ADAM'S THE LIBRARY COLLECTION 29th April 2025

113 www.adams.ie The Library Collection | 29 th April 2025 199 AN IRISH GEORGE III OVAL SILVER PRESENTATION TRAY, Dublin 1805, mark of Richard Sawyer, the beaded rim enclosing an engraved reserve ‘Presented to the Rev. John Moody DD by his friend William Conyngham 1st Baron Plunket, Lord Chancellor of Ireland’, raised on scroll feet, (c. 110 troy ozs). 60 x 45cm € 5,000 - 8,000 William Conyngham Plunket was the fourth and youngest son of Thomas Plunket, a presbyterian minister, and his wife, Mary Plunket (née Conyngham). In 1768 the Plunket family moved to Dublin when Thomas Plunket was appointed the colleague of the Rev. Dr Moody in the ministry of the Strand Street Chapel. Thomas, who had a deep knowledge of politics, was active in the liberal cause and became an adviser to patriot members of par- liament. A man of little personal fortune, he died in 1778 leaving his widow financially reliant on the support of the Strand Street congregation. Given the charity and kindness Rev. John Moody had shown to the Plunket family, it is unsurprising that William Conyngham should present him with such a generous gift bearing the Moody coat of arms. Rev. Moody died in 1813 and William Conynghamwas appointed Lord Chancellor in 1830, so we can deduce that the tray was likely presented to Moody in 1805 or shortly thereafter and the inscription was engraved posthumously.