A George II provincial Irish silver freedom box Joseph Johns, Limerick, circa 1755, maker's mark only struck twice on inside cover and inside base Circular, the domed cover the centre engraved with the arms of Limerick bordered with engraved inscription: 'The Corporation of the City of Limerick to the Rt. Honble. John Ponsonby Esqr', to a plain bellied base, diameter 9cm, weight 5.4oz. Footnotes: Ponsonby received the Freedom of the City of Limerick in 1755 which this box represents. Rt Hon John Ponsonby, PC (29 March 1713 - 16 August 1787) was an Anglo-Irish politician. He was Speaker of the Irish House of Commons between 1756 and 1771, during a period in which the legislative independence of the Kingdom of Ireland was increasingly asserted and tested. Ponsonby was the second son of Brabazon Ponsonby, 2nd Viscount Duncannon and 1st Earl of Bessborough and his first wife, Sarah Margetson Colvill. He was the grandson of William Ponsonby, 1st Viscount Duncannon. In 1739, Ponsonby entered the Irish House of Commons for Newtownards and was soon aligned to his father's faction at this time, three families, the Boyles, Beresfords and Ponsonbys, known collectively as 'The Undertakers', effectively ruled Parliament. In 1741, he was appointed secretary to the revenue commissioners, and on 6 August 1744, he succeeded his father as first commissioner of the revenue. It was a very fast rise to the top of domestic politics in Ireland and as his father intended, into a position to succeed the incumbent speaker of the Irish House of Commons Henry Boyle. Boyle resigned in 1756 after an imbittered row regarding revenue surplus. Ponsonby was the only person placed to be able to succeed Boyle. Initially Ponsonby's tenure as Speaker was questioned described as a 'a mighty dull, as well as a very empty foolish fellow' (Leinster correspondence, ii, 36), he regularly required assistance in his command of the house. However he proved his doubters wrong and through his effective use of patronage. He was re-elected to the chair in both 1761 and 1769 He retained the chief authority until George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend, became lord-lieutenant in 1767. Then followed a struggle for supremacy between the Ponsonby faction and the Townsend faction which sought to implement a more assertive Irish executive aligned with London's interests. A way in which Townshend sort to on behalf of George III, to put an end to his power, Ponsonby was deprived of his offices. However, such high-handedness provoked riots and Townshend had to use troops to suppress. The now popular figure of Ponsonby was re-instated as Speaker but refused to thank the Townshend on behalf of Parliament for restoring peace. Ponsonby regarded Townshend's actions as a violation of the powers and privileges of Parliament and he resigned. Many of Ponsonby's former allies in the Commons chose to make their peace with the Irish administration, but Ponsonby remained in opposition. In 1776 he again stood for election as speaker, however was defeated by the incumbent Edmund Sexton Pery. Ponsonby died on 16 August 1787 still as a sitting member of Parliament. He married in 1743 Lady Elizabeth Cavendish, daughter of the 3rd Duke of Devonshire. Ponsonby's sons, William Ponsonby, 1st Baron Ponsonby of Imokilly, and George Ponsonby, were also politicians of distinction. His daughter Catherine married Richard Boyle, 2nd Earl of Shannon, and was mother to Henry Boyle, 3rd Earl of Shannon. The Right Honourable John Ponsonby had been previously granted the freedom of the City of Kilkenny on 17th April 1753. He was presented with a gold box by Harvey Morres Esq. Literature: The presentation plate of the Corporation of the City of Kilkenny 1684 - 1834, Edward J Law. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a preferential rate of 5% on Hammer Price and the prevailing rate on Buyer's Premium. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com For further information about this lot please visit the lot listing