A dispute over legacy and land is currently unfolding on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. Community members, including Josephine Wright, are resisting development that threatens their historic homes and ancestral land. Wright, a 93-year-old great-great-grandmother, is facing a lawsuit from a company planning to build townhomes on her property. She and others are determined to preserve their heritage and resist pressure to sell. The broader issue of heirs' property, where land is inherited but lacks clear legal documentation, is exacerbating land loss for Black families, often due to development. The town of Hilton Head has paused construction pending resolution of lawsuits, and Wright remains steadfast in her fight to protect her land for future generations.
Here are the key facts from the provided text:
1. A dispute over legacy and land is currently happening on Hilton Head Island in South Carolina.
2. Josephine Wright is involved in a lawsuit as development occurs around her home.
3. The development aims to create a new home community.
4. Hilton Head Island's marsh and beaches have been home to some families since America's early history.
5. Community members are concerned that development threatens these long-standing families.
6. Josephine Wright's family has owned the land since the Civil War.
7. Bailey Point Investment LLC is suing Josephine Wright over property encroachment.
8. Wright has filed a counter-suit alleging harassment and pressure tactics.
9. Support for Wright's cause has come from celebrities like Tyler Perry, Snoop Dogg, and Kyrie Irving.
10. The town of Hilton Head has paused construction in response to the lawsuits.
11. The Gullah Foundation is fighting against land loss due to heirs property and rising property taxes.
12. Heirs property is a common issue in which multiple family members inherit a property, leading to disputes.
13. Josephine Wright is determined to continue her fight to keep the land for her descendants.
These facts summarize the key details from the text, omitting opinions and additional information.