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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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SCHEDULE 13G
(RULE 13d-102)
INFORMATION TO BE INCLUDED IN STATEMENTS FILED PURSUANT TO RULES
13d-1(b), (c), AND (d) AND AMENDMENTS THERETO FILED PURSUANT TO
RULE 13d-2(b)
(AMENDMENT NO. )(1)
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THE FIRST BANCSHARES, INC.
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(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock, no par value per share
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(Title of Class of Securities)
318916103
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(CUSIP Number)
May 12, 1999
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(Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)
Check the appropriate box to designate the rule pursuant to which this Schedule
is filed:
[ ] Rule 13d-1(b)
[ X ] Rule 13d-1(c)
[ ] Rule 13d-1(d)
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(1) The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a
reporting person's initial filing on this form with respect to the subject
class of securities, and for any subsequent amendment containing information
which would alter the disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required in the remainder of this cover page shall not
be deemed to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of
the Act but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see
the Notes).
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CUSIP NO. 318916103 13G PAGE 2 OF 5 PAGES
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(1) NAMES OF REPORTING PERSONS Nick D. Welch
I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSONS (ENTITIES ONLY)
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(2) CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP* (a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
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(3) SEC USE ONLY
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(4) CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION U.S. Citizen
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(5) SOLE VOTING POWER 96,727
NUMBER OF
SHARES --------------------------------------------------------
BENEFICIALLY (6) SHARED VOTING POWER 0
OWNED BY
EACH --------------------------------------------------------
REPORTING (7) SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER 96,727
PERSON WITH
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(8) SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER 0
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(9) AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
96,727
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(10) CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (9) EXCLUDES CERTAIN
SHARES* [ ]
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(11) PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW 9
8.4%
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(12) TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON*
IN
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*SEE INSTRUCTIONS BEFORE FILLING OUT!
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ITEM 1(A) NAME OF ISSUER:
The First Bancshares, Inc.
ITEM 1(B) ADDRESS OF ISSUER'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES:
6840 U.S. Highway 98 West
Hattiesburg, Mississippi 39404
ITEM 2(A). NAME OF PERSON FILING:
Nick D. Welch
ITEM 2(B). ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS OFFICE OR, IF NONE, RESIDENCE:
P.O. Box 6302
Laurel, Mississippi 39441
1301 Spring Hill Road
39411
ITEM 2(C). CITIZENSHIP:
United States of America
ITEM 2(D). TITLE OF CLASS OF SECURITIES:
Common Stock
ITEM 2(E). CUSIP NUMBER:
318916103
ITEM 3. IF THIS STATEMENT IS FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 13d-1(b),
OR 13d-2(b) OR (c), CHECK WHETHER THE PERSON FILING
IS A:
Not applicable.
ITEM 4. OWNERSHIP.
(a) Amount Beneficially Owned: 96,727
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(b) Percent of Class: 8.4%
(c) Number of Shares as to which such person has:
(i) sole power to vote or to direct the vote - 96,727
(ii) shared power to vote or to direct the vote - 0
(iii) sole power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of - 96,727
(iv) shared power to dispose or to direct the
disposition of - 0
ITEM 5. OWNERSHIP OF FIVE PERCENT OR LESS OF A CLASS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. OWNERSHIP OF MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT ON BEHALF OF ANOTHER PERSON.
Not applicable.
ITEM 7. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF THE SUBSIDIARY WHICH ACQUIRED
THE SECURITY BEING REPORTED ON BY THE PARENT HOLDING COMPANY.
Not applicable.
ITEM 8. IDENTIFICATION AND CLASSIFICATION OF MEMBERS OF THE GROUP.
Not applicable.
ITEM 9. NOTICE OF DISSOLUTION OF GROUP.
Not applicable.
ITEM 10. CERTIFICATIONS.
Not applicable.
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SIGNATURE
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I
certify that the information set forth in this statement is true, complete and
correct.
May 13, 1999
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(Date)
/s/ Nick D. Welch
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Nick D. Welch
Director
The First Bancshares, Inc.
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