Zohran Mamdani to Be Sworn in as NYC’s 111th Mayor – Questions Arise

On January 1, Zohran Mamdani is set to become New York City’s 111th mayor. However, new research indicates that this title may be inaccurate. Historian Paul Hortenstine claims Mamdani could actually be the 112th mayor due to a historical oversight that dates back to 1674.

Historical Miscount Revealed

According to Hortenstine, the confusion arises from Mayor Matthias Nicolls, who served a nonconsecutive term that is not accounted for in official records. This means that Nicolls’ absence affects the numbering of every subsequent mayor, leading to a significant miscalculation.

Impact of the Error

• Fiorella La Guardia is, in fact, the 100th mayor, not the 99th.
• Mayor Eric Adams, who identifies as the 110th, should actually be the 111th.

This error was uncovered while Hortenstine was researching early New York City mayors and their ties to slavery. He found documents referencing Nicolls’ second term in the Edmund Andros archive, which dates back to 1675.

Supporting Evidence

The findings were corroborated by other historians and historical groups. Marybeth Ihle, a spokesperson for the New York Historical Society, noted multiple references to Nicolls’ term in their archives. Early records indicate that when Nicolls served, New York City had approximately 2,500 inhabitants.

Previous Discoveries

This is not the first time the oversight has been raised. In 1989, historian Peter R. Christoph highlighted similar discrepancies regarding mayoral numbering. He pointed out that many mayors, including Edward I. Koch, had been miscounted historically.

Official Response and Potential Corrections

Ken Cobb, assistant commissioner of the city’s Department of Records, stated that he was unaware of any ongoing investigation into the miscount. Although he could not find any acknowledgment of Nicolls’ second term in the municipal archives, he did not dismiss Hortenstine’s findings.

There is a precedent for correcting historical counts, as seen in 1937 when Charles Lodwick was formally added to the list of mayors, shifting the numbering for those that followed.

Future Considerations

With Mamdani poised to take office, it remains to be seen whether his administration will address the historical error. Randy Mastro, the first deputy mayor, indicated that this matter may be left for historians and future administrations to resolve.