The General Committee of the Apprentice Boys was formed and rules adopted at a general meeting on 22nd November, 1859, at which five clubs attended. The Chairman elected was John Guy Ferguson and the name of Governor first appeared in 1867. In 1865 a Charter was granted for the No Surrender Club and in 1869 the Campsie Club acquired their sanction from the Committee.

1872 witnessed the first indication of an interest in creating Clubs outside of Londonderry. The growth of the rail travel in the 19th century greatly assisted the popularity of the celebrations. Requests for Clubs came firstly from Glasgow, then Omagh and later Belfast. There was some opposition from inside the committee and the following resolution was passed "No Charter will be granted for use outside the City of Londonderry".

By the time of the Bi-Centenial celebrations in 1888, the Williamite and Campsie Clubs had fallen into disuse and the committee consisted of six clubs - Apprentice Boys of Derry, No Surrender, Walker, Mitchelburne, Browning and Murray. John Guy Ferguson was again elected to the position of Governor. He served the committee and brethren well and was even prepared to go to jail on behalf of the organisation.

The Association began to expand with many branch clubs all over Ulster, Scotland, England and Eire. The committee extended the Parent Clubs to eight with the reformation of the Baker Club in 1927 and Campsie Club in 1950. Amalgamated committees were set up to represent the interests of the branch clubs. To date, however, the officers of the General Committee must be Londonderry residents.