Barbara Annalee Davis was born in Concord New Hampshire in 1915. 
About 1934, she began to design dolls and doll clothing. Her first dolls were marionettes. The doll clothing was sewed onto the poseable doll, and were intended for display. Originally she sold them through the New Hampshire League of Arts and Crafts. In 1941 She married Charles "Chip" Thorndike, the son of a Boston physician. They lived in Meredith New Hampshire.
Her company, Annalee Mobilitee Dolls, Inc., which was incorporated in 1954, has become one of the country's premier makers of collectible dolls. "Annalee" selected a theme, from skiiers and holidays to events and professions, and then she would create a collection of dolls (usually animals such as mice, bears and rabbits) surrounding that theme.
An exhibition celebrating Annalee Davis Thorndike's gift of dolls and personal memorabilia to the New Hampshire Historical Society was on view at the Museum of New Hampshire History from July 22, 2000, to November 4, 2001. The exhibition focused on her early career and work promoting New Hampshire tourism.
On Sunday April 7, 2002 Annalee Mobilitee Dolls, Inc. creator and founder Barbara Annalee Davis Thorndike passed away at her home in Meredith, New Hampshire, surrounded by her family at the time of her passing. She was 87 years old.
Janice
Read more about her story.
-A Neat Slideshow about Annalee Dolls-
-Santa dolls subject of lawsuit- (Dec. 11, 2003)
**PARTIAL FAMILY TREE OF BARBARA ANNALEE (DAVIS) THORNDIKE**
Charles W. Davis, b. abt 1828 in NH d. aft 1880. He married 13 Apr 1853 to Helen M. Boynton, dau of Nathaniel & Martha Patty (Curtis) Boynton. She b. 9 Apr 1828 in NH.
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1860 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Merrimack > Concord Ward 6
Charles W. Davis 32 M Carriage Painter 2000/3000 NH, b. abt 1828]
Hellen M. Davis 32 F NH
Edward B. Davis 6 M NH
Hattie E. Davis 5 F NH
Henry P. Davis 1 M NH
Nathaniel Boynton 68 M Carpenter NH
Martha P Boynton 61 F Mass
John G. Davis 23 M Jeweller NH
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U.S. Census > 1870 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Merrimack > Concord
Davis, Charles W. 42 M W Car Painter 3000 1200 NH
Davis, Helen M. 42 F W keeping House NH
Davis, Edward B 16 M W at school NH
Davis, Hattie E 14 F W at school NH
Boynton, Kathanan? 75 M W no occupation NH
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U.S. Census > 1880 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Merrimack > Concord > District 173
Davis, Charles W. W M 52 car painter NH NH NH
Davis, Helen M W F 52 wife housekeeping NH NH NH
Davis, Edward B. W M 26 son dentist NH NH NH
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Directories & Member Lists > City Directories, 1890 Census Substitute > New Hampshire > Concord > 1889 > D
Davis, Edward B., dentist, 88 North Main, rm 8, house 39 Washington (see page 52)
Davis, Charles W., painter, C. & M.R.R. shop, house 10 Monroe
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Children of Charles W. & Helen M. (Boynton) Davis:
1. +Edward B. Davis, b. 2 April 1854
2. Hattie E. Davis, b. 19 Sep 1855
3. Henry P. Davis, b. Dec 1858
4. Saddie J. Davis, b. July 1867, d. July 1868
+Edward B. Davis, b. April 1854, d. aft 1900. He married by 1888 to Annie L. She b. Aug 1854 in MA. He was a dentist in Concord New Hampshire
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1900 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Merrimack > Concord Ward 4 > District 152
Davis, Edward B. Head W M Apr 1854 46 married 17 yrs NH ME NH Dentist
Davis, Annie L. wife F W Aug 1854 45 Married 17 yrs 2 ch 2 living MA MA MA
Davis, Elizabeth E. dau F W May 1888 12 single NH NH NH at school
Davis, Emerson son W M Feb 1890 10 single NH NH NH at school
[Swedish servant]
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Children of Edward B. & Annie L. (--) Davis:
1. Elizabeth E. Davis, b. May 1888 in NH
2. +Emerson Davis, b. Feb 1890 in NH
Emerson Davis, b. 2 Feb 1890 in Concord NH; m. by 1916 to Dorris F. Ladd, dau of Fred Norton & Carrie T. (Sleeper) Ladd, and grand dau of William Dudley & Mary Ann (Emerson) Ladd of Concord NH. [a direct ancestor of this Ladd family, built the Ladd-Gilman House She b. Oct 1890 in Concord NH. He was a confectionary manufacturer in Concord NH
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Ladd Gilman House
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Concord Directory
DAVIS, EMERSON, Batchelder & Co. 14 North Main Street, h 10 Monroe, see page 15
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World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 > New Hampshire > Merrimack County > 1 > Draft Card D
Emerson Davis
10 Monroe St. Concord NH
DOB: 2 Feb 1890, in Concord NH
Manager, Grocer Retail, proprietor Concord NH
married, wife & child
blue eyes, light hair, medium height & build
signed June 5, 1917
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1920 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Merrimack > Concord Ward 4 > District 70
Davis, Emerson Head M W 29 married NH NH NH Manufacturer Confectionary
Davis, Dorris F. wife F W 29 married NH NH NH
Davis, Barbara A dau F W 4-4/12 single NH NH NH
Davis, Rose M. daughter F W 1-9/12 single NH NH NH
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U.S. Census > 1930 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Merrimack > Concord > District 16
Ladd Fred N M Head 12,000 M W 70 married at age 26 NH NY NH President, Savings Bank (b Jan 1859, m. abt 1887. Carrie J. b Aug 1862)
Ladd, Carrie wife F W 67 married at age 23 NH Canada NH
Bassett, Leoris dau F W 39 married at age 23 NH NH NH
Bassett Joseph son in law M W 48 married at age 24 MA MA MA Proprietor Wayside Carriage?
Davis, Barbara A. grand dau F W 15 single NH NH NH
Davis, Rosemary grand dau F W 12 single NH NH NH
Davis, Marilyn ggrand dau F W 8 single NH NH NH
Sleeper, Laura, mother F W 86 married at age 24 NH NH NH
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1920 United States Federal Census > New Hampshire > Merrimack > Concord Ward 5 > District 71
Ladd, Fred N. Head M W 60 M NH NY NH Banker Banking
Ladd, Carrie J. F W 55 married NH Canada NH
Ladd, Phyllis B. dau F W 15 single NH NH NY
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Children of Emerson & Dorris (Ladd) Davis
1. +Barbara Annabelle Davis, b. 1 May 1915 in Concord NH
2. Rosemary "Rose" Davis, b. abt 1917 in Concord NH
3. Marilyn Davis, b. abt 1922 in Concord NH; m. --- Gardner; res. Albuquerque, N.M.
Barbara Annalee Davis was born in Concord, New Hampshire 1 May 1915. Annalee passed away after a short illness in her home, on April 7, 2002. Buried 9 Apr 2002 in Meredith NH (Boston Globe). She married 19 Apr, 1941 to Charles "Chip" Thorndike, son of Robert J. & Anna L. Thorndike. He b. 2 Feb 1914 in MA. They settled in Meredith, New Hampshire. Her doll company was legally incorporated in 1954 as Annalee Mobilitee Dolls.
Children of Charles & Barbara A. (Davis) Thorndike:
1. Charles "Chuck" Thorndike, serves as president of Annalee Mobilitee Dolls Inc.
2. Townsend "Town" D. Thorndike, owner of Townsend Design Studios; m. Karen --. Has two sons, Eric and Shane; res. N. Sandwich NH
