Difference between revisions of "House of Burgesses"
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== Structure == | == Structure == | ||
| − | The House of Burgesses was comprised of 22 members. The head was the governor of | + | The House of Burgesses was comprised of 22 members. The head was the governor of Virginia, who was appointed by the [[Virginia Company]] in [[London]]. The governor appointed his council of 6 members. The remaining 15 were elected by colonial property holders, and the members came from the large plantation owners. This group was known as the Lower House. |
[[category:Colonial America]] | [[category:Colonial America]] | ||
[[category:The South]] | [[category:The South]] | ||
Revision as of 19:29, January 3, 2012
The House of Burgesses was the first legislative body in the American colonies, located in Jamestown, the capital of the Virginia Colony. The House met for the first time on July 30, 1619 at a church. It grew to be a powerful political force, and many of the American Revolutionary leaders got their starts there, including George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Patrick Henry.
Structure
The House of Burgesses was comprised of 22 members. The head was the governor of Virginia, who was appointed by the Virginia Company in London. The governor appointed his council of 6 members. The remaining 15 were elected by colonial property holders, and the members came from the large plantation owners. This group was known as the Lower House.