Regular elections were conducted in Madras up to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. Judicial, legislative and executive powers rested with the Governor who was assisted by a Council whose constitution was modified by reforms enacted in 1861, 1909, 19. Thereafter, the head of the area was styled "Governor" rather than "President" and became subordinate to the Governor-General in Calcutta, a title that would persist until 1947. In 1785, under the provisions of Pitt's India Act, Madras became one of three provinces established by the East India Company. In 1684, it was re-elevated to a Presidency and Elihu Yale was appointed as president. The agency was upgraded to a Presidency in 1652 before once more reverting to its previous status in 1655. In 1639, the English East India Company purchased the village of Madraspatnam and one year later it established the Agency of Fort St George, precursor of the Madras Presidency, although there had been Company factories at Machilipatnam and Armagon since the very early 1600s.