Barton, Mrs. Amelia, called Milly

Amos Barton's beautiful and loveable wife, the mother of a large family of children. She is loved by all her husband's
parishioners, who for her sake modify their criticism of the less popular Amos. With entirely inadequate means she cheerfully and skilfully contrives to meet the needs of her large family, and her whole life is given in loving service to Amos and her children. Entirely honest and guileless herself, she does not see through the shallow pretence of the Countess Czerlaski, and when the Countess quarters herself on the Barton household Milly loads herself with extra burdens to make the visitor comfortable. The strain proves too much, and after the birth of her seventh child she dies, thinking to the last of the welfare of her children and husband. The original of Milly Barton was Mrs. Emma
Gwyther, nee Wilson, wife of the Reverend John Gwyther. They had six children. Mrs. Evans, George Eliot's mother (the original of Mrs. Hackit), was her intimate friend, but was not with her in her last illness, as Mrs. Evans died shortly before Mrs. Gwyther. The name Milly Barton was probably suggested by that of " Mrs. Milly Barton ", a sister of Lady Newdigate, second wife of Sir Roger Newdigate.

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