Anne Hutchinson As An Influential Leader In Movement For Feminism And Religious Toleration

Anne Hutchinson

Massachusetts was very religious in the seventeenth-century, with state and church closely intertwined. In 1630, the Puritans arrived in New England to escape England’s oppressive pressures and to pursue their religious beliefs. They did not believe in religious freedom but believed they could decide what parts of their faith were acceptable. Massachusetts law stipulated that anyone who worshipped any god other than the Lord God would face the death penalty. Massachusetts’ puritans were against any form of religious tolerance. Rodger William, an opponent to this school of thought, believed that every citizen should be free to choose any religion they like without fear of retaliation against people with other beliefs. Anne Hutchinson who was the daughter a clergyman, is another critic of the Puritan’s model. Her efforts to promote religious tolerance attracted a lot of attention. Hutchinson’s gender and large following made her a threat against the Puritan Church and its establishment.

Anne Hutchinson, her husband and their minister John Cotton arrived in Boston in 1634 to follow them. As most puritans, Anne believed salvation could not be earned and that you couldn’t do anything to get it. Instead, Anne believed salvation was a direct gift by God, given to those who are chosen. Anne started hosting weekly meetings at home for those interested in discussing the sermons after Cotton started giving sermons. As her views diverged from the colony ministers’, her following grew. John Winthrop was the original governor of Massachusetts. He stated that Anne’s meetings had been “ordinary talk…about God’s Kingdom” and that Anne as an individual did not conduct herself in the manner of righteousness or kindness. But, Hutchinson began to challenge Massachusetts ministers. She believed that most of them were guilty false preaching to separate the “saints”. Hutchinson and her associates became known as “free-grace advocates”, because they followed John Cotton’s views on “the inevitability of God’s Will” or his “free Grace”. John Wilson, a minister at The First Church of Boston, reacted negatively. Governor John Winthrop stated in his journal that Mrs. Hutchinson, who was a member the Boston church, was a woman full of intelligence and boldness, and brought with her two dangerous sins: The Holy Ghost lives in a just person. 2. Our justification cannot be proven by any sanctification.”

The Antinomian Controversy, which lasted 17 months, began with a meeting between the ministers in Oct 1636 and ended with Anne Hutchinson being tried. Anne Hutchinson, along with her supporters, were accused of Antinomianism as the tension between ministers’ views and free grace advocates grew. The tides were turning with John Wheelwright’s conviction, as well as the trials of free grace advocates.

Anne Hutchinson, the Antinomian Controversy’s end result was Anne Hutchinson being tried. John Winthrop said, “But you had spoken divers things,” and Anne Hutchinson was sentenced to a year in prison. She was sentenced by Reverend John Wilson. He had previously ridiculed her. He said.

You, Mrs. Hutchinson, have transgressed and offended… and troubled… the Church by your Errors.

Anne was excommunicated and banished from her colony. She was also expelled along with her followers from their churches. Later she moved to New Netherland. Her family (all except one) was murdered in Siwanoy Indian raids.

Anne’s threat towards the Puritan Catholic Church was seen not just as a threat but also as an opportunity to challenge the government. Anne’s situation was especially bad because she was a female. By taking on the roles of a man as teacher, minister or magistrate, Anne was breaking both social and religious rules. It was easy to charge her with social crimes that went beyond her unorthodox views. Michael Winship, a historian, writes that Anne Hutchinson was the most prominent leader in the global movement to promote feminism and religious tolerance.