Chemical National Bank of New York - 1875

Beautifully engraved Certificate from the Chemical National Bank of New York issued in 1875. This historic document has an ornate border around it with the company's name in fancy print. This item is hand signed by the president and is over 134 years old. Stain and wear. Issued to Robert Lenox Kennedy and signed by him on attached transfer document. We have not seen many stock certificates from this famous bank.

Robert Lenox Kennedy, born in New York city, 24 November, 1822; died at sea, 14 September, 1887, was for many years president of the Bank of Commerce, and succeeded his uncle, James Lenox, as president of the board of trustees of the Lenox library, to which institution he presented, in 1879, Munkacsy's important picture of "Blind Milton dictating ' Paradise Lost' to his Daughters." Robert Lenox Kennedy was one of the founders of the New York Public Library.

The Chemical Bank began in Greenwich Village as the New York Chemical Manufacturing Company, producing chemicals such as blue vitriol, alum, nitric acid, camphor and salt peter, as well as medicines, paints and dyes.

Chemical Banking Corporation Merger Chronology

1823 New York Chemical Manufacturing Company founded.

1824 Charter amended to allow banking practices.

1844 Reorganizes as The Chemical Bank of New York (New York Chemical Manufacturing Company liquidated by 1851).

1852 Corn Exchange Bank founded.

1853 Corn Exchange Bank opens for business.

1864 Central National Bank of the City of New York founded.

1865 Chemical Bank receives national charter; reorganizes as The Chemical National Bank of New York. Citizens Bank of the City of New York converted into The National Citizens Bank of the City of New York.

1889 The New York Trust Co. founded (original name is The New York Security and Trust Co.).

1899 The Corn Exchange Bank acquires the Astor Place Bank (founded 1891), The Hudson River Bank (founded 1888) and the Queens County Bank (founded 1873).

1900 Corn Exchange Bank acquires the Home Bank (founded 1883).

1902 Corn Exchange Bank acquires The Mechanics & Traders' Bank of Brooklyn (founded 1867), the Eleventh Ward Bank (founded 1867) and the Union Square Bank (founded 1889).

1903 New York and Trust Co. acquires Continental Trust Co. of the City of New York (founded in 1890). Security National Bank is founded (as the First National Bank of Huntington).

1904 New York Security and Trust Co. changes name to The New York Trust Co. National Citizens Bank of New York and Central National Bank of the City of New York merge and change name to Citizens Central National Bank of New York.

1905 Corn Exchange Bank acquires the First National Bank of Staten Island at New Brighton (founded 1886).

1913 Corn Exchange Bank acquires Mount Morris Bank (founded 1881).

1914 Corn Exchange Bank acquires The Washington Trust Co. (founded 1889).

1920 Chemical Bank acquires Citizens National Bank of New York (founded 1851).

1921 The New York Trust Co. acquires The Liberty National Bank (founded 1891).

1928 Corn Exchange Bank acquires The Stapleton National Bank (founded in 1902).

1929 Chemical receives state charter and reorganizes as Chemical Bank & Trust Co. (i.e. no longer a national bank). Acquires United States Mortgage & Trust Company (founded 1871). Corn Exchange Bank changes its name to Corn Exchange Bank Trust Co.

1948 Chemical acquires Continental Bank & Trust Company of New York (founded 1870).

1949 The New York Trust Co. acquires Fulton Trust Co. (founded 1889).

1951 Chemical acquires National Safety Bank & Trust Company of New York (founded in 1928).

1952 What will be Security National Bank consolidates with First National Bank & Trust Company of Northport (founded in 1901).

1953 What will be Security National Bank consolidates with Northport Trust Co. (founded in 1912).

1954 Chemical merges with Corn Exchange Bank Trust Company; changed name to Chemical Corn Exchange Bank. What will be Security National Bank consolidates with First National Bank & Trust Co. of Amityville (founded in 1907).

1955 What will be Security National Bank consolidates with Babylon National Bank and Trust Co. (founded in 1913), First National Bank of Lindenhurst (founded in 1907), First National Bank of Islip (founded in 1907), Bank of Northern Brookhaven (founded in 1889), and South Bay National Bank (founded in 1902). Takes name Security National Bank of Huntington.

1957 Security National consolidates with Long Island State Bank & Trust Co. of Riverhead (founded in 1925).

1958 Security National consolidates with Fort Neck National Bank of Seaford (founded in 1926). Security National Bank of Huntington changes name to Security National Bank of Long Island.

1959 Chemical Corn merges with The New York Trust Company; name changed to Chemical Bank New York Trust Company.

1962 Security National consolidates with Peconic Bank, Sag Harbor (founded in 1889).

1963 Chemical acquires Bank of Rockville Centre Trust Company (founded 1890). Security National consolidates with First National Bank of Southampton (founded in 1912).

1964 Chemical acquires Bensonhurst National Bank of Brooklyn (founded in 1927) and First National Bank of Mount Vernon (founded in 1889).

1968 Security National merges with Second National Bank & Trust Co. of Hempstead (founded in 1919). Security National Bank of Long Island changes name to Security National Bank. Chemical New York Corporation, bank holding company, is formed.

1969 Chemical Bank New York Trust changes name to Chemical Bank. Security National Bank merges with The Oceanside National Bank (founded in 1923).

1971 Chemical acquires Tappan Zee National Bank (founded in 1955) and Eastern National Bank (founded in 1956).

1972 Security National merges with Royal National Bank of New York (founded in 1923).

1973 Chemical acquires State Bank of Hilton (founded in 1914) and First National Bank of Greenwich (founded in 1881).

1975 Chemical acquires Security National Bank.

1987 Chemical Texas Holdings (a wholly-owned subsidiary of Chemical New York Corporation) merges with Texas Commerce Bancshares, Inc., Houston.

1988 Chemical New York Corporation, the holding company, changes name to Chemical Banking Corporation.

1989 Acquires Horizon Bancorp of New Jersey, whose primary bank is renamed Chemical Bank New Jersey.

1991 Chemical Banking Corporation merges with Manufacturers Hanover Corporation to form the new Chemical Banking Corporation.