Atlanta, Georgia May 9, 2019 (Issuewire.com) - James Lewis Legal in conjunction with the Charles and Polly Ann Hicks Preserve, LLC Announce the Initiative to Save a Historic Estate
James Lewis Legal is pleased to announce they have been retained by the Charles and Polly Ann Hicks Preserve, LLC to charge efforts to save the remaining historic parcels of land that once held the first school for African American children in the Toombs County, Ga. area. In 1932, Charles and Polly Ann Hicks purchased 67 acres of land in Toombs County and designated a portion of the land for the purpose of building an African American church and to provide classroom space to educate African American children in Toombs County. The Hicks’ also set aside land to establish the historic Jordan Stream Church Cemetery, where they are both interred.
Situated along Lyons Center road in Lyons, Ga., roughly 100 miles southwest of Macon, Ga., is the remaining land of the Charles and Polly Ann Hicks estate. Little is left of the once large land holding and desperate measures are being put forth to save the land that still holds the remnants of the cemetery and church.
The Hicks estate is an example of property held as heirs property. Heirs property refers to property that has been passed down informally from generation-to-generation, in many instances for successive generations, without a clear title. In most cases, it involves landowners who died intestate. Heirs property is land owned “in common” by all of the heirs, regardless of whether they live on the land, pay the taxes, or have ever set foot on the land. This is a problem affecting thousands of people, especially the most disenfranchised and marginalized portions of our population. Heirs property is the leading cause of African American involuntary land loss.
“We hope that by saving this piece of history, we help advance the narrative surrounding heirs property while introducing the solution to this pandemic problem,” said Thomas Jones with the Charles and Polly Ann Hicks Preserve, LLC. “May the work that was done by Charles and Polly Ann Hicks continue to speak and their light continues to shine.”
Thomas and Laurell Jones, founders of the Charles and Polly Ann Hicks Preserve were recently featured on the local Atlanta radio show and national podcast “Lewis on the Law” on the Wall Street Business Network station, Biz 1190 (WAFS-AM). The Charles and Polly Ann Hicks Preserve is seeking to raise $128,000 to restore, preserve, and to protect the historic site. For additional information on the preserve, please visit www.thehickspreserve.org. For a sample of the “Lewis on the Law” interview and the Preserves fundraising efforts, please visit their Go Fund Me site.
About James Lewis Legal
James Lewis Legal is an Atlanta based Law Firm dedicated to helping people resolve legal issues. The firm's focus is on heirs property, commercial and residential property, as well as estate planning. James was inspired by research into the property that had been held by his own family since 1890 without a clear title. This type of property is known as "heirs property" and disproportionately affects the underprivileged who have limited access to legal support. James Lewis Legal’s objective is to educate and work to resolve these matters for families committed to the difficult task of achieving a clear title. His experience is shared on his radio program and podcast “Lewis on the Law”. For more information, please visit www.jameslewislegal.com.
About The Charles and Polly Ann Hicks Preserve, LLC
The Charles and Polly Ann Hicks Preserve, LLC was formed for the sole purpose of fully developing, protecting and preserving the historic Charles and Polly Ann Hicks estate and provide perpetual care to the Jordan Stream church cemetery. There are currently over 100 heirs involved with the estate, thus making this a very expensive and time-consuming task. Our goal is to clear titles by October 11, 2019, and begin preservation efforts. For more information, please visit www.thehickspreserve.org.
Media Contact
James Lewis Legal /Colette Walsh colette@jameslewislegal.com 646-623-5586 Peachtree Center-International Tower, Suite 450 229 Peachtree Street, N.E. Atlanta, GA 30303 http://www.jameslewislegal.com
