What law did Americans live under during much of the 17th and 18th centuries?

During much of the 17th and 18th centuries, Americans lived under various colonial laws that were primarily influenced by English common law and the specific regulations of their respective colonies. Each colony had its own set of laws, which often reflected the interests of its settlers and local governance, but they were all subject to overarching English law. The legal framework included the Navigation Acts, which regulated trade, and various colonial charters that outlined governance. Additionally, the Enlightenment era introduced ideas about rights and governance that began to challenge traditional authority.