The Municipal Clerk is the oldest of public servants in local government, along with the tax collector. The profession traces back before Biblical times. For example, the modern Hebrew translation of Town Clerk is “Mazkir Ha’ir” which literally translated, means city or town “Reminder:’ The early keepers of archives were often called “Remembrancers” and before writing came into use, their memory served as the public record.
Ancient Greece had a city secretary who read official documents publicly. At the opening of a meeting, one of his first duties was to decree a curse upon anyone who should seek to deceive the people.
More information on the interesting history of the Municipal Clerk.