Name: ____________________________
Due Date: Wednesday 11/13/12
Social Studies Seven/PD: _____
HW – Anne Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson (1591-1643)
Background:
Anne Hutchinson was born Anne Marbury in England in 1591. Her father was a minister and she read
widely from his library as a child. Much like her father, Anne openly questioned many of the teachings of the
Church of England and eventually even questioned the laws and rights of her nation (England). At the age of
21 she married William Hutchinson and, along with her family, became a follower of Puritan Minister John
Cotton. When Cotton faced persecution at the hands of the English Government, Anne and her family decided
to move to America to practice religious freedom in 1634.
Passage:
Anne was outspoken on her religious and social views almost from the time of her arrival in
Massachusetts. Although she followed most of the teachings of the Puritan Church, she argued that women
should be treated as the equals of men – an idea that was well ahead of its time in the 1630’s. She also spoke
against the poor treatment of Native Americans by the settlers of the Massachusetts Bay Colony and its
government.
Anne began to hold bible meetings in her home and attracted a following of men and women that began
to grow quickly. During her meetings, she questioned some of the teachings of the Puritan Church and the
sermons of Puritan ministers. She also spoke out against the lack of rights for women and the racial prejudice
towards Native American. Her beliefs and the fact that she was gaining a following alarmed the government of
Massachusetts and the Puritan Church. When criticized by local ministers, Anne ignored them and continued
her meetings.
Hutchinson avoided persecution while Sir Henry Vane was Governor of Massachusetts. Vane was one
of her followers and he would not bring charges against Anne. In 1637 Vane lost the governorship to John
Winthrop and she was quickly charged with opposing ministers and heresy (going against the beliefs of the
Puritan Church). She was forced to stand before her accusers in the Massachusetts General Court for several
days of questioning even though she was well into her fifteenth pregnancy at the time.
The General Court tried to get her to admit to her charges for days through questioning and Anne
steadily and skillfully defended herself. When she realized that the Court planned to find her guilty regardless
of her arguments, she declared that it had no right to punish her. The General Court found her guilty of being a
heretic, banished her from the Colony, and pronounced her “a woman not fit for our society.”
She was held for several months before undergoing a second religious trial. During this time, she lost
her child and suffered greatly. In 1638, after the conclusion of the second trial, Anne was banned from the
Puritan Church for allowing men and women to meet in her house at the same time (during bible meetings).
Anne, her husband, and a small following moved to Rhode Island that same year. Sadly, Anne did not find the
peace that she hoped for in Rhode Island. She and her husband had several disputes with others who had come
with them from Massachusetts and eventually left for New Netherlands in 1643.
The Hutchinson family arrived during the middle of fighting between the Native Americans and the
Dutch. Angry with the treatment that they were receiving from the Dutch, a group of Native Americans
attacked and killed the entire Hutchinson family with the exception of Anne’s youngest daughter (legend has it
she was spared as a result of her red hair). She was taken as a captive and was released when relatives paid a
ransom several years later.
Anne Hutchinson on Trial in 1637
Before the General Court
Statue of Anne Hutchinson in front of the
Massachusetts State House
Anne Hutchinson
Name: __________________________________
1.
Period: _____
In what way was Anne Hutchinson “much like her father?”
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2.
On which two issues was Anne Hutchinson outspoken (spoke out/gave clear opinions on)?
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3.
What did Anne do that “alarmed” the Government of Massachusetts and the Puritan Church?
Give specific examples of her beliefs or practices that alarmed the Government and Church.
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4.
Why was Anne Hutchinson brought to trial in 1637 (there is more than one reason and the reasons
are not the same as the answer to question three!)?
First Reason(s)
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Second Reason(s)
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5.
What type of freedom is Anne Hutchinson an early example of? (opinion/summary question)
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