# Tony Weller — The Pickwick Papers character guide

> Tony Weller in The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** the elder Mr. Weller, Mr. Weller, Mr. Veller, Tony Veller, Mr. Tony Veller

**First appearance:** 0006-v

## Snapshot

Sam Weller's father, a veteran coachman whose worldly wisdom, comic mispronunciations, and distrust of widows and lawyers make him a beloved fixture.

## Who they are

Tony Weller drives his coach between London and the provinces, dispensing hard-earned maxims about marriage, money, and the treachery of attorneys. His second marriage to a pious widow brings him into conflict with Stiggins and domestic discomfort, which he bears with rueful humor. He is devoted to Sam and becomes a loyal ally to Pickwick, his robust common sense offering a counterweight to the club's genteel follies.

## In the story

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

Sam's father, a stage-coachman, who identifies Jingle and Job Trotter as the passengers he drove to Ipswich and warns Sam about the dangers of widows.

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

The elder Mr. Weller talks with his son Sam about his wife's Methodistical ways and the tea-drinking event with the shepherd.

### [In which Mr. Samuel Weller begins to devote his energies to the return match between himself and Mr. Trotter.](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxiii)

Gives Sam paternal advice about marriage and the family name before departing for London.

### [Samuel Weller makes a pilgrimage to Dorking, and beholds his mother-in-law](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxvii)

Sam's father, who complains about Mr. Stiggins and the collection for the shepherd's water-rate.

### [Mr. Weller the Elder Delivers Some Critical Sentiments Respecting Literary Composition; and, Assisted by His Son Samuel, Pays a Small Instalment of Retaliation to the Account of the Reverend Gentleman with the Red Nose](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xxxiii)

Advises his son on legal matters and plans to expose Reverend Stiggins at the temperance meeting.

### [Showing how Mr. Samuel Weller got into difficulties](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xliii)

Arranges for Sam's arrest by providing money and consulting Solomon Pell.

### [Chapter XLV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/xlv)

The elder Mr. Weller arrives at the Fleet, shouting for Sam, and shares news with his son.

### [LII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/lii)

Grieves his wife's death, fends off widows, and decides to return to coaching.

### [Chapter LV](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/lv)

The elder Mr. Weller insists on selling his portion of the inheritance and receives £530.

### [LVI](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/chapters/lvi)

The elder Mr. Weller accompanies his son, initially struggling to speak, but eventually supports Sam's decision to stay with Mr. Pickwick.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters/tony_weller
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_pickwick_papers_se/characters