A rare George III Irish provincial silver-gilt freedom box

Carden Terry & Jane Williams, Cork, stamped with maker's mark and STERLING, 1798

Carden Terry & Jane Williams, Cork, stamped with maker's mark and STERLING, 1798
Oval form, the flush hinged cover engraved with the Cork City arms 'CORK ARMS' 'STATIO BENE FIDA CARINIS' flanked by foliate sprays and surrounded by a bright-engraved banded scroll border, the base engraved with inscription to Major General Loftus

Also with a related Freedom of the City of Cork scroll, inscribed to Major Loftus and dated 12th day of September 1809, length 9cm, weight 3.8oz.

The presentation inscription reads: "The Mayors Sherrifs & common Council of the City of Cork, to MAJOR GENERAL LOFTUS as a testimony of their high Appreciation of his Conduct whilst he commanded, in this District, W Jones Town Clerk"

General William Loftus (1752 – 1831) was a British Army officer and Member of Parliament

Loftus was born at Raynham in Norfolk in 1752, second son of Captain Henry Loftus MP, by his wife Diana, daughter of William Bullock of Sturston Hall in Norfolk. His father purchased a commission for him in Ireland in the 17th Regiment of (Light) Dragoons. In 1775 as a cavalry coronet, he went to North America and served in the American War of Independence. He first saw action at the battle of Bunker Hill, during the Siege of Boston. He later went on to distinguish himself in the New York and New Jersey campaigns, Battle of Long Island, Landing at Kip's Bay, Battle of Pell's Point, Battle of White Plains and Battle of Fort Washington.
Loftus was promoted and returned to Ireland where he was appointed as aide-de-camp to successive Lords Lieutenant of Ireland from 1778 until 1783. He was promoted Lieutenant Colonel in 1784 with the 3rd Regiment of Guards, in 1794 he raised the 24th Light Dragoons as their Colonel, Major General in 1796 on the English Staff. Loftus was removed to the Irish staff in 1797 and was appointed to be Commander in Chief in Munster based in Cork. Loftus left Cork in 1798 and was granted the Freedom of the City, receiving the present lot.
He took command of Laughlinstown camp during the Irish Rebellion of 1798 and was a brigade commander at the Battle of Vinegar Hill. Transferring back to the English Staff he was promoted lieutenant-general in 1803 and full general in 1813. From 1810 until his death in 1831 he was Lieutenant of the Tower of London. Loftus married firstly on 18 February 1778, Margaret daughter of Maccerel King of Lesson Hall, Dublin. He was married secondly on 7 May 1790 to Lady Elizabeth Townshend, daughter of George Townshend, 1st Marquess Townshend. He was buried alongside Lady Elizabeth Loftus in the Townshend family vault at Raynham Hall, Norfolk. Had issue by both marriages.

The related scroll was given to a Major Loftus in 1809 when he was granted the Freedom of the City of Cork for "attending the Duke of Richmond, Lord Lieutenant"