ballot box / Corporation of Skinner's Alley

Regalia of the Corporation of Skinner's Alley. Wooden ballot box. With cloth bag. Wooden box with removeable drwaer. On top of box wooden cylindrical holder is attached into which has been placed a gavel (?). Drawer contains - a fabric pouch, stored inside out, of brown, black and wax based purple fabric; two invitations, undated, headed "Alderman of Skinner's Alley" and signed "Samuel Warren, Secy."; 13 copies of a speech, headed "Aldermen of Skinner's Alley Extract from the speech delivered by Alderman Thomas Dooley", dated "4th of November 1867"; 25 copies of the rules and regulations of the Aldermen of Skinner's Alley, headed "Rules and Regulations of the Ancient and Loyal Society of the Aldermen of Skinner's Alley. Established A.D. 1689. Dated 1871, Dublin", one copy with cover in blue, three with white, two with pink, nineteen with orange. Also a label - "The Aldermen of Skinners' Alley. This Society traces it's origin to the removal of the Protestant Aldermen from the Corporation of Dublin in 1688 by King James II. These men continued to meet in a house in Skinner's Alley until they were restored to civic office by William III, and in order to perpetuate the memory of these events they resolved to form themselves into a society under the title of the Aldermen of Skinner's Alley. Uniting with them such other Protestant Dublin men as were elected from time to time. The Society continued to exist as an extremist orange body until the end of the last century. The chair shown here is that of the Governor. The regalia and cup were lent by Dr. W.B.B. Scriven (Loan No. 425). The cup is silver, made by W. Townsend, Dublin, about 1765. With the inscription "The Gift of Alderman Sir Edward Newenham, KNT. To his worthy brethren the Governor and Aldermen of Skinner's Alley, Oct. the 5th, 1767. The Aldermen of Skinner's Alley. This society traces its origins to the removal of the Protestant Aldermen fromt eh Corporation of Dublin in 1688 by James II. These men continued to meet in a house in Skinner's Alley until they were restored to office by William III, and in order to perpetuate the memory of these events they resolved to form themselves into a society under the title of the Aldermen of Skinner's Alley, uniting with them such other Protestant Dublin men as they were elected from time to time. The Society continued to exist as an extremist Orange body until the end of the 19th century.;