The Wynkoop Family is the title of a handsome pamphlet of thirty-four pages, containing a genealogical record of the Wynkoop family in this country, beginning with Peter Wynkoop, who settled at Rensselaerwyck in 1642, and tracing it down through nine successive generations. The compiler Richard Wynkoop, Esq., of this city has been assisted in his investigations by H. H. Reynolds, of Kingston, Francis S. Wynkoop, of this city, and others. The record throughout seems to have been carefully prepared, and its materials drawn from authentic sources. We notice a few errors however, which should have been avoided. The significance of the name is defined in the pamphlet thus: "The name seems to signify 'wine buyer,' that is, wine merchant."

    A different meaning is given by Mr. Munsell, who says that it signifies "Something to drink upon the bargain." (Annals of Albany, iii., 60.) But this appears to be mistaken etymology. The motto of the family preserved upon some of its old plate, is Virtutem Hilaritatate Colere "To cultivate virtue with cheerfulness." Good principles, with geniality, seem to be preferred to somber rigidity.

    The family name is borne by a bay on the southerly coast of Java, near the westerly end of the island. This seems to be a memento of a merchant or of a navigator.

    The compiler says in his preface that no blot upon the family name has been discovered; and of the many individuals here recorded, only one or two have caused regret that relationship must be acknowledged." The nobility of virtue is higher than all the pomp of heraldry. And if the compiler's claim is just, that such nobility belongs of right to the Wynkoop family in its various branches, then it supports the old saying that "there is something in blood." However all the clusters on the same vine are not equally sweet, and happy he who has his wine from the most delicious grapes of the comeliest branch.

Source:

New York City, (possibly Brooklyn), newspaper review of Wynkoop Family; A Preliminary Genealogy, no date, no publisher given.