Email From Ray Riley ray_riley@ncsu.edu to HUNSUCKER-L@rootsweb.com
Email Dated June 6, 2000

Re: Gransdorf passage on the Thistle.

I viewed the posting on Johann Nichel Grantzdor's passage to the America
Continent on the Thistle in 1738 with a great deal of interest.  I had
not noticed the record previously.  I am particuliarly interested in his
third son Johann Michael.  I will be adventurous and propose the theory
that Johann Michael Grantzdor may very well be the person we know in the
records as Micheal Grindstaff.  If the hypothesis is wrong, and Beverly
may have the information that proves it wrong, we have at least
eliminated one more possibility.  If the hypothesis is correct, it makes
a great story.  Let me empasize that this is purely speculation at this
point but I believe that the coincidences are worth exploring. 

My reasoning is that Abraham Huntsucker b 1715 was on the same ship the
Thistle with his father Peter and other family members.  We know that
Abraham Huntsucker started a family in Lancaster County, PA in 1751.  In
1756, Abraham Huntsucker moved his family to the Shenandoah Valley of
Virginia.  Abraham moved to Cumberland County south of Deep River
(present day Moore County) in about 1770 and then on to Burke County, NC
by 1777.

I have a great deal of information on Michael Grindstaff after 1770 but
have had no particuliar reason to research him prior to 1770.  Other
researcher's have furnished me with information that indicates Michael
Grindstaff and the Gabbert families were in Frederick County, VA as
early as 1755.  Michael Grindstaff moved from Frederick County, VA to
Rowan County, NC in about 1770 which coincides with the move of Abraham
Huntsucker to NC.  On May 6, 1774, Michael Grindstaff was a constable in
Mr Beekman's district of Rowan County, NC.

In 1777, Burke County was formed out of Rowan County.  One of the very
first records in Burke County on July 24, 1777 is the estate record of
George Huntsucker.  I believe without absolute proof that George
Huntsucker is the unnamed son of Abraham Huntsucker that was born in
Lancaster County, PA in 1752.  Regarding the estate of George Huntsucker
on July 24, 1777, administrative bond was granted to the widow Margaret,
Friedrick Marcle and Michael Grindstaff.  One could even speculate
further that Margaret's maiden name may have very well have been either
Marcle or Grindstaff.  Michael Grindstaff as a co-administrator of the
estate of George Huntsucker may very well be more than just a
coincidence.

Abraham Huntsucker lived in Burke County with his sons and family until
his death in about 1795.  One of Abraham Huntsucker's sons Abraham
Huntsucker b 1754 fought in the Revolutionary War.  Michael Grindstaff
had at least 3 sons who fought in the Revolutionary War from Burke
County.   I disagree with some researchers who contend that Michael
Grindstaff moved to Washington County, NC (Now Carter County, TN) in
about 1785.  I believe that was his son Michael Grindstaff Jr.  A
Michael Grindstaff (who I believe to be Michael Grindstaff Sr) appears
in Burke County court cases through 1797 and then appears to die in
Burke County between 1797 and 1800 (about the same time that Abraham
Huntsucker Sr died).

About 1798, John Huntsucker b 1751(son of Abraham Huntsucker) and his
family together with Isaac Grindstaff (son of Michael Grindstaff) moved
to the Cain Creek settlement near the present Tennessee border.  In
1804, Isaac Grindstaff's daughter Sarah married George Huntsucker.  The
families were still living side by side as late as 1815.

There are lots of coincidences and family ties between the Huntsuckers
and the Grindstaffs after 1770 and it seems reasonable that those ties
may extend back before 1770.  I believe that the hypothesis that Johann
Michael Crantzdord is also Michael Grindstaff is certainly worth
exploring further.  Does anyone else have information that could help
fill in the gap between 1738 when Johann Nichel Crantzdorf and his
family on the Thistle landed and about 1755 when Michael Grindstaff can
be shown to be in Frederick County, VA?

Ray

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