The Salem Witch Trials are among some of the most tragic events in American history A period full of mass hysteria and injustice that led to the execution of 20 people. Most of them women, were accused of witchcraft in 1692. Among these victims was a man named Giles Corey, an 81-year-old farmer whose death stands out due to the brutal method of his execution and resistance to the court’s demands.
Pre Trail Background
Giles Corey was born on August 16, 1611, in Northampton, England. While the exact date of Giles Corey’s move to North America is uncertain, evidence indicates that he was living in Salem by 1640. Originally living in Salem Town, Giles later moved to Salem Village, now known as Danvers, to work as a farmer. Giles ran into trouble with the law for being a petty thief, stealing food, tobacco, knives, and several other small items.
Despite these minor crimes, Giles Corey was a successful land-owning farmer and also got married 3 separate times. It is said that Giles married his first wife, Margaret, while still in England. Margaret was the mother of his four oldest children, Martha, Margaret, Deliverance, and Elizabeth. Giles second wife was Mary Bright, They got married on April 12th, 1664. They had a son together named John.
In 1676, Giles Corey was taken to trial and charged with the murder of one of his farm workers, Jacob Goodale, whom he had beaten to death. According to witnesses, Giles had severely beaten Jacob with a stick after he was caught stealing apples from Giles brother-in-law. Although Giles sent Jacob to receive medical attention ten days after the incident, Jacob died shortly after. Several witnesses testified against Giles including his neighbor John Proctor. At that time Corporal Punishment was allowed against servants, Giles was exempt from his murder charge and instead was charged with using an unreasonable amount of force and had to pay a fine.
In 1684 Mary Bright died, Giles later married his third wife, Martha Rich. During the Witch Trials, Girls was 80 years old. He and his wife lived in the southwest side of Salem which is now known today as Peabody.
Arrested During the Witch Trials
Giles Corey’s wife, Martha Corey, was arrested for witchcraft on March 19, 1692. Initially, Giles believed the accusations against Martha. However, on April 18, he was also arrested for allegedly committing the same crime, along with Mary Warren, Abigail Hobbs, and Bridget Bishop.
The very next day Giles and the others were questioned by authorities, During the examination Giles was accused of being a wizard. Giles denied all accusations and refused to say that he was guilty or not.
Records from the Court of Oyer and Terminer include a deposition by one of the individuals who accused Giles Corey of committing witchcraft. “I saw the apparition of Giles Corey come and afflict me urging me to write in his book, and so he continued most dreadfully to hurt me by times beating me and almost breaking my back till the day of his examination being the 19th April 1692 and then also during the time of his examination he did afflict and torture me most grievously and also several times since urging me vehemently to write in his book and I verily believe in my heart that Giles Corey is a dreadful wizard for since he had been in prison he or his appearance has come and most grievously tormented me.”
Giles Corey’s Execution by Pressing
During this period, a person who refused to plead guilty or not guilty could not be put on trial. To prevent people from cheating the justice system, the punishment for refusing to plead was called “peine forte et dure.” This punishment involved stripping prisoners of their clothes, placing heavy boards on their bodies while they lay down, and then adding rocks or boulders on top of the boards.
Due to refusing to plead whether he was guilty or not, on September 17, 1962, Giles received “peine forte et dure” the pressed punishment by Sheriff George Corwin.
During the punishment Giles continued to refuse to plead, he did not yell in pain as more and more rocks were placed on the board. After two days Giles was asked three times to plead guilty or not. However, the only response he gave was “More Weight” and Sheriff Corwin continued to add more. The sheriff would even stand on top of the stones to add more weight. Robert Calef a witness to the pressing said that Giles’s tongue was pressed out of his mouth and with his cane Sheriff Corwin pushed it back in.
It is unsure what Giles Corey’s last words were but many say Giles said “More weight”, “more rocks” and “Damn you. I curse you and Salem!”.
Giles’s Wife Martha was executed three days late by hanging on September 22, 1692.
The Salem Witch Trials Turning Point
Giles Corey’s death marked a significant turning point in the Salem Witch Trials. His refusal to plead and the horrific manner of his execution elicited outrage and sympathy from the community.
Public opinion shifted, and influential figures began to speak out. By the end of 1692, the Salem Witch Trials had essentially come to an end. On May 1693 any remaining accused prisoners were released from prison.
In the years following the trials, the Massachusetts government took steps to try and make amends. In 1697 the court declared a day of fasting and soul searching for the tragedy of the Salem Witch Trials. In 1702 the Witch Trials were declared unlawful and in 1711 the colony passed a bill restoring the rights and good names of those accused.
Entertainment and Culture
Corey is a character in Arthur Miller’s play “The Crucible” (1953), where he is depicted as a hot-tempered but honorable man, providing crucial evidence to the witch trials. His wife, Martha, was one of the 19 people hanged during the hysteria on Proctor’s Ledge. In “The Crucible,” Giles feels guilty about his wife’s accusation because he had told a minister that Martha had been reading strange books, which was frowned upon in that society. Corey also appears in Robert Ward’s operatic adaptation of the play, with his role assigned to a tenor. A movie adaptation of the same name was released in 1996, featuring Peter Vaughan as Corey.
Actor Kevin Tighe portrayed Corey in the pilot episode of the WGN television series “Salem,” where he is pressed to death in a manner that is more-or-less historically accurate.
Corey was also the namesake behind one of Dan Barrett’s musical projects. The band’s music, described as depressing, is regarded as falling under the slow core genre.
Questions and Answers
What was Giles Corey’s punishment?
Giles Corey was pressed to death with heavy stones in a form of torture called peine forte et dure. This method was used to force him to plead, but he refused to do so. His death occurred over two days, making him the only person in American history to be executed in this manner.
Why did Giles Corey refuse to enter a plea?
By refusing to enter a plea, Giles Corey avoided a formal trial. Had he pleaded guilty or not guilty, his property would have been seized by the government. By remaining silent, he ensured that his estate could be passed on to his heirs.
What were Giles Corey’s final words?
According to legend, Giles Corey’s final words were “More weight,” spoken as he was being pressed under the stones. These words have become emblematic of his defiance in the face of injustice.
How old was Giles Corey when he was executed?
Giles Corey was about 81 years old at the time of his execution in September 1692, making him one of the oldest victims of the Salem Witch Trials.
Where is Giles Corey buried?
The exact location of Giles Corey’s burial is unknown. Due to the nature of his death, it is unlikely that he was given a proper burial in a churchyard. It is assumed that he was buried in an unmarked grave somewhere near Salem Village.
Is there a curse associated with Giles Corey?
A local legend claims that Giles Corey cursed Salem and its sheriff with his dying breath. Some believe the curse led to a series of misfortunes for Salem’s sheriffs, including health problems and deaths. While this is largely folklore, the story has become part of Salem’s haunted history.
Final Thoughts
Giles Corey’s story is a tragic part of the Salem Witch Trials. His refusal to plead and the suffering he endured remains a vital part of American history.