The Trial of Anne Hutchinson 1637 Opening main

The Trial of Anne Hutchinson (1637) Opening main point of Governor Winthrop: Anne Hutchinson has troubled the peace of the commonwealth and the churches here. “…[Y]ou have maintained a meeting and an assembly in your house that hath been condemned by the general assembly as a thing not tolerable nor comely in the sight of God nor fitting for your sex…. ” Anne Hutchinson: “I hear not things laid to my charge. ”

The Trial of Anne Hutchinson (1637) Governor Winthrop’s accusation toward Hutchinson: You have meetings in which you express opinions different from the word of God that “may seduce many simple souls that resort unto you, …” Hutchinson in her defense: “Now if you do condemn me for speaking what in my conscience I know to be truth I must commit myself unto the Lord. ” Question from Mr. Nowel: “How do you know that was the spirit? Hutchinson’s eventual reply: “…by an immediate revelation. ” Governor Winthrop’s conclusion: …[T]he ground work of her revelations is the immediate revelation of the spirit and not by the ministry of the word and that is the means by which she hath very much abused the country…. ”

The Trial of Anne Hutchinson (1637) Verdict: Guilty “Mrs. Hutchinson, the sentence of the court you hear is that you are banished from out of our jurisdiction as being a woman not fit for our society, and are to be imprisoned till the court shall send you away. ”