Susannah Riley was the sole heir of John Woods, who died in Russell County in 1847. She received a bay mare, 2 horses, 10 sheep, and all of his worldly possessions. Witnesses to the will were John Wallis, Isaac Griffin, and Richard Jackson. He was likely the same John Wood who purchased land from John Riley in 1802. John Woods, aged 70 to 80, was enumerated in the 1840 Census of Russell County with one female also aged 70 to 80. Could Susannah have been living with John Woods in 1840? He was likely somehow related to the Riley's, possibly Susannah's brother-in-law. It is frustrating that the extant records do not reveal more. Neither Susan nor her two sons have been found in the 1840 Census in Virginia. Nor has Susan been found in the 1850 Census anywhere.
According to Russell County Death Records, Susan Riley died of pneumonia on October 10, 1853, aged 80 years. She was buried in the old Riley family cemetery located just west of Honaker. Her tombstone indicates that Susan Riley, wife of Daniel Riley, died October 7, 1853, aged 75 years. After her death, the Russell County Court certified that she was the widow of Daniel Riley. Thomas J. and Jackson Riley were the only heirs of Susannah Riley. And, the Court further certified that Susan Riley died on October 7, 1853, that her maiden name was Jackson, and that Daniel had died on March 5, 1837. Thomas J. Riley produced the family bible in Court and filed the following declaration in order to obtain the pension benefits in right of his mother.
"I Thomas J. Rylie heir at law of Susan, widow of Daniel Rylie decd, a pensioner of the United States, do upon oath testify & declare that my father, Daniel Rylie, was a pensioner of the United States at the rate, as I am informed, of Eighty dollars a year. that he died in the County of Washington, as well as I can remember in March 1838. that his widow (my mother) died the 7th of October 1853 in the County of Russell, she having survived her husband, Daniel Rylie. that said Susan never claimed or received pension in right of her said husband. that the said Daniel & Susan were married in Russell County on the 18th day of March 1807. that Thomas J. Rylie claims pension in right of his mother, Susan, under the Act of Congress passed in 1836. that the said claim for pension has not been transfered in any manner whatsoever."
