Montagues played an active role in founding the Virginia Company, the Colony of Virginia, and Jamestown. The Virginia Company of London ran Virginia from 1607 to 1624, and the `nationalized' version of the company ran the colony until 1768. A seven man board, with president, ran the colony until 1609, after which the higher-offices were appointed by the King. From 1652 to 1660 (when Cromwell ruled England), the Governors were elected by the House of Burgesses.

Note that the Lieutenant Governor actually ran the Colony, while the Governor was a `paper' position (fancy title) in England.

The organization of the colonial Virginia government, which was typical of all the colonial governments of what historians call `the First British Empire', was as follows:

Governor, Lieutenant Governor. Commander in chief. As noted above, the Lieutenant Governor in practice usually ran the Colony.

Secretary of State. Appointed all county clerks, clerk of the Council, and clerk of the General Court. Responsible for reporting to England, granting patents (titles), and keeping records.

Auditor General. Responsible for auditing all tax collections.

Receiver General. The tax collector, except for a few special `user fees'.
In practice, he seems to have been the representative of the Company or King's interests.

Treasurer. In charge of the money raised by taxes, he seems to have represented the interests of the taxed, that is, he was elected by the General Assembly.

Attorney General. Identical to today, with responsibility over a deputy king's attorney in each county.

Surveyor General. Supervised county surveyors.

The governing bodies were the Council and the House of Burgesses.

The Council functioned as the Governors Cabinet (advisors), as the high court (`the General Court'), and as the senior executives. They often had other (local) offices. Stanard and Stanard note: `Theoretically this accumulation of offices in a few hands was entirely wrong, but it seems, in practice, to have worked fairly well, as members of the Council, who in general were men whose estates and interests lay entirely in Virginia, do not appear to have been at variance with those commonly entertained in the Colony.'

Henry Montagu and James Montagu were both on the original Council of the Virginia Company (they did not travel to Virginia).

The House of Burgesses was the representative popular body. Typically, two members were appointed for each county, so its size varied as new counties were added. Assemblies were called by the Governor as needed, and could last as long as needed (sometimes several years). When a member of the House accepted a paid government position, his seat became vacant. Stanard and Stanard note that accepting the office of sheriff or coroner was a common way to get out of the House.

Peter Montague was a member of the 1652 House Assembly, representing Nansemond along with Colonel Thomas Dew. Dew apparently was Speaker of the House.

Peter Montague was a member of the 1653 House Assembly, representing Nansemond along with Colonel Thomas Dew, and Lieutenant Colonel Edward Major (there were 3 Nansemond representatives).

Peter Montague represented Lancaster, along with Colonel John Carter, in the House Assembly of 1657-1658.

The House Assembly of 1772-1774 must have been an interesting assembly (the revolutionary war was very much in the air).

James Montague represented Middlesex county along with Edmund Berkeley.

The House Assembly of 1775-1776 must have seen some history of interest... Stanard and Stanard put it as follows:

' (On May 6th 1776, ed.) ... the journal records that "several members met, but did neither proceed to business or adjourn." And below these words the clerk has written in heavy lettering, "Finis," and finally finished the record of the last of the Virginia Colonial Legislatures with an elaborate cork-screw like tail piece.' Stanard and Stanard

James Montague was again representative for Middlesex county along with Edmund Berkeley during this Assembly.

A Convention, no longer under the aegis of the crown, was held in 1775 and 1776. Our stalwarts, Edmund Berkeley and James Montague, once again are found representing Middlesex County, Virginia.

William Smith, writing in 1747, provides annotated description of the documents establishing the Virginia Company (I have made some minor spelling changes):

"But settling Colonies is an Enterprise of too great Burthen and Expence for a few private Persons; and therefore after many vain Projects, they applied themselves to several of the Nobility, Gentry, and Merchants. ....

And first, Letters patent were obtained from King James I. bearing Date the 10th of April, 1606. ...

The First, or Southern Colony was designed for the City of London, and such as would adventure with them, to discover and chuse a Place of Settlement, any where between the Degrees of 34 and 41. ...

But besides this Charter, the King gave divers Articles, Instructions, and Orders, under his Sign Manual, and the Privy Seal of England, dated the 20th of November, 1606; wherein he establishes and ordains a Council, under the Name of the King's Council for Virginia. This consisted of the following persons: Sir William Wade, Lieutenant of the Tower of London, Sir Thomas Smith, Sir Walter Cope, Sir George More, Sir Francis Popham, Sir Ferdinando Gorges, Sir John Trevor, Sir Henry Montague, Recorder of the City of London, and Sir William Romney, Knights; John Dodderidge, Sollicitor General, and Thomas Warr, Esqrs; John Eldred of the City of London, Thomas James, of Bristol, and James Bagg, of Plimouth, in the County of Devon, Merchants." (Smith, 1747)

It soon became necessary to update the Charter. Here is an extract from William's annotated version of this second charter:

"King James the I's second Charter to the Treasurer and Company for Virginia, erecting them into a Corporation and Body politick, and for the further Enlargement and Explanation of the Privileges of the said Company and first Colony of Virginia. Dated May 23, 1609.

I. James, by the Grace of God, King of England, Scotland, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, &c. To all, to whom these Presents shall come, Greeting. WHEREAS, at the humble Suit and Request of sundry our loving and well disposed Subjects, intending to deduce a Colony, and to make Habitation and Plantation of sundry our People, in that Part of America, commonly called Virginia...

...

III. We, greatly affecting the effectual Prosecution and happy Success of the said Plantation, and commending their good Desires therein, for their further Encouragment in accomplishing so excellent a Work, much pleasing to God, and profitable to our Kingdom, Do, of our special Grace, and certain Knowledge, and mere Motion, for Us, our Heirs, and Successors, GIVE, GRANT, and CONFIRM, to our trusty and well beloved Subjects, Robert, Earl of Salisbury, ... James Montague, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, ... Sir Francis Bacon, Knt., Sir Henry Montague, Knt. ...

...

AND to such and so many, as they do, or shall heraafter, admit to be joined with them, in Form hereafter in these Presents expressed, whether they go in their Persons, to be Planters there in the said Plantation, or whether they go not but adventure their Monies, Goods, or Chattels; THAT they shall be one Body, or Commonality perpetual, and shall have perpetual Succession, and one Common Seal, to serve for the said Body or Commonality; And that they, and their Successors, shall be KNOWN, CALLED, and INCORPORATED by the Name of, The Treasurer and Company of Adventurers and Planters of the City of London for the first Colony in Virginia: ...

...

IX. And further, we ESTABLISH and ORDAIN that Henry, Earl of Southampton, ... James, Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells, ... Sir Francis Bacon, ... Sir Henry Montague, ... shall be our Council for the said Company of Adventurers and Planters in Virginia. ..." (Smith, 1747)

(The `e' spelling is used. And yes, that's Francis Bacon, the philosopher of science. He and Henry Montague survived as a political duo; they were long-time friends, allies, and confidants).

A complete copy of the Charter of the Virginia company is online at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1952/page102.html .

Sources:
The Colonial Virginia Register, Stanard and Stanard.
The History of the First Discovery and Settlement of Virginia, Smith.

http://www.montaguemillennium.com/familyresearch/col_va.htm