Thomas C. Neel

(1825-1863) Georgia native Thomas C. Neel married Willia E. Latimer in 1848. The couple moved their family to Texas in 1854 and to Ellis County in 1855. They established a cotton and wheat plantation near what would become Ennis. Neel called his wife "Will" and the plantation became known as Will's Town, which later was shortened to "Wilton." A post office opened on the plantation in 1857; it served under both the United States and Confederate governments. In 1861 Neel was appointed a delegate to the Secession Convention. Later that year, he was elected to represent the 42nd District in the House of Representatives in the 9th Legislature. Shortly after that term ended, he was elected state senator from the 19th District, but he became ill and died before he was able to serve in the 10th Legislature. (2000)

Thomas C. Neel is a historical marker in Ennis, Ellis County, dedicated in 1999. It is one of 115 historical markers documented in Ellis County in the Texas Historical Commission Atlas, among 296 historic sites cataloged across the county.

The site sits at 32.3266, -96.7172 near Ennis. The nearest cataloged historic site is Templeton Cemetery (cemetery), about 1.0 miles away. Others within a short drive include Boren Cemetery, Richardson Cemetery, and Rankin, Frederick Harrison.

This record corresponds to Texas Historical Commission Atlas #5139011863. Use the map below for its exact position and turn-by-turn directions.