Whisbreatru In Salem Village, 1692

I begged him not to go. These examinations are based on deception, those girls are lying! I grabbed the saddle from his horse that he wrangled away from me. A stubborn old fool who was willing to delve into the preposterous belief that they would not turn on him. Then he, when accused, should turn on me. Here I have devoted my life to becoming a good wife to him and a woman of God. As such I could not condone lies. I have a mind and because I will speak, I am cast as wicked. I pray for these souls. I am a woman of the church that is why Giles married an old soul who could bare him nothing. He knew I read books. He knew I was more invested in truth, as it will bring our souls to the purity we once all were. He knew yet he has joined the accusers.

I wait as I know they are coming. These villagers who sat with me in the pews of our shared church just yesterday. Ye wonder why I would dare show my face when I will be arrested, and I know I will be hung. Because I will whisper as long as I breathe; “I am innocent!”

If these neighbors of mine shall not hear, maybe a soul from a world I do not know will hear my whisbreatru; a truth that lingers in the air until someone decides to listen.

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This is a micro-fiction/historical fiction story based on Martha Corey, (sometimes spelt Cory) age 70, who was the last woman convicted and executed by hanging during the Salem Witch Trials. Her husband Giles Cory age 71 was also executed though he would not take a plea of guilt, or innocence so as not to lose the deed to his land. He was not hung like the others convicted, instead he was pressed to death by stones. (Pruitt, S.,2018)

Giles and Martha are said to have had a bickering relationship. After the first person was hung for witchcraft, Martha did not believe the accusers and tried to stop Giles from attending further “examinations” of additional victims. They are said to have had a fight where she took his horse saddle and tried to hide it. (Pruitt, 2018)

Giles would end up being accused and would then cast blame on his wife who would be convicted, although there are some references in his testimony that he later said she was innocent. Martha Corey was arrested, but not before she attended church with her neighbors on Sunday knowing she would be arrested the next day.

Reference

Pruitt, S., (2018) 5 Notable Women Hanged In The Salem Witch Trials, History Channel