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The first legislative assembly in English North America took place July 30 through August 4, 1619 in the choir of the Jamestown Church. This first House of Burgesses consisted of Company appointed Governor Sir George Yeardley, a six man Company appointed governor's counsil and two representatives from each of the eleven surrounding settlements or plantations. These representatives were chosen by election from among the settlers of each plantation.
Members of the council were:
Mr. Samuel Macock
Mr. John Rolfe
Mr. John Pory
Captain Nathaniel Powell
Captain Francis West
Reverend William Wickham
John Pory was designated secretary and speaker; John Twine, clerke of the General assembly; and Thomas Pierse, Sergeant of Arms.
Plantations and their representatives were:
For James City
Captain William Powell
Ensign William Spense
For Charles City
Samuel Sharpe
Samuel Jordan
For the City of Henricus
Thomas Dowse
John Plentine
For Kiccowtan
Captaine William Tucker
William Capp
For Martin-Brandon, Captine John Martins Plantation
Mr. Thomas Davis
Mr. Robert Stacy
For Smythes Hundred
Captain Thomas Graves
Mr. Walter Shelley
For Martins Hundred (also known as Wolstenholme)
Mr. John Boys
John Jackson
For Argals Guifte
Mr. (Thomas) Pawlett
Mr. (Edward) Gourgainy
For Flowerdieu Hundred
Ensign (Edmund) Rossingham
Mr. (John) Jefferson
For Captain Lawnes Plantation
Captain Christophor Lawne
Ensign Washer
For captain Wardes Plantation
Captain (John) Warde
Lieutenant (John) Gibbes
Like the early struggles of the colony itself this first assembly suffered. It was hot and humid and many of the Burgesses were ill from the extreme temperatures. Indeed one Burgess had already succumbed to the heat as it was reported that on August 1st one Mr. Shelley of Smyths Hundred had died. The Governor decided that this first assembly would end after six days, on August 4th.
Although it was not the intent, the effects of this first representive assembly would frame the foundations of our present government - where citizens can elect representatives to speak for them: a government "of the people, by the people and for the people."
SOURCE: Charles E. Hatch, Jr., America's Oldest Legislative Assembly and its Jamestown Statehouses - Appendix II Proceedings of the Virginia Assembly, 1619, National Park Service Interpretive Series History No. 2, Washington: Revised 1956.
The first colonial legislature was the Virginia House Of Burgesses.
The House of Burgesses was the first colonial legislature.
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What was the first example of representative government in the 13 colonies?
The General Assembly
What was the first representative assembly in the English colonies in 1619-?
In 1619, the first representative in British North America met in the church at Jamestown. Like the early struggles of the colony itself this first assembly suffered.
Who was the first elected assembly in the colonies?
what was the first elected assembly in the new world
What was the first representative assembly in north America?
The House of Burgesess in Jamestown in 1619
Who was the first African American representative to congress from a northern state?
In 1928 African American voters in Chicago helped elect Oscar Depriest. He was the first African American representative to congress from a northern state.
What was the first representative assembly of the colonies?
In 1619, the first representative assembly met in the American colonies. It was known as the Virginia House of Burgesses, and it met in Jamestown, Virginia. Two burgesses were chosen from each of the colony's settlements, which were eleven at that time.
What was the first representative assembly in the colonies?
the mayflower compact
Was the first Representative Assembly in the colonies?
The House of Burgesses in Jamestown.
What was the first permanent representative assembly in the English colonies?
George Washington
Was the first representative assembly in the English colonies?
the Virginia house of Burgess's
What is The VA House Of Burgesses?
the first representative assembly or legislative in the English Colonies
What was the first example of representative government in the 13 colonies?
The General Assembly
What was the start representative government in the English colonies?
act of toleration
What was the first representative assembly in the English colonies in 1619-?
In 1619, the first representative in British North America met in the church at Jamestown. Like the early struggles of the colony itself this first assembly suffered.
What was significant about the house of burgesses?
the first legislative assembly in the American colonies
The first representative assembly in America met in?
The first representative assembly in English America met July 30-August 2, 1619 in the church at Jamestown.
When was the first representative assembly elected?
The first representative assembly was elected in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in 1758 (Discover Canada page 16.) D. Mai
