On August 6, 1796, Nathaniel Riley of Washington County and Elizabeth his wife sold to Daniel Darby of Russell County for 50 pounds the 50 acre tract within Russell County located at the head of Mill Creek on the waters of Clinch River, which had been granted to Nathaniel Riley by patent dated March 29, 1789. Both Nathaniel and Elizabeth signed their mark. No witnesses were recorded with the deed. She may have been the Elizabeth Ryley who was enumerated in the 1810 Census of Washington County, aged over 45 years, with one male 16 to 26 and one female 16 to 26. If she were, then where was her husband Nathaniel? Perhaps he had ventured further west in search of better land only to return later. Nathaniel Riley and his wife Elizabeth of Washington County, on February 25, 1828, sold to William Riley, of Washington County, for $150 the 60 acre tract on the north fork of the Holston River where Nathaniel Riley lived. Unfortunately, no relationship between Nathaniel and William is mentioned in the deed, although it is assumed that Nathaniel was the father of William. Nathaniel Riley was enumerated in the 1830 Census of Washington County aged 80 to 90 with 1 female aged 70 to 80. Even though Nathaniel owned property and resided in Washington County for many years, his name appears on the county tax rolls only for the 1794. How he managed to avoid the tax collector for so long is unknown.
iii. Nathaniel, born circa 1745.
