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  2. Nauvoo City Officers, 1 January–15 May 1844

Nauvoo City Officers, 1 January–15 May 1844

The city charter for the city of , which was enacted in 1840 and took effect in 1841, called for a city council consisting of a mayor, four aldermen, and nine councilors, each of whom would be elected and serve for two years. The charter made provision for the city council to add to the number of aldermen and councilors if necessary. Other city officers were appointed or elected by the city council. When council seats became vacant because of death, resignation, or appointment to another office, the vacancies were filled by election or by an appointment made by the city council. In accordance with the provisions in the Nauvoo charter, the city held a general election for mayor, aldermen, and city council members in February 1843, which resulted in JS’s election as mayor. On 9 March 1844, the city council approved a motion that made all former aldermen members of the city council.
Many members of the city council were unable to serve during part of the period covered by this volume, whether because of absence serving missions supporting JS’s presidential campaign or for other reasons. The names of the persons filling in for absent or suspended members of the city council are listed in parentheses.
The charter stipulated that “the Mayor and Aldermen shall be conservators of the peace within the limits of said city, and shall have all the powers of Justices of the Peace therein.” As a justice of the peace, the mayor could hear alleged violations of state statutes and minor civil disputes, and appeals in such cases would be heard by the circuit court of , Illinois. The charter also granted the mayor and aldermen “jurisdiction in all cases arising under the ordinances of the corporation.” Appeals from the courts of the mayor and aldermen for alleged violations of city ordinances were heard by the municipal court. The charter dictated that “the parties litigant shall have a right to a trial by a Jury of twelve men, in all cases before the Municipal Court.” The mayor served as the chief justice of the municipal court, the aldermen served as associate justices, and the city recorder served as clerk. Former aldermen also continued to serve on the municipal court. From the municipal court, appeal could be made to the Circuit Court.
1 January–15 May 1844
Mayor and chief justice of the municipal court Joseph Smith
 
Aldermen and associate justices of the municipal court
 
Former aldermen
 
City Councilors ()
()
()
()
()
()
()
 
City marshal
 
Treasurer
 
City recorder and clerk of the municipal court
 
Sexton
 
Supervisor of streets
 
Constables (First Ward)
(Second Ward)
Lewis Robison (Third Ward)
(Fourth Ward)
 
City surveyor
 
Weigher and sealer
 
City assessors and collectors (First Ward)
(Second Ward)
(Third Ward)
(Fourth Ward)
 
City attorney
 
Registrar of deeds Joseph Smith
 
Coroner
 
City auctioneers Charles Warner
 
Notary public
 
Market master
 
Market inspector
 
Inspectors of flour
John Haven
 
Mayor’s clerk
 
Fire warden (First Ward)
(Second Ward)
(Third Ward)
(Fourth Ward)
 
Wharfmaster (elected 16 December 1843)
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