My ancestors - Blennerhassett - Contents

John Blennerhassett, of Allonby, Cumberland

The life of John Blennerhassett who married the heiress Joan Martindale can be sketched out.
The question is whether they are parents of Thomas Blennerhassett of Flimby.

John Blennerhassett,
born est c.1510,
of Carlisle, Cumberland.
Later of Allonby, Cumberland.
See Wikitree.

He mar before 1538 to Joan Martindale [or Janet].
She was co-heiress of the Martindale estate of West Newton, Cumberland.

John is listed in [Plea Roll of 1538] as of Carlisle, now married to Joan, dau of "James Martyndall".
He is described in [Knights fees, 1543-1544] as entitled through his marriage to a fifth of the manor of "Newton upon the sea" (West Newton).
He became Lord of the Manor of Allonby through his wife's inheritance.
[Whellan, 1860] shows that the Manor of Allonby was joined to the "Ormesby lands", W and SW of Newton, which were Joan Martindale's inheritance.
The estate they inherited was to the SE side of Allonby (to the W and SW of Newton), consisting of Mealo and Crookhurst and Ormesby. See below.
[Whellan, 1860] says that in 1578, John Blennerhassett holds the Manor of Allonby. This may be him, or a son.
[Burkes Irish, 1976] thought John died 1578. It may be identifying him with John Blenerhassett, Cumberland, Inquisition 1579-80.

Are John and Joan parents of Thomas Blennerhassett of Flimby?

[Burkes Irish, 1976] says that John Blennerhassett and Joan Martindale are "probably" parents of Thomas Blennerhassett of Flimby.

Evidence in favour:

The strongest evidence in favour is that Blennerhassett of Flimby are linked to the estate of Blennerhassett of Allonby.
By deed of 1591, William Blennerhassett of Flimby leases lands at Mealo and Ormesby, i.e. the estate, or adjacent to the estate, of John Blennerhassett of Allonby.
Further, Joan Blennerhassett, widow, and Thomas Blennerhassett purchased the Manor of Flimby, Cumberland, by patent roll dated 1546.
That looks like Joan Martindale, after the death of John, and her young son Thomas. Bill Jehan thinks so.
That would mean John died before 1546.
See notes on the family of Blennerhassett of Flimby.

Evidence against:

The big problem is John seems clearly to be alive in [Plea Roll of 1549].
We are also unsure about Thomas. If this is Thomas of Flimby he would be very young, probably a child.
But the core problem is that John Blennerhassett cannot be dead in 1546 and alive in 1549. Until that is solved, we cannot say John is the father of Thomas.

The definite Co.Kerry line starts with:

Thomas Blennerhassett,
born est c.1540,
of Flimby, Cumberland.
See the family of Blennerhassett of Flimby.
He was granted lands in Ireland in 1590.
Ancestor of Blennerhassett of Co.Kerry.
Almost all male line Blennerhassetts in the world today seem to descend from the Irish branch.
The Cumberland male line seems extinct.

Extract from 1646-1649 map of Cumberland.
Allonby ("Allonbye") on the coast to the NW.
West Newton, Allerdale ("Newton in Ardale") inland of it.
Blennerhasset village ("Blynroset") further inland.
Flimby ("Flimbye") on the coast to the SW.
Carlisle is off the map to the NE.
See similar 1662-1665 map.

The Manor of Allonby

Extract from entry for Allonby on pp.162-163 of vol.2 of [Nicolson and Burn, 1777].
Blennerhassett inherits the Manor of Allonby through marriage.

Extract from entry for Allonby on p.295 of vol.2 of [Hutchinson, 1794].

Extracts from entry for Allonby on p.219 of [Whellan, 1860].
Whellan says part of the Martindale estate called "Ormesby lands" "became joined to the Manor of Allonby" and were the inheritance of the wife of John Blennerhassett.
He also notes that in 1578, John Blennerhassett holds the Manor of Allonby.

Allonby and Crookhurst and Mealo, to the SE side of Allonby.
From OS map. Surveyed: 1865 to 1866. Published: 1867.
[Whellan, 1860] says "Melay, Crookhurst, and other lands, called Ormesby lands, became joined to the manor of Allonby".
Melay is confirmed to be Mealo.
So that would be this location. But the name "Ormesby" does not appear on this map.

References

Blennerhassett of Carlisle and Flimby by Bill Jehan.
- See p.6.

Sources yet to be consulted

Inquisition into death of John Blenerhassett, Cumberland, 22 Elizabeth I (Nov 1579 to Nov 1580). [NA.UK] reference C 142/188/14.