Near Jones Creek in Brazoria County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
Ellerslie Plantation
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, May 31, 2025
1. Ellerslie Plantation Marker
Located near this site was the Ellerslie Plantation, home of John Greenville McNeel and his family. One of the largest sugar plantations in the area, it consisted of a large home, sugar mill, hospital, overseer's house, and slave quarters. Large entrance gates to the property were topped by carved figures of playing card suits-- heart, spade, club, and diamond.
The two-story plantation home was built of slave-made bricks. The 21-room structure featured front and rear galleries supported by brick columns. The sugar mill, also made of brick, was an immense structure. Hand-made brick was also used to build the hospital and overseer's house, as well as a number of two-room slave cabins.
Following McNeel's death in 1876, the plantation was acquired by a niece, Elizabeth Huntington, and her family. The large home burned in the 1890s, and the family moved into the former hospital. After it was destroyed in the 1900 storm they relocated to the overseer's house. It was destroyed in a 1983 fire. (1989)
Erected 1989 by Texas Historical Commission. (Marker Number 9558.)
Topics.
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Location. 28° 59.092′ N, 95° 30.292′ W. Marker is near Jones Creek, Texas, in Brazoria County. It is at the intersection of Weldon Road and State Highway 36, on the right when traveling east on Weldon Road. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Freeport TX 77541, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Houston Metropolitan Area. It is also in the American South and on the Gulf Coast. Globally, it is in North America, a Gulf of Mexico state, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain, the Republic of Texas, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Old Oakland (within shouting distance of this marker); Major Reuben R. Brown (approx. 2 miles away); William Joel Bryan (approx. 2 miles away); General Stephen Fuller Austin (approx. 2 miles away); Emily Margaret Brown Austin Bryan Perry (approx. 2 miles away); James Franklin Perry (approx. 2 miles away); Henry William Munson (approx. 2 miles away); Major James Peckham Caldwell (approx. 2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Jones Creek.
More about this marker. This location is better known as McNeel's Plantation near the town of Jones Creek.
Regarding Ellerslie Plantation.
Photographed by Texmexfla, July 21, 2008
2. Ellerslie Plantation Marker
This sign is just off a little used intersection in Brazoria County. The site was at one time a HQ for Confederate Major General John B. Magruder.
Photographed by Texmexfla, July 21, 2008
3. Ellerslie Plantation Marker and View of Farmland
Plenty of Texas Confederate units visited here to obtain food and forage. Confederate Major General John Bankhead Magruder used this plantation as his headquarters for a time. During the Civil War this was known as McNeel's Plantation.
Photographed by Texmexfla, August 15, 2008
4. McNeel Plantation Photo
This is a photo of a 1800s photo on display at the Brazoria Chamber of Commerce on West Smith Street in Brazoria, Texas. Unfortunately taking a photo of a copy of photo that is behind glass makes the picture not a clear as desired.
Photographed by Texmexfla, August 15, 2008
5. Sugar House Ruins
This photo was taken at a display in the Brazoria Chamber of Commerce. Ruins of the sugar production facility from the 1800's are pictured. Due to the important sugar production this plantation was a place sought by Union troops during the War Between The States (1861-5). Sugar, Cotton, and Beef are still a major source of income in the county.
Photographed by Jeff Leichsenring, May 31, 2025
6. Ellerslie Plantation Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. This page has been viewed 8,420 times since then and 68 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. 2, 3. submitted on July 22, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. 4, 5. submitted on August 16, 2008, by Texmexfla of Houston, Texas. 6. submitted on June 3, 2025, by Jeff Leichsenring of Garland, Texas. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
