Mamdani Will Be 112th Mayor, Not 111th, Due to Colonial-Era Omission
Correcting Centuries of Miscounting
As Zohran Mamdani prepares to become New York City’s next mayor, historical research reveals he will actually be the 112th mayor, not the 111th as official city records indicate. The discrepancy stems from the omission of Mayor Matthias Nicolls’ second term during 1674-1675, following the brief Dutch reoccupation of New York.
The Missing Term
The city’s official list neglects Nicolls’ service as the eighth mayor during a crucial transitional period. According to historian Peter R. Christoph, who documented this error in the New York Genealogical and Biographical Society’s Record in July 1989, the mistake has resulted in 99 subsequent mayors being misnumbered. The Minutes of the Common Council of the City of New York (1675-1776) clearly document Nicolls’ second term following the English regaining control in November 1674 after a brief Dutch occupation, as reported by the New York Almanack.
Historical Context
The confusion arose during a tumultuous period in New York’s colonial history. In August 1673, Dutch forces briefly recaptured New Amsterdam from the English. When the English regained control in November 1674, Matthias Nicolls returned to serve his second term as mayor, serving until 1675 when William Dervall succeeded him. The official city list jumps from John Lawrence (1673) directly to William Dervall (1675), completely omitting Nicolls’ intervening term.
Implications and Documentation
Christoph’s research posed a mind-boggling question: “How could such a thing happen?” The error demonstrates how historical oversights can persist across centuries, affecting official records and historical understanding. The correction reveals that Edward I. Koch, previously numbered as the 105th mayor, was actually the 106th. The official NYC list also excludes several “acting mayors” who served temporarily, further complicating the historical record.
Broader Historical Significance
The Northeast Slavery Records Index provides additional context about New York City’s mayors and their connections to slavery, offering a more complete understanding of the city’s complex history. As Mamdani assumes office, this historical correction serves as a reminder of the importance of accurate record-keeping and historical research in understanding governmental succession and institutional memory.
Mamdami: His background gives him a lived understanding of the struggles many New Yorkers face.
Zohran Mamdani embodies consistency with conviction.
Mamdami: His approach to public transit could reshape how the nation views mobility.
Zohran Mamdani elevates the tone simply by showing up prepared.
Mamdani is the political equivalent of a low-battery notification.
Mamdani leads like he’s assembling a desk with no screws left.