Thomas Fitzsimons
| Thomas FitzSimons | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's At-large district | |
| In office March 4, 1789 – March 3, 1793 |
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| Preceded by | Nobody (District Created) |
| Succeeded by | John Swanwick Frederick A.C. Muhlenberg Richard Thomas Samuel Sitgreaves and John Richards Daniel Hiester John Andre Hanna John W. Kittera Thomas Hartley Andrew Gregg David Bard and Samuel Maclay William Findley Albert Gallatin |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1741 Ballikilty, Co. Wexford,Ireland |
| Died | August 26, 1811 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Political party | Pro-Administration |
| Occupation | statesman, merchant, soldier |
| Religion | Christian (Roman Catholicism) |
Thomas Fitzsimons (1741–1811) was an American merchant and statesman of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He represented Pennsylvania in the Continental Congress, the Constitutional Convention, and the U.S. Congress.
Biography
Fitzsimons' ancestry has not been proved, but one thought is that Fitzsimons was born at Ballikilty, north Co. Wexford, Leinster province, Ireland, in October, 1741.[1] He was a member of a collection of Irish families with the name "Fitzsymons" and it variants. In the mid-1750s he immigrated to Philadelphia where his father soon died. However, Fitzsimons had enough education that he could begin work as a clerk in a mercantile house. He married Catherine Meade on November 23, 1761 and formed a business partnership with her brother George. Their firm specialized in the West Indies trade, which would successfully operate for over 41 years.[2]
Revolutionary bent
However, this firm was soon hit by the new revenue measures created to help support the finances of the British Empire, including the much reviled Stamp Act of 1765. Concerned with these ideas, Fitzsimons became active in the Irish merchant community in Philadelphia, elected the head of the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick in 1771 and later, in 1774, a steering committee organized to protest the Coercive Acts.[2]
When Pennsylvania began mobilizing and organizing a militia to fight the British, Fitzsimons was soon involved. He served as captain of a company of home guards, which he raised, under the command of Colonel John Caldwalader. Initially his company served as part of the soldiers who manned posts along the New Jersey coast to defend against British actions. His unit later served as part of the reserve at the Battle of Trenton in 1776. Later in the war, Pennsylvania's government asked him to head a board to oversee the newly formed Pennsylvania Navy. Under this role, he helped organize the strategic resources of Pennsylvania, and later provided supplies, ships, and money in support of Pennsylvanian and French forces.[2]
Politics
Fitzsimons entered active politics as a delegate to the Continental Congress in 1782 and 1783. He was a member of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives in 1786 and 1787. He was also a delegate to the U.S. Constitutional Convention in 1787. Although not a leading member of that convention, he supported a strong national government. the end of slavery, the United States Congress's powers to impose a tariff on imports and exports, the granting the house of representatives, and the equal power in making treaties to the United States Senate in making treaties. He was one of only two Catholic signers of the United States Constitution, the other being Daniel Carroll of Maryland.
After the constitution was established, he served in the first three sessions of the House of Representatives but finally failed to win re-election in 1794. He lost to John Swanwick, who carried 7 of Philadelphia's 12 Districts and 57% of the vote. This was partially attributed not to Fitzsimons's own fault but to public opinion turning against the Federalist Party, to which he belonged in the wake of the Whiskey Rebellion's suppression.
In 1802, Fitzsimmons, along with Samuel Sitgreaves, were appointed by the Attorney General commissioners under the sixth article of the treaty of amity with Great Britain (American State Papers 37, Misc. Vol. 1, Pub. 154, Feb. 17, 1802).
While withdrawing from politics, Fitzsimons remained active in civic and business affairs. He served as president of Philadelphia's Chamber of Commerce, as a trustee of the University of Pennsylvania, Director of the Delaware Insurance Company and a director of the Bank of North America from 1781-1803. He was a founder of the bank, and supported efforts to found the College of Georgetown.[2]
Thomas died on August 26, 1811 in Philadelphia, where he was buried in the cemetery of St. Mary's Catholic Church, which is in present Independence National Historical Park.
National Aegis Newspaper (Worcester, MA), Vol. X, Issue 502, p. 3: DIED, ---Also, at an advanced age, Thomas Fitzsimmons, Esq, an old inhabitant of Philadelphia, and formerly a member of Congress, and a member of the Federal Convention of 1787.
External links
- Biography at the United States Army Center of Military History
- Biography at the University of Pennsylvania Archives
- Thomas Fitzsimons at Find a Grave
| United States House of Representatives | ||
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| Preceded by District Created |
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania's at-large congressional district 1789 - 1791 alongside: George Clymer, Frederick A.C. Muhlenberg, Thomas Hartley, Thomas Scott, Henry Wynkoop, Daniel Hiester and Peter G. Muhlenberg 1791 - 1793 |
Succeeded by 1st: John Swanwick |
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