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This episode tells the story of Martha Corey, the fourth person accused of witchcraft. She was the wife of Giles Corey who is famously known for being crushed under a door while asking for “more weight”. The accusations against Martha marked the beginning of a dramatic escalation of the hysteria. The first three women accused of witchcraft in the Essex County hysteria of 1692 were on the very bottom of the social hierarchy and essentially “the usual suspects”. Martha Corey however was higher up the ladder, as she was a full member of the church who made it a point to let everyone know of her piousness and faith. However, she also had a well-known past of controversy, having given birth to a mixed race child who she had to raise at a boarding house for ten years. Martha proved to be defiant towards her interrogation and stood her ground, despite knowing that the odds were stacked against her. Her husband Giles turned on her and submitted a statement to the court saying he suspected her of witchcraft.

Many portions of this episode including all of the dialog are taken directly from the original written statements and court transcriptions of the time.

Special thanks to Rachel Koppelman for voices of Martha Corey, Abigail Williams, Bethsaa Pope, and others.

All music written, arranged, and recorded by Brian O'Connell except “Psalm 39, Martyr's Tune" adapted from the Bay Psalm Book, 1698.

Episode 6 Parts:

Part I - Gospel Women
Part II - “Psalm 39, Martyr's Tune"
Part III - The Boston Jail & Martha’s Story
Part IV - A visit to the accused
Part V - Disruptions at service
Part VI - The examination of Martha Corey
Part VII – Statement of Giles Corey

Brian O'Connell - narration, acoustic 12-string guitar, electric upright bass, recorder, glockenspiel

Rachel Koppelman - narration

Recorded at Studio Vinniechops

https://www.patreon.com/Witch_Hunt

Sources

“The Salem Witch Trials – A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege” by Marilynne K. Roach, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2002

University of Virginia Salem Witch Trial Documentary Archive and Transcription Project - https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/home.html

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