My ancestors - Blennerhassett - Contents

John Blennerhassett of Ballycarty

• References:
  • Leighton Hall Collection in Shropshire Archives
    • Manuscript dated 28 Oct 1654 by John Blennerhassett, of Ballycarty, in box 14 of MS 823. Refers to grant of Blennerhassett lands to his grandfather.

Ballycarty Castle.
Photo 2004 by Bill Jehan.

John Blennerhassett,
of Ballycarty, Co.Kerry (and later of Ballyseedy, Co.Kerry),
Ballyseedy was acquired by his father c.1620,
he mar Martha Lynne [born est c.1601, descendant of Edward III],
his father built the second Ballyseedy Castle c.1627,
for a time it seems Blennerhassetts lived at both Ballycarty and Ballyseedy,
he was High Sheriff of Co.Kerry 1640-41,
in Nov 1641, in the 1641 Rebellion, during the siege of Tralee, he and his aged father surrendered "Ballycarty Castle" to the rebels,
he escaped to Cork and became a Captain of Foot 1643,
the Blennerhassetts abandoned Ballycarty Castle in favour of Ballyseedy Castle,
granted Littur (or Letter), Aghavallen, Ballylongford, Co.Kerry, by Sir Arthur Denny, Knt by deeds dated 30 Sept 1654 [Manuscript of 1654],
think he is living Ballyseedy as at [Manuscript of 1654],
MP for Co.Kerry 1661-66 [NOT for Tralee, see his son John],
acquired in 1661 the forfeited McElligott lands of E and W Ballymacelligott (E of Tralee, Ballymacelligott par, Co.Kerry), Ballygrelah,
and E and W "Gortanleas" (wonder if this is an error for Gortatlea, Ballymacelligott par),
will dated 18th Oct 1673,
died 1676, will proved 14th Sept 1676,
had issue:

1. John Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy, born est c.1620.

   
   

2. Capt. Robert Blennerhassett, of Castle Conway, born est c.1622.

   
   

3. Thomas Blennerhassett, of Littur, Co.Kerry,
   born est c.1630,
   mar Ellen Stoughton [descendant of Edward III],
   settled at Littur, nr Ballylongford, Co.Kerry, c.1673,
   High Sheriff of Co.Kerry 5th Dec 1678 - 24th Dec 1679 [O'Kief vol.6],
   will dated 8th June 1695,
   he died 1695, age est c.65 yrs.
   Ellen died a widow 1696 [Index to Prerogative Wills],
   had issue:
   1. Martha Blennerhassett, mar 1stly [settlement 1685] to Frederick Mullins and had issue.

   2. Ellen Blennerhassett, mar Charles Wren and had issue.

   3. Mary Blennerhassett, mar John Sandes and had issue:
      1. Susannah Sandes, mar Thomas Connor.

1. Mary Blennerhassett, mar 2ndly, pre-1655, to Capt. Thomas Wren and had issue.

2. Lucy Blennerhassett, mar Lieut. John Walker and had issue:
   1. Martha Walker, mar Thomas Shiercliffe, of Castlegregory, Killiney par, Co.Kerry, and had issue:
      1. Alice Shiercliffe, mar Edward Rice and had issue:
         1. Mary Rice, mar Richard Blennerhassett and had issue.