In the Puritan Massachusetts Bay Colony, in the year 1637, one woman, Anne Hutchinson, was put on trial for sedition. Her religious beliefs were on trial. She held meetings in her home to discuss sermons and she stated that she believed individuals could have a relationship with God. The power of the church patriarchy was threatened. Veronica and I watched a clip of the show PBS: God in America, which re-enacted a scene between John Winthrop and the judges and Anne Hutchinson. They were impressed by Anne's confidence and knowledge of the Scriptures (her father was a minister). Later Anne went on with her husband to found the colony of Providence, Rhode Island.
After reading more background information about Hutchinson and the transcript of her trial, Veronica and I (Ms. P) wrote opening and closing arguments (hypothetical) for Anne's trial.
Veronica's opening statement is written in the voice of Anne Hutchinson.
Ms. Pennington wrote the closing statement as though she were Anne's lawyer.
Anne Hutchinson’s Beliefs 1637
By: Veronica
Anne Hutchinson: I know not why I am sentenced here in court today. I have broken no law, nor have committed wrongdoings. I shall not withstand this unlawful injustice, but therefore fight for this community’s right against praying individually to the Lord. The meetings that are held are not wrong. There is no law against it, for the Fathers of The Church, I have seen held the same ones.
If you wish to demean those of my sex, and tell me that I, a woman, can not do those of the things that the men are doing, then that Governor is another case. “I am called here to answer before you, but I hear no things laid to my charge.” God came upon the community today, and blessed, as he does each day, with the gift of food, love and friendship. If you go against that, you are questioning the gifts God has given each one of us, and are therefore going against his rules. He came to you, Governor and every other persons in the community and blessed us with the greatest gift of all, life. He came to each of us individually.
You are here today, because I am questioning your power with God, not because I have broken any rules, that you sir, made. You are not worried about the community’s relationship with God, but your power over the community.
Anne Hutchinson Court Case: Closing Argument: Her Lawyer
By Ms. Pennington
The beliefs of Anne Hutchinson depend upon the idea that each person can have an individual relationship with God. Today in America, we the Puritans have left England so that we may practice our religion free from the strict demands of the Church of England, so that we may practice in a way that we interpret as closer to the Word of God. We believe that we interpret the Scriptures so that we may practice our religion in a way that is pleasing to God. In her own way, Anne Hutchinson is practicing her beliefs in a way that is pleasing to God. We should support Anne Hutchinson as she strives to bring the community closer to God. As the Church Fathers, you should not be afraid of people moving closer to God—you should encourage this, instead of worrying about losing your power. Anne Hutchinson is not concerned with power, or usurping your power. She simply wants to hold meetings where she engages with others in discussing sermons and moving closer to the Word of God. Surely that is not a behavior we should condemn?
Do not stop her practice because she is a woman. She has a clear strong mind and education in religion ever since she was a child, at the knee of her father, a minister. If you banish Anne Hutchinson from the community, you will be losing so many potential intellectual and spiritual gifts. This is not something the Massachusetts Bay Colony can afford.
Would God condemn the actions of Anne Hutchinson? Or would he simply see one of His children striving to share His Word and build a relationship with Him among his flock?
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