Kane ruled Friday that Hall has no claim to the land. Hall, who had not read the ruling, would not say last night whether he will appeal. He has said in the past that he would consider an appeal of an unfavorable ruling. He has 30 days to file an appeal. It features an 11-room manor built in the 1790s, widely considered to be one of the most handsome plantation homes in the county.
Tentative plans call for preserving the house for public use.
In an area where undeveloped land is at a premium and living history is an increasingly sparse commodity, Blandair has engendered argument, discord and many conflicting plans. For three years, pending the suit's outcome, it has effectively been condemned, off-limits to the public and slowly deteriorating. The legal action revolved around Smith's failure to sign her will. Smith, who lived alone in the house in her final years, died unexpectedly of a stroke in 1997, just days after completing her will. The will specified the creation of a foundation similar to the one Hall created and specified that the land should be used for a variety of low-impact uses.