Benjamin Walker
Walker in 2006, photo by s_bukley/Bigstock.com
Birth Name: Benjamin Walker Davis
Place of Birth: Cartersville, Georgia, U.S.
Date of Birth: June 21, 1982
Ethnicity: English, some German, Swiss-German, distant Welsh
Benjamin Walker is an American actor, singer, and stand-up comedian. First coming to prominence on stage, his screen roles include the films Flags of Our Fathers, The War Boys, Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter, as the title character; In the Heart of the Sea, The Choice, Shimmer Lake, Love Is Blind, The Ice Road, and The King’s Daughter, and television’s Jessica Jones, The Underground Railroad, and The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.
He is the son of of Jeannine (Walker), a music teacher, and Greg Davis, who worked in finance and owned a movie rental store. Benjamin is married to British actress Kaya Scodelario, with whom he has two children.
Benjamin has stated that he is of 1/16th Native American ancestry, on his father’s side. It is not clear if this ancestry has been verified/documented. No Native American ancestry appears on family trees of Benjamin’s father.
Benjamin’s paternal grandfather was Farrell Jack Davis (the son of Andrew Jackson Davis and Azzie Ann Roe). Farrell was born in Georgia. Andrew was the son of Joseph Martin Davis and Mary Lucinda Long. Azzie was the daughter of James Ansel Roe and Evalina/Evelyn R. Cantrell.
Benjamin’s paternal grandmother was Juanita Pearl Elliott (the daughter of Henry Martin Elliott and Lillie M. Gauby). Juanita was born in Kansas. Henry was the son of Jonah Martin Elliott and Mary Jennette Moore. Lillie was the daughter of The Rev. John M. Gauby and Leah S. Merkey.
Benjamin’s maternal grandfather was Grady Walker (the son of Joseph Lee “Joe” Walker and Alice/Allice Traylor). Grady was born in Georgia. Joseph was the son of John Pierce Walker and Nancy Elizabeth Fowler. Alice was the daughter of Lamar Thomas Traylor and Frances/Fannie Jones.
Benjamin’s maternal grandmother was Annie Novyce Simonton (the daughter of Carl Alexander Simonton and Ada Nola Yates). Annie was born in Georgia. Carl was the son of Samuel Simonton and Martha Orazebba “Mattie” Daniel. Ada was the daughter of James Manning Yates and Martha Annie Walls.
Sources: Genealogy of Benjamin Walker (focusing on his father’s side) – https://www.geni.com
Genealogy of Benjamin’s paternal grandfather, Farrell Jack Davis – http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com
Obituary of Benjamin’s paternal grandmother, Juanita Pearl (Elliott) Davis – http://www.findagrave.com
Genealogies of Benjamin’s maternal grandparents, Grady Walker and Annie Novyce (Simonton) Walker – https://www.findagrave.com
Marriage record of Benjamin’s maternal grandparents, Grady Walker and Annie Novyce Simonton – https://www.familysearch.org
Benjamin’s maternal grandfather was Grady Walker (the son of Joseph Lee Walker and Alice Traylor). Grady was born in Georgia. Joseph was the son of John Pierce Walker and Nancy Elizabeth Fowler. Alice was the daughter of Lamar Thomas Traylor and Frances Jones.
Benjamin’s maternal grandmother was Annie Novyce Simonton (the daughter of Carl Alexander Simonton and Ada Nola Yates). Annie was born in Georgia. Carl was the son of Samuel Simonton and Martha Orazebba “Mattie” Daniel. Ada was the daughter of James Manning Yates and Martha Annie Walls.
Why do so many Americans (especially caucasians) claim to be part Native American?