Thomas Fitzsimons: Difference between revisions
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'''Thomas Fitzsimons''' (1741–1811) was an [[United States|American]] merchant and statesman of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]. He represented [[Pennsylvania]] in the [[Continental Congress]], the [[Philadelphia Convention|Constitutional Convention]], and the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Congress]]. |
'''Thomas Fitzsimons''' (1741–1811) was an [[United States|American]] merchant and statesman of [[Philadelphia, Pennsylvania]]. He represented [[Pennsylvania]] in the [[Continental Congress]], the [[Philadelphia Convention|Constitutional Convention]], and the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Congress]]. |
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==Biography== |
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| ⚫ | Fitzsimons was born in Ireland around 1741. In the mid- 1750's 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 [[Caribbean|West Indies]] trade, which would successfully operate for over 41 years. <ref name = soldierState/> |
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===Revolutionary bent=== |
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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 communit in Philedelphia, 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]]. <ref name = soldierState>{{cite book| url = http://www.history.army.mil/books/RevWar/ss/fitzsimons.htm | title = Soldier-Statesmen of the Constitution| id =CMH Pub 71-25| chapter = Thomas Fitzsimons| loc= E302.5.W85 1987| city = Washington D.C| publisher = United States Army Center of Military History| first1 =Robert K.| last1 = Wright, Jr.|first2= Morris J.| last2 = MacGregor Jr.}}</ref> |
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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 [[Colonol John Caldwalader]]. Initially his company served as part of the soldiers which 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 oversea 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. <ref name = soldierState/> |
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| ⚫ | Fitzsimons was born in Ireland around 1741. |
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===Politics=== |
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As the [[American Revolution|Revolution]] neared, he supported the Whig position. Early in the [[American Revolutionary War|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. |
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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]], the [[United States Congress|congress]] powers to [[tariff|tax]] import and exports, the granting the [[United States House of Representatives|house of representatives]], the [[United States Senate|senate]] equal power in making treaties, and the end of [[slavery]]. He was one of only two [[Catholic]] signers of the [[United States Constitution]]. |
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]], the [[United States Congress|congress]] powers to [[tariff|tax]] import and exports, the granting the [[United States House of Representatives|house of representatives]], the [[United States Senate|senate]] equal power in making treaties, and the end of [[slavery]]. He was one of only two [[Catholic]] signers of the [[United States Constitution]]. |
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Revision as of 15:37, 9 June 2010
 | This article includes a list of references, related reading, or external links, but its sources remain unclear because it lacks inline citations. (April 2010) |
Thomas Fitzsimons | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1741 Ireland |
| Died | August 26, 1811 (death date then birth date) Philadelphia |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation(s) | statesman, merchant, soldier |
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 was born in Ireland around 1741. In the mid- 1750's 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. [1]
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 communit in Philedelphia, 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. [1]
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 Colonol John Caldwalader. Initially his company served as part of the soldiers which 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 oversea 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. [1]
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 did support a strong national government, opposed slavery, the congress powers to tax import and exports, the granting the house of representatives, the senate equal power in making treaties, and the end of slavery. He was one of only two Catholic signers of the United States 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 Whiskey 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 in the cemetery of St. Mary's Catholic Church there. (The cemetery is now part of the Independence National Historical Park.)
Sources
- United States Congress. "Thomas Fitzsimons (id: F000178)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.
- The Political Graveyard
External links
- Continental Congressmen from Pennsylvania
- Members of the United States House of Representatives from Pennsylvania
- Signers of the United States Constitution
- People from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- American politicians of Irish descent
- American Roman Catholic politicians
- 1741 births
- 1811 deaths
- Irish American history