Sorry, no suggestions.

Your Nelson ancestors sound unconnected to mine, which were probably Scotch-Irish. And, as Nelson is the 20th most popular surname in America, I suppose it is not surprising to have several strands even in rural Stokes County.

Apparently, the first "Nail" really spread his seed, as we have English Nelsons, Scandanavian Nelsens, Irish Nielsons, Scots McNeil/Nails, etc. That's a lot of "sons." Seems like good ole Nail was had women at every port of call arond the Baltic and North Seas!

Best wishes