English-born Giles Corey was an American farmer. During the “Salem Witch Trials,” he and his spouse faced accusations of practicing witchcraft. While being “pressed” to enter a plea throughout the trials, he passed away. He was born in Northampton, England, and lived there for his early years until relocating to Massachusetts, USA. According to court documents, he had previously been penalized for both stealing and fatally striking a farmhand. He had three marriages, and in later years, both he and his spouse were confirmed members of the Church. He was described as an 81-year-old man of honor who was thoughtless, stubborn, and impatient. He was suspected of practicing witchcraft, along with his wife Martha Corey, while Salem was engulfed in a witch panic. He declined to enter a guilty or not guilty plea. Consequently, since he did not enter a plea, there could be no trial. This led to his being “pressed” into making a plea. Back then, someone was forced to undergo a public “pressing” if they refused to stand trial. Corey did not plead; instead, he endured the torment and perished. Ultimately, he was seen as a valiant fighter who ultimately became a martyr.
Early Life & Childhood
Giles and Elizabeth Corey welcomed a son, Giles Corey, into the world in 1611 at Northampton, England. On August 16, 1611, he was baptized in the “Church of Holy Sepulchre.” He then relocated to North America, and records show that in 1640, he was a resident of Salem town. It is thought that before coming to America, he wed Margaret for the first time in England.
Living in Salem
In order to work as a farmer, Corey moved from Salem Town to Salem Village in 1659. Court records show that he had been penalized for stealing commodities and grains, so his behavior was not flawless. He was put on trial in Essex County, Massachusetts, later in 1676 for brutally assaulting Jacob Goodale, one of his farmhands, who subsequently passed away as a result of the abuse. After Goodale was discovered robbing his brother-in-law of apples, Corey struck him with a stick. He was penalized for employing “unreasonable” force but was not charged with murder. Jacob Goodale’s death damaged his reputation.
Corey rose to prominence as a Salem Village landowner. His first wife, Margaret, died in 1664, leaving him with four children: Martha, Margaret, Deliverance, and Elizabeth. He wed Mary Bright, a London immigrant, on April 11, 1664. The son of the couple was called John. He lost his second wife, who was sixty-three, in 1684. After that, on April 27, 1690, Corey wed Martha, Henry Rich’s widow. Thomas is the son from her first marriage.
The Witch Trials of Salem
A few young girls in Salem began experiencing unusual experiences, fits, and convulsions in the spring of 1692. They were identified as witchcraft victims. The females who were afflicted identified certain villagers or their ghosts as the ones torturing them. This resulted in a witch hunt that became known as the “Salem Witch Trial.”
Corey’s wife, Martha, attempted to dissuade him from going to Ingersoll’s bar for a “witch” examination. After telling others about this, a few days later, some of the affected girls reported seeing Martha’s ghost. The 21st of March saw her arrest. Corey first believed the accusations made against his wife during the frenzy and testified against her, claiming that his cat and ox had suddenly become ill. He also mentioned her strange actions, such as kneeling in front of the fireplace, etc. (However, according to other reports, he supported his wife’s innocence and stood by her).
Mercy Lewis, one of the affected girls, identified him on April 14, 1692, and stated that he had asked her to sign the devil’s book and had appeared as a ghost. Following that, he was charged by Elizabeth Hubbard, Ann Putnam Jr., and Mary Walcott. This led to Corey’s arrest on April 18 along with Mary Warren, Abigail Hobbs, and Bridget Bishop, the other suspects.
On April 19, he was allegedly inspected at the Salem Village Meetinghouse. He was accused of lying by Judges John Hawthorne and Jonathan Corwin, who also bound his hands to prevent him from using witchcraft in court. The girls went into convulsions when he loosened one of his hands. He was questioned by the court on his evidence against his wife, but he remained silent.
Following this examination, Corey and his spouse were imprisoned until September 1692. September 11 was Giles Corey’s excommunication from the village church, and September 18 was Martha’s.
Before the Court of Oyer and Terminer on September 9, Ann Putnam Jr., Abigail Williams, and Mercy Lewis accused Corey of witchcraft, claiming that his ghost had visited and was tormenting them. Additionally, it was reported that he witnessed the witches receiving ‘witches’ sacrament.’ When faced with an accusation of witchcraft, he chose to remain mute and decline to submit a plea of guilty or not guilty. It was said that he thought he was already guilty and that he had no hope of being cleared.
It is likely that Corey was aware that he would not be able to be tried if he did not enter a plea. After then, his inheritors would receive his property in a secure manner. The property of individuals found guilty could be seized by the municipal or state authorities. But if someone refused to apologize, they would be punished with “Peine forte et dure,” which means “strong and hard punishment,” or “pressing.”
On September 17, Corey was “pressed” since he would not enter a plea. (Actually, by that time the technique was ruled illegal). He was made to lie down in his undies, with a board resting on his body and large stones resting on it. The weight of the stone was raised when he continued to refuse to cooperate. They gave him water and very little food. Even so, he was not forced to plead. His only response to their desire to enter a plea, even after two days of this torture, was to add “More weight.” At one occasion, Sheriff George Corwin, the tormentor, forced Corey’s tongue back in with his stick after it had been forced out.
On September 19, 1692, Giles Corey passed away following two days of “pressing.” Jonathan Corwin, the judge, gave the order to bury him in an unmarked grave. Since he passed away without a trial, his belongings were not taken. His sons-in-law would inherit the estate, according to his pre-signed will. Martha Corey, his wife, was executed on September 22 despite her plea of innocence.
Giles Corey and others were granted their civil rights back in 1711 when the Massachusetts Legislature approved an ordinance. In 1712, the Salem Village Church overturned Corey’s excommunication.
The horrific method that 81-year-old Corey was “pressed” into making a plea, which infuriated several people. The residents were compelled to reconsider the witch trial after his passing.
Sheriff George Corwin tried to extort money from the family and threatened to seize the estate if Corey would not pay him, despite Corey’s best efforts to defend his property. The daughter and son-in-law of Corey filed a lawsuit in 1710 to demand payment from the sheriff.
Corey’s Curse
It is reported that while being tortured, Corey yelled, “Damn You!” to his captor, Sheriff Corwin. Salem and you are cursed! The Salem sheriffs have reportedly suffered from heart or blood diseases, leading to their resignation or death. When the sheriff’s office was relocated from Salem to Middleton in 1991, the legend goes that the curse was lifted. In addition, a local tradition states that whenever tragedy is about to befall the city, Corey’s ghost can be seen strolling through his graveyard.
Net worth of Giles Corey
The estimated net worth of Giles Corey is about $1 million.