ANNE HUTCHINSON DARED TO SPEAK HER MIND

Her greatest crime in 1637 seems to have been that she had an opinion – first about her faith, and second concerning an ecclesiastical hot topic of the day. As a minister’s daughter, she must have been better educated than most of the women in her weekly discussion group, and could do biblical exegesis as well as most ministers. This probably gave her the confidence to express informed opinions on church matters that ultimately got her banished from Massachusetts. She was accused of renouncing her traditional role of woman, and usurping the role of husband, magistrate and minister – roles reserved ONLY for men.

Hutchinson, Ann, Trials Of - Founding Mothers and Fathers, Making Heretics: The Free Grace Controversy In Massachusetts, 1636–1639