An essay by Hannah: Anne Bradstreet, poet and Puritan

Anne Bradstreet, who was the first American woman to publish a book of poetry, was a spectacular woman who left her indelible mark in the NEW WORLD and who we should all learn from.

Anne was born in 1612 to Thomas and Dorothy Dudley, about sixty miles northwest of London. By
1620, the Dudley family moved north to Sepringham which proved to be a wonderful place for the Dudley children to grow up. Before the move, Samuel and Anne welcomed two sisters, Patience and Sarah, and Mercy joined the family within a year of the move. 

When Anne was only sixteen years old, she was married to Simon Bradstreet who was nine years older that Anne. Only two years after their marriage, the newlyweds and their families boarded the Arabella, and immigrated to America. Many perished on the three month long voyage, but the Bradstreets managed to all arrive safely in Salem. They first moved to Boston, then to Newton, and eventually to Ipswich and Andover.  Throughout the beginning of Anne's married life, she was constantly worried that her failure to conceive was a result of God's displeasure. Her fears were alleviated when, in 1632, Anne became pregnant with her first of what would later be eight children.

 Her first child, Samuel, was born in 1633. It was a very hazardous birth due to Anne's past track-record of illnesses, but Samuel was safely born into a very grateful family. Simon, Anne, and their family held to the puritan beliefs. Perhaps the most concise definition of Puritanism comes from plain speaking historian, Samuel Eliot Morison, who wrote, "Puritanism was a way of life based on the belief that the Bible was the word of God, and the whole word of God. Puritans were Englishmen who endeavored to live according to that light.". The Puritans also believed that hard work was a virtue, but it was not to be divided into the secular and the sacred. All jobs done well could glorify God.

Anne wrote many poems in America expressing her devotion to God, and great love for her husband, Simon. In one poem, "To my Dear and loving Husband", Anne wrote about her great love for Simon.

To My Dear and loving Husband

If ever two were one, then surely we.
If ever man were lov’d by wife, then thee.
If ever wife was happy in a man,
Compare with me, ye women, if you can.
I prize thy love more than whole Mines of gold
Or all the riches that the East doth hold.
My love is such that Rivers cannot quench,
Nor ought but love from thee give recompense.
Thy love is such I can no way repay.
The heavens reward thee manifold, I pray.
Then while we live, in love let’s so persevere
That when we live no more, we may live ever.

 Not only was Anne a great poet, but she was also very active in politics. She was one of the founders of Newton, and also helped settle North Andover. Anne's husband, Simon, was also the Governor of Massachusetts. In 1650, Anne's poems were first introduced to the public by her brother-in-law, John Woodbridge, but without Anne's consent.The book was named "Several poems, compiled with great variety of wit and learning by a Gentlewoman in those parts" and was quickly listed as one of the most saleable books in England! Six years after Anne's death, her revised version by the name of "Several poems, compiled with great variety of wit and learning, full of delight" was published, and it included eight additional poems.

 Sadly, Anne Bradstreet died of tuberculosis on September 16, 1672 at the age of 60. The warm and simple style of her writing was appreciated in her own day, and has since earned her place among America's more famous poets. Anne Bradstreet truly left a legacy for us all. One of Godliness, and commitment that we should all pursue! Don't you think?