The Trial of Anne Hutchinson
NAME
HIUS 221 – B15
DATE
, Early American colonies had many disputes over things like land, slavery, and relations
with Native Americans, but one of the most prominent topics of debate throughout American
history is religion. When it comes to religious disputes in early America, Anne Hutchinson is
notably one of the first women to fight the narrow beliefs of the Puritan Church in the General
Court. Although Anne Hutchinson is well known for the trial she endured in the Massachusetts
Bay Colony, her life had many other facets that deserve recognition. These facets are what made
her such a courageous and influential woman during early American colonization, as well as
what led to her trial. The purpose of this paper is to describe how Anne Hutchinson’s
upbringing, career, religious beliefs, and female oppression impacted her life.
First and foremost, Anne’s upbringing and career provided not only a basis upon which
her views stemmed from but also a platform to share her beliefs. When it comes to Anne
Hutchinson’s early life, “Hutchinson was born Anne Marbury in Alford, Lincolnshire, England
on July 20, 1591 and was the daughter of Bridget Dryden and Francis Marbury, a Deacon in the
Church of England.”1 Her father’s beliefs and position as a deacon greatly impacted how Anne
would eventually speak out against the beliefs of the colony and Puritan Church. Eventually,
Anne went on to marry William Hutchinson and migrate to America, and “Roughly every
eighteen months for twenty-two years following her wedding, Anne gave birth.”2 With such an
abundant number of children, both Anne and William found ways to support their family.
Serving the women of her community, “Anne… earned money working as a midwife and healer,
for which she grew a large herb garden. While every woman then grew and distilled herbs for
daily use, mostly medicinal, a midwife had more expertise than most.”3
1
Rebecca Brooks, “Who Was Anne Hutchinson?,” History of Massachusetts Blog, January 26, 2015.
2
Eve LaPlante, American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, The Woman Who Defied the Puritans
(First HarperCollins paperback ed. New York: HarperSanFrancisco. 2005), 146.
3
LaPlante, American Jezebel, 145.
1
NAME
HIUS 221 – B15
DATE
, Early American colonies had many disputes over things like land, slavery, and relations
with Native Americans, but one of the most prominent topics of debate throughout American
history is religion. When it comes to religious disputes in early America, Anne Hutchinson is
notably one of the first women to fight the narrow beliefs of the Puritan Church in the General
Court. Although Anne Hutchinson is well known for the trial she endured in the Massachusetts
Bay Colony, her life had many other facets that deserve recognition. These facets are what made
her such a courageous and influential woman during early American colonization, as well as
what led to her trial. The purpose of this paper is to describe how Anne Hutchinson’s
upbringing, career, religious beliefs, and female oppression impacted her life.
First and foremost, Anne’s upbringing and career provided not only a basis upon which
her views stemmed from but also a platform to share her beliefs. When it comes to Anne
Hutchinson’s early life, “Hutchinson was born Anne Marbury in Alford, Lincolnshire, England
on July 20, 1591 and was the daughter of Bridget Dryden and Francis Marbury, a Deacon in the
Church of England.”1 Her father’s beliefs and position as a deacon greatly impacted how Anne
would eventually speak out against the beliefs of the colony and Puritan Church. Eventually,
Anne went on to marry William Hutchinson and migrate to America, and “Roughly every
eighteen months for twenty-two years following her wedding, Anne gave birth.”2 With such an
abundant number of children, both Anne and William found ways to support their family.
Serving the women of her community, “Anne… earned money working as a midwife and healer,
for which she grew a large herb garden. While every woman then grew and distilled herbs for
daily use, mostly medicinal, a midwife had more expertise than most.”3
1
Rebecca Brooks, “Who Was Anne Hutchinson?,” History of Massachusetts Blog, January 26, 2015.
2
Eve LaPlante, American Jezebel: The Uncommon Life of Anne Hutchinson, The Woman Who Defied the Puritans
(First HarperCollins paperback ed. New York: HarperSanFrancisco. 2005), 146.
3
LaPlante, American Jezebel, 145.
1
