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In the early 1600s, Anne Hutchinson taught a group of women in her home a different
doctrine than the traditional Puritan beliefs. Because of this, she was accused of heretical
teaching, put on trial, and banished from Massachusetts Bay. There are many views concerning
Hutchinson’s teachings and trials. Some believe that her teaching was rebellious, and others
believe that she was simply practicing freedom of religion. However, no matter their opinions of
Hutchinson’s beliefs, most believe her trial was unfair.
In the 17th century, women did not receive an education and were rarely, if ever, in
leadership positions. However, Hutchinson did not follow these guidelines set for women. In
1578, Hutchinson’s father, Francis Marbury, was put in jail for criticizing the bishops.
Hutchinson soon absorbed her father’s beliefs and became a follower of John Cotton, a preacher
in the underground Puritan movement (“Anne Hutchinson”, 2023). When Cotton moved to the
Massachusetts Bay colony, Hutchinson and her family moved with him.
After the move, Hutchinson used her vast knowledge of Scripture to gather women in her
home to discuss church services. Because of her Scriptural knowledge, Hutchinson began to
interpret sermons and share their meanings, along with her own opinions, in her meetings.
Governor Winthrop, and others in the colony, began to see Hutchinson’s teachings as rebellion.
When Hutchinson openly disagreed with this and stated that she believed that God spoke directly
to all people, and not just ministers, Winthrop forced her to go on trial before the General Court.
In November of 1637, Hutchinson was put on trial twice. The first time was for
“slandering the colonies’ ministers,” and the second for heretical teaching (Winship, 2005). She
was charged for leading meetings that were not “comely or fitting” for a woman, and for trying
to “usurp the power of the ministers” (“Anne Hutchinson”, 2023). However, she defended
herself using Scripture. For example, she referenced Titus 2:4, which says, “That they may teach
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the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children (KJV). This, along
with other Scripture almost convinced the court of her innocence. However, she began restating
her beliefs about God speaking to all people. This made the Court angry, and she was put on trial
a second time for heretical teaching. It was at the end of this trial that she was found guilty and
banished from the colony.
Many have opposing views concerning Hutchinson’s teachings and the fairness of her
trial. Some argue that she had every right to share her beliefs with others, while others believe
that her teachings were rebellious and uncalled for during that time. Many believe that her trial
was unfair, but there are some who excuse the unfairness of her trial because of the standards and
beliefs of the early Puritan community. Edmund Morgan (1937) states:
To accept her doctrine would mean the abandonment of the fundamental belief for which
the Puritans had crossed the water—the belief that truth for man was to be found in the
Bible. It would mean a complete change in their daily lives, in their church, and in their
state (p. 637).
This seems to imply that the author believes Hutchinson was wrong in making her opinions
public, because it undermines the hardships the Puritans went through to gain the right to
practice their beliefs. Morgan goes on to say that he believes Hutchinson’s trial was unfair,
however, he excuses some of the unfairness by stating that the values and thought processes of
the Court were very different than they are today.
Hutchinson believed that a person’s intuition was a guide for achieving salvation. She
called this the “Covenant of Grace”, which means she believed salvation depended on God’s
grace alone. This directly opposed the teachings of Puritan ministers that salvation was achieved
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through works, rather than faith. However, Morgan (1937) states that for the Puritans to take hold
of Hutchinson’s beliefs “would remove all the rational basis for moral endeavor which the
Puritan Theologians had been painfully constructing since the time of Calvin” (p. 637). Some
believe that because of this, Hutchinson was wrong in sharing her beliefs, and the Court was
justified in bringing her to trial.
My views on Hutchinson’s beliefs and her trial have stayed the same and my research
from this project helped to shape them even more. I believe that Hutchinson’s beliefs were true
and biblically correct. Her belief in the “Covenant of Grace” aligns perfectly with the Bible. On
the other hand, the Puritans belief that salvation is achieved through good works goes against the
Bible. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:
it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (KJV). No matter the standards of
society, truth will always stand. Therefore, Hutchinson had every right to speak against the false
teachings of her time.
Finally, I believe that Hutchinson’s trial was unfair. She was put on trial for heretical
teaching. However, the Puritans left England so they could have religious freedom. Therefore,
putting Hutchinson on trial for her beliefs went against the reason they came to the “New World”
in the first place. Also, the way they conducted her trial was completely unfair. The Court had
already decided she was guilty before they even tried her, so they ended up twisting her words,
and trying to force her to say something that would “prove” she was guilty.
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References
Morgan, E. S. (1937). The case against Anne Hutchinson. The New England Quarterly, 10(4),
635-649. https://www.jstor.org/stable/359929.
National Park Service. “Anne Hutchinson.” Roger Williams National Memorial.
https://www.nps.gov/rowi/learn/historyculture/annehutchinson.htm.
Winship, M. P. (2005). The times and trials of Anne Hutchinson: Puritans divided. University
Press of Kansas.
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