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The Blennerhassetts in the 1641 rebellion

The Blennerhassetts of Ballycarty, Co.Kerry, played a complex role in the 1641 Rebellion, which began in Oct 1641.
Ballycarty was home of:

• The original settler, Robert Blennerhassett, now age maybe around 70 (his wife was bapt 1576).
• His son John Blennerhassett, now age maybe around 45 (his wife was probably bapt 1598), with his own children.

At first, Robert and John were both accused of helping the rebels, declining to help Tralee Castle, and betraying the English settlers who sought protection in Ballycarty Castle.
Robert and John surrendered Ballycarty Castle to the rebels in Nov 1642.
By the end of 1642, Robert and John are against the rebels and are helping Denny.
Hickson says the Blennerhassetts tried to placate both sides for a time, but eventually fell in with Parliament. See pp.120-121 of [Hickson, 1884, vol.2].

Mary Agnes Hickson says that "Robert Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy" was at first sympathetic to the rebels.
He declined to assist Tralee Castle which was besieged from Feb 1642 to Aug 1642.
The Papal envoy Pierfrancesco Scarampi arrived in Ireland in 1643.
From pp.153-154 of [Hickson, 1884, vol.1].

A deposition of 13 June 1643 about the rebellion.
This says that at first, in Dec 1641, Robert Blennerhassett and his son John, both of Ballycarty, were sympathetic to the rebels.
From p.109 of [Hickson, 1884, vol.2].

 
A deposition of 1643 says that Robert Blennerhassett betrayed the English settlers who sought protection in Ballycarty Castle. He and his son John fraternised with the rebels, and John refused to allow his men go to help Tralee Castle.
It notes that both of them are living at Ballycarty.
Annabel Vauclier, wife of Edward Blennerhassett, complains to her father-in-law Robert Blennerhassett about the cruelty of the rebels.
From pp.122-123 of [Hickson, 1884, vol.2].

A deposition of 3 Feb 1643 (new style year) about the surrender in Nov 1642 of Ballycarty to the rebels.
Robert Blennerhassett apparently surrendered Ballycarty to Capt. Florence MacFineen MacCarthy, known as Captain Sugan, who took part in besieging Tralee.
Though one source thought Captain Sugan was killed in Apr 1642, so there is some problem.
By late 1642, Robert and his son John have clearly turned against the rebels, and John has escaped to Cork to give information to Denny.
From p.106 of [Hickson, 1884, vol.2].

• The surrender of Ballycarty was previously said to be Nov 1641. But that must be confusion with the old style year on the deposition date.
• It is clear from other depositions that Blennerhassett holds Ballycarty while the siege of Tralee is going on (i.e. during Feb-Aug 1642).