For centuries women have fought against numerous injustices forced upon them because of their gender. Some of these injustices include the right to be seen as an equal to men, the right to vote, and the right for equal pay, along with many more. Although women have succeeded in breaking down some of these barriers, there are still many inequalities being fought today. During the seventeenth century, there was one woman in particular who battled in opposition to social injustice: Anne Hutchinson. This article is about the life of a brave woman who opposed an unfair law forbidding men and women from freely practicing their religion, and who also challenged the preposterous roles women were limited to in the religious community.
Anne Hutchinson, maiden name Anne Marbury, was born July 20, 1591, in Alford, England. She was the daughter of a midwife and a Cambridge scholar who published many unorthodox religious texts. In fact, Francis Marbury’s teachings were banned from where he was a teacher, at Saint Wilfred’s School in Alford. After vigorous pleading, Marbury was able to have the ban lifted, and he began teaching again in 1602. 1 Perhaps this is where Anne inherited her tenacious spirit to express her opinion. In 1605, at the young age of fourteen, Anne and her family moved to London for her father’s new position as rector of Saint Martin’s Vintry, leaving behind Anne’s boyfriend, a tailor named William Hutchinson. After the death of Anne’s father in 1611, Hutchinson moved to London to be with Anne; the next year the two were married. That same year, the newlywed bride returned to Alford where her husband continued his tailor business, and Anne followed in her mother’s footsteps as a midwife. Anne and William went on to raise thirteen children together in Alford. 2
In 1612, newly ordained Puritan minister John Cotton began preaching at Saint Botolph’s Church in Boston, Lincolnshire, not far from Alford where Anne Hutchinson resided. His unique approach greatly intrigued Hutchinson. 3 Cotton’s preaching and his understandings of religion reminded Anne of her father’s teachings. Anne enjoyed Cotton’s work so much, that in 1633, when Cotton immigrated to New England, Anne convinced her husband to move there as well. In 1634, Anne and her family made the long transition to Massachusetts. 4
The following year, in 1635, Hutchinson began holding weekly gatherings in her home to discuss minister Cotton’s sermons. Anne and her followers addressed their beliefs of sheer grace as opposed to the Calvinist theological viewpoint of predestination. Hutchinson and her followers believed that God alone grants salvation to whomever He believes is worthy of His grace, without human interaction. The clergy in New England taught that people could gain God’s grace by willingly performing various covenant conditions, such as performing good deeds, reciting prayers, attending church, along with other forms of religious practice. 5 Anne’s critics called her teachings Antinomianism. The Greek word is translated as “hostile to the law.” Anne provoked the colony leaders by proclaiming that members of their clergy who had not undergone a conversion experience had no authority to be held responsible for the spiritual offices of the colony. She also brought attention to the common yet unfair assumptions of women’s roles within Puritan society. 6 Anne’s following continued to grow, and it became so significant that in the 1636 governor’s election, the colony prevented the reelection of the current governor John Winthrop, and elected Sir Henry Vane the Younger into office. Sir Henry was an outspoken supporter of Anne’s movement, and he was a strong supporter of the anti-Winthrop movement.
Anne’s rising popularity caused three major problems for the colonial leaders. First, Anne’s gatherings paralleled preaching, which was strictly limited to those with a licence, and was absolutely forbidden to women. Second, the New England clergy was putting forth great effort in order to establish a unified church. Anne’s teachings contradicted their efforts. Third, Anne’s supporters consisted of both men and women. This act challenged the status quo of men being the only influential figures within society. 7 Never before had a woman caused so much trouble for authority figures, nor had a woman been the leader of a huge support of individuals.
The turning point of Anne’s momentum occurred during the governor election in May 1637, when former governor John Winthrop was reelected to office. It is not difficult to understand why Winthrop put Hutchinson on trial for heresy when he took office in November. 8 Winthrop was desperate to regain social order within the colony. The trial was held publicly to make an example out of Hutchinson, to show what happens to those who oppose the church and therefore oppose the colonial leadership. Anne surprised many with her witty banter and intellectual remarks. She defended herself quite impressively, proving her knowledge of the Bible and religious laws, and also by providing evidence demonstrating that her accused charge was based on more circumstantial evidence than proven facts of illegal activity. For example, the court tried to charge her with sedition, or an action suggesting discontent or rebellious actions against the government. Hutchinson made it clear that expressing opinions and holding conversations within a women’s meeting was not an illegal act. The statements made within those meetings were confidential because they were held in the privacy of her home. The spectacle of a self-educated woman verbally battling a governor who was a Cambridge scholar on an equal level was unheard of. Despite Hutchinson’s efforts, she was still convicted and banished from the colony. Anne was at a disadvantage from the start with civil officers, elected deputies, and clergymen represented as the jury in the trial. 9 After the verdict, Anne, her family, and a few loyal followers migrated to Rhode Island for a short while before settling in the Dutch colony of New Netherlands, which subsequently became New York. In 1643, Anne and her family became victims of an Indian uprising and were killed during the attack.
