Anne Hutchinson

Anne Hutchinson: An Early Feminist In 1637, women were considered servants of their husbands, and child bearing creatures of many. There were set rules “enforced by the Puritans” which stated women should only bear as many children as possible, raise them, take care of their husbands, and then remain quiet. They were seen as “morally feeble creatures”, who could do no more than “lead men to damnation if [men were to allow them] to form an opinion or express a [belief].” [1] Anne Hutchinson of the Massachusetts Bay Colony challenged the standard ways of women, however, when she was brought forth at the Court at Newton regarding private meetings in her home which involved discussing God and religion. The trial, written as the Document “The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson at the Court at Newton” can be viewed as a piece of the emergence of early feminism, and allows readers to acknowledge the place women were given in the Puritan society. Anne Hutchinson, born Anne Marbury in Alford, Lincolnshire, England July, 1591 was born into a family of a very intelligent man, who she grew to admire and look after. Anne was home-schooled, and became very intrigued by religion and theology at a young age. She read her father’s books, and studied religion as much as possible. She grew up to be a very smart, determined, and sophisticated woman. In 1634, Anne, her husband, and her 15 children followed their protestant minister, John Cotton, to the New England Colonies. Anne knew of their soon departure and hoped that she would be able to practice her “faith in an environment” that favored “the new ideas of Puritanism” more than England did. She had even higher hopes that the New England colonies would be a place which would allow her to “worship God as [she] saw fit.” [2] After arriving to the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and living there for a while, Anne realized that there really wasn’t such a thing as real “religious freedom”. She wished to talk about God