Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet facts for kids

Sir Rowland Blennerhassett, 1st Baronet (born 1741 – died March 14, 1821) was an important Anglo-Irish lawyer and a baronet. A baronet is a special title, like a knight, that can be passed down in a family.

Early Life and Family

Rowland Blennerhassett was born in 1741. His parents were Robert Blennerhassett and Frances Yielding. He was also the great-grandson of another important person named Robert Blennerhassett, who was a Member of Parliament (MP).

A Career in Law and Public Service

Sir Rowland Blennerhassett trained to be a lawyer, also called an attorney, and he worked in this job for many years. He was also involved in his community and country in other ways:

• From 1779 to 1782, he was the leader, or colonel, of a group of volunteer soldiers called the 'Laune Rangers' militia. A militia is a group of citizens who can be called upon to help defend their area.
• Between 1796 and 1797, he worked as a Justice of the Peace in County Kerry. A Justice of the Peace is a local official who helps keep order and deals with minor legal matters.

Building Blennerville

Sir Rowland Blennerhassett made a big impact on the area where he lived.

• He moved his family to a place called Cahirmoreaun, which was near the town of Tralee.
• He then renamed both his family's home and the nearby village to Blennerville, in honor of his family name.
• He built a large new family home called Churchtown House in a place called Knockane.
• In 1800, he received special permission to hold four fairs each year and one market every week in Blennerville. This helped him earn extra money and made Blennerville a busy place.
• Around 1800, Blennerhassett also built a windmill in Blennerville. This windmill is still standing today!
• In 1812, he helped start a school in Blennerville called the Erasmus Smith School.

Becoming a Baronet

On September 22, 1809, Sir Rowland Blennerhassett was given the special title of a baronet. He became the "1st Baronet of Blennerville" in the County of Kerry. This important title was given to him in the Baronetage of the United Kingdom. A year before this, he was also officially allowed to use his family's special symbol, called a coat of arms.

Family Life

Sir Rowland Blennerhassett married his first cousin, Millicent Agnes Yielding, on October 31, 1762. Sadly, in 1801, Millicent had an accident involving one of the sails of their new windmill.

Together, Sir Rowland and Millicent had five children:

• Sir Robert Blennerhassett, 2nd Baronet (born January 26, 1769 – died September 21, 1831). He married Rosanna Blennerhassett.
• Richard Francis Blennerhassett (born May 23, 1772 – died November 1827). He married Agnes Denny.
• Arthur Blennerhassett (born October 27, 1776 – died May 31, 1839). He married Hon. Helena Jane Mullins, whose father was Thomas Mullins, 1st Baron Ventry.
• Rowland Blennerhassett (born December 26, 1780 – died April 12, 1854). He married Letitia Hurly.
• William Blennerhassett (born December 26, 1780 – died 1842). He married Elizabeth Blennerhassett.