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claimed title to the disputed land. Petitioners never paid real
estate taxes on the disputed land.
The 1988 Gift Land
At issue is petitioners' ostensible 1988 contribution of
approximately 8-acres of the disputed land (the 1988 gift land) to
the State of Delaware. At the time of the purported donation, the
State of Delaware considered the disputed land, including the 1988
gift land, part of the Delaware Seashore State Park.
Petitioners' claim of title to the 1988 gift land is based on
a quitclaim deed that petitioner purchased on August 16, 1982, for
$100 (the 1982 quitclaim deed) from J. Bennett Hill, a purported
heir to one-fourth of the property interest of a Colonel William D.
Waples. Any interest obtained by petitioner apparently derived
from an 1839 recorded three-fourths tenants-in-common interest held
by Colonel Waples and two other individuals. The 1839 title was
the last title interest recorded with respect to the 1988 gift
land; and, the chain of title that followed this interest is
uncertain and uncorroborated. It appears that Colonel Waples'
interest in the 1988 gift land was likely abandoned, and
subsequently acquired by the State of Delaware in the early 1900's.
In addition to claiming title to the 1988 gift land under the
1982 quitclaim deed, petitioners also claimed title to the land by
adverse possession.
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