
Ellis Finch
Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
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Sold for £3,187.50 inc. premium
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Head of Knightsbridge Silver Department
Captain later Sir Robert Hall (1778 - 1818) was bestowed the 'Freedom of the City of Cork' for his gallantry while serving His Majesty George III, and was presented with this silver box in commemoration of this honour on August 22nd, 1809.
Robert Hall was gazetted as a lieutenant in the Royal Navy on 14 June 1800, a commander on 27 June 1808, and a captain on 4 March 1811. He attracted attention for sterling service in the defence of a fort on the Gulf of Rosas, Spain, in November 1808 while in command of the bomb-ketch Lucifer.
Previously, as a midshipman Robert Hall's bravery was also brought to attention when he was commended for his behaviour whilst aboard the Royal Naval ship 'HMS Dart' in battle, capturing numerous Dutch gunboats in the Zuiderzee in 1799, and a French frigate in 1800.
Merchants of Cork and Dublin were keen to acknowledge the efforts of the British navy blockading Continental Europe. These actions both protected and expanded their trade with North America, Portugal and other neutral countries and the Far East, mainly India. Freedom boxes were therefore used as presentation pieces and were given to persons who received the honorary freedom of a city or town. These were usually non-residents who were then exempt from further payment of tolls.