Minor Characters
Mrs. Hurst
Mrs. Hurst is Bathsheba’s aunt and caretaker who allows her niece to mostly manage the household. She is a bit cantankerous and scheming—she suggests to Gabriel that Bathsheba has a number of young suitors, for instance—before falling out of the story when Bathsheba leaves for Weatherbury.
Mrs. Coggan
Presumably Jan Coggan’s wife, Mrs. Coggan is one of Bathsheba’s housekeepers at the farm.
Teddy Coggan
Presumably one of Jan and Mrs. Coggan’s children—we are told that there are many Coggan children in town—Teddy is initially the reason for Bathsheba to send a valentine.
Liddy Smallbury—
Billy Smallbury’s youngest daughter, and Bathsheba’s servant and companion. Liddy helps Bathsheba navigate the social world of Weatherbury, and it’s often unclear whether she is more of a friend or a servant.
Laban Tall
Another farm hand and a young married man who is more often known as “Susan Tall’s husband,” given that she tends to direct his affairs; he becomes clerk of the parish by the end of the novel.
Susan Tall
Laban Tall’s wife and a bossy, determined woman who is also one of the town’s great gossips.
Matthew Moon
Another farm hand and just as superstitious as Joseph Poorgrass.
Mark Clark
Another farm hand.
Bailiff Pennyways
Initially the bailiff of Bathsheba’s farm, Pennyways is fired when he’s caught stealing barley. He is conniving and finds a natural ally in Troy when the latter schemes on how best to return home.
Mary-ann Money
Bathsheba’s char-woman and one of the indoor workers on the farm; a good-humored and pleasant woman.
Andrew Candle
The newest farm hand on Bathsheba’s estate.
The maltster
The very old owner of Warren’s Malt-house—he cannot or will not say his exact age—and the patriarch of the Smallbury family. He knew Bathsheba’s parents and is, in general, a useful source of knowledge about the area, even though he never leaves the malt-house.
Jacob Smallbury
One of the maltster’s sons and another farm hand.
William (Billy) Smallbury
Another farm hand, also the son of the maltster.
Cain (Cainy) Ball
A young boy who is Gabriel’s shepherd’s hand, Cain was named by his mother, who got the Abel and Cain Bible story mixed up and named her son for the murderer, not the victim.
Temperance and Soberness Miller
Two women and employees at Bathsheba’s farm, responsible for preparing sheep’s fleeces after they’re sheared.
Sam Samway
The manager of Boldwood’s farm.
Mr. Granthead
A doctor and surgeon.
Mr. Thirdly
The parish parson.