# Mrs. Morton — The American Senator character guide

> Mrs. Morton in The American Senator by Anthony Trollope.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** old Mrs. Morton, the Honourable Mrs. Morton

**First appearance:** 0056-lvii-mrs-morton-returns

## Snapshot

The Honourable Mrs. Morton guards Bragton's dignity like a fortress, disapproving of her son's American guests, her dead brother-in-law's memory, and nearly everything else in Dillsborough.

## Who they are

As John Morton's mother and mistress of Bragton, she embodies the old county pride that the novel keeps testing against new money, American manners, and her son's wavering engagements. Her refusal even to hear Reginald Morton's name spoken well reveals a grudge that colors family relations. She matters because her stiffness sets the social temperature her son must navigate, and because her disapproval shadows every choice he makes about love and inheritance.

## In the story

### [The Morton Family](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/ii-the-morton-family)

The Honourable Mrs. Morton, wife of John Morton; a dowager who took her grandchildren away from Bragton after the old squire's death.

### [The Paragon's Party at Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/viii-the-paragon-s-party-at-bragton)

John's grandmother, who refuses to dine with Reginald Morton and expresses disdain for the American visitor.

### [The Old Kennels](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/ix-the-old-kennels)

Objects to meeting Reginald Morton, citing past grievances; insists on inviting clergymen and having a fire in the church.

### [XII: Arabella Trefoil](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xii-arabella-trefoil)

John Morton's grandmother. She is offended by the Trefoils' manners, particularly Lady Augustus's behavior, and expresses her displeasure privately. She offers hospitality in a frigid manner.

### [Lord Rufford's Invitation](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xvii-lord-rufford-s-invitation)

Angry at being omitted from the invitation; expresses resentment toward the Trefoils and Lord Rufford.

### [The Attorney's Family Is Disturbed](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xviii-the-attorney-s-family-is-disturbed)

Referred to as 'Mrs. Masters' in the text; she is the stepmother who strongly opposes Mary's visit, leading to a domestic disturbance and hysterics.

### [XX: There Are Convenances](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/xx-there-are-convenances)

Referenced as the old woman who has Morton completely under her thumb; Arabella is not afraid of her.

### [Mrs. Morton Returns](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lvii-mrs-morton-returns)

Returns to Bragton after a bitter departure; she is determined to influence the disposition of the estate and is wary of Reginald Morton's presence.

### [The Two Old Ladies](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lviii-the-two-old-ladies)

Nurses her wrath and schemes to control John's will regarding Chowton Farm and the inheritance.

### [Changes at Bragton](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxiii-changes-at-bragton)

Old Mrs. Morton urges her grandson John to alter his will, scheming to disinherit Reginald Morton in favor of Peter Morton. After John's death, she bitterly mutters 'Bastard!' referring to Reginald.

### [At Last](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/chapters/lxx-at-last)

Departs for London after John Morton's death; locks up everything and takes keys; later the lawyer returns them.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters/mrs_morton
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_american_senator_se/characters