Every member of the house of representatives shall be chosen by written votes; [and for one year at least next preceding his election, shall have been an inhabitant of, and have been seised in his own right of a freehold of the value of one hundred pounds within the town he shall be chosen to represent, or any ratable estate to the value of two hundred pounds; and he shall cease to represent the said town immediately on his ceasing to be qualified as aforesaid.] [See Amendments, Arts. XIII, XXI, LXXI, XCII, CI and CIX.]