 He was the first member of the Moravian Church to be a British member of parliament.A portrait of Hindley is in the collection of the National Portrait Gallery, London
Hindley was the third son of Ignatius (a considerable calico and muslin manufacturer) and Mary Hindley (maiden name Molly Ambler); like them he was a member of the Moravian Church and remained so throughout his life .In about 1816, he became manager of his eldest brother John's small cotton mill in Dukinfield.