Who is Jack Marston’s Real Father? A Look at the Theories

One of the most debated and controversial topics in Red Dead Redemption revolves around the true parentage of Jack Marston. While it is generally accepted that John Marston is his father, a few cryptic remarks from Dutch Van der Linde in the first game have fueled speculation among fans about Jack’s real lineage.

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Though it seems evident that John is Jack’s biological father, exploring the theories surrounding other members of the Van der Linde gang from Red Dead Redemption 2 can be an intriguing exercise. Let’s break down the possible candidates and assess their likelihood of being Jack Marston’s true father.

John Marston – The Most Likely Father

Likelihood: 99%

Who is Jack Marston’s Real Father? A Look at the Theories 1

Was there ever any real doubt? The strongest case for Jack’s parentage points directly to John Marston. The two share similar facial features, and John’s deep, evolving care for Jack throughout the game is something only a father could genuinely feel. While John initially doubts Jack’s legitimacy—partially due to his own reckless youth and Abigail’s past as a prostitute—his love for the boy grows stronger over time.

Though John and Jack don’t share many personality traits, their face shapes are strikingly similar, especially as Jack matures. The major difference lies in their temperaments—John is an outlaw and gunslinger, while Jack is more reserved and bookish. While Jack may not be the man John had hoped he would be, he represents a changing world that John struggles to understand. Regardless, John does his best to be a father to him.

Javier Escuella – A Charmer With a Past Connection to Abigail

Likelihood: 16%

Who is Jack Marston’s Real Father? A Look at the Theories 2

Javier Escuella is often mentioned in discussions about Jack’s true father, though the evidence supporting this theory is thin. One of the primary arguments is the resemblance between Javier’s facial hair and Jack’s older appearance. However, since facial hair isn’t hereditary, this reasoning doesn’t hold much weight.

A more compelling piece of evidence comes from Red Dead Redemption, when John confronts Javier. During their encounter, Javier asks, “Did Abigail miss me?”—implying a past romantic or sexual relationship. While this could have been a crude attempt to provoke John, it does raise questions about Abigail’s past and whether Javier could have played a role in Jack’s conception.

Arthur Morgan – A Man Who Once Considered Marrying Abigail

Likelihood: 15%

Who is Jack Marston’s Real Father? A Look at the Theories 3

Arthur Morgan, the protagonist of Red Dead Redemption 2, never explicitly states his feelings for Abigail, but there are subtle hints that he harbored affection for her. Early in the game, Arthur expresses frustration over John abandoning the gang for a year, and his concern seems to stem more from Abigail and Jack being left behind rather than just loyalty to the gang.

Arthur’s journal provides further insight into his thoughts about Abigail. He writes about how he had feelings for her “before she fell so hard for that fool Marston” and even wonders, “Perhaps I should have married her.” This suggests that Arthur may have had romantic aspirations, though whether they ever acted on them is unknown.

Given that multiple gang members had relations with Abigail, it wouldn’t be far-fetched to assume Arthur might have been one of them. However, if Arthur were Jack’s father, it would be strange for Abigail not to tell him—unless she was uncertain herself. Ultimately, Arthur considers himself more of an uncle figure to Jack than a potential father.

Dutch Van der Linde – A Protective Leader With a Mysterious Past

Likelihood: 15%

Who is Jack Marston’s Real Father? A Look at the Theories 4

Dutch Van der Linde, the gang’s charismatic leader, is another candidate for Jack’s father. Given his dominant status within the gang, it wouldn’t be surprising if he had taken advantage of his influence over its members, including Abigail. Dutch’s comment in Red Dead Redemption, “We all had her,” when speaking about Abigail, adds fuel to the speculation.

While Dutch and Jack don’t share physical similarities, Dutch is unusually protective of Jack and even has fatherly conversations with him. Perhaps the most intriguing link between them is their shared love of literature. While this alone doesn’t prove anything, it’s a small detail that some fans believe hints at a deeper connection.

Uncle – The Man Who Introduced Abigail to the Gang

Likelihood: 3%

Who is Jack Marston’s Real Father? A Look at the Theories 5

Uncle, the lazy, whiskey-loving old-timer, is an unlikely candidate, but his connection to Abigail is worth noting. He was the one who introduced her to the gang in 1894 when she was an orphaned prostitute. This raises questions—how did Uncle know about her in the first place? Did he have ulterior motives?

While Uncle’s character is often played for comic relief, considering him as Jack’s father is more unsettling than entertaining. Fortunately, there’s no real evidence to suggest he had any relations with Abigail, making this theory highly improbable.

Bill Williamson – A Crude Braggart With Doubtful Claims

Likelihood: 1%

Who is Jack Marston’s Real Father? A Look at the Theories 6

Bill Williamson, a dishonorably discharged soldier turned gang enforcer, is another unlikely candidate. While Bill has openly bragged about sleeping with Abigail, his claims seem more like taunts rather than truth. When John confronts him in Red Dead Redemption, Bill sneers, “Jack probably ain’t even your son!”—indicating that rumors about Jack’s parentage were common within the gang.

However, Bill is far from the sharpest mind in the gang, and his rough, distinct facial features bear no resemblance to Jack’s. Additionally, fan theories suggest Bill may have been gay, which, if true, would further diminish the plausibility of him being Jack’s father.

Conclusion – The Truth Behind Jack’s Parentage

While various theories about Jack Marston’s true father exist, the overwhelming evidence supports John Marston as the most likely candidate. The speculation surrounding other gang members—particularly Javier, Arthur, and Dutch—adds an interesting layer of mystery, but none of the alternative theories hold enough weight to override the obvious.

Ultimately, Red Dead Redemption is a story about redemption, fatherhood, and legacy. Whether or not there’s any truth to the rumors, John Marston treats Jack as his own, and that’s what truly matters.

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