Delaware Colony was governed by a proprietary system, meaning it was owned by individuals or groups who had been granted the land by the British crown. Initially, the colony was part of Pennsylvania and shared its government until it received its own assembly in 1704.
The government structure included a representative assembly, which allowed colonists to have a say in their governance. This body was composed of elected officials who made local laws and managed colonial affairs. The leadership was typically headed by a governor, who was appointed by the proprietor or by the King of England.
As time progressed, Delaware sought more independence from Pennsylvania’s governance, leading to a separate colonial identity. In 1776, Delaware declared itself independent and established a more structured form of government, paving the way for it to become the first state to ratify the U.S. Constitution in 1787.