West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1901-08-15
THE STORY
Of Blennerhassett Told By One OF
the Family.
And Some OF the Family Secrets
Let Out.

1
OF CASTLE. The Blennerhassetts
are English in origin, none of them
having been known in Ireland
before the reign of Elizabeth; but
previous to that time, as far back
as 1857, the family originally of
BlennerhasSett small town in
Cumberland, afterward Of Carlisle.
subsequently of Flimbly Hall,
Cumberland many times represented
Carlisle in Parliment. They have
been continuously in Parliament for
more than 500 years; on one occa-
sion father and two sons repres-
ented their county and county
town at the same time.
The old manor-house of Flimb,
Hall is now owned by the Earl of
Lonsdale, whose ancestors bought
the Blannerhassett estates. Over
three of the doorways of Flimby
Hall the Blennerhassett crest is
cut in stone; the walls are ten feet
thick and the great oak beams look
as though they would last forever.
When Hartman Blennerhassett
broke the entail and sold the estate
to Thomas Mullin, afterward Lord
Ventry, he received 500, 900 in
money. Outside of this was an
income not vested in the 500, 900,
and besides small income of So
600, which belonged to the entailed
property as separate portion and
could not be transferred, the use of
which he had until he died. His
wife also came of family with
money; but, as will be seen she was
disinher:ted when she married Har-
man Blennerhassett. Her sisters
however, laid aside money for her
benefit, and sent it to her regularly.
Early in 1896 Harman BIenner.
hassett, then 81 years old, married
In England Miss Margaret Agnew,
daughter of Capt. Robert Agnew,
of Howlish, County Durham, a
young lady of IS. Her father was
Lieutenant Governor of the Isle of
Man, and son of Gen. James
Agnew, of Revolutionary fame
Soon after their marriage the young
couple embarked for America.
landing August I, 1896.
After extensive travels through
the eastern part of the country a
portion of the island in the Ohio
which bears their name was pur-
chased, and preparations for build
ing were begun. The house and
grounds when completed represent
ed an investment of 500, 900. After
the island house was no longer an
abode, Blennerhassett and his fam
lily removed to plantation of 900
acres on the Mississippi river, six
miles above Port Gibson. This
home they called La Cache, and
here they lived for IL years, when
they sold the property for Sa8, 900,
and, after stopping in New York to
pay visit to the family of Mr..
Emmett proceeded to Montreal
In 1921 Blennerhassett after a res
ldence in America of IS years, left
Canada for England, where he
hoped to be benefited through an
influence he no longer possessed.
Then years of heartache and buffet
ing passed, and then came failing
health, which ended in his death at
Fort Pierre, on the island of Guern.
sey, February 2, 1891, in the Goth
year of his age.
We now come to the secret of
the Blennerhassetts, which was
carefully kept from their children
Catharine, one of the sisters of
Hartman Blennerhassett, married an
Agnew. 1t was her daughter
Margaret, who married Hartman
Blennerhassett, her mothers brother
and it was for this cause that she
was disinherited The young lady
was absent at school; her uncle was
sent to take her home; instead of
doing so he married her. But he
rcckoned without his host, or per
haps he did not reckon at all. When
he returned with his bride. the
family affection that he thought
would greet them, the family innu-
ence that he thought would protect
them were wanting. The couple
were met only with reproaches.
because Of his 8 years he was held
responsible; because Of her r8 years
she was pitied, but not the less
blamed. Since remaining in his
own country meant social ostracism
Blcnnerhassett sold his property
and brought his young wife to
America. No political entangle-
ments were about him 20 cause him
to come to this country, for, though
a close observer Of current events,