My ancestors - Blennerhassett - Contents

Arthur Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy

The date "1821" above the gate at the far N end of Ballyseedy.
It is thought this is the date when the remodelling of the house was complete. Though it is also the date of Arthur Blennerhassett's marriage.
It says "A B" (Arthur Blennerhassett), NOT "A F" [Arthur and Frances].
See full size and wider shot. Photos 2004 by Bill Jehan.

• See also 2000 photo. Light adjusted. See original.
• See 2014 shot from Bob Frewen.
• See 2016 shot.

Arthur Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy,
born 1 Jan 1799 (NOT 1800).
See wikipedia.
His father died 1815. He was age 16.
He inherited Elmgrove.
Elmgrove was remodelled in 1816-1821. The lower N wing was built. It was renamed Ballyseedy House.
Arthur was just age 17 at start of this period. Perhaps his father had already drawn up plans before he died in 1815.

Arthur was educ TCD (BA 1820).
High Sheriff of Co.Kerry 1821-22 [after Sir Arthur Blennerhassett, 3rd Baronet].
Captain, Kerry Yeomanry (Elmgrove and Blennerville Unit).

He mar Wed 31 Jan 1821 to Frances Grady.
They mar in Merrion Square, Dublin. See notice in Freemans Journal, February 2, 1821.
See Cork Morning Intelligence, Sat 3 Feb 1821.
His mother died 1822.
He might be "A. Blennerhasset, J.P." who approved George Cashel joining the County Constabulary 1828.

Duel in 1832: He fought a duel in 1832 with Daniel O'Connell's son, Maurice O'Connell, MP (him age 33, O'Connell age 29). This was during the general election of 1832. 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 thought this was improper, and called to Ballyseedy, evening of Thur 29 Nov 1832. He left a letter for Arthur with his wife Frances. Arthur met him later and they argued. Arthur challenged him for involving his wife. O'Connell said Arthur was not behaving like a gentleman. They met at 5 am, Fri 30 Nov 1832, at Manor, NW side of Ballyseedy (townlands of Manor West and Manor East). The duel was with pistols. They fired at each other in the rain, but no one was hurt. See [McMorran, 2008] and [Mc Morran, 1991]. O'Connell went on to win the seat on 14 Dec 1832, and was MP for Tralee 1832-1853.

Arthur is listed in Free Burgesses of Tralee 1833.
Kerry Evening Post, Sat 8 Mar 1834, shows a Grand Jury sworn, including Foreman: Arthur Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy (note his wife died 2 days later) and one of the members: Arthur Blennerhassett, of Blennerville.

Frances dies, 1834:
Frances died at Ballyseedy, night of Mon 10 Mar 1834, after giving birth to 9th child (Frances, who lived).
Kerry Evening Post, Wed 12 Mar 1834, refers to the baby as: "The little stranger doomed never to behold a mother's smiles, or feel the warm caresses of a mother's care and tender solicitude".
Arthur left Ballyseedy in 1835 and moved to England. He rented Ballyseedy out to the candidate he had supported, Sir Edward Denny, 4th Baronet.
Arthur 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 returned to Ireland in 1837.

MP for Co.Kerry 1837-1841:
He was Conservative MP for Co.Kerry 1837-1841. Co.Kerry had 2 MPs.
He was elected in general election, 17 Aug 1837, unseating Frederick William Mullins.
He stood but lost in general election, 13 July 1841.

Arthur dies, 1843:
He moved to Nantes, France.
He died 9.30 on 23 Jan 1843, at Nantes, age 44 yrs, "of brain fever, after a short illness of 3 days".
He had been staying at Nantes for some time [Kerry Evening Post, Wed 1 Feb 1843].
See notice in The Times, 8 Feb 1843.
See notice in Tuam Herald, February 11, 1843.
The children were orphaned in 1843.
Arthur and Frances had issue:

1. Dorcas Blennerhassett,
   born c.1822.
   She mar 1845 to Robert Conway Hurly. No issue.

   
   

2. Catherine Blennerhassett,
   born 1823.

   
   

3. Arthur Blennerhassett,
   born Dublin, 1825.
   Birth notice in "The Constitution", 2 June 1825.
   He died in infancy, at Ballyseedy House, 1826.
   He was bur at Ballyseedy, 21 Aug 1826.
   See entry in Ballymacelligott and Ballyseedy CoI par records. From here.
   [Burkes Irish, 1976] is wrong to think this is the burial of Arthur of Gortatlea.
   Death notice in "Southern Reporter", 26 Aug 1826.

   
   

4. Georgina Blennerhassett,
   born 1826.

   
   

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

   
   

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

   
   

7. Charles Blennerhassett,
   born 1830.
   He succ to Ballyseedy 1850 (age 20).
   He died 1859, age 29 yrs.
   See item (and p.2) in Irish Times, December 16, 1859.
   After his death, Ballyseedy was let to tenants for nearly 20 years, until his son came of age and moved back in.
   He had issue:
   1. Major Arthur Blennerhassett, of Ballyseedy,
      born 26 June 1856.

   
   

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

   
   

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

Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy and William Carrique Ponsonby of Crotto are involved in combating local anti-tithe violence and "Whiteboyism" in 1821.
From Freemans Journal, December 24, 1821.

A gold snuff box belonging to Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy (died 1843).
Was for sale by auction by Hamilton Osborne King at the RDS, Dublin, May 2001, Lot 285.
It is inscribed: "Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy, MP., County of Kerry", with a Queen Victoria coronation medallion 1838.

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References

• Arthur's duel in 1832:
  • Article in The Times, 6 Dec 1832.

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Sources yet to be consulted

• Deed, 31 Jan 1821. Registered 1821. [LR] 759 219 515554. Marriage settlement of Arthur Blennerhassett.
• Deed, 23 Mar 1821. Registered 1822. [LR] 772 513 523648. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.
• Deed, 25 Mar 1821. Registered 1821. [LR] 762 213 517348. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.
• Deed, 10 Apr 1827. Registered 1827. [LR] 825 53 554988. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.
• Deed, 5 Aug 1828. Registered 1828. [LR] 840 149 563649. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.
• Deed, 1 Nov 1831. Registered 1831. [LR] 877 223 582223. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.
• Deed, 30 Nov 1831. Registered 1831. [LR] 877 487 582487. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.
• Deed, 25 Mar 1834. Registered 1835. [LR] 1835 9 189. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.
• Deed, 30 Dec 1839. Registered 1840. [LR] 1840 1 6. Arthur Blennerhassett of Ballyseedy.

• Arthur marriage, Limerick Chronicle 3 Feb 1821.

• Arthur's duel in 1832:
  • Dublin Evening Mail, Nov-Dec 1832.
  • Kerry Evening Post, 1 Dec 1832.
  • Western Herald, 3 Dec 1832.
  • Kerry Evening Post, 13 May 1894.

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• Don Park is researching Skeffington.