Kathleen - I find the given name MAHALA an unusual name, but I have one
also:
MAHALA BURTON, b abt 1826/27 in KY. Was still living with her sister
(who is my relative) in 1860 in Decatur Co., but could have married
right after that. Mahala's father was William W BURTON, mother
Susan(nah) who died between 1850-1860 and is buried in Greensburgh.
Could any of this mess fit into yours???
Pat Bartelmey in (rainy) Washington State