| Notes |
- In 1675 Jacob Goodale, age thirty-three, was living and working on Giles
Corey's farm. Corey was extremely strong, and in a fit of temper "unreasonably
beat Jacob with a stick of about one inch diameter nearly 100 blows in the
presence of Elisha Kebee, who told Corey that he would knock him down if he did
not forbear." About ten days later, Corey went to the house of Jacob's brother
Zachariah Goodale and told him that Jacob had taken a fall. Corey said he was
afraid that Jacob had boken his arm, and desired him to take Jacob to Mrs.
Mole's, in town. Zachariah went to Corey's house and found Jacob confused,
pale, stooping, and unable to walk properly. Zachariah asked Corey if Jacob
had any other injury besides to his arm, but Corey would not answer. Corey, a
stubborn man, refused to help. Instead his second wife, Mary, helped Zachariah
take Jacob to town, where Jacob died a few days later. An inquest was held.
The coroner's jury, headed by Dr. Zerubabel Endicott, son of the late governor,
said, "The man had been bruised to death, having great bruises with the skin
broken, and having clodders of blood about his heart." Corey was brought
before the court and fined, "upon suspicion of having abused the body of Jacob
Goodale."
Legend has it that the ghost of Jacob Goodale appeared from time to time,
crying out about his foul murder.
Look! Look! It is the ghost of Jacob Goodale
Whom fifteen years ago this man did murder,
By stomping on his body! In his shroud He comes here to bear witness to this crime.
----------
Reference:
"The Devil Discovered," Enders A. Robinson, 1991, p 146, 162, 163, 222.
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1642 - 1671 (28 years)
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