1899) was a one-term mayor of South Norwalk, Connecticut in 1883.
He was born in New York City on August 14, 1814.[1] He came to Old Well (now South Norwalk), Connecticut in the spring of 1834.[1]
In 1840, he organized the First Rifle Company (known as the Mohican Rifle Corps) of the Ninth Regiment, Fourth Brigade, C.S.S.[1] He was its commander for several years.[1]
In 1858, he was appointed colonel on the staff of Governor William A.Buckingham.[1]
In 1861, he was appointed Lieutenant Colonel of the Eighth Connecticut Volunteers, but resigned the commission after four months with an honorable discharge.[1] In that same year, he waselected to the Connecticut House of Representatives from Norwalk. He was a member of the Military Committee of the Legislature of Connecticut.[1] In that committee, he proposed that $3 million should be appropriated for the defense of the Union. That proposal was passed by both chambers of the legislature.[1] Another $3 million would subsequently be approved.[1]
From 1877 to 1879, Cunningham served on the South Norwalk City Council as its senior member.[1] He served as mayor from 1883 to 1884.[1]
He served as a director on the boards of the Central Nation Bank, the First National Bank, and the Norwalk Gas Company.[1]
On April 22, 1899, Cunningham died suddenly while vising the Norwalk Hospital to view the building under construction.[1] He fell while walking down a decline at the back of the building, and died shortly thereafter.[1] The cause of death was believed to be apoplexy.[1]