What was the political structure of colonial New Jersey?

New Jersey colony was founded by English settlers led by Lord John Berkeley and Sir George Carteret in the 17th century. The political structure of colonial New Jersey was initially shaped by the terms of the proprietorships granted to Berkeley and Carteret by King Charles II. The proprietors' authority included territorial jurisdiction and economic exploration, but they agreed to uphold English laws and customs and to establish governments with consent.

Early on, the colony's political structure featured two distinct bodies: the General Assembly and the Governor's Council. The General Assembly was a representative body comprising elected members from each of the colony's counties. The Governor's Council, appointed by the proprietors, functioned as an advisory body to the governor.

As conflicts emerged between the proprietors and the settlers, the colony gradually transitioned towards a more democratic system. The proprietors eventually relinquished their control, and New Jersey became a royal colony in 1702, directly under the authority of the British Crown.

In its final form, the colonial New Jersey government comprised the governor appointed by the Crown, a 24-member Governor's Council (partially elected, partially appointed by the governor), and a General Assembly consisting of elected representatives from various towns and townships. The General Assembly exercised legislative powers, enacted laws, and had the authority to approve the governor's nominations and expenditures.

It's worth noting that the political representation in New Jersey, just as in other British colonies, was not universal and excluded certain population groups, such as women, enslaved people, and Native Americans. Political participation and suffrage were restricted to white male property owners.