In around 1818, having failed in an aspiration to the Lieutenant-Governorship of Tasmania when the latter was due to became vacant in 1818, he returned to Scotland where in 1815 he had inherited one of his father's properties, Dumbuck Estate in West Dunbartonshire, and where he resided until his death in 1843.
[3] Many official exchanges between Geils and Macquarie (mainly responses by the latter to reports and requests by the former, but also including Macquarie's official letter of instruction to Geils) over that interval have been preserved, and can be read via the published "Historical Records of Australia Series III" which deals with "Despatches and Papers Relating to the Settlement of the States" including Tasmania, 1803—June, 1812 (Volume 1) and Tasmania, July, 1812—December, 1819 (Volume 2).
One other event of significance for the family during this period was the birth of the couple's fifth son, John Edward, born 6th April 1813 and baptised on 13 June at Hobart Town.
[8] On account of a tragic accident as detailed below, John Edward was to be the eldest surviving son at the time of Andrew's death in 1843, and would thus inherit his father's subsequent estate in Scotland.
[9] Other official correspondence relating to his time as Commandant is included in 2 volumes of the Historical Records of Australia Series, as cited above, plus the Colonial Secretary Index of the New South Wales Government of the day.
In October that year, Geils' father Thomas died in Scotland and left Andrew one of his four estates, that of Dumbuck, near the town of Dumbarton, purchased just 2 months previously.
[21][22] Presumably on account of his recent move to Scotland, Geils' Tasmanian properties were offered for sale in 1818 and again in 1821, eventually being purchased in 1832 by another landowner with interests in the area, Thomas Gregson.