John Winthrop played a principal role in

The "Testimony from the Trial of Anne Hutchinson, 1637" also provides insight into attitudes towards women in Massachusetts Bay during this period. Anne Hutchinson is described as "more bold than a man, though in understanding and judgement, inferiour to many women." By questioning the doctrine of good works espoused by the preachers in the colony, Hutchinson offended not only the clergy who sought to keep dissent from creeping into the society, but also caused others to view her in a negative light because she violated the standards of normal behavior for women in Colonial America. In describing Hutchinson, the writer of the testimony paints her as a woman who "cunningly dissembled" and "easily insinuated herself into the affections of many." These phrases could just as easily describe Satan himself!

The franchise in Massachusetts in the early years was limited to members of the church. However, only the "proven" elect could become members of the church, resulting in a very narrow segment of the population having the right to vote or to hold political office. This small group controlled the affairs of both the church and the local government. The result of this tight control, coupled with the shared beliefs and attitudes of the people in the society, was a relatively homogenous society. As can be seen by the trial of Anne Hutchinson, however, this homogeneity was not universal and it was incumbent upon the leaders of the community to quash dissent when it reared its head. Over time, this necessitated extending the franchise to include more colonists, which ultimately eroded the strict Puritan underpinnings of the society and government. But for a brief period, the people of Massachusetts Bay enjoyed a society and government based on shared beliefs--truly a "golden age."

While these views towards authority appear to be representative of some writers, as early as 1660 cracks in the fac

Some topics in this essay:
Massachusetts Bay, Anne Hutchinson, Thomas Welde, Christian Charity, Synod Dort, Civil Ecclesiastical, Colonial America, Colonial Massachusetts, John Winthrop, Church Quakers, massachusetts bay, anne hutchinson, trial anne hutchinson, trial anne, society government, authority church, father mother, people massachusetts, government massachusetts, golden age, , people massachusetts bay,