Susanna was born at Bolton on 21st December, 1761.

Her parents separated when Arkwright was struggling to perfect his machinery and contributing little financially to the family. However Arkwright took charge of his daughter's education, sending her to Mrs Latuffiere's school in Derby and ensuring that she mixed with the leading families in the area.

Elizabeth Strutt, writing to her father in July 1775 when Susanna was 13 years old, described how Arkwright visited his daughter in Derby bringing a present of a watch. The following day he set off to Birmingham with Susanna and her friend, one of the Strutt girls, both "in genteel riding dresses & provided with pen & ink & Memorandum books that they may see which writes the best journal. They seem'd very happy."

Susanna married into the local gentry on 12 June 1780. Her husband was Charles Hurt, the second son of the Hurt family of Alderwasley Hall who were wealthy lead merchants and iron manufacturers.

The couple lived at Wirksworth Hall and had eleven children, seven surviving to adulthood: Charles; Richard; Edward; John; Susanna; Mary Ann; and Frances.

Susanna died on 4th May, 1835, surviving her husband by one year. There is a monument in Wirksworth church.

Susanna married Charles Hurt, son of Francis Hurt and Mary Gell, on 12 Jun 1780. (Charles Hurt was born on 5 Oct 1758, christened on 8 Nov 1758, died on 30 Aug 1834 and was buried on 6 Sep 1834.)