Giles Corey II

Biography
Giles Corey II was born in England and was in Salem, Massachusetts by 1640. He has many records of his actions in the courts.

Giles married his first wife, Margaret, while still in England. Margaret is the mother of all of his children. When Giles was 43 he married Mary Bright on April 11, 1664. After the death of Mary, Giles his third wife, Martha.

On April 18, 1692, Giles was arrested on the charge of witchcraft along with Mary Warren, Abigail Hobbs, and Bridget Bishop. On April 19, Abigail admitted that Giles was a witch.

In court, Giles refused to enter his plea and was put back in jail because of it.

Deposition of Mercy Lewis
Mercy Lewis v. Giles Corey: The Deposition of Mercy Lewis aged about 19 years who testified and said that on the 14th of April 1692 "I saw the Apparition of Giles Corey come and afflict me urging me to write in his book and so he continued most dreadfully to hurt me by times beating me & almost breaking my back tell the day of his examination being the 19th of April and then also during the time of his examination he did affect and tortor me most greviously: and also several times sense urging me vehemently to write in his book and I veryly believe in my heart that Giles Corey is a dreadful wizard for sense he had been in prison he or his appearance has come and most greviously tormented me." Mercy Lewis affirmed to the jury of Inquest that the above written evidence is the truth upon the oath. She has formerly taken in court of Oyer & Terminer: Septr 9, 1692.

On September 17, 1692, Giles was pressed and he died from injuries on September 19. While being pressed, each time he was asked if he would plead guilty or innocent, he only responded with "More weight".