Beginning from its inception into statehood, New Jersey elected its representatives at-large instead of from individual districts. This continued for most years until 1843, with the exception of the years 1799-1801, and 1813-1815 when they were elected in districts. After 1843, New Jersey returned to district representation. Four at-large representatives were elected in 1789 until 1793 when a 5th representative was added. 6 seats were allocated beginning in 1803, continuing until at-large representation ceased in 1843.

The 1st United States Congress, comprising the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives, met from March 4, 1789, to March 4, 1791, during the first two years of George Washington's presidency, first at Federal Hall in New York City and later at Congress Hall in Philadelphia. With the initial meeting of the First Congress, the United States federal government officially began operations under the new frame of government established by the 1787 Constitution. The apportionment of seats in the House of Representatives was based on the provisions of Article I, Section 2, Clause 3, of the Constitution. Both chambers had a Pro-Administration majority. Twelve articles of amendment to the Constitution were passed by this Congress and sent to the states for ratification; the ten ratified as additions to the Constitution on December 15, 1791, are collectively known as the Bill of Rights, with an additional amendment ratified more than two centuries later to become the Twenty-seventh Amendment to the United States Constitution.