Owners hope heirs property to be preserved in SC

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Owners hope heirs property to be preserved in SC
August 10, 2009
3WBTV

CHARLESTON, S.C. (AP) - There are efforts to protect property owned by the descendants of slaves in South Carolina's Lowcountry, even as development plans are drawn up for a 72,000-acre tract.

The Post and Courier of Charleston reported Monday that MeadWestvaco has donated $25,000 to an organization helping people retain title to so-called heirs property in its tract.

About 500 acres is heirs property granted to or bought by former slaves. Such property has no clear title because during segregation days, it was titled to a family instead of an individual. That kept the land in the family even when the owner died.

The organization, Center for Heirs Property Protection, helps descendants straighten out title issues.