HENDRICKS

HENDRICKS , U.S. family. uriah hendricks (1737–1798), who was born in Amsterdam, Holland, emigrated from London to New York in 1755. In 1764 he established a metals business there which his grandson Uriah continued as Hendricks Bros., the oldest Jewish business concern in America. He was one of the Tories who in 1776 signed a Loyalist address to the British general William Howe. Hendricks was a president of the Sephardi congregation Shearith Israel, in which his family was active for generations. Uriah's only son, harmon (1771–1838), was born in New York and graduated from Columbia College. In 1812 he established one of the first copper-rolling mills in the United States in Soho, New Jersey, with his brother-in-law, Solomon I. Isaacs. This firm developed metal parts for warships, which were useful in the War of 1812. When the government issued war bonds in 1813, Hendricks subscribed $40,000. Hendricks was the leading New York Jewish philanthropist of his time, and he was president of Congregation Shearith Israel from 1824 to 1827. His sons, uriah (1802–1869), henry (1804–1861), and montague (1811–1884), carried on the copper firm, which then was handed down to Uriah's four sons, including joshua hendricks (1831–1893). Joshua's son henry harmon hendricks (1860–1904) was born in New York City. After some years as a practical chemist, he joined Hendricks Bros. and remained an active partner. A trustee of Congregation Shearith Israel, Hendricks belonged to many Jewish and secular organizations, including the National Arts Club and the American Association for the Advancement of Science. Another of Joshua's sons, edgar (d. 1894), married Lilian Henry. Their son henry s. hendricks (1892–1959), born in New York City, associated himself with the law firm of Cardozo and Nathan. From 1926 to 1938 he practiced privately, then joined Hendricks, Robbins & Buttenweiser; he resumed private practice in 1947. Active in the Jewish Historical Society, for 25 years he presided over Congregation Shearith Israel, later becoming its honorary president.

bibliography:

M. Bortman, in: ajhsp, 43 (1954), 199–214.

[Edward L. Greenstein]