Jurist. He was a judge in the infamous Salem Witchcraft Trials of 1692, assisting in conducting examinations of many of those accused of witchcraft, which helped create a hysteria in the coastal Massachusetts town. As a result of the witchcraft trials, 20 people from in and around Salem Village (now Danvers), Massachusetts were hanged, and several other died in jail awaiting trial. (bio by: Mike Beard)  Family links:  Parents:  George Curwin (1610 – 1685)