McNeil's estate near Brazoria, by J. T. Hammond. Engraving. From A Visit to Texas (New York: Goodrich and Wiley, 1834). Courtesy The Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin; CN 02343. By 1834 approximately 20,000 Americans had settled in Texas. Many built dogtrot homes like the one depicted here. McNeil's was described as a fine estate and his hospitality as generous.