Image: John Clark Ridpath. “Cyclopedia of Universal History”, 1923

On 19 September 1692, Giles Corey was pressed to death after being accused of witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials.

This was a dark time in early American history. In Salem Massachusetts, during the 1690s, many innocent people were accused of practicing witchcraft and giving their soul to the devil. This led to a series of malicious trials that broke both the body and mind of those who were accused. The torture endured by these people was so great they would plead guilty even if they were innocent just to make the pain stop; except in the case of Giles Corey.

Giles Corey was born in Northampton, England, before 16 August 1621. He traveled across the Atlantic to the town of Salem in early 1640s and lived there until 1659 when he moved to his farmland just outside of town. In 1676, Corey stood trial after he beat one of his indentured servants, Jacob Goodale, to death with a stick. He wasn’t found guilty of murder but rather using “unreasonable force.” Many people believed that he got off easy but this incident ruined his reputation which later will be his downfall in the Salem Witch Trials.

Corey’s troubles during the witchcraft hysteria started after his wife Martha was arrested on charges of witchcraft in March 1692. He testified against her saying that she had afflicted the cattle and their cat and would also recite evil spells and incantations by the fireplace claiming they were only prayers.

On 18 April 1692, Giles Corey was arrested after Ann Putnam, Mercy Lewis, Abigail Williams, Mary Walcott, and Elizabeth Hubbard claimed that they were being afflicted by him. Corey and three women accused of witchcraft—Mary Warren, Abigail Hobbs and Bridget Bishop—were examined the next day. Hobbs spoke out against Corey. This was a common occurrence amongst the accused because the magistrates at the time would offer plea bargains if they named other wiches.

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Corey was stripped of all clothing, bound hands and feet, laid on the ground. Along wooden board was positioned across his body. Then heavy boulders were placed on top of him. The logic behind it was that the pain would be so unbearable that Corey would be forced to plea. The weight increased over several days and each time they asked for his plea the only words he muttered was “more weight.” According to witnesses who attended the public torture, Corey’s eyes were bulging out of their sockets and his tongue was pressed out of his mouth, yet he was still able to eat the three tiny pieces of bread given to him over the course of a few days.

Corey gave his last breath crying out the words “more weight.”

–Alex Sad

Meet the Author

I am a student at Schoolcraft College and plan to transfer in to Michigan State University where I will like to attend their prestigious veterinary school. My interests include reptiles and all other animals, cars, and drawing. My main career goals are to become and exotic animal vet for a renowned zoological center.