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First American legislature born at Jamestown in 1619
The article recalls Jamestown 1619 when Yeardley created the General Assembly with two burgesses from each settlement. It notes the shift from London authority to local self rule, the prototype of Congress, and the move from charter to state constitutions as Americans demanded written rights. Virginia’s charter and the assembly’s early procedures shaped later governance and the Revolution.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Don McLeod
Associated Press
America
Europe
Daniel Boone
Transylvania
Legislative Assembly
Jamestown
Virginia
London
London Company
George Yeardley
Yeardley
General Assembly
Assembly
U.S. Congress
John Pory
Home Office
Virginia’ ‘Assembly
Lawes
Pory
Janes
England