Giles Corey

Description: (Accused in Salem Witch Trial)

Giles Corey was an English-born American farmer. He along with his wife was accused of witchcraft during the ‘Salem Witch Trials.’ He died while being ‘pressed,’ an effort to force him to plead in the trials. Born in Northampton, England, he spent his initial years in England and later moved to Massachusetts, America. Court records indicate that he was earlier fined for stealing, and also for beating up a farmhand to death. He married thrice and during later years he and his wife were full members of the Church. He was described as an inconsiderate, stubborn, irritable, but honorable 81-year-old man. When Salem was caught up in witch panic, he along with his wife, Martha Corey, was accused of practicing witchcraft. He refused to plead guilty or non-guilty. So no trial could be conducted as he did not enter plea. As a result of this, he was ‘pressed’ so that he could plead. In those days, if someone refused to stand a trial he was put through a public event of ‘pressing.’ Corey suffered the torture and died, but did not plead. In the end, he was perceived a martyr who fought back courageously.

Overview

Birthday 1611, 1611 (Leo)
Born In England
City Northampton, England
Died on September 19, 1692
Spouse/Ex- Margaret Corey (m. 1664 – died. 1664), Martha Corey (m. 1690 – his. 1692), Mary Bright (m. 1664 – died. 1684)
Parents Giles Corey
Elizabeth Corey
Children Deliverance, Elizabeth, John, Margaret, Martha
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