Hi Joachim,

I came across your post today regarding the Irish Moravians. I have been able to gather some basic information about my Moravian ancestors with help from other researchers. I would be very grateful if you could recommend any additional sources to help me conduct a more detailed search.

My g-g-g-g grandfather, James Hanna, born in Derryogue, Kilkeel, Co. Down on 25 May, 1798, was a Scripture Reader in the Moravian Church in Kilwarlin between 1851-1856. He died on 29 Apr 1857 and was buried at Kilwarlin Moravian Graveyard.

James Hanna’s children were also active in the Moravian church:

1) His son, John James Hanna, born 03 Jul 1836 in Derryogue, Kilkeel, Co. Down, was a Scripture Reader at Gracehill in 1865. Living in Kilwarlin at the time, he began work as a Home Missionary in 1870 to assist Rev. Joseph Carey (Minister at Kilwarlin) in the ministering of the Moravian groups in Belfast. These groups had emerged in the north of Belfast (Shankill Road area) and the south of the city (around Sandy Row), mainly as a result of Moravian families from Gracehill, Ballinderry and Kilwarlin moving into the city to look for employment. They went on to become the congregations at University Road and Cliftonville.

In 1875, John James Hanna was a Scripture Reader at Gracefield.

In 1886, John James Hanna was a Home Missionary for the Moravian congregation in Crook, Durham, England.

In 1890, John James Hanna was a Missionary for the Moravian congregation in Cootehill, Co. Cavan, Ireland.

In 1896, John James Hanna was called to the Rural Mission in North Lancashire and was working as a Rural Missionary in Eydon, Northamptonshire, England when he retired from Church service in 1902 and returned to Ireland.

2) Another son, George Henry Hanna was born on 02 Mar 1834 in Derryogue, Kilkeel, Co. Down. He married Sarah Ann Wilson in 1861. George Henry Hanna entered Church Service in 1856 and was a Missionary in the West Indies for 42 years. He started his work at St. Jan. He was consecrated a Bishop in 1889. He returned to England in 1898 and retired in 1899. He was a temporary minister at Devonport in 1900, where he died on 31 Mar, 1901.

3) James Hanna’s daughter, Eliza Janetta Hanna, was a teacher at Ockbrook in 1881. She married Philip Herman Smith, born in Bath, Somerset in 1860, who was a Junior Master at Ockbrook at the time. He went on to become a Moravian Minister. Their children, Constance and Hilda where born in Jamaica. At some point, the family lived in Yorkshire, probably at the Wellhouse in Mirfield which was another Moravian settlement.

I would be very interested in any information about the Moravian Congregation in Cootehill, Co. Cavan. This is where another daughter of James Hanna, Annie Augusta Hanna, born 22 Sep 1871 in Kilwarlin, met my g-g-g-grandfather who was a butcher in Cootehill. Presumably, they met sometime between 1890 and 1896 when James Hanna was a Missionary for the Moravian congregation in Cootehill.

Thanks in advance for any assistance you are able to provide.

Regards,
Darrell