The Washington Benevolent Societies were grass-roots political clubs set up from 1808 to 1816 by the Federalist Party in the U.S. to electioneer for votes. The first branch of the organization was set up in New York City, in opposition to the older Tammany Society. An early membership certificate of group indicates that this branch was "instituted in the City of New York, on the 12th day of July, 1808." The President of that first WBS was Isaac Sebring and Secretary was Guilian C. Verplanck. The New York branch of the society met at Washington Hall.