Martha Corey's accusation and subsequent execution during the Salem witch trials represented a critical turning point in the unfolding hysteria of 1692. Unlike many of the earlier accused, Martha was a respected member of the church with good economic and social standing within the community. Her case challenged the initial perception that only marginalized individuals were susceptible to accusations, demonstrating that the accusations could escalate
across social boundaries. Her public skepticism about the trials and the accusers ultimately made her a target, leading to her conviction and hanging on September 22, 1692.
Born Martha Panon somewhere in New England, her exact birth date is unknown, but she was around 72 years old at the time of her death. Her past included having a mixed-race son, Benoni, out of wedlock at least 20 years before her death. To the Puritans, Benoni was seen as living proof of Martha's sinful past, potentially contributing to the later accusations. She married Henry Rich in 1684, having a second son, Thomas Rich. After Henry's death, she married the wealthy farmer Giles Corey in 1690. Giles also had a controversial past, including petty theft and a trial for the murder of a servant boy. These pasts, both Martha's and Giles's, may have played a role in their accusations during the trials.
Piety and Skepticism: Martha Corey's Unlikely Accusation
Despite her past, Martha Corey had attempted to move beyond her transgressions. She was known for her piety and dedicated church attendance, having been officially admitted to the Salem Village Church in 1691. This made her accusation particularly surprising to the community. Crucially, Martha had never supported the witch trials, openly expressing her disbelief in the existence of witches or warlocks. She publicly denounced the trials and criticized the judges involved in the various cases, believing the accusers were lying. This outspoken skepticism, however, made her a target.
Upon hearing her doubts, two young girls, Ann Putnam Jr. and Mercy Lewis, promptly accused her of witchcraft. Martha, seemingly unaware of the intense paranoia gripping the village, remained truthful about her innocence during her trial, never doubting she would be exonerated. As the girls testified against her, Corey asked the judge not to believe the "rantings of hysterical children." This combination of her outspokenness and her steadfast claims of innocence made it easy for the afflicted girls to construct a compelling narrative against her.
The Trial and Its Tragic Outcome
During her examination, the accusers began mimicking her movements, as if controlled by her. Mercy Lewis claimed, "There's a man he whispered in her ear," and John Hathorne, the magistrate, asked if the man was Satan. Ann Putnam Jr. then cried out that Martha Corey had a yellow bird sucking on her hand, which was presented as sufficient evidence to persuade the jury of her guilt. The Putnam family, by accusing Martha Corey, solidified their power in the town and demonstrated their willingness to attack anyone who openly questioned their motives or authority.
Martha Corey was hanged on September 22, 1692, at the age of 72. Her husband, Giles Corey, had defended her against the allegations, but he too was eventually accused of witchcraft. He refused to undergo a trial and was executed by pressing, a slow and agonizing death under a pile of stones, on September 19, 1692, just three days before his wife's execution. His refusal to plead was reportedly to prevent his estate from being confiscated, ensuring it would pass to his heirs. The accusation of Martha Corey marked a significant escalation in the Salem Witch Trials, leading to accusations across social boundaries and ultimately involving over one hundred women.
