Anne Hutchinson

Anne Hutchinson on Trial

Anne Hutchinson (baptized July 20, 1591 – August 20, 1643) was a prominent Puritan spiritual adviser who played a key role in the Antinomian Controversy which shook the infant Massachusetts Bay Colony from 1636 to 1638. Her strong religious convictions were at odds with the established Puritan clergy in the Boston area, leading to her trial and subsequent banishment from the colony.

Early Life

Anne Hutchinson was born Anne Marbury in Alford, Lincolnshire, England, the daughter of Francis Marbury, an Anglican cleric and school teacher who was an outspoken critic of the Church of England's failure to train its ministers properly. Her father's views on the importance of a personal covenant with God would influence Hutchinson's religious beliefs. In 1612, she married William Hutchinson, a merchant, and in 1634, they migrated to the Massachusetts Bay Colony along with their 15 children, in search of religious freedom.

Religious Beliefs and Practices

In the New World, Hutchinson held meetings in her home where she shared her religious views. Central to her beliefs was the idea of a "covenant of grace," in contrast to the "covenant of works" preached by most Puritan clergy. She argued that faith alone was sufficient for salvation, a view that challenged the authority and doctrine of the established church.

Antinomian Controversy

Hutchinson's teachings and gatherings began to attract a significant following, which led to what is known as the Antinomian Controversy. The term "antinomian" refers to the belief that Christians are not bound by traditional moral law, especially the law of Moses, in favor of a more personal and direct experience of God's grace. Her stance resulted in a theological crisis within the colony, pitting Hutchinson and her supporters against the majority of the Puritan ministers and the colonial administration.

Trial and Banishment

In 1637, Hutchinson was brought to trial before a civil court on charges of sedition and heresy. During her trial, she defended herself with remarkable skill, but her claim of direct revelations from God led to her conviction. She was excommunicated from the Church and banished from the colony. Hutchinson, along with many of her supporters, founded the settlement of Portsmouth in what is now Rhode Island. However, seeking greater religious freedom, she later moved to New Netherland (present-day New York), where she was killed in an attack by Native Americans in 1643.

Legacy

Anne Hutchinson is remembered as a pioneering figure in American history for her role in challenging the religious and societal norms of her time. Her trial and banishment highlighted the struggles for religious freedom and the role of women in early American society. Hutchinson's courage in standing up for her beliefs has made her an enduring symbol of the fight against religious oppression and the quest for individual liberty.