Posted on: Claiborne Parish La Queries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/genbbs.cgi/USA/La/Claiborne/10155 Surname: Nails, Bates, Underwood ------------------------- Hello, I am calling on Everyone in Claiborne Parish who may have kin people there, who may be have access to census records, who can help us in any way to locate information on Mason N. Nails and Louisa/Louvisa/Louvenia Bates. Mason was born 1844 in Tennessee. His family moved to Claiborne around 1850. Mason had infantile paralysis as a child and was badly crippled. Mason went to work for, and to live with a man called Bud Underwood. This man thought a great deal of Mason and treated him like a son. Mason learned to make wooden furniture and weave baskets. Mason would not have served in the Civil Ward due to his disability. He married Louisa Bates about 1863. The date I have is Sep. 4. 1863. This feels a little early because they didn't have their first child, Samuel M. until 1874. In 1875 a daughter, Fannie was born. They had a total of 6 children. Sam, Fannie, Bertha Ann "Pet", Hannah, Louvenia "Dink". and Barney Fulton Nails. I believe most of these children, if not all, were born in Claiborne Parish. Mason later moved to Red River Parish where he died in 1891. He is buried at Holley Springs Cemetery along with several of his children. Louisa is not buried there leading me to believe that she is buried in Claiborne Parish. Almost everyone in this family died at an early age. Records are not easy to find. I am not sure where Mr. Underwood lived. Many of the children located in Desota Parish. Some went to Red River, and some moved down south. If you could please take the time to help us find info on these people it would be greatly appreciated. I live up in Memphis, TN and won't be home any time soon. I appreciate any help you can give us. Thank you, Terry