Virginia’s Early Government The early colony Jamestown in Virginia was overseen by a royal governor that was appointed by the King of England.  In 1619, the governor called a meeting of the General Assembly. It included the governor, the governor’s council, and 2 representatives, called burgesses, from each of the divisions in the Virginia colony.

The General Assembly It was the 1st representative legislative body in English America. It gave settlers the opportunity to control their own government. This legislative branch of government was responsible for making laws.

House of Burgesses In 1640, the government in Jamestown changed. The burgesses became a separate legislative body of government called the House of Burgesses. It had 22 members that were all free adult men. They met separately from the Governor’s Council and helped make laws for the colony.

The Government Evolves The royal governor still had a big influence over the colony with the ability to approve or veto any laws passed by the House of Burgesses.   The House of Burgesses still operates today, but it is called the Virginia General Assembly.