The Cork Freedom Box presented to Admiral Whitshed. (click on image to enlarge)
The inscription on the base. (click on image to enlarge)
A 200 year old Cork silver freedom box, made by Carden Terry and Jane Williams and presented to Admiral Sir James Hawkins Whitshed, is to be a feature at the Weldon’s stand at the National Antique and Fine Art Fair in Limerick over the weekend of March 19/20.
A friend of Lord Nelson, and a pallbearer at his funeral, Whitshed was Commander-in-Chief at Cork between 1807 and 1810, when he was promoted to admiral, and was later Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth, 1821 to 1824. He became Admiral of the Fleet in 1844.
Born in 1762 he entered the Navy in 1773 on board the sloop Ranger on the Irish station. He was awarded a gold medal for his conduct at the battle of Cape St.Vincent in 1797. Promoted Rear-Admiral in 1799 he served under Lord St.Vincent in the Mediterranean. In 1803 he was promoted Naval Adviser to the Viceroy of Ireland and Vice-Admiral from 1804. He was responsible for the protection of the Irish coasts, for the building of Martello towers and organising the Sea Fencibles against threat of French invasion and organising the defences of Dublin Bay.
The rectangular box, which weighs just four ounces, is centred by the arms of the City of Cork. The inscription on the base reads: The Freedom of the City of Cork was unanimously voted by the Mayor, Sheriffs & common Council to Vice Admiral Whitshed for his great attention to the important duties of his station & their high respect for his public & private character. Thos. Harding Mayor, Josh. Leycester, Geo. S. Waggett Sheriffs, W.James T.Clerk
The venue for the National Antiques and Art Fair is the South Court Hotel. Weldons are just one of a number of members of the Irish Antique Dealers Association who will participate in this fair. There will be more than 70 stands. Opening times are from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on both days.
