What did they call a group of people who made laws in Colonial times?

Local governments and governing bodies changed during the Colonial period in the Thirteen Colonies.  Initially, each of the Thirteen Colonies was governed by a Colonial charter.  These charters, which were unique for each Colony, outlined rights of citizens and allowed for some level of religious freedom.  

In addition to the charters, each Colony had a governor and his council. The governor was the representative for the King in the American Colonies.  The council members served more of an advisory role.  In addition, individual Colonies had assemblies.  These assemblies consisted of elected officials to represent the citizens of each Colony.

When tensions with England began to form due to taxation that the Colonists believed were unfair, each Colony sent representatives to form a Continental Congress.  This was the first time that the Thirteen Colonies had a common, united body of government that was separate from the King and Parliament.  This Continental Congress created laws, made decisions, and formed an army.