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Phillip Simmons was born on June 9,1912 in Daniel Island. At the age of eight he left Daniel Island and rode a boat to Charleston to get a better education. Phillip always wanted to be a blacksmith. Phillip was hired by Peter Simmons (they have no relation) to work in a blacksmith shop. At the age of thirteen the shop was 72 years old and now it is 169 years old. Iron gates were striped during the Civil War and the Revolutionary War to make weapons. Few iron gates remain standing in Charleston today. Wrought iron was found in Charleston in 1739. Some of Phillip Simmons' gates were placed in museums. He was also in the Hall of Fame. 

His church, St. John's Reformed Episcopal Church located at 91 Anson Street in Downtown Charleston, he brought a bell he had had over 50 years. It is displayed in The Bell Garden.