Giles Cory
Giles Cory
In the Salem witch trials, Giles Corey case was considerably different; his trial became an American historical event. His very public death played a role in building public opposition to the witchcraft trials.
This ordeal of witch craft began by young girls displaying bizarre behavior. The community was at a loss trying to explain the convulsive seizures, screaming, and trance-like states that afflicted the youngsters, the community reason that it must be the work of Satan. Witches had invaded Salem. Puritans believed in witches and their ability to harm others. They defined witchcraft as entering into a compact with the devil in exchange for certain powers to do evil. Thus, witchcraft was considered a sin because it denied God’s superiority and a crime because the witch could call up the Devil in his/her shape to perform cruel acts against others. The first three women to be candidates of witchcraft was Sarah Osborne, Sarah Good and Tituba. Sarah Osborne, was an elderly woman who had not gone to church in over a year and poor church attendance was a puritan sin. Sarah Good, was a homeless woman who begged door to door. If people failed to give her alms, she would utter unknown words and leave. Residents would often attribute her visits to death of lives stock. They believed the mumbled words she spoke under her breath were curses against them for not showing her charity. Then there was Tituba, she was an Indian woman not a Negro Slave. She was originally from an Arawak village in South America. Titbuta was the first to confess in Salem, and she likely did it to avoid further punishment. She made herself a likely target for witchcraft when the child she was taking care of, Betty began having strange fits and symptoms Tituba names the other two witches. These witches were accused and where hung. Corey’s death was completely different.
Giles Corey was a successful farmer and an active member of the...
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