OK, hours later, I have my language centers back. All brane was stuck in routing mode. My post was stupid and I deleted it.

What I need to do seems not to be a concept in KiCad, though I could probably do it in python, but I'm not a python programmer, and I'm not doing it in python...

The Teensy 4.1 is a small PCB with a wide 48 DIP and multiple other 1x5 and 2x3 pins on the bottom.

It was designed to be set into standard .1" grid SIPs in weird patterns.

What I need to do is cluster four SIPs i(four footprints) nto a peculiar and particular arrangement, and treat that assembly as a footprint.

Can't do that.

Arranging the four SIPs is annoying but easy, but error prone, and if during the countless hours of messing about, I accidentally move one, it would really suck.

Also it's not really repeatable.

I don't like the solution but I'm tired of battling it.

I know it's not possible ordinarily because any symbol placed on the schematic has only one field for one footprint, and it MUST be four footprints, because I need four separate standard parts in the BOM, the entire point of the teensy package.

@tomjennings if it helps, you can lock the footprints.

@tomjennings there are design blocks in kicad10 that should support this use case.
I have never used that feature myself, so not 100% sure it actually works well.

@werdahias @GyrosGeier

part of the problem I was stuck trying to do this in the parts library and not popping up a level of abstraction (a common problem for me).

Grouping and locking I think will suffice. I'll post here what I find and to the PJRC forum.