The Curse of Giles Corey – a Creepy Legend from Salem
The Salem Witch Trials and Giles Corey
The Salem Witch Trials are among the darkest chapters of American history. In the years 1692 and 1693, more than 200 people in Salem were the focus of the witch hunt. Among the 19 executed was Giles Corey, a resident of the town. His tragic death is marked by such horrific events that they continue to keep the legend of an ancient curse alive to this day.
The Accusation Against Giles Corey
Wealthy farmer Giles Corey, along with his third wife, was accused of witchcraft on April 18, 1692. At the time of his arrest, he was already 80 years old. Corey initially believed the accusations against his wife – until he himself became the target of the witch hunters. One woman even claimed that she had seen Corey's spirit tormenting her and forcing her to surrender her soul to the devil.
Corey's Brave Decision
Determined not to plead guilty or innocent, Corey entered a legal gray area. According to the law at the time, he could not be charged without entering a plea. However, the authorities resorted to a drastic measure and subjected Corey to "peine forte et dure" – a brutal and violent torture method – in order to force him to confess
Corey's Agonizing End
On September 17, Sheriff George Corwin ordered wooden boards to be placed on Corey's exposed body, and heavy stones were successively laid on top. Corey endured this inhumane torture for three days without crying out in pain. Three times he was asked to enter a plea, but each time he only replied: "More weight."
The Legendary Curse of Giles Corey
Shortly before his death on the third day, Corey cursed the town of Salem and its sheriff. Since he died without a trial, his land and wealth remained in his possession and were passed on to his descendants, instead of being seized by the state.
Corey's ghost is said to have appeared at the Howard Street Cemetery before every major disaster that struck Salem. Allegedly, he was even seen on the night before the devastating Salem fire in 1914. Corey's curse is said to have haunted every sheriff of Essex County until the office was moved from Salem to Middleton in 1991. Since then, no sheriffs from Salem have died of heart or blood-related problems.
