Thomas Fitzsimmons was born in County Tubber, Wicklow, Ireland, in 1741. He came to America in approximately 1760, where he pursued a mercantile career in Philadelphia. In 1761 he married Catherine Meade, who was the daughter of a prominent local merchant named Robert Meade, and not long afterward went into business with one of his brothers-in-law. The resulting firm of George Meade and Company soon became one of the leading commercial houses in the city and specialized in the West India trade.
When the Revolutionary War began a few years later, Thomas Fitzsimmons enthusiastically joined with the upstart revolutionaries. During the war, he commanded a company of militia and also sat on the Philadelphia Committee of Correspondence, the Council of Safety, and the Continental Forces' Navy board.
His participation in the Revolution was not just limited to military leadership, however, as his company provided supplies and ships to the Revolutionary forces. He also donated good portions of his personal wealth to the Continental Army.
In late 1782 Thomas entered politics as a delegate to the Continental Congress. In 1783, he became a member of the Pennsylvania Council of Censors. His attendance at the Constitutional Convention was regular, but he did not make any outstanding contributions to the early proceedings.
After the convention, Thomas became a three-term U.S. representative, serving from 1789 until 1795.
But Thomas never lost site of his business dealings as well. While a Representative, he advocated for protective tariffs and retirement of the national debt.
After leaving public service, Thomas Fitzsimmons spent most of the remainder of his life in private business, though he always retained a keen interest in public affairs and remained strongly loyal to the new government he had helped form. During the maritime difficulties in the late 1790s, he urged retaliation against British and French interference with American shipping. In the first decade of the new century, he led the efforts to recharter the First United States Bank.
But Thomas Fitzsimmons' main place in history stemmed from his astute and successful business skills. In 1781, he had been one of the founders of the Bank of North America. He also helped organize and held a directorship in the Insurance Company of North America and several times acted as president of the Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce.
Thomas was a life-long supporter of Philadelphia's St. Augustine's Roman Catholic Church. He also strived continuously to improve public education in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania and served as trustee of the University of Pennsylvania.
Thomas Fitzsimmons died in Philadelphia in 1811 and is buried in the graveyard at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, which is located in the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia.
