Sidberry Family, New Hanover County File No. 03 SP 0726

Two of 19 Sidberry heirs filed a partition action relating to property that had been in their family since 1871. The property consisted of 8.8 acres in Wilmington, New Hanover County near Market Street. It was described as “virtually undeveloped land in an area that has been developed for both commercial and residential purposes” in the pleadings. A 1911 will devised the property to the Sidberry and the Wallace children. However, the Wallace children have not been heard of since 1911. Nevertheless, through the partition action the property was sold for $495,000 and $254,652.47 was placed in a trust account with the clerk of court for the unknown heirs of the Wallace children. Before the remaining funds were distributed among the Sidberry heirs, who have been taking care of the property for the last 90 years, $21,546 was given to the attorneys, $3,000 to the commissioner, and $49,500 for real estate commission. The Sidberrys originally sought to clarify that one of them could place a trailer on the property. Today they believe they have been dispossessed of their rightful inheritance and have retained counsel to seek to recover the amount placed in trust for the unknown heirs.