My ancestors - Blennerhassett - Contents

Col. John Blennerhassett, MP

• References:
  • Deed, 1 May 1801. Registered 1801. [LR] book 533, p.255, no.353785. Letitia Blennerhassett of Tralee, spinster.

  • Browne:
    • BROWNE of Riverstown on p.78 of [Burkes Irish, 1912]
    • KYNNERSLEY-BROWNE in [Burkes LG, 1952]

• Sources yet to be consulted:
  • D. 26671-26692 in [Rowan Papers]. "Leases by Arthur and Jane Blennerhassett of lands in the barony of Trughanacmy, Co. Kerry, mainly in the seignory of Castleisland, 1782-1803."

  • Deed, 2 May 1776. Registered 1776. [LR] 308 611 208085. Letitia Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy, spinster, and others.
  • Col. John Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy mentioned in The Kerry magazine, vol 1 no 5, 1 May 1854, p.74.

Ballyseedy on p.163 of [Smith, 1756].
This shows John Blennerhassett at Old Ballyseedy and his younger brother William Blennerhassett at Elmgrove.

Col. John Blennerhassett, MP (see here),
"The Great Colonel John", of Ballyseedy,
born 1691 or 1692.
His father died 1709.
He inherited Ballyseedy Castle 1709 (age 17 or 18).
MP for Co.Kerry and MP for Tralee, at various periods 1709 (age 17 or 18 yrs) through 1775 (age 83 or 84 yrs). "Father of the Irish House of Commons".
He mar 1713 to Jane Denny.

He built Blennerville Bridge 1751.
He is listed as living in Ballyseedy (separate to Elmgrove) in [Smith, 1756].
He commanded a regiment of foot of the Kerry militia temp 1756. See [Ó Snodaigh, 1971].
Letter by his dau-in-law Jane Giradot, July 1774, describes him as age 82 (born 1692).
See Ballyseedy Entail as incorporated into his Will dated 19 Nov 1774.
See summary of his will dated 1774 in Kerry Evening Post, 19 Oct 1892. He lists many relations, even distant ones.
He died May 1775, age 83 or 84 yrs, at Oak Park, Killeen, Tralee, the home of his granddaughter Letitia Bateman (formerly Denny).
See death notices in [Hibernian Chronicle, Mon 22 May 1775] and [Dublin Hibernian Journal, Wed 31 May 1775].
See entry in [Boyd's Family Units].
Col. John and Jane had issue:

1. John Blennerhassett,
   born 1715 [Collins papers, 10],
   mar 2ndly, 1753, to Frances Herbert of Muckross and had issue:
   1. Frances Blennerhassett,
      mar Rev. Jemmett Browne, of Riverstown, Co.Cork, and had issue.

   
   

2. Arthur Blennerhassett,
   of Ballyseedy, born 1719.
   He mar Jane Giradot.
   See letter by Jane, from Oak Park, July 1774, published in The Gentleman's Magazine, July-Dec 1816, vol.LXXXVI, part II, p.598.
   Arthur inherited Ballyseedy 1775. This would be the old Ballyseedy Castle and estate.
   The old Ballyseedy Castle fell into ruin.
   He lived Bath.
   He died Bath, 1799, age 80 yrs.
   Will pr 1799 [PCC], [NAI].

   
   

3. Agnes Blennerhassett, born 1722,
   mar Sir Thomas Denny and had issue.

   
   

4. Arabella Blennerhassett, born 1726,
   mar 1stly to Richard Ponsonby,
   mar 2ndly to her 1st cousin Col. Arthur Blennerhassett and had issue.

   
   

5. Letitia Blennerhassett,
   born Ballyseedy, 28 Feb 1728.
   Did not marry. Lived Tralee.
   She is Letitia Blennerhassett of Tralee, spinster, who is party to [Deed, 1 May 1801]. The other party is Rev. Edward Day, the younger, of Beaufort, Co.Kerry. Lease of property in Tralee town. The property is leased for the life of, among others, Frances Browne (her niece).
   Her will dated 27 May 1801.
   Died unmarried. Her will says "spinster" [NAI] T/17747.

   
   

6. Mary Blennerhassett, born 1729,
   mar Lancelot Crosbie and had issue:
   1. Col. John Gustavus Crosbie,
      killed Sir Barry Denny, 2nd Baronet in a duel 1794,
      mar 1796 to Catherine Mary Blennerhassett and had issue.