# Upton Tracy — Hudson River Bracketed character guide > Upton Tracy in Hudson River Bracketed by Edith Wharton. **Role:** supporting **Also known as:** Upton, Tracy, young Upton, young Tracy, the Tracys' Upton, the real Upton **First appearance:** 0010-vi ## Snapshot Vance's genteel cousin at Paul's Landing, a spindly, wistful boy whose old Hudson Valley family name opens doors Vance never knew existed. ## Who they are Upton Tracy is the son of Lucilla Lorburn Tracy, raised among the decaying gentility of Paul's Landing where Tracys and Lorburns have lived since before the Revolution. He meets Vance at Grand Central with the easy manners of a boy who has never had to prove his place, yet there is something wistful in his gray eyes that suggests he too feels the weight of a family in decline. Through Upton, Vance first glimpses the Willows and the Lorburn inheritance, and the friendship becomes one of the threads binding him to a past he never knew he had. ## Relationships ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _friendship_ Upton is Vance's loyal friend and confidant, often providing support and comic relief in Vance's tumultuous life. ### [Laura Lou](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/laura_lou) _friendship_ Laura Lou and Upton share a warm, platonic friendship, with Upton often acting as a protective figure for her. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _friendship_ Halo and Upton share a friendly, supportive relationship, with Upton often acting as a go-between for Halo and Vance. ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _friendship_ Upton is Vance's loyal friend and confidant, often providing support and comic relief in Vance's tumultuous life. ### [Vance Weston](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/vance_weston) _friendship_ Upton is Vance's loyal friend and confidant, often providing support and comic relief in Vance's tumultuous life. ### [Laura Lou](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/laura_lou) _friendship_ Laura Lou and Upton share a warm, platonic friendship, with Upton often acting as a protective figure for her. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _friendship_ Halo and Upton share a friendly, supportive relationship, with Upton often acting as a go-between for Halo and Vance. ### [Laura Lou](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/laura_lou) _friendship_ Laura Lou and Upton share a warm, platonic friendship, with Upton often acting as a protective figure for her. ### [Halo Tarrant](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/halo_tarrant) _friendship_ Halo and Upton share a friendly, supportive relationship, with Upton often acting as a go-between for Halo and Vance. ## In the story ### [IV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/iv) Meets Vance at Grand Central Station; described as a spindly boy of about sixteen with wistful gray eyes and a pleasant smile. ### [V](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/v) Explains the Willows to Vance, describing it as old Miss Lorburn's place that must be aired and dusted every fortnight; mentions Mrs. Spear and her daughter who occasionally inspect the property. ### [VI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/vi) Leads the group to the Willows, unlocks the house, and later calls for Vance. ### [VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/viii) Answers the door and relays Halo's message to Vance; shows relief when Halo explains her visit. ### [IX](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/ix) Mentioned as the cousin who delivered Miss Spear's message and as a guide of little use for New York. ### [XII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xii) Shows unexpected confidence at the game, reveals a double life, leads Vance into the outing, avoids defending Vance to his mother. ### [XIV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xiv) Vance lent him money and reflects on his irresponsibility during their outing. ### [XVIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xviii) Mentioned as having obtained a job as undergardener through Halo's assistance. ### [XXIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxiii) Visits Paul's Landing, now broader and stronger, with an air of importance from his new job that irritates Vance. ### [XXVII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxvii) Refuses to help financially, claiming his savings went into buying a Ford. ### [XXXI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/chapters/xxxi) Mentioned as having a job offer in California and being part of the plan for Laura Lou's move. ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters/upton_tracy - Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se - All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/hudson_river_bracketed_se/characters