Provincial Congress

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This refers to a Massachusetts body. Other American states also had provincial congresses during the Revolution. See also North Carolina Provincial Congress.

The Provincial Congress was an extra-legal body formed out of need for communications between towns and for decisions to be made in regard to the colonies' future after the Massachusetts Government Act of 1774 annulled the royal charter of 1691^[1]. John Hancock was the president this completely illegal body. He operated as the Government of all of Massachusetts outside of the British-controlled Boston. The existence of such a congress angered Gage because of its threat to his authority.

The Congress met in Concord for four days to discuss their current situation on April 11. When the British marched to Concord and Lexington many Militia, including Paul Revere believed it was to arrest both Sam Adams and John Hancock.