Ann Judson

Image by J. B. Wandesforde via The Collective Biographies of Women

Hello there, my wonderful readers! *pauses for someone to say "General Kenobi"* This is Charity. We're back on track with interviews. Today's feisty female was an inspiring role model (and a missionary's wife). She and her husband were the first American missionaries to go to Burma (now known as Myanmar). Do you know who she is?

*Jeopardy song plays*

If you guessed Ann Judson, you are CORRECT!

Welcome, Mrs. Judson!

Thank you, Charity. How kind of you to invite me.

You're welcome. Let's begin. What was your early life like?

I was born on December 22, 1789, in Bradford, Massachusetts to John and Rebecca Hasseltine. I was the youngest of five children. My family doted on me, but I was my father's favorite. My childhood was quite happy, and by my early stages of adolescence, or what you would call "early teens", I was attractive and popular. My main concerns were friends and socializing. *sighs deeply* I was quite frivolous.

You did attend church, correct?

Yes. the Congregationalist church. However, religion was not very demanding at the time. Enjoyment was the main focus of life. This changed in 1805 when a new teacher arrived at Bradford Academy, where I was attending school.

Ooh, tell me more!

His name was Abraham Burnham. He believed in Heaven and Hell and taught that without true conversion, one would be forever lost. That sparked a newfound desire in me to seek God, and so at the age of sixteen, I became a Christian.

Oh, that's wonderful! How did you meet Adoniram?

I attended a missionary meeting at Bradford Congregational Church. There, four young students from Andover Theological Society petitioned to be sent as foreign missionaries. One of them was Adoniram. He was invited to dine at my home. We fell in love, and on February 5, 1812, we were married.

Aww, that's so sweet! When did you first enter the mission field?

Well, we set sail to India, where we would be serving, on February 19 of the same year. While on that trip, we realized that baptism by immersion, the Baptist position on that issue, was Scriptural. Once we arrived in Calcutta, we were baptized by an associate of William Carey. However, we never were able to do much missionary work there. The East India Company ordered us to leave. We went from the Isle of France to Madras. After we were ordered to leave Madras, we set sail to Burma, where we would actually begin missionary work.

Oh, wow. I'm glad you persevered. What was missionary work in Burma like?

Long. It certainly required much patience. It was six years before our first convert was baptized.

Wow, that's a long time!

Yes, it was. Our time in Burma was filled with hardship. In 1820, six years after our arrival, I fell ill and had to return to America.

Oh no!

Indeed, it was difficult being separated from Adoniram. When I returned, he had translated the New Testament into Burmese and outlined a twelve-section summary of the old testament. Soon after my arrival, Britain and Burma broke out into war. My husband was arrested, and I lived practically under house arrest. Despite the risk, I constantly petitioned on the behalf of the prisoners. I also hid his work from the authorities.

Okay, I have to admit, you were very brave. Were you ever reunited?

Yes! Adoniram was released at the end of the war to help with peace negotiations.

Alright, before we run out of time, do you have anything to leave with our readers?

Yes. A little while, we are in eternity; before we find ourselves there, let us do much for Christ.

And that's it! Thanks for your time, Mrs. Judson.

Well, what do you think, everyone? Doesn't Ann Judson deserve to be part of #feistyfemalesinhistory?

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Charity signing out.

Bibliography

“Ann Hasseltine Judson.” Southern Baptist Historical Library & Archives, 12 Feb. 2021, https://sbhla.org/biographies/ann-hasseltine-judson/.

“Ann Judson Quotes by Sharon James.” Goodreads, https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/707716-my-heart-in-his-hands-ann-judson-of-burma#:~:text=%E2%80%9CA%20little%20sacrifice%20for%20the,down%20his%20life%20for%20sinners.%E2%80%9D.

James, Sharon. “The Life and Significance of Ann Hasseltine Judson (1789-1826).” Southern Equip, 21 Mar. 2014, https://equip.sbts.edu/publications/journals/journal-of-missions/sbjme-12-fall/the-life-and-significance-of-ann-hasseltine-judson-1789-1826/.

“Women in World History: A Biographical Encyclopedia. .” Encyclopedia.com, 23 Feb. 2023, https://www.encyclopedia.com/women/encyclopedias-almanacs-transcripts-and-maps/judson-ann-hasseltine-1789-1826.