Administrator of Estate

When a person died intestate (without a valid will) and owned property, a person was appointed to collect debts and credits of the estate and disperse whatever remained, according to law. The legal term for this person was administrator of the estate. Often the surviving spouse was the choice for administrator, but sometimes that person might relinquish his or her right to administer in favor of another person. This is what happened following the death of George Marshall, who died before October 1827. His widow, Polly Marshall, stated she did not wish to take upon herself "the burthen of the administration of the estate" and suggested that John W. Marshall and Saml. Marshall be appointed. This information is found in Caldwell County, Kentucky Court Order Book D, page 330.