Estate Settlement of John Geery

About two weeks after the death of John Geery, his widow (and fourth wife) Jane Pittman Geery, went to the Ralls County courthouse and made the following declaration:

“To the Hon. County Court of Ralls County, I have relinquished my right to administer the estate of my deceased husband John Geery and recommend the appointment of his two sons Robert Geery and John G. B. Geery.  Given under my hand this 18th day of July 1860.  Jane Geery.

John Geery did not make a will so the following affidavit was submitted to the court by his sons:

“State of Missouri, County of Ralls:  Robert and John G. B. Geery, that to the best of their knowledge and belief, the names of the heirs of John Geery deceased, and their places of residence are as follows:  Robert  Geery and Catharine Shotwell formerly Catherine Geery of Pike county and John G. B. Geery and Margaret Geery of said county of  Ralls and Elizabeth G. Copelin and Missouri Catherine Copelin, ____________ in Iowa, and John G.  Copelin of St. Louis Missouri children and heirs of Mary Copelin formerly Mary Geery, and Jane Geery widow of the deceased.  That said John Geery died without will; that they will make a perfect inventory of, and faithfully administer all the estate of the deceased, and pay the debts as far as the assets will extend and the law direct; and account for and pay all assets which shall come to their possession or knowledge.  Subscribed and sworn to before me this 21st day of July, 1860.  James _____, Clerk.

Signed by Robert Geery and John G. B. Geery.”