The First General Assembly of Virginia

Summoned by Sir George Yeardley, Governor General of Virginia, under authority from the London Company and pursuant to the charter granted by King James I, the First General Assembly of Virginia convened in the church at Jamestown on July 30, 1619. Composed of the Governor, the Council of State, and two burgesses elected by the people from each of the eleven plantations, it marked the beginning of representative government in the colonies of England and laid the foundation of the liberties of America. The Ordinance and Constitution of Government dated November 18, 1618, had been obtained for the Colony of Virginia through the distinguished services of Sir George Yeardley, Sir Edwin Sandys, Treasurer of the London Company, and Henry, Earl of Southampton, his successor. The Council of State included Capt. Francis West, Master John Rolfe, Capt. Nathaniel Powell, Revd. William Wickham, Master John Pory, and Master Samuel Maddock, and burgesses attended from James City, Charles City, the City of Henricus, Kiccowtan, Martin Brandon Capt. John Martin’s Plantation, Smythe’s Hundred, Martin’s Hundred, Argall’s Guifte, Flowerdieu Hundred, and Captaine Lawtie’s Plantation. At the opening, Sir George Yeardley sat in his accustomed place, the Council of Estate beside him, and the secretary, appointed Speaker, before him, while the burgesses took their places in the quire until Mr. Bucke, the minister, offered a prayer asking God to guide and sanctify their proceedings to His own glory and to the good of the plantation.

Virginia · United States