Short Summary
Giles Corey was a farmer in early colonial America who died under judicial torture during the Salem witch trials. Corey refused to enter a plea, and was crushed to death by stone weights in an attempt to force him to do so. In April 1692, he was accused of witchcraft by Ann Putnam, Jr., Mercy Lewis and Abigail Williams. Ann Putnam, Jr. claimed that on April 13, the specter of Giles Corey visited her and asked her to write in the Devil's book. Later, Putnam also claimed that a ghost appeared before her to announce that it had been murdered by Corey. Other girls were to describe Corey as "a dreadful wizard" and recount stories of assaults by his specter. Corey's reported last words were "More rocks" or "More weight".
Giles Corey's LIfe
Giles Corey was a prosperous land-owning farmer in Salem and married and re-married three times during her life. He is believed to have married his first wife, Margaret, in England. Margaret was the mother of his offspring. His second wife was Mary Bright; they were married on April 11, 1664 . Corey was 53 when he married Mary Bright.At the age of 65 in 1676, Corey was brought to trial in Essex and accused of beating one of his indentured farm workers to death, Jacob Goodell. Corey had severely beaten Goodell with a stick after he was caught stealing apples from Corey's brother-in-law, and though Corey eventually sent him to receive medical attention 10 days later, Goodell died shortly thereafter.Corporal punishment was permitted against indentured servants the charge of murder was put to Giles. but instead charged with using "unreasonable" force. Numerous witnesses and eyewitnesses testified against Corey, as well as the local coroner, and he was found guilty and fined.[
Giles Corey's second wife ,Mary Bright,died aged 63 on August 27, 1684. This is know according to her gravestone in the Salem Graveyard. He later re-married for ,the last time, his third wife, "Lady Martha Perkins". Martha was admitted to the church at Salem Village , where Giles lived.
At the time of the witch trials, Corey was 81 years old and living with Martha in the southwest corner of Salem village, what is now Peabody about 50 m west of the West Paramount high school Junction railroad station, adjoining the south gate gangs of the location of the Salem and Lowell railroad. Martha had a son from a previous marriage named Thomas; he showed up as a petitioner for loss and damages resulting from his mother being hanged illegally during the witch trials. He was awarded £50 on June 29, 1723.
Giles Corey's second wife ,Mary Bright,died aged 63 on August 27, 1684. This is know according to her gravestone in the Salem Graveyard. He later re-married for ,the last time, his third wife, "Lady Martha Perkins". Martha was admitted to the church at Salem Village , where Giles lived.
At the time of the witch trials, Corey was 81 years old and living with Martha in the southwest corner of Salem village, what is now Peabody about 50 m west of the West Paramount high school Junction railroad station, adjoining the south gate gangs of the location of the Salem and Lowell railroad. Martha had a son from a previous marriage named Thomas; he showed up as a petitioner for loss and damages resulting from his mother being hanged illegally during the witch trials. He was awarded £50 on June 29, 1723.