Provincial Congress of New Jersey

Provincial Congress of New Jersey
Type
Type
History
FoundedMay 23, 1775 (1775-05-23)
DisbandedAugust 27, 1776 (1776-08-27)
Preceded byBritish Royal governors
Succeeded by1st Session of the New Jersey Legislature
Leadership
President
Secretary
Assistant(s)
Meeting place
Trenton, New Jersey

The Provincial Congress of New Jersey was a transitional governing body of the Province of New Jersey in the early part of the American Revolution. It first met in 1775 with representatives from all New Jersey's then-thirteen counties, to supersede the Royal Governor. In June 1776, this congress had authorized the preparation of a constitution, which was written within five days, adopted by the Provincial Congress, and accepted by the Continental Congress.

The Constitution of 1776 provided for a bicameral legislature consisting of a General Assembly with three members from each county and a legislative council with one member from each county. All state officials, including the governor, were to be appointed by the Legislature under this constitution. The Vice-President of Council would succeed the Governor, who served as the Council president, if a vacancy occurred in that office. The Provincial Congress ceased to function when the first session of the new Legislature convened on August 27, 1776, under the New Jersey State Constitution it had prepared.