First City Marshal

Samuel Whitting

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At the incorporation of the city of Los Angeles, which occurred on July 1, 1850, one of the elected City Government positions was City Marshal and 56 year old Samuel Whiting from New York, won the election. He took office on July 9th and made the following oath; “I solemnly swear to support the Constitution of the United States and that of the State of California, and that I will faithfully perform the duties of Marshal of the City of Los Angeles, according to the best of my knowledge and ability.”

His tenure lasted only a few months due to a dispute with the City Council regarding his salary and compensation for his work. This resulted in his abrupt resignation and on September 24th the City Council minutes takes note of his resignation. These two documents are from the Los Angeles City Archives, Able Sterns Collection, Box CC-01-5126.