The Curse of Giles Corey

By Crusader1307

 Giles Corey is best known to History as having been one of the few Men to be tried and convicted as a Witch, during the infamous ''Salem Witch Trials of 1982-1693. The hysteria which led to the shocking series of Events in The Colony of Massachusetts, have been told and retold. As as such, Salem and it's surrounding Regions have always been a ''hotbed'' for Paranormal Activities. So too, is the Tale of Giles Corey. Giles was a Farmer of some substance, and was on His 2nd Wife, Martha. Well liked, Martha nonetheless would be ''marked'' a Witch by Her Accusers (8 Juvenile Girls), who ''stoked the fire'' of superstition due to a variety of nefarious reasons (none of which had anything to do with ''The Devil'' or the practice of Witchcraft). And while one might think that Giles would defend His Wife, he apparently ''turned on Her'', citing under Oath during Her Trial that she had practiced ''The Dark Arts''. Some cite that Martha was looking to sue for divorce and ''take'' Giles sizable property, other not so. It would be High Sheriff George Corwin who would ''doubt'' Giles testimony and indict and arrest Him. It has also been advanced that The High Sheriff could seize Giles Property as forfeit after conviction (even though Giles Sons could contest). But the Plot will thicken......

Martha declined to admit Her guilt as a Witch. Keep in The Township Jail, she would be hanged in 1692. But Giles refused to recant. The best method in 17th Century America – ''force a confession''. This was accomplished via Torture. And The High Sheriff chose ''Pressing''. As we have seen, a Victim is tied (spread eagle, face upwards) by stakes to the ground. A heavy stone plate is placed over His or her Chest – onto which is placed (gradually), heavy stone weight after stone weight. The more weight, the harder it is to breath (as the chest will be unable to respirate after a time). Hour after hour, weight was added and a confession was sought. The last thing Giles reported said ''More Weight''. He died of Pressing in 1692 as well. Angered, the High Sheriff at first refused to surrender Giles corpse. When He did, Giles Sons buried their Father in ''The Woods, somewhere around Salem''. No Headstone or location was ever told. In time though, The Township – perhaps thru regret for the shameful Events and suffering brought about by The Witch Trials, erected a large stone slab attesting to Giles Pressing. It is located still in The Howard Street Cemetery, Salem. Some even cite that this WAS the actual Pressing Plate, but there is still no proof. And now ''The Curse''.........

Some say Giles (or perhaps His Sons), ''cursed'' High Sheriff Corwin. All persons who held the position of Sheriff since 1692 have suffered a strange series of aliments relating to Heart issues. George Corwin would die of a Heart Attack with several years of Giles execution. Law Enforcement Chief after Chief (it seems), suffered from some form of Cardiovascular Disease of ''Blood Cancer''. It was not until 1991, when The Salem Sheriff's Office ''moved'', has it's Elected Chief Lawman (whoever) – ''stopped'' suffering from medical issues. And Giles doesn't ''stop there''. It is also said, that His Ghost wandered in several locations. The first is The Howard Street Cemetery (wher4e He was executed). It is widely known that IF someone were to ''see'' Giles ''wandering thru The Cemetery'' (even a fleeting moment), some calamity would befall Salem. From Flood, Fire, Snowstorm, War and Disease – all are associated with a ''vision of Giles''.

The last ''Giles Haunting'' is the site of The Old Town Jail. Long since demolished, a series of small ''Family Restaurants' now occupy the block. But Owners and Patrons tell stories of extremely ''cold spots'' to crashing dishes and slamming doors – are common. Also, those businesses with Basements have particularly ''scary stories'' of ''lights going off'' while Staff go down the stairs for supplies stored there. Also, extreme ''feelings of dread'' are also common (although many cite that the many hundreds of Prisoners who were kept their – may also be ''The Cause''.