Historic Jamestowne - Jamestown's First Representative Assembly (U.S. National Park Service)

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."

For additional information on this First House of Burgesses see our Historic Brief entitled "The Significance of the First Legislative Assembly."

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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.

Edited by Kirk D. Kehrberg
July 2001