Pieter Pietersz. Wijncoop, (approximately 1616-1659), was the first Wynkoop family member known to have spent any amount of time in New Netherland. An employee of the Patroon, Kiliaen van Rensselaer, he left a number of official records behind, although much of his life in the colonies is still pretty shadowy and even less is known about his life in Amsterdam, both before and after his voyages to America in the late 1630s and mid-1640s. Research, however, is still ongoing and any new information uncovered regarding this shadowy cousin of ours will be posted here.

    It is largely due to the tireless efforts of men like Arnold J. F. Van Laer, Edmund Bailey O'Callaghan, Joel Munsell, and Dr. Charles Gehring, that we now have a pretty good idea of where Pieter was for the five year period from February 10th, 1639 to November 6th, 1644. For the information on Pieter's activities on the Continent, a very special thanks goes to Koen Wijnkoop, [email protected], who uncovered the records regarding Pieter's activities in Amsterdam, both during and after his sojourn in America. Hopefully continued research in the Amsterdam archives will reveal more about Pieter's place of origin and/or the names of his children.

    Incidently, Pieter spelled his last name with a c, [Wijncoop], almost universally, unlike Cornelius who spelled his last name, again pretty consistently, with a k, [Wijnkoop]. Both men seem to have been well educated for the times, so I believe the, (consistent), difference in the spelling of their last names may be of some significance.

    The question of whether or not he was the father of Cornelius Evertsz. Wijnkoop, the founder of the Wynkoop family in America, (as has been rumored for generations), will be taken up on another webpage. Each of the links below will take you to English transcripts of the official records in which Pieter makes his appearance so that you can form your own opinion regarding his character and motivations.

    In the meantime, enjoy this visit to the past with this distant relative of ours.

    Chris

• August 13, 1617 - Amsterdam - Baptism of Pieter, son of Pieter Jansz. Wynkoop and Jaapje Evers.

• September 25, 1638-December 27, 1638 - Pieter Wijncoop's 1638 Voyage to New Netherland.

• February 10th, 1639 - At Rensselaerswyck - liquor smuggling charge.

• April 18, 1639 - New Amsterdam - witnesses purchase agreement for yacht.

• March 9, 1640 - Fort Amsterdam, New Amsterdam - deposition regarding hay for Cornelis van Tienhoven.

• June 26, 1640 - Amsterdam - Kiliaen van Rensselaer letter mentions that Pieter Wyncoop has reported on the completion of a grist mill at Rensselaerswyck.

• April 20, 1641 - Amsterdam, the Netherlands - Pieter Pieterszoon Wijnkoop had the banns published for his marriage with Jannetje Andries.

• 1642 - Rensselaerswyck - appears in a list of settlers as a commis.

• July 9-10, 1643 - Amsterdam - Kiliaen van Rensselaer buys het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck and Pieter Wijnkoop is hired as her Supercargo.

• July 18, 1643 - Amsterdam - The true condition of het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck reveals itself.

• August 21, 1643 - Amsterdam - Willem Claesen, from Avenhorn, boatsmate of Rensselaerswijck is fired.

• September 2, 1643 - Amsterdam - Warning, Prohibition and Permission concerning the colony of Rensselaerswyck. These are the rules under which Pieter Wijncoop was to conduct his trading.

• September 5, 1643 - Amsterdam - Redress of the abuses and faults in the colony Rensselaerswyck.

• September 8, 1643 - Amsterdam - Notice to be served on private traders who contrary to the patroon's orders sail into the colony Rensselaerswyck.

• September 10, 1643 - Amsterdam - Order from the Patroon [Kiliaen van Rensselaer] to Pieter Wyncoop and Arendt van Curler to constrain Adriaen van der Donck, if he has already purchased land at Catskill, to relinquish the same in favor of the Patroon.

• September 12, 1643 - Amsterdam - Invoice of Merchandise carried by het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck.

• 1643 Voyage of het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck - A shipboard tailor makes Pieter a new suit of clothes.

• March 10, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Defendant in case regarding smuggled goods on The Arms of Rensselaerswyck.

• March 17, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Plaintiff against Fiscal.

• March 18, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Protest against unloading of 't Wapen van Renselaerswyck

• March 19, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Powder on board was for ship's use, and for the defense of Rensserlaers-Stein.

• March 22, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Answer of Fiscal to protest of Pieter Wyncoop, plus his reply.

• March 23, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Receipt for 18 kegs of gunpowder received from Fiscal Van der Hoykens.

• October 25, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Wincoop reimbursed for purchasing one ox bought of Claesen damen for het Wapen van Renselaerswyck.

• October 26, 1644 - New Amsterdam - het Wapen van Rensselaerswyck released, although seized goods are to remain in the custody of the attorney-general.

• November 6, 1644 - New Amsterdam - Debt owed for duties paid by Arent van Curler on 13 beavers held by Director Kieft.

• March 30, 1645 - Amsterdam - Notarial record stating that Peter Wijncoop of the Colony Rensselaerswijck delivered 1585 Beaver skins to Jan Simonssen, skipper of The Arms of Rensselaerswyck, before she sailed for Amsterdam on November 6, 1644.

• 1646 - Copies of Council Minutes involving various cases such as a dispute between Nicholas Coorn and Pieter Wyncoop, and the yacht Rensselaerswyck.

• 27 April 1646 - Promissory note of De Hooges for the Colony of Rensselaerswyck on behalf of Adriaen van der Donck to pay Pieter Wyncoop �134, 8.

• Date unknown, (probably 1646) - Anthony de Hooges' account with Pieter Wynkoop.

• May 31, 1646 - New Amsterdam - Defendant for having arrested husband of Hillegont Joris.

• June 7, 1646 - New Amsterdam - Attempted arrest of Piter Wyncoop by Antony de Hooges.

• June 8, 1646 - New Amsterdam - Settlement of suit with de Hooges in court. Plaintiff against Jan Cornelisen for payment of debt. Plaintiff against Adrian Van der Donck.

• 1646 (probably June 8, 1646) - New Amsterdam - Memorandum stating that de Hooges has informed Pieter Wynkoop of the approval of everything in his dispute.

• 23 July 1646 - New Amsterdam - inventory of Goods left behind by Pieter Wynkoop.

• Date unknown, (probably 1646) - New Amsterdam - Account of Pieter Wynkoop's merchandise.

• 1646 - New Netherland - Exodus underway due to the Indian wars.

• March 27, 1659 - Amsterdam - Jannetje Andries, widow of Pieter Wijnkoop, appears.
  Added Bonus:

• 1644 - E. B. O'Callaghan's interpretation of the events of 1644, plus a brief commentary from yours truly.