Character guide

Clifford Pyncheon

major

Also known as Mr. Pyncheon, Clifford, Dear Clifford, Poor Clifford

A sensitive, elderly man who returns to the family home after a long imprisonment.

Hepzibah Pyncheon

major

Also known as Miss Hepzibah, Hepzibah, old Hepzibah, Miss Pyncheon, Hepzibah Pyncheon, poor Hepzibah

The reclusive, impoverished spinster who opens a shop to support herself and Clifford.

Phoebe Pyncheon

major

Also known as Phoebe, Little Phoebe, Cousin Phoebe, Phoebe Pyncheon, Miss Phoebe

A cheerful, practical young cousin who brings light and order to the gloomy house.

Holgrave

major

Also known as Mr. Holgrave, the artist Holgrave

A young daguerreotypist and reformer who boards at the Pyncheon house.

Judge Jaffrey Pyncheon

major

Also known as Jaffrey Pyncheon, Jaffrey, Judge Pyncheon, Governor Pyncheon, the Judge, the late Judge Pyncheon, Cousin Jaffrey

The wealthy, hypocritical cousin who covets the family fortune and torments Clifford.

Matthew Maule

supporting

Also known as Maule, old Matthew Maule, old Maule, young Matthew Maule, the carpenter

The executed wizard whose curse haunts the Pyncheon family across generations.

Alice Pyncheon

supporting

Also known as Mistress Alice, Alice Pyncheon, fair Alice, proud Alice Pyncheon

A beautiful, proud Pyncheon heiress from the past who was humbled by a Maule.

Uncle Venner

supporting

Also known as Venner, Old Uncle Venner, good Uncle Venner

An elderly, philosophical neighbor who befriends the Pyncheon household.

Colonel Pyncheon

supporting

Also known as old Colonel Pyncheon, the Colonel

The ruthless Puritan founder of the Pyncheon family fortune and house.

Ned Higgins

minor

Also known as little Ned Higgins, Ned

A young boy who is Hepzibah's first customer at her shop.

Dixey

minor

A local man who comments on Hepzibah's shop and the Pyncheon family.

Scipio

minor

Also known as Black Scipio, black Scipio

A Black servant in the Pyncheon household during Colonel Pyncheon's time.

Mrs. Gubbins

minor

A neighbor who visits Hepzibah's shop and gossips.

Old Maid Pyncheon

minor

A deceased elderly Pyncheon relative who left a small inheritance to Hepzibah.

Chanticleer

minor

A rooster kept by Uncle Venner, often heard crowing in the garden.

Jim Crow

minor

A Black street musician briefly seen near the Pyncheon house.