The First General Assembly of Virginia
In honour of
The First General Assembly
of Virginia,
here
on the thirtieth day of July A.D. 1916.
Summoned by Sir George Yeardley,
Governor General of Virginia,
under authority from the London Company, pursuant to the charter granted by King James I, was convened in the church at Jamestown the First General Assembly of Virginia.
This Assembly, composed of the Governor, the Council of State, and two Burgesses elected by the people from each of the eleven plantations was the beginning of representative government in the colonies of England and laid the foundation of the liberties of America.
Back of Monument:Also
in honour of
Sir George Yeardley, Governor General,
Sir Edwin Sandys,
Treasurer of the London Company,
and
Henry, Earl of Southampton, his successor,
for their distinguished services in obtaining for
the Colony of Virginia
the Ordinance and Constitution of Government
dated November 18, 1618,
under authority whereof the First
General Assembly of Virginia
was here held
July 30, 1619.
Dedicated by the
Norfolk Branch
of the
Association for the Preservation of Virginia
Antiquities
July 30, 1907
Left Side of Monument:
The Councell of Estate, Capt. Francis West, Master John Rolfe, Capt. Nathaniel Powell, Revd. William Wickham, Master John Pory, Master Samuel Maddock.
For James City
Captain William Powell, Ensigne William Spense.
For Charles City
Samuel Sharpe, Samuel Jordan
For the City of Henricus
Thomas Dowse, John Polentine
For Kiccowtan
Captain William Tucker, William Capp
For Martin Brandon Capt. John Martin’s Plantation
Mr. Thomas Davis, Mr. Robert Stacy
For Smythe’s Hundred
Capt. Thomas Graves, Mr. Walter Shelley
For Martin’s Hundred
Mr. John Boys, John Jackson
For Argall’s Guifte
Mr. Pawlett, Mr. Gourgainy
For Flowerdieu Hundred
Ensigne Rossingham, Mr. Jefferson
For Captaine Lawtie’s Plantation
Captaine Christopher Lawne
Right Side of Monument:
”Sir George Yeardley, the Governor, being sett downe in his accustomed place, those of the Counsel of Estate sat next to him on both handes, excepte onely the secretary, then appointed Speaker who sat right before him, and forasmuch as men’s affaires doe little prosper where God’s service is neglected, all the Burgesses tooke their places in the quire till a prayer was said by Mr. Bucke, the minister, that it would please God to guide and to sanctifie all our proceedings to His owne glory and to the good of his plantation.”
Marker can be reached from Colonial Parkway, on the right when traveling west.
Courtesy hmdb.org
