Series I. Captain George Curwen (1610-1684/5) Papers contains his shipping papers, correspondence, legal papers, and his immediate family papers from 1641 to 1729.

Subseries A. Shipping and Business Papers, from 1641 to 1685, includes accounts and receipts for ships that George either owned, or on which he shipped cargo. In addition to the ships' and shipping accounts in the account books (Volumes 1-7), there are also accounts for his fishing voyages and his warehouses from 1652 to 1684. The correspondence and legal papers incorporate the business and legal correspondence, land grants from Salem, and George's personal accounts. Volumes 4, 5, and 7 have been reproduced on microfilm, roll #120-1.

Subseries B. Estate Papers includes inventories of his estate, funeral expenses and accounts, correspondence, and receipts relating to the settlement of his estate by his son, Johnathan.

Subseries C. Immediate Family Papers contains letters from his second wife, Elizabeth, letters to Elizabeth from family and friends, and legal accounts of George's in-laws, the Winslows, Sergeants, and Gibbses.