Thomas Fitzsimons had in 1761 established with…

Thomas Fitzsimons had in 1761 established with his brother-in-law George Meade a firm specializing in the West Indies trade, which had been 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 had become 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.

When Pennsylvania began mobilizing and organizing a militia to fight the British, Fitzsimons was soon involved, serving 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 has helped organize the strategic resources of Pennsylvania, and later provided supplies, ships, and money in support of Pennsylvanian and French forces.