Part of the American History & Genealogy Project

Anne H. Judson 1789 ~ 1826

Was born in Bradford, Massachusetts, December 7, 1789, and educated at the Bradford Academy. In her early youth, she was full of pleasure and was of a restless and roving disposition, but the impression made upon her by Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" brought to her the resolution to follow Christian's example, and try to lead a Christian life, and at the age of sixteen an entire change came over her, and she from that time devoted her life to Christian work.

She first took up teaching in Salem, Haverhill, and Newberry. At a meeting of one of the associations of the American Board of Foreign Missions in 1810, at Bradford, she met for the first time the young missionary Judson. This resulted in their marriage and their going into the foreign missionary field.

They sailed for India the nineteenth of February, 1812, arriving in Calcutta, June 16. Trouble ensuing between the English government and the English missionaries, both Judson and Newall were ordered to return to America. They went to the Isle of France, and here labored until June 1st, when they left for Madras, where they found ample opportunity for their work among the Burmese. At Ringon, their son was born, the first white child ever seen by the Burmese. Mr. Judson translated a portion of the Bible and other religious books into the Burmese language.

In 1819, Mrs. Judson removed to Bengal, without any decided improvement in her condition, finally being forced to return to England, and ultimately to America, arriving in New York, September, 1822.

 Here she aroused great interest in the missionary work among her friends in the various cities which she visited. Her health improving, she returned to Rangoon, December 3, 1823. Mrs. Judson was taken prisoner, owing to the feeling incited against foreigners, but ultimately her husband was released, after she had passed through the great hardships, a scourge of smallpox and the direst privations, the family were reunited.

Mr. Judson was later rearrested, but the English officers found him such a valuable assistant that they did everything they could for his comfort, and when peace was concluded Mr. Judson's property was restored to him, and the mission placed under the British protection.

On October 24, 1826, Mrs. Judson died, beloved and lamented by both the English and natives of that country.

Women of America

Source: The Part Taken by Women in American History, By Mrs. John A. Logan, Published by The Perry-Nalle Publishing Company, Wilmington, Delaware, 1912.