American Political Society (Worcester, Mass.)

The American Political Society was established in 1773 in Worcester, Mass., by Col. Timothy Bigelow (1739-1790) as an extension of the Committee of Correspondence. It was a secret society of 71 Worcester Whigs who organized for the purpose of debating "upon ... our rights and liberties" and determining "methods to be pursued" in securing them. The Society held monthly meetings at a public house, usually the inn of Asa Ward (1748-1818), and eventually assumed control of town meetings and instructed the moderator and the representative to the General Court. The organization became a potent means of defeating the influence of Worcester Loyalists. The Society apparently disbanded due to internal frictions and the more immediate demands of revolutionary resistance.