Title and statement of responsibility area
Title proper
General material designation
- Textual record
Parallel title
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Title statements of responsibility
Title notes
- Variations in title: Also known as George Curwen, Fishing Account Books
- Source of title proper: Title is based on the content of the fonds
Level of description
Reference code
Edition area
Edition statement
Edition statement of responsibility
Class of material specific details area
Statement of scale (cartographic)
Statement of projection (cartographic)
Statement of coordinates (cartographic)
Statement of scale (architectural)
Issuing jurisdiction and denomination (philatelic)
Dates of creation area
Date(s)
-
Microfilmed 1988 (originally created 1658-1672) (Creation)
- Creator
- Curwen, George
Physical description area
Physical description
1 microfilm reel
Publisher's series area
Title proper of publisher's series
Parallel titles of publisher's series
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Archival description area
Name of creator
Biographical history
Captain George Curwen (1610-1685) was born in Sibbertoft, England, and emigrated to Massachusetts in 1638. Settling at Salem, Essex County, he quickly established himself as a prominent local merchant, provisioning farmers, townsmen, and fishermen. By his death in 1685, he had accumulated one of the largest fortunes in New England.
Captain Curwen's business involved outfitting fishing companies and partnering with independent fishermen, advancing provisions in return for a portion of the catch. He also dealt with smaller outfitters, providing them with wholesale goods that they retailed to their fishermen. As well, Curwen played an important role in the offshore fishery and in the fish export trade to Spain and the West Indies.
Custodial history
Scope and content
Fonds consists of microfilmed reproductions of three account books, 1658-72, which describe Captain Curwen's relationship with the several hundred fishermen who worked out of Salem and Marblehead in the mid-seventeenth century. These account books were selected from the Curwen papers held at the Essex Institute, Salem, Massachusetts.
Notes area
Physical condition
Immediate source of acquisition
Purchased from the Essex Institute in 1989.
Arrangement
Language of material
- English
Script of material
Location of originals
Original documents held at the Essex Institute.
Availability of other formats
Restrictions on access
There are no restrictions on access to this material.
Terms governing use, reproduction, and publication
Copyright is held by the Essex Institute. The ledger may not be duplicated or quoted without written permission from the Essex Institute.
Finding aids
MHA Finding Aid 20
Associated materials
Accruals
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Standard number
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Description record identifier
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Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation, revision and deletion
Created - May 23, 2013
Language of description
- English