the elected leadership of plymouth colony was at first a governor and an assistant governor. the assistant governor for the first three years of the colony's history was isaac allerton. in 1624, it was changed to five assistants. this was called the "governor's council". these men gave advice to the governor and had a vote on important matters. they helped bradford in managing the colony. assistants during the early years of the colony included thomas prence, stephen hopkins, john alden, and john howland.