The Salem Witch Trials

-The Hangings-

After the trials started becoming too overwhelming for the judges, they decided to take stronger measures. In May of 1692, they hired a new governor, William Phips. He established the Court of Oyer and Terminer on witchcraft cases for Middlesex, Essex, and Suffolk countries. The judges, William Stoughton, Hathorne, and Samuel Sewall, had their first hanging be Bridget Bishop on June 2. 

She was hung eight days later on Gallows Hill. Five others were hung in the July. Another five in August. And eight in September. Seven of them died in jail. Then Giles Corey, Martha Corey's husband, was pressed to death by stones. What they did was, they laid him in between two boards and would places a heavy rock on the top board until he confessed. He didn't confess. They would ask him the same question, "Have you been practicing witchcraft?" and all he would say is, "More Weight". So they would add one more rock and would ask him again and he would respond the same. They did this until there was enough weight to crush him.