John Middleton is the oldest son and heir of Sir John and Lady Middleton. He is six years old at the start of Sense and Sensibility and has three younger siblings: William, Annamaria, and a child whose name, age, and gender are unknown.
His mother brings him along on her first visit to Barton Cottage, where he behaves with (in his mother's opinion) uncharacteristic shyness while the ladies discuss him.[1] He attends the parties Sir John arranges with his younger brother William, and the trouble they cause and their mother's solicitude reminds the guests that the insipid Lady Middleton is there too.[2]
His cousins the Miss Steeles spend their stay at Barton Park complimenting, doting on, and tolerating John and his siblings to win over Lady Middleton. He takes Anne Steele's handkerchief and throws it out the window, but rather than scold him, Lady Middleton remarks on his "spirit." He tries to soothe his sister when Annamaria is throwing a fit over the scratch she received from their mother's headdress, but she kicks him away. John and William follow Lady Middleton and Annamaria out of the room in search of apricot marmalade to soothe her, though Lady Middleton tells her sons to stay behind.[3]