What Is Giles Corey A Victim Of The Salem Witch Trials

Giles Corey is one of the most notable victims of the Salem Witch Trials. Corey was born in Northampton, England, in 1621. After marrying his first wife, Margaret, the two migrated to the Thirteen Colonies, settling in Massachusetts Bay. In 1659, Corey relocated to the Village of Salem and soon thereafter, became a successful and well-known farmer.
After the death of his first wife, he remarried to a woman named Mary Brite. In 1676, he was accused and stood trial for beating and killing his farmhand. His only punishment was a fine, leading people like Thomas Putnam to believe that he bought his way out of jail. Many people believed him to be quite violent after this. In 1984, Mary Brite died. In 1690, he wed his third and final wife, Martha, who would also fall victim to the Salem Witch Trials (Text 1). By 1692, the

It is speculated that the accusations of the two had to do with a quarrel going on between the Corey’s and Putnam’s. He was subsequently arrested & charged on April 18th. He spent 5 months in jail with his wife (Text 2). By September, dozens had come forward with so-called “damning evidence” against Giles. Aware that conviction would give the state control over his land, Corey chose to stay silent. By staying silent, he could not be found guilty nor innocent. His property would then be given to his two sons instead of the state. However, staying silent was an act punishable by death. On September 19, 1692, Giles Corey was pressed to death by stones. In the moments leading up to his death, Corey kept pleading for more weight to be added so that his death would come quicker (Text 3). In the end, it took days for him to die. It was a very long and painful killing. He is one of few who died as an act of protest, opposed to an act of pride. Giles Corey’s death led to many people questioning the Salem Witch Trials, which eventually ended in the months