Hi. I'm not related, but I have a piece of art signed "McNeel" with the date '08 or '11 (there's a slight smear there) after it. Someone on the McNeel board responded that this piece was probably done by Jessie Maverick McNeel (1877-1959) of Texas, so I began doing a little Internet searching and, I must say, you folks have a fascinating heritage!!

Jessie's father, Albert, was the 9th child of Samuel Augustus Maverick and Mary Ann Adams. Albert married Jane Lewis Maury and Jessie was their first child of 11 (all this per the little bit of research I've done via the web). Jessie married James Shelby McNeel, and the McNeel family history is impressive as well.

The piece I have that I think was probably done by Jessie measures about 6" x 10.5" and appears to be a watercolor (I'm not an artist). It's a lakeside view with a couple of trees in the foreground -- done in greens and tans. It's very pretty and much like the art of those days, I think -- serene.

Does anyone reading this know about Jessie? She and James had several children, so I assume there are a number of ancestors. I'd like to learn more about her art and if there's any displayed around Texas other than in private homes.

Thanks for any info. you can provide. Jill Minehart in Iowa