Everything about Thomas Fitzsimons totally explained
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.
Fitzsimons was born in Ireland around 1741. By 1760 he'd immigrated to Philadelphia, and began 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, and would operate successfully for over 41 years.
As the
Revolution neared, he supported the Whig position. Early in the
Revolutionary War he served as captain of a company of home guards, but the only report of their actions was to support the regular troops for the
Battle of Trenton in
1776. Later in the war he provided supplies, ships, and money in support of Pennsylvania’s forces.
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 did support a strong national government, opposed
slavery, and favored giving the congress powers to
tax import and exports, as well as granting the
house and the
senate equal power in making treaties. He was one of only two
Catholic signers of the Constitution.
After the constitution was established, he served in the first three sessions of the House, finally failing to win re-election in
1794. He lost to upstart
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
Whisky Rebellion's suppression.
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, and a director of the
Bank of North America. He was a founder of the bank, and supported efforts to found the
College of Georgetown.
Thomas died on
August 26,
1811 in Philadelphia and was buried the St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church Cemetery there. (The cemetery is now part of the
Independence National Historical Park.)
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