# Mrs. Cullom — David Harum character guide

> Mrs. Cullom in David Harum by Edward Noyes Westcott.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** XIX Mrs. Cullom, Cullom, Mis ' Cullom, Old Mrs. Cullom, Widdo ' Cullom, the Widow Cullom

**First appearance:** 0002-i

## Snapshot

A widowed Homeville neighbor whose name surfaces in local gossip and whose family history threads through David Harum's recollections of the town.

## Who they are

Known variously as the Widow Cullom and Old Mrs. Cullom, she belongs to the older layer of Homeville society that David recalls with a mixture of nostalgia and dry commentary. Her presence in the town's talk and dealings helps map the social gradations between village people and the summer families who descend on the lake. She matters as part of the dense web of neighborhood relationships that give the novel its texture and that John must learn to read.

## Relationships

### [David Harum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/david_harum)

_social_

Mrs. Cullom is a neighbor and social acquaintance of David Harum, often involved in community matters.

### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee)

_friendship_

Mrs. Bixbee and Mrs. Cullom are friendly neighbors who socialize and exchange news.

### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee)

_friendship_

Mrs. Bixbee and Mrs. Cullom are friendly neighbors who socialize and exchange news.

### [David Harum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/david_harum)

_social_

Mrs. Cullom is a neighbor and social acquaintance of David Harum, often involved in community matters.

### [David Harum](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/david_harum)

_social_

Mrs. Cullom is a neighbor and social acquaintance of David Harum, often involved in community matters.

### [Mrs. Bixbee](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_bixbee)

_friendship_

Mrs. Bixbee and Mrs. Cullom are friendly neighbors who socialize and exchange news.

## In the story

### [XVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xvii)

The widow of Billy P. Cullom, who has fallen from wealth and struggles to survive; David holds a mortgage on her property.

### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xviii)

Arrives at the bank in a pitiable state, wet and trembling from the cold, and is cared for by John and Mrs. Bixbee.

### [XIX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xix)

Mrs. Cullom reluctantly agrees to settle the mortgage, expressing her hopelessness and recalling the kindness of David's relative.

### [Chapter XX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xx)

Overwhelmed with gratitude as David clears her debt and shares memories of her late husband.

### [Chapter XXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxi)

Visits the office and is seen to the door by John; David mentions her matter as paying off an old score.

### [XXII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxii)

Visits Mrs. Bixbee, shares her relief about David's kindness, and listens to the Lish Harum story.

### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxiii)

Dines at David's table, transformed by Aunt Polly's care, and appears happy.

### [Chapter XXIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/chapters/xxiv)

Dines with David and John, speaks with refined diction, and is horrified by David's theater story.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters/mrs_cullom
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/david_harum_se/characters