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Anne Hutchinson

philosophy religion Maturity 13-18 religion death dying war conflict Next article →

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Anne Hutchinson was a very famous religious figure in early America.

Anne Hutchinson statue
Anne Hutchinson statue

She was born in England in July 1591. Her father, Francis Marbury, was a teacher and a priest. He gave Anne a much better education than most girls received then.

The first Marshalsea prison in the 18th century
The first Marshalsea prison in the 18th century

Most schooling was only for boys and men during that time. Anne learned a lot about the Bible and religious ideas. This helped her become a leader later in her life.

Anne's life changed when she followed a minister named John Cotton.

JohnCotton (cropped)
JohnCotton (cropped)

Cotton taught that God's grace was the most important thing. Anne agreed with this idea very strongly. She began holding weekly meetings in her own home.

Wheelwright.John.AmAntiquarianSoc
Wheelwright.John.AmAntiquarianSoc

At first, she only hosted other women to talk about sermons. These meetings became so popular that men started coming too. Even the young governor, Henry Vane the Younger, attended her talks.

1637-Henry-Vane-the-Younger-by-Gerard-Soest
1637-Henry-Vane-the-Younger-by-Gerard-Soest

In 1634, Anne moved to the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

John Winthrop 17th cent. American Antiquarian Society portrait
John Winthrop 17th cent. American Antiquarian Society portrait

She traveled on a ship called the Griffin. She brought her husband, William, and ten of their children. The family settled in the growing town of Boston.

JohnWilson 1stChurch Boston
JohnWilson 1stChurch Boston

They built a large house on the Shawmut Peninsula. Anne was very active in the community there. She worked as a midwife and helped people who were sick.

Her religious ideas soon caused a huge disagreement.

Portsmouth Compact document
Portsmouth Compact document

She accused some local ministers of teaching the wrong things. This period of conflict is called the Antinomian Controversy. It lasted from 1636 to 1638. In 1637, Anne had a trial to answer for her beliefs. The leaders found her guilty and told her to leave.

SplitRock.EastFace.LookingWest.20110820
SplitRock.EastFace.LookingWest.20110820

She and her followers moved to start Portsmouth in Rhode Island.

Later, Anne moved to live near the Dutch lands. In August 1643, a war broke out.

Hutchinson.massacre
Hutchinson.massacre

During this time, Anne and six of her children were killed. Her nine-year-old daughter, Susanna, was the only survivor of the household.

Anne Hutchinson statue
Anne Hutchinson statue

Today, Anne is remembered as a brave person. She is a key figure in the history of religious freedom. Many people honor her for her courage in the colonies.

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🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:The first Marshalsea prison in the 18th century.jpg
The first Marshalsea prison in the 18th...
File:JohnCotton (cropped).jpg
JohnCotton (cropped).jpg
File:Wheelwright.John.AmAntiquarianSoc.jpg
Wheelwright.John.AmAntiquarianSoc.jpg
File:1637-Henry-Vane-the-Younger-by-Gerard-Soest.jpg
1637-Henry-Vane-the-Younger-by-Gerard-Soest.jpg
File:John Winthrop 17th cent. American Antiquarian Society portrait.jpg
John Winthrop 17th cent. American...
File:JohnWilson 1stChurch Boston.png
JohnWilson 1stChurch Boston.png
File:Portsmouth Compact document.jpg
Portsmouth Compact document.jpg
File:SplitRock.EastFace.LookingWest.20110820.jpg
SplitRock.EastFace.LookingWest.20110820.jpg
File:Hutchinson.massacre.jpg
Hutchinson.massacre.jpg
File:Anne Hutchinson statue.jpeg
Anne Hutchinson statue.jpeg
File:Hutchinson Hist Plaque Quincy 20130331.jpg
Hutchinson Hist Plaque Quincy 20130331.jpg
File:AnneHutchinsonMaryDyerMemorialHerbGarden.jpg
AnneHutchinsonMaryDyerMemorialHerbGarden.jpg

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