T
he Heir's Property is a two-part series that delves into the issue of land passed down through generations, particularly among Black Americans. The story centers around Saul Blair, a retired health care executive who inherited several dozen acres of land from his great-grandfather, John Thomas Jr., a man born into slavery in 1859. Thomas managed to acquire over 300 acres deep in the Confederacy and divided it among his 11 children when he died.

    Blair's family has struggled to retain the land due to systemic injustices and theft. Researchers estimate that between 1865 and 1910, Black Americans acquired 15 million acres of land, but by 2001, an estimated 80% had been lost. This loss can be attributed to various factors such as selling for pennies on the dollar, seizure through tax lien sales or foreclosure auctions, scams, and indefinite legal limbo due to multiple part-owners.

    Blair's records are meticulous, and he has set up LLCs to hold his parcels of property in trust. He has also established an agreement with the USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) to help manage his land. However, despite these efforts, Blair faces numerous challenges, including finding a logger willing to work on his small plot.

    The story highlights the complexities of heirs' property and its impact on Black Americans. Fannie Mae estimates that there is over $30 billion worth of such property throughout the country, with much of it in the Deep South and Appalachia. The Uniform Partition of Heirs Property Act has become law in 22 states, including Georgia, to protect heir-owners and streamline the process for resolving their estates.

    Blair's research led him to McIntosh SEED, a rural community development organization that helped him develop a land management program and connect with NRCS. Casey Tudor, a forester with the Georgia Forestry Commission, assists Blair in implementing his plan. However, the pine beetle outbreak and Hurricane Helene have contributed to a glut of pulpwood in the market, making it harder for Blair to find a logger willing to work on his land.

    The story also explores John Thomas' life as a formerly enslaved person who managed to acquire land through renting and possibly generating additional income streams. Susan O'Donovan, a professor at the University of Memphis, speculates that Thomas may have paid installments on the property over several years or found other ways to finance the purchase.

    Blair's family has their own challenges, including Ella Barnes and Vivian Gamble, who are landlocked due to outsiders buying up some of Thomas' property. They also discovered that someone with no connection to the family was paying their taxes without their knowledge. Blair is determined to uncover the truth behind his family's struggles and ensure that they retain their inheritance.

    The series will continue next Sunday with Part 2, which will delve deeper into the complexities of heirs' property and its impact on Black Americans.