# Thomas Belton — Clarissa character guide > Thomas Belton in Clarissa by Samuel Richardson. **Role:** minor **Also known as:** Thomas Belton, Belton, Tom, poor Belton **First appearance:** 0001-clarissa ## Who they are A dissolute friend of Lovelace who dies repentant. ## In the story ### [Letter 48: Miss Howe, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-48-miss-howe-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) One of Lovelace's intimates encountered at the Cocoa-tree; spoke freely of Lovelace. ### [Letter 161: Miss Clarissa Harlowe, to Miss Howe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-161-miss-clarissa-harlowe-to-miss-howe) A heavy drinker and gambler with a consumptive cough, who jests about his own ill health. ### [Letter 169: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-169-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) One of the companions who endorses Belford's letter. ### [Letter 192: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-192-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Belford recounts Belton's visit, his illness, and his betrayal by his mistress Thomasine, who has embezzled his money and carried on an intrigue. ### [Letter 193: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-193-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as an example of a keeper suffering from a lowbred mistress. ### [Letter 292: Mr. Mowbray, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-292-mr-mowbray-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Present with Mowbray, joining in damning the women and condoling with Lovelace. ### [Letter 341: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-341-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Lovelace inquires about his health and warns Belford against preaching to him about conscience and reformation. ### [Letter 344: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-344-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Belton is described as gravely ill, abandoned by his mistress Thomasine and his friends, and unable to control his own household. ### [Letter 347: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-347-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) His case is discussed; Lovelace offers a dark scheme to rid him of his unfaithful mistress Thomasine. ### [Letter 364: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-364-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Described as low-spirited, moping, and in need of Belford's company; Belford pities him but can offer no consolation. ### [Letter 385: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-385-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Belford mentions his own and Belton's affairs, and plans to go to Epsom to help Belton's sister take possession of his house. ### [Letter 399: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-399-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Ill and dispirited; his mistress and her accomplices are driven from his house by Belford and others. ### [Letter 413: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-413-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) At death's door; Belford is called to his bedside and fears he may not be able to return soon. ### [Letter 414: Mr. Belford, to Miss Clarissa Harlowe](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-414-mr-belford-to-miss-clarissa-harlowe) Mentioned as dying; Belford is traveling to Epsom to perform last friendly offices for him. ### [Letter 419: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-419-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Dying friend whose agonizing repentance and despair are vividly described; he reflects on his past sins and warns Lovelace. ### [Letter 420: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-420-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Dying friend whom Belford and Mowbray are attending; Belford urges Lovelace to visit him. ### [Letter 421: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-421-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as dying and taking his fate heavily; Lovelace comments on his weakness and Mowbray's impatience with him. ### [Letter 422: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-422-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Recently deceased; Lovelace recalls his cheerful nature and defends his actions in the duel with Metcalfe. ### [Letter 423: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-423-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Reported to be still ill, with no hopes of recovery. ### [Letter 424: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-424-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Dies in agony after a long illness, expressing terror and regret over his past sins. ### [Letter 425: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-425-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Recently deceased; his death serves as a warning and a subject of mourning. ### [Letter 440: Mr. Belford, to Robert Lovelace, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-440-mr-belford-to-robert-lovelace-esq) Recently deceased; Belford attended his funeral and is settling his affairs, including providing for his sister. ### [Letter 449: Mr. Lovelace, to John Belford, Esq.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/chapters/letter-449-mr-lovelace-to-john-belford-esq) Mentioned as 'poor Belton'; Lovelace approves Belford's generosity to his sister and arranges for legacies. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters/thomas_belton - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/clarissa_se/characters