Anne Hutchinson is seen as one of the first female feminist who fought for religious freedom. Anne’s actions represent a right established to us as Americans in 1791. The first amendment to the Constitution established the freedoms of religion, assembly, speech, press, and petition. Anne’s reasons for refusing to conform to colonial authorities were reasonable and respectable. She was not the only person to fight for individual freedoms; but her courageous start led the way for others to fight against injustices too.
- John R. Holmes, “Anne Hutchinson,” Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia (January 2016), 1. ↵
- Holmes, “Anne Hutchinson,” 1. ↵
- Francis J. Bremer, “John Cotton,” Salem Press Biographical Encyclopedia (2016), 1. ↵
- Holmes, “Anne Hutchinson,” 1. ↵
- James F. Cooper, Jr., “Anne Hutchinson and the ‘Lay Rebellion’ against the Clergy,” The New England Quarterly, Inc 61, no. 3 (September 1988): 382-383. ↵
- Alan Brinkley, American History, 15th ed., vol. 1: to 1865 (2 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10121: McGraw Hill Education, 2015), 45. ↵
- Holmes, “Anne Hutchinson,” 1. ↵
- Alan Brinkley, American History, 45. ↵
- Lisa McGunigal, “The Criminal Trial of Anne Hutchinson: Ritual, Religion, and Law,” Mosaic: A Journal for the Interdisciplinary Study of Literature 49, no. 2 (June 2016): 1-8. ↵
This Post Has 49 Comments
Bianca-Rhae Jacquez
24 Mar 2019Anne Hutchinson was an amazing role model. I didn’t know she had such an impact and influence for women’s rights. I loved that this article showcased the long lasting affects her actions had on the women’s rights movement. I feel like she could’ve influenced people more if she was given the opportunity. This article was amazing in telling her story.
Antonio Coffee
16 Mar 2019Hutchinson is an amazing figure and role model. She did many things that others would have been scared to do. The fact that she was able to not only gather a large following but also that it was so large that colonial authorities were concerned with her upsetting the status quo is pretty awesome. She knew what she wanted and she was willing to fight for it. She was able to argue with the governor on equal footing and this should be a lesson that no matter who is trying to keep you down, you should always fight for what you believe in.
Matthew Swaykus
13 Mar 2019I had no Idea Anne Hutchinson did so much for women’s rights. This was an interesting article because it highlights the long-lasting influence of Hutchinson and how successful she was at creating that large of an audience within a strictly puritanical society. It is a shame that she could not have influenced the colony even more so than she already did. Despite this, she also proved herself – and by extension, every woman – capable of defending herself with facts and bible verses (which were more than facts to the puritans) alike.
Hali Garcia
27 Jan 2019I have great respect for Anne Hutchinson. I admire how she fought for what she believed in and how she stated her opinions. It is fascinating to hear about how she would hold meetings with some of the people to discuss the Minister’s preaching and how much of an influence she had on them. It is too bad how she was not treated fairly in her trial. Overall, this is a very informative article.
Mariah Garcia
3 Nov 2018Anne Hutchinson was an astonishing woman who never let anyone change her views or bring her down. But, that is not was highlights her achievements, it is her intelligence that many feared during that time because she didn’t want to subside to the colonial authorities. She was put to trial, was treated unfairly, and put in jail. Yet, she still pushed through and fought for many injustices.
Indhira Mata
25 Oct 2018As someone who is apart of a female empowering organization, Anne Hutchinson is someone I would have much respect for. She not only stood up to critics, but to people with the power to throw her in jail or give her harsh punishments. The article really captured her courage and strong willingness that she had. Anne had strong beliefs and the author made sure to emphasize that throughout the entire article. She is a historical figure to all females around the world and helps us stand up for our beliefs.
Raymond Nash Munoz III
23 Oct 2018Within my current semester, I have learned a lot about feminism and the actions of feminists throughout history. Though surprisingly, I have yet to come across Anne Hutchinson, until this article. After completing this article, I have found a great admiration for Hutchinson. My admiration does not come from the fact that Hutchinson was a woman who stood up for herself, it comes from the fact that Hutchinson possessed a higher level intelligence that properly equipped her to stand up for herself. The author did an amazing job of highlighting Hutchinson’s significance in history.
Christopher Hohman
16 Sep 2018Nice article. Anne was certainly a trailblazer for her time. It is so cool that she was able to have so much influence so many people both men and women. Her understanding of the BIble must have really been something. Anne was treated so unfairly during her trial, she clearly was more than a match for the governor at the time. The powers that be were just to afraid of her I guess, they really wanted her gone forever. It is too bad that she and her family were killed by natives that is really sad.
Kathyleen Lauriano
2 Sep 2018I never truly knew who Anne Hutchinson was. This article described her really well. She stuck to what she believed in and didn’t let anyone bring her down. She was courageous and strong willed. My religion is what makes me who I am and if someone would try and take that from me I wouldn’t let them. Anne was trying to show that Women can do anything men can. And we constantly prove this.