Assembly elections were held in the

British Virgin Islands ) , anthem = "God Save the King" , song_type = Territorial song , song = "Oh, Beautiful Virgin Islands" , image_map = File:British Virgin Islands on the globe (Americas centered).svg , map_caption = , mapsize = 290px , image_map2 = Brit ...

in 1735.

Background

In early 1735 Governor William Matthew established a Council and Assembly for both

Tortola Tortola () is the largest and most populated island of the British Virgin Islands, a group of islands that form part of the archipelago of the Virgin Islands. It has a surface area of with a total population of 23,908, with 9,400 residents in ...

and

Virgin Gorda Virgin Gorda () is the third-largest island (after Tortola and Anegada) and second-most populous of the British Virgin Islands (BVI). Geography Located at about 18 degrees, 48 minutes North, and 64 degrees, 30 minutes West, it covers an area o ...

. Although the six-member Councils were appointed by the Governor, the nine-member Assemblies were elected.Isaac Dookhan (1975) ''A History of the British Virgin Islands 1672 to 1970'', Caribbean University Press, p26Pearl Varlack and Norwell Harrigan (1977) ''The Virgins: A Descriptive and Historical Profile'', The Caribbean Research Institute College of the Virgin Islands, p20

Electoral system

Tortola was divided into three three-member constituencies; Fat Hog Bay,

Road A road is a linear way for the conveyance of traffic that mostly has an improved surface for use by vehicles (motorized and non-motorized) and pedestrians. Unlike streets, the main function of roads is transportation. There are many types of ...

and Saka Bay. Virgin Gorda had two constituencies, with Valley electing six members and North and South Sound electing three. Voters were generally the residents rather than the freeholders.

Aftermath

Following the elections, it became apparent that Governor Matthew had misinterpreted his commission. As a result, the creation of the Assemblies was illegal. Matthew was reprimanded by the

Lords of Trade The Board of Trade is a British government body concerned with commerce and industry, currently within the Department for International Trade. Its full title is The Lords of the Committee of the Privy Council appointed for the consideration of ...

and the Assemblies were subsequently disbanded, although the Councils continued to meet. Elections were not held again until

1773 Events January–March * January 1 – The hymn that becomes known as ''Amazing Grace'', at this time titled "1 Chronicles 17:16–17", is first used to accompany a sermon led by curate John Newton in the town of Olney, Bucking ...

References

{{British Virgin Islands elections 1735 in politics 1735 in North America 1730s elections in North America 1735 in the British Virgin Islands

1735 Events January–March * January 2 – Alexander Pope's poem ''Epistle to Dr Arbuthnot'' is published in London. * January 8 – George Frideric Handel's opera ''Ariodante'' is premièred at the Royal Opera House in Covent G ...