Bette Davis

studio portrait of Bette Davis c. 1940s, Alexander Kahle, for RKO Radio

Birth Name: Ruth Elizabeth Davis

Date of Birth: April 5, 1908

Place of Birth: Lowell, Middlesex, Massachusetts, United States

Date of Death: October 6, 1989

Place of Death: Neuilly-sur-Seine, Hauts-de-Seine, France

Ethnicity: English, as well as remote Scottish and Welsh

Bette Davis was an American actress. She twice won the Academy Award for Best Actress, for Dangerous (1935) and Jezebel (1938).

She was the daughter of Ruth Augusta (Favor) and Harlow Morrell Davis. Her family had lived in New England for several hundred years, particularly Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont. Her ancestry was English, except for some remote ancestors who were Scottish, in the 1600s, and Welsh, in the 1500s.

Bette was married to innkeeper Arthur Farnsworth, until his death. She had a daughter, author and pastor B. D. Hyman, with her former husband, artist William Grant Sherry; and two children with her former husband, actor Gary Merrill, who later also adopted B. D.

Bette’s patrilineal line leads to James Davis/Davisse, who was born, c. 1583, likely in England.

Bette’s paternal grandfather was Edward Elwell/Ellwood Davis (the son of Calvin Harlow Davis and Ann/Anne Permelia Mathews/Matthews). Edward was born in New Hampshire. Calvin was the son of Mark Davis and Abigail Stevens. Anne was the daughter of John Mathews/Matthews and Permelia/Pamelia Kimball.

Bette’s paternal grandmother was Eliza/Elizabeth Jane Morrell (the daughter of Alexander Hatch Morrell and Eliza/Elizabeth Seavey/Seavy). Bette’s grandmother Eliza was born in Maine. Alexander was the son of Josiah Morrell, Jr. and Sarah Quint. Bette’s great-grandmother Eliza was the daughter of Thomas Burnham Seavey and Keziah/Kezia Hinckley.

Bette’s maternal grandfather was William Aaron Favor (the son of Jacob Gordon Favor and Augusta Freeman). William was born in New Hampton, Belknap, New Hampshire. Jacob was the son of Cutting Favor/Favour and Hannah Gordon. Augusta was the daughter of Peletiah Freeman and Mary.

Bette’s maternal grandmother was Harriet/Harriette Eugenia/Eugenie Thompson (the daughter of Charles Otis Thompson and Harriet Jane Bailey). Harriet was born in Massachusetts. Charles was the son of Moody M. Thompson and Harriet A. Keyes/Keys. Bette’s great-grandmother Harriet was the daughter of Benjamin W. Bailey and Latta Hopkins.

Sources: Genealogies of Bette Davis – http://famouskin.com
https://www.geni.com
https://www.wikitree.com

Marriage record of Bette’s patrilineal ancestors, James Davis/Davisse and Cecily Thayer – https://www.familysearch.org