March 3: The Merchant Patriot

Welcome to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Today is March 3rd, and our story is The Merchant Patriot. In 1761, Thomas Fitzsimons, a 24-year-old Irish immigrant, and his brother-in-law, George Meade, formed a small West Indies trading company based in Philadelphia.

The Fledgling Company was just beginning to thrive when the British passed the Stamp Act of 1765. The legislation, which helped fund British troops stationed in the American colonies, hit merchants like Fitzsimmons particularly hard. Accordingly, Fitzsimmons soon joined those rallying against the crown.

In 1774, Fitzsimmons led Philadelphia merchants in protests against the Coerce of Axe, and in 1776, when the Revolution began, he immediately enlisted in the Pennsylvania militia. Through the course of the war, Fitzsimmons led troops in the Battle of Trenton, defended the New Jersey coastline as part of the Home Guard, and oversaw the newly formed Pennsylvania Navy.

He also dug deep into his own pockets, supplying Pennsylvanian and French forces with ships, money, and supplies. That patriotism earned him a spot as one of the delegates to the Congress of Confederation in 1782. He returned the following year, and later served two years in the Pennsylvania State Legislature.

In 1787, Fitzsimmons entered Independence Hall as one of Pennsylvania's delegates to the Constitutional Convention. Although he opposed the provisions for slavery incorporated into the final draft, Fitzsimmons nevertheless signed the Constitution on September 17, 1787, one of only two Catholics to do so. In 1788, Pennsylvania elected Fitzsimmons to the U.S. House of Representatives. He served two consecutive terms, stepping down from office on March 3, 1793.

Upon leaving politics, Fitzsimmons devoted himself to education and commerce. An early supporter of Bishop John Carroll's endeavor to found Georgetown University, he also served as a trustee for the University of Pennsylvania, president of Philadelphia's Chamber of Commerce, director of the Delaware Insurance Company, and director of the Bank of North America.

The merchant patriot died in Philadelphia on August 26, 1811. Thomas Fitzsimmons reminds us that faith and patriotism can inspire remarkable service. Catholic identity and civic responsibility can work together to promote justice, education, and the common good. Consider how your talents and resources might contribute to your community or nation. How can you act with integrity and faith in public life?

Thank you for listening to the American Catholic Daily Reader podcast. Join us tomorrow, March 4th, for another story of faith and courage in America.