Subseries A. Samuel Curwen (1715-1802) Papers has been divided into four sub-subseries.

Sub-subseries 1. Personal Journals, which cover 1775 to 1793, provide an almost daily account of his life in Salem, Philadelphia, and England. Noteworthy are the descriptions of the political scene in England during and after the American Revolution.

Sub-subseries 2. Personal Correspondence and Letter Books contains letters from friends, family, and in-laws, the Russells and Lyndes. Of note is the July 16, 1738 letter to his brother, George, describing his grief over the death of a woman he loved. The personal letter books contain Samuel's copies of letters to his wife, family, and friends, from the beginning of the Revolution until his death in 1802. Like the personal journals, the letter books document Samuel's flight to England, his years abroad, political philosophy, and personal turmoil. Both the personal journals and personal letter books include notations from George Rea Curwen of important entries, such as an evening with George Washington (see box 3, Journal 3, May 9, 1775 entry). Also included in Samuel's personal papers are a 1760-1761 memorandum book for the building of his house and personal expense books (1760 to 1775).

Sub-subseries 3. Business Papers contains shipping papers, receipts, and accounts. The invoices and bills of lading from consigning merchandise to other vessels are filed chronologically. Also filed here are documents resulting from his years as Commissioner and Receiver of Impost in Salem. The letter books, which cover 1754 to 1775, record business letters for his shipping business, official correspondence written while Commissioner of Impost, and letters concerning domestic affairs. Noteworthy is Samuel's Light and Impost Account Book, 1752 to 1774, which records names of ships entering Salem Harbor, port of origin, type of cargo, and impost paid.

Sub-subseries 4. Political, Civic, and Legal Papers includes the 1756-1773 Book of Oaths from his years as Justice of the Peace; the 1744 rules for the Fire Club; lists of inoculations in Salem in 1752 and 1764; a list of houses built in Salem between 1750 and 1762; a 1773 list of lightning rod locations in Salem; letters from Salem residents describing events before the Revolution; an updated list of vessels and owners; and an undated list of people and their occupations. The legal papers contain commissions for Deputy Judge of the Admiralty Court and Commissioner of Impost and Tonnage (1750), a 1756 appointment of Samuel as a Justice of the Peace, as well as legal agreements and indentures.