Women of today should say, Thank You, to women like Anne Hutchinson. A woman who spoke and lead others while taking care of those around her. A leader when women were not thought capable to lead. An inspiration to those going through spiritual as well as life altering events. While only in America for a short time, her actions made an impact on those learning a new religion and getting their own start in the New World.
Born the second child of thirteen in 1591, she went on to get an education and teach others which was frowned upon during this time. Her father was a clergyman in England who taught and gave permission to his daughter to learn the bible and educate herself. She loved the man she married, William Hutchinson, which was evident by the number of children they had, fifteen. Mr. Hutchinson not only continued to have a loving relationship with his wife well into their marriage but also listened to his wife’s opinion on family and life matters. After becoming a devout follower of a new-thinking Puritan leader named John Cotton, the family would travel to meetings and eventually to the New Americas. In 1612, the Hutchinson’s were newly married and moved from London to Anne’s hometown of Alford. It was in time that the teachings of Cotton became influential. Cotton became disenchanted with the teachings of Puritanism in England and due to his teachings needed more freedom to express his version of God’s word. During this time William and Anne had twelve children. She had to have believed beyond most since she talked her husband into moving to Boston, Massachusetts with the family in tow. What helped with the move and transition was the fact that William was a successful merchant. This allowed the family to move and maintain their status in the new community. Due to her upbringing, she took care of her siblings and learned and practiced herbal medicine. …show more content…
This early hands on experience gave her the opportunity to be welcome and accepted in many homes. Due to her husband’s status in the community as a merchant, she also felt comfortable in many different statuses, from wealthy to poverty stricken. Anne became a sought after midwife in her new community. Healing and assisting with bringing in new life. She gained trust often when death was knocking at the door of those she met. Her understanding in faith was sought after. The fact that those in the community she moved to appreciated and trusted her became the root of her problem. In the times that Anne lived, women took the backseat. She did not stop voicing her faith. Anne says in the courtroom “I pray, Sir, prove it that I said they preached nothing but a covenant of works.” The teachings she read encouraged actually reading and discussing the bible. William gave permission and encouraged his wife to invite others into his home and learn with each other. The family bonded by learning together. The popularity of these meetings started the ruckus with the leaders of the community. The men did not take too kindly to a woman being a popular and sought after spiritual mentor to others. As said in an article of Anne's court case the judge states “Well, admit there was no man at your meeting and that you was sorry for it, there is no warrant for your doings; and by what warrant do you continue such a course?”. The church and court found out about her meetings and some of which they discussed in the meetings. They called her to be put on trial because to them what she was doing was wrong and disrespected the church and the people of the church. Well how do we know they didn’t like her preaching, we know because we wouldn’t be here if they liked it and during the trial the judge stated “ Now it appears by this woman's meeting that Mrs. Hutchinson hath so forestalled the minds of many by their resort to her meeting that now she hath a potent party in the country. Now if all these things have endangered us as from that foundation, and if she in particular hath disparaged all our ministers in the land that they have preached a covenant of works, .
Born the second child of thirteen in 1591, she went on to get an education and teach others which was frowned upon during this time. Her father was a clergyman in England who taught and gave permission to his daughter to learn the bible and educate herself. She loved the man she married, William Hutchinson, which was evident by the number of children they had, fifteen. Mr. Hutchinson not only continued to have a loving relationship with his wife well into their marriage but also listened to his wife’s opinion on family and life matters. After becoming a devout follower of a new-thinking Puritan leader named John Cotton, the family would travel to meetings and eventually to the New Americas. In 1612, the Hutchinson’s were newly married and moved from London to Anne’s hometown of Alford. It was in time that the teachings of Cotton became influential. Cotton became disenchanted with the teachings of Puritanism in England and due to his teachings needed more freedom to express his version of God’s word. During this time William and Anne had twelve children. She had to have believed beyond most since she talked her husband into moving to Boston, Massachusetts with the family in tow. What helped with the move and transition was the fact that William was a successful merchant. This allowed the family to move and maintain their status in the new community. Due to her upbringing, she took care of her siblings and learned and practiced herbal medicine. …show more content…
This early hands on experience gave her the opportunity to be welcome and accepted in many homes. Due to her husband’s status in the community as a merchant, she also felt comfortable in many different statuses, from wealthy to poverty stricken. Anne became a sought after midwife in her new community. Healing and assisting with bringing in new life. She gained trust often when death was knocking at the door of those she met. Her understanding in faith was sought after. The fact that those in the community she moved to appreciated and trusted her became the root of her problem. In the times that Anne lived, women took the backseat. She did not stop voicing her faith. Anne says in the courtroom “I pray, Sir, prove it that I said they preached nothing but a covenant of works.” The teachings she read encouraged actually reading and discussing the bible. William gave permission and encouraged his wife to invite others into his home and learn with each other. The family bonded by learning together. The popularity of these meetings started the ruckus with the leaders of the community. The men did not take too kindly to a woman being a popular and sought after spiritual mentor to others. As said in an article of Anne's court case the judge states “Well, admit there was no man at your meeting and that you was sorry for it, there is no warrant for your doings; and by what warrant do you continue such a course?”. The church and court found out about her meetings and some of which they discussed in the meetings. They called her to be put on trial because to them what she was doing was wrong and disrespected the church and the people of the church. Well how do we know they didn’t like her preaching, we know because we wouldn’t be here if they liked it and during the trial the judge stated “ Now it appears by this woman's meeting that Mrs. Hutchinson hath so forestalled the minds of many by their resort to her meeting that now she hath a potent party in the country. Now if all these things have endangered us as from that foundation, and if she in particular hath disparaged all our ministers in the land that they have preached a covenant of works, .