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ANNAPOLIS, Maryland (CNN) -- Maryland's governor Thursday pardoned a black man hanged in 1919 for the murder of a white woman.

"Just because time has gone by shouldn't be reason we don't correct any miscarriage of justice," said Gov. Parris Glendening.

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John Snowden was convicted of the bludgeoning death of Lottie May Brandon, 20, in her Annapolis home in the summer of 1917. The conviction was based on two pieces of evidence: black skin found under the victim's fingernails, and testimony -- recanted prior to the hanging -- that Snowden was seen near the scene of the murder.

Snowden, who is buried just blocks from the State House in Annapolis, protested his innocence. But the Maryland governor at the time wouldn't reverse the death sentence unless Snowden publicly admitted guilt.

"God knows I'm telling the truth and after I've been hanged, I'm asking the authorities to please continue to search for the murderer," Snowden said. Those words are now engraved on a new tombstone recently placed next to Snowden's original marker.

"Eleven of the 12 jurors later said they didn't think the hanging was appropriate," Glendening said.

An activist in Annapolis named Carl Snowden, who is not a descendent of John Snowden, lauds the pardon.

"You cannot bring John Snowden back, that's for sure. But it will correct the history books. People in this community know John Snowden was a victim of racial injustice."

Reporter Susan Collins of CNN affiliate WJZ contributed to this report