Martha and Giles Corey: Victims of Salem Witch Trials

Martha Corey and her husband Giles Corey would both be victims of the Salem witch trials. While Martha Corey would be hanged for being a witch, her husband's death was all together different. Giles Cory's execution was not for being found guilty but for refusing to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty.

Martha Corey is set apart from most of the others who were accused of being witches, because unlike most of them she was a respected member of society. She was up until her death a member of the Village church.

History shows Giles Corey as a prosperous man in his early life. He is also shown as lacking any consideration for other people. Giles Corey was taken to court before on accusations of beating Jacob Goodell, a boy who worked for him.

Martha Corey was examined on charges of witchcraft in March of 1692. Several people would come to court to testify against her as a witch. The outcome of her trial would not be a good one as on September 10, 1962 she would be convicted of witchcraft.

On April 19th Giles Corey would like his wife had a month prior, be examined on the charge of witchcraft. When asked to make his plea, he stood mute and for that he suffered the consequences. In those times people who refused to take a plea would have weights placed upon their chest. These weights would continue to be placed until the person either gave a plea or was crushed to death. In Giles Corey's case he was crushed to death at the age of eighty years old on September 19, 1692.