Giles Corey Pressed to Death in Christian Love

Fear-based, bloodthirsty christians in Salem, arrested Martha Corey, 60, on charges of witchcraft based on the hysterical ravings of "the children." When she defended her innocence, the children mimicked her movements and claimed Martha was bewitching them. Giles Corey, 71, defended his wife, who was known for her piety and dedicated church attendance, which resulted in his arrest as well. She was sentenced to hang.

All around Giles, christian paranoia was resulting in mass arrests, incarcerations, and executions. Giles saw the emerging slaughter of the innocents and became resigned to his fate. Rather than let the provincial government take his property when tried and found guilty, Giles refused to plead and, thus, could not be tried. As a result, the christ-centered court ordered "peine forte et dure" (French for "hard and forceful punishment"). On September 17, 1692, Sheriff Corwin, with christ in his heart, led Giles from the Salem jail and across the street to an open pasture. While the beloved brethren watched, Giles was placed face up on the ground, flat boards were set across his body, and heavy stones were piled on top of these, one after another. After two days of this torture on September 19, 1692, Giles Corey died due to suffocation and internal injuries. His property went to his sons-in-law. Martha was hanged three days later.

Christian love and the superstitions of the ignorant eventually led to the arrests of over 150 people, the felony capital convictions of 29, and the executions of 19 by hanging (fourteen women, five men), as well as Giles' pressing.

If these same jesus-loving fanatics took over our present government and forced a theocracy on us, is there any doubt there would be mass executions and stonings? They would probably be televised on Fox with prayers before and after the blessed events.

"More weight."
--- Giles Corey, 1692