Episode 6 - A Gospel Woman

10/31/24 • 31 min

Witch Hunt - history told in music, sound, and story

https://www.patreon.com/Witch_Hunt

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

Support the show

https://www.patreon.com/Witch_Hunt

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.

“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

Support the show

Previous Episode

Episode 5 - Examinations

https://www.patreon.com/Witch_Hunt
The three suspected witches are now in custody in Salem Village and are publicly examined by colonial magistrates at the Meeting House. The first two suspects, local beggar woman Sarah Good and the scandalous but frail Sarah Osborn, deny being witches and blame others. The third suspect, Rev. Parris' Native American slave Tituba, begins like the others by denying the charges. However she soon changes her story and weaves a kaleidoscopic narrative full of fantastic characters that enthralls the village. Everyone is amazed with wonder but also struck with fear at the potential size of the witch conspiracy, which now seems much larger than the usual small handful of suspects that New Englanders are used to.
The actual 1692 written accounts of these three examinations are used as the primary source for the script of this episode.
All music written by Brian O'Connell - www.brianvoconnell.com
Episode 5 Parts:

Part I - Gathering Storm
Part II - Witches Teats, Magistrates Arrive, Meeting House
Part III - Examination of Sarah Good
Part IV - Examination of Sarah Osborn
Part V - Examination of Sarah Tituba
Part VI - The Familiars
Part VII - The storm begins to spread (Gathering Storm Reprise)
Brian O'Connell - voice, guitar, 12-string acoustic guitar, bass guitar, upright bass, keyboards, synthesizers
Milo - screams
Recorded at Studio Vinniechops
Mixed, Edited, Mastered by Brian O'Connell
https://www.patreon.com/Witch_Hunt

History Sources
“The Salem Witch Trials – A Day-By-Day Chronicle of a Community Under Siege” by Marilynne K. Roach, Taylor Trade Publishing, 2002
"A Storm of Witchcraft - The Salem Witch Trials and the American Experience“ by Emerson W. Baker, Oxford University Press, 2015
"In the Devil's Snare - The Salem Witchcraft Crisis" by Mary Beth Norton, Vintage Books, 2002
Salem Witch Trials - Documentary Archive and Transcription Project - University of Virginia - https://salem.lib.virginia.edu/n125.html

Support the show