Pratik Handore
Paramount Network’s ‘Yellowstone‘ introduces viewers to the Dutton family, and their story expands across spin-off shows such as ‘1883’ and ‘1923.’ Margaret Dutton is the first matriarch of the Dutton family and a formidable character in her own right. She is the wife of James Dutton and features extensively in ‘1883.’ After establishing the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch with James, Margaret lived for around a decade more. Her life was turned upside down when her husband was killed tragically. Even though she sought help for her and her children’s survival, her relatives were too late to save her! SPOILERS AHEAD!
What Happened to Margaret Dutton?
Margaret Dutton is introduced in the series premiere episode of ‘1883,’ the spin-off prequel to ‘Yellowstone.’ She is the first known matriarch of the Dutton family and the wife of James Dilliard Dutton. In the series, actress and singer Faith Hill portrays Margaret Dutton opposite her real-life husband, Tim McGraw. Hill also appears in the flashback sequences of ‘Yellowstone’ season 4. Margaret is the mother of Elsa, John, and Spencer Dutton.
In ‘1883,’ she travels from Tennessee to Fort Worth, Texas, with her family. From the town, the Duttons undertake a long and grueling journey West along the Oregon Trail with cowboys Shea and Thomas. Eventually, the Duttons arrive in Montana but are about to lose their daughter, Elsa Dutton, after she suffers a nasty injury. As a result, Margaret implores James to find land to call home and where they can bury Elsa. That land would become the Yellowstone Dutton Ranch. Thus, Margaret plays a direct role in the foundation of the revered ranch in Montana.
How Did Margaret Dutton Die?
As per the events of ‘1883,’ Margaret Dutton is alive when the Duttons arrive in Montana. In the eighth episode of ‘Yellowstone’ season 4, titled ‘No Kindness for the Coward,’ Margaret appears in a flashback sequence that details the death of her husband, James Dutton. The scene is set in 1893, a decade after the finale of the prequel series. Sometime between 1883 and 1893, James and Margaret had another son, Spencer Dutton, and established the early iteration of the Dutton family’s log cabin.
After James’ death, Margaret realized that she couldn’t look after both of her children on her own. Her husband’s demise might have alarmed her enough to worry about her and her kids’ safety, which seemingly led her to seek protection. She wrote to Jacob (Harrison Ford in ‘1923’), James’ brother, to come to the ranch so that he could safeguard John and Spencer for her. She must have also understood the need for a man’s presence in the place to eliminate more threats. After receiving Margaret’s letter, Jacob and his wife, Cara, arrived at the ranch, only to see the former’s dead body. Before they could reach the ranch, the Dutton matriarch had frozen to death due to a snowdrift.
Even though Jacob and Cara failed to save Margaret, they took care of her children, John and Spencer, as their own kids. Cara didn’t make the two boys feel that they had to grow up without a mother. Her regular correspondence with Spencer in ‘1923’ displays the bond they cherished over the years.
Read More: Who Is Patience Dutton? How Did She Die in Yellowstone?
