Family and Education

b. c.1775, 5th s. of William Brabazon Ponsonby* by Hon. Louisa Molesworth, da. of Richard, 3rd Visct. Molesworth [I]; bro. of George Ponsonby*, John Brabazon Ponsonby* and William Ponsonby*. educ. ?Eton. unm.

Offices Held

Biography

Ponsonby was returned unopposed for Galway town at the instigation of Denis Bowes Daly*, who had returned his eldest brother John there in 1801 and could count on another member of the leading Irish opposition family to share his politics. Ponsonby duly voted with opposition for the Catholic claims, 31 May 1811, 24 Apr. 1812, and on Morpeth’s motion on Ireland, 4 Feb. 1812; against sinecures, 24 Feb., 4 May; for Turton’s censure motion 27 Feb.; against the orders in council, 3 Mar., and against delays in Chancery, 6 May 1812. On 21 May he voted for a stronger administration. He is not known to have spoken in debate.

Before being unseated on petition after the election of 1812, he was able to give further votes for the Catholic claims, 2 Mar., 13 and 24 May 1813, and another for sinecure reform, 29 Mar. Although he wore blue and buff in all seasons, Ponsonby was more of a sportsman than a politician. He contested county Carlow in 1840, but appeared to best advantage as the last master of the Bishop’s Court hounds. After selling Bishop’s Court to pay his brother’s debts, he retired to Dublin and died in 1849.

Sir J. Ponsonby, Ponsonby Fam. 95.

Ref Volumes: 1790-1820

Author: P. J. Jupp

Notes