Anne Hutchinson Banished from Massachusetts Bay Colony

Anne Hutchinson standing defiantly at her trial in front of Massachusetts Bay Colony leaders.

What Happened?

Anne Hutchinson, a mother of fourteen and a devout student of scripture, began hosting weekly meetings in her Massachusetts Bay home in the 1630s. At first, her gatherings were small and aimed at women. But as more colonists came to hear her sharp theological mind, her audience grew to include men—including some prominent members of the community.

She questioned the colony’s Puritan ministers, arguing that their emphasis on 'visible sainthood' and good works resembled the very Catholic doctrine they had fled. Instead, Hutchinson championed a 'covenant of grace,' insisting that true salvation came from divine will—not outward piety.

To the colony’s male leaders, Hutchinson’s ideas were dangerous. Her theological critiques and public influence challenged not only religious orthodoxy but the very social order. When she claimed direct revelations from God, the court accused her of heresy and sedition.

In a trial presided over by Governor John Winthrop and a council of male magistrates, Hutchinson defended herself with wit and biblical knowledge. But her assertion that God had spoken to her personally sealed her fate. Winthrop declared her 'unfit for our society.' She was jailed, excommunicated, and banished.

In 1638, Hutchinson and dozens of her followers left the colony for Rhode Island, a haven for religious dissenters. After her husband’s death, she moved to New Netherland (now New York), where she and most of her children were tragically killed in a conflict with the Siwanoy people.

Anne Hutchinson remains a complex figure—equal parts devout believer, religious radical, and early feminist. Her defiance laid the groundwork for future debates about religious freedom, free speech, and women’s roles in public life. Whether seen as a heretic or a hero, her voice still echoes.

Why It Matters

Anne Hutchinson wasn’t just banished for her beliefs—she was punished for daring to speak them out loud, in a world that demanded female silence and spiritual submission. Her trial and exile reveal early cracks in the colonial vision of a unified, godly society. Hutchinson’s story forces us to ask: Who gets to interpret truth? Who decides what’s heresy and what’s faith? And what happens when speaking your conscience means standing alone against the powerful?

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Dig Deeper

Anne Hutchinson, an extreme Separatist, threatens to split the Puritan community in Massachusetts by preaching that some people are pre-ordained. She is eventually driven out of Massachusetts to Rhode Island.

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