This article has been reprinted with the kind permission of Harry Macy, Editor of the New York Genealogical and Biographical Record.

    I wish to express my heartfelt thanks for his help and understanding.

    In describing the charges in the base of the Dutch Wynkoop arms, shown on page 68 of THE RECORD 1935, I called these "signal lights" following Dutch authorities. Rietstap, in his Armorial Général, calls these "fagots d'osier" (Schrassert arms). This heraldic figure is found only in the arms of several families which had their origin in the northern part of the Veluwe, around Nykerk and vicinity. Among the best known are Schrassert, van Hennekeler, van Verschuer, Spruyt, van Ermerler and others. Beernink in De Geschiedschryver en Rechtsgeleerde Dr. Arend van Slichtenhorst, etc., on page 89 ƒƒ. devotes a few pages to the Schrassert family which bore this charge in its arms. Beernink recognized in this rather unusual and purely local charge not a signal light but a tool used by the foresters to test the condition of a tree which seems rather far-fetched. However, Mr. R. T. Muschart, one of the foremost authorities on Dutch Heraldry, has recently pointed out that, in his opinion, this charge found its origin in the prevailing heaths around Nykerk and vicinity and that the charge is a heather plant represented in conventional manner. A study of the various representations of this charge on a large number of seals has convinced him that this is the correct, and the most plausible, interpretation. (Ned. Leeuw 1940: 56.)

    In REC., 1934 on p. 352 under No. 9, I mentioned Tryn Jansdr Wynkoop, who married Melis Lamberts, as possibly a sister of the three brothers mentioned under No.6.

    This item No. 9. should be omitted for she belonged to the family from Hoorn and not to the one which lived at Barneveld, Nykerk and Putten to which these three brothers belonged.

    The Wynkoop arms as reproduced on page 351, taken from a bookplate, were already in use in America prior to the date of this bookplate. In November 1934 the well-known New York silversmiths Robert Ensko, Inc., had a silver tankard made by Benjamin Wynkoop (1675-1728?) on which the same arms were engraved.

Source:

New York Genealogical & Biographical Record,
The New York Genealogical and Biographical Society,
122 East 58th Street,
New York, N.Y. 10022-1939

Volume 72
October 1941
Page 312