My ancestors - Blennerhassett - Contents

Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy

The date "1821" above the gate at the far N end of Ballyseedy.
See full size and wider shot. Photos 2004 by Bill Jehan.
Note this is the date of Arthur Blennerhassett's marriage. It is also the 100th year of the house.
It says "A B" (Arthur Blennerhassett), NOT "A F" [Arthur and Frances].
See also 2000 photo. Light adjusted. See original.

Arthur Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy (see here),
born 1st Jan 1799 (NOT 1800),
inherited Ballyseedy 1815 (age 16),
Ballyseedy was remodelled in 1816-21,
note Arthur was just age 17 at start of this period,
perhaps Arthur's father had already drawn up plans before he died in 1815,
note Arthur's mother was still alive (until 1822 or 1823) to help plan the remodelling,
the lower N wing was built,

Arthur was educ TCD (BA 1820),
High Sheriff of Co.Kerry 1821-22 [after Sir Arthur, 3rd Baronet],
Captain, Kerry Yeomanry (Elmgrove and Blennerville Unit),
mar Wed 31st Jan 1821, Merrion Square, Dublin, to Frances Grady [Cork Morning Intelligence Sat 3rd Feb],
he might be "A. Blennerhassett, J.P." who approved George Cashel joining the County Constabulary 1828,

fought duel 1832 with Maurice O'Connell, MP (him age 33, O'Connell age 29), this was during the general election of 1832, when the Liberal / Repeal O'Connell was running for MP for Tralee against the Conservative candidate Sir Edward Denny, 4th Baronet, the dispute was over Arthur canvassing voters for Denny who had promised O'Connell their support (there were only 180 voters in the constituency), O'Connell called to Ballyseedy, evening of Thur 29th Nov 1832, left letter with Frances, Arthur challenged him for involving his wife, they met 5 am, Fri 30th Nov 1832, at "Manor" [Mc Morran, 1991], duel was with pistols, no one hurt [The Times, Thur 6th Dec 1832], O'Connell went on to win the seat 14th Dec 1832, and was MP for Tralee 1832-53,

Arthur is listed in Free Burgesses of Tralee 1833,
Frances died Ballyseedy, night of Mon 10th Mar 1834, after giving birth to 9th child (Frances, who lived),
"The little stranger doomed never to behold a mother's smiles, or feel the warm caresses of a mother's care and tender solicitude" [Kerry Evening Post, Wed 12th [NOT 8th] Mar 1834, [KCL] RR microfilm],
he is listed as one of the Deputy Lieutenants of Co.Kerry, and also one of the Magistrates of Co.Kerry, in [Pettigrew & Oulton, 1835],
he was Conservative MP for Co.Kerry 1837-41, Co.Kerry had 2 MPs,
he was elected in general election, 17 Aug 1837, unseating Frederick William Mullins,
"a gold snuff box belonging to the flamboyant Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy" was up for auction by Hamilton Osborne King at the RDS, Dublin, May 2001, Lot 285, inscribed: "Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy, MP., County of Kerry", with a Queen Victoria coronation medallion 1838, it came from Castle Leslie in Co. Monaghan,
he stood but lost in general election, 13 July 1841,

he died 9.30 on 23rd Jan 1843, Nantes, France, age 44 yrs, "of brain fever, after a short illness of 3 days",
had been staying at Nantes for some time [Kerry Evening Post, Wed 1st Feb 1843, [KCL] RR microfilm],
see The Times, 8th Feb,
had issue:

1. Dorcas Blennerhassett, born c.1822, mar 1845 to Robert Conway Hurly.
2. Catherine Blennerhassett, born 1823.
3. Arthur Blennerhassett, born 1825, died in infancy 1826.
4. Georgina Blennerhassett, born 1826.

5. Amelia Blennerhassett, born 1827,
   mar 1845 to Hon Chichester Thomas Skeffington [born 1813] and had issue.

6. Henry Deane Grady Blennerhassett, born 1828,
   succ to Ballyseedy 1843 (age 15),
   died 1850, age 22 yrs.

7. Charles Blennerhassett, born 1830,
   succ to Ballyseedy 1850 (age 20),
   died 1859, age 29 yrs, see Irish Times, December 16, 1859,
   had issue:
   1. Major Arthur Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy,
      born 26th June 1856.

8. Adelaide Blennerhassett [Ada], born c.1831-32,
   mar 1853 to Standish O'Grady, 3rd Viscount Guillamore [born 1832] and had issue.

9. Frances Annabella Blennerhassett, born 10th Mar 1834,
   her mother died giving birth to her, she lived.

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• Don Park is interested in Skeffington.