Mr. Tweedie is a journeyman silversmith from Baltimore whom Mrs. Lapham brings to Boston to be Mr. Lapham’s business partner. Johnny detests him instantly, calling him a “squeak-pig” and a “spinster aunt dressed up in men’s clothes.” Mr. Tweedie is something of a joke throughout the novel, particularly to Johnny and Cilla: he’s particular about the terms of his contract, changes his mind multiple times with regards to which Lapham daughter he wants to marry, and ultimately ends up marrying Mrs. Lapham. However, he nevertheless seems something of a shrewd businessman, as he fires Dove and manages to improve the Laphams’ financial prospects with his regular work for Mr. Lyte. Though Johnny never totally gets over his hatred of Mr. Tweedie, he ultimately seems to decide that Mr. Tweedie is a fine craftsman.
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Mr. Percival Tweedie Character Timeline in Johnny Tremain
The timeline below shows where the character Mr. Percival Tweedie appears in Johnny Tremain. The colored dots and icons indicate which themes are associated with that appearance.
Chapter 3
...do. He never goes home for dinner, especially once Mrs. Lapham begins negotiating with a Mr. Tweedie to become Mr. Lapham’s business partner. Cilla often slips a hunk of bread or cheese...
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2. Mr. Tweedie , a silversmith from Baltimore, comes to Boston. At first, he stays at a lodging...
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Chapter 4
...he has to move back to the attic. She also tells him he can’t insult Mr. Tweedie anymore, and he’s not to even look at Cilla. Enraged, Johnny says that he wouldn’t...
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...“Johnny Tremain,” not “Jonathan Lyte Tremain.” Mrs. Lapham also insisted that Johnny owned nothing, while Mr. Tweedie insisted Johnny is “evil.” With this, the sheriff takes Johnny to the jail. Kindly, the...
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...let Cilla out next Tuesday. Rab adds that Mrs. Lapham is also trying to please Mr. Tweedie , who hates Johnny for calling him a “squeak-pig.” Johnny is annoyed, but Rab says...
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Chapter 5
...carrying the heavy yoke, something that always humiliated Johnny, makes him sad. She explains that Mr. Tweedie won’t let Dove or Dusty go, so it’s her job. Johnny offers to carry the...
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Chapter 7
...begs her for news. She explains that Dorcas ran off with Frizel, Junior just when Mr. Tweedie expressed interest in her—so now, Mr. Tweedie wants to marry Cilla. Johnny protests that Cilla...
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...through Boston’s gates, Johnny decides to stop in and visit the Laphams. He proudly asks Mr. Tweedie to mend his spur and then walks into the backyard, where he finds Madge in...
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Chapter 8
...on the Lapham family gossip: Madge ran off with Sergeant Gale, so Mrs. Lapham married Mr. Tweedie herself. She’s Mrs. Maria Tweedie now, which isn’t so bad—a girl has to think about...
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