Throughout the early-mid 1700s, colonial assemblies (aka, colonial legislatures) were generally:
a) Very limited in their power over local affairs, so they functioned more like elite social clubs rather than legislative bodies
b) Made up of elected representatives and wielded significant power over local affairs - assemblies assumed the right to impose local taxes, issue legislation, finance the building of roads, bridges, etc.,
c) Free from class distinctions, as it was common for wealthy, poor, and even landless colonists to be elected to serve as representatives in colonial assemblies
d) Appointed directly by the King, since most colonies did not hold local elections