Political Structure of Colonial New Jersey: From Proprietary to Royal Colony

Early Proprietary Government (1664–1702)

Founded by Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret under a grant from King Charles II. The proprietors held territorial and economic authority but agreed to uphold English law and govern with consent.

Two main bodies existed:

• General Assembly: Elected representatives from each county.
• Governor's Council: Appointed by proprietors, advised the governor.

Transition to Royal Colony (1702)

Conflicts between proprietors and settlers led to the proprietors surrendering control. New Jersey became a royal colony under direct British Crown authority.

Final Colonial Structure (Pre-Revolution)

• Governor: Appointed by the Crown.
• Governor's Council: 24 members (mix of elected and governor-appointed).
• General Assembly: Elected representatives from towns/townships; held legislative power, approved expenditures and nominations.

Note: Suffrage was restricted to white male property owners; women, enslaved people, and Native Americans were excluded.