Part of an old map of the San Jacinto area from the Texas Revolution

Veteran Bio

Texian Location:  Participant

The Kemp Sketch

(What is this?) | Download the original typescript

McNEEL, PLEASANT D. -- Born in Kentucky July 19, 1796. He is one of the "Old Three Hundred" of Austin's colonists. He received title August 7, 1824 to a league of land situated in the present county of Brazoria.

He was a son of John McNeel, who also was one of the "Old Three Hundred".

Mr. McNeel was active in a mass meeting held at Brazoria, June 2O, 1832, declaring in favor of the constitution of 1824. He was a member of Captain Robert J. Calder's Company at San Jacinto and on August 6, 1838 he was issued Donation Certificate No. 497 for having participated in the battle. The Commissioner of Claims, September 11, 1858 granted him a Bounty Certificate for 320 acres of land for service in the Texas army for three months but the period of enlistment is not given. In the Headright Certificate issued January 25, 1838 for one labor of land by the Board of Land Commissioners for Brazoria County it is stated that he came to Texas prior to May 2, 1835.

Mr. McNeel and his brothers John Greenville, Leander H. and Sterling McNeel owned five plantations between the Brazos and the Bernard Rivers, about seven miles south of Brazoria, operating them jointly for a number of years prior to the Civil War.

Mr. McNeel died at Gulf Prairie, Brazoria County, Texas in December 1871.

Written by Louis W. Kemp, between 1930 and 1952. Please note that typographical and factual errors have not been corrected from the original sketches. The biographies have been scanned from the original typescripts, a process that sometimes allows for mistakes in the new text. Researchers should verify the accuracy of the texts' contents through other sources before quoting in publications. Additional information on the veteran may be available in the Herzstein Library.


Battle Statistics

  • Died in Battle: No
  • Rank: Private
  • Company: Capt. Robert J. Calder

Personal Statistics

  • Alternate Names: McNeil; Duke; McNelly
  • Date of Birth: 1796 Jul 19
  • Birthplace: Kentucky
  • Came to Texas: 1822
  • Date of Death: 1871 Dec? 1873-74?
  • Other Battles: Gonzales
  • Comments: Old Three Hundred
  • Bounty Certificate: 9950
  • Donation Certificate: 